Display panel, display device, repair method and repair device

Abstract

This application provides a display panel, comprising: an array substrate; a light-emitting layer disposed on one side of the array substrate; and a mechanochromic layer located on the side of the light-emitting layer in the light-emitting direction. A predetermined area of ​​the mechanochromic layer is used to change from a transparent state to a black state under the action of a preset pressure. For abnormal bright spots to be repaired, a preset pressure can be applied to the predetermined area of ​​the mechanochromic layer to block the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormal bright spot from passing through, making it appear as a dark spot, thereby making the display panel display uniform.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) is currently a hot research topic in flat panel display research. Compared to Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), OLED displays have advantages such as low energy consumption, low production cost, self-emissiveness, wide viewing angle, and fast response speed. OLED devices require electrode lines and thin-film transistors (TFTs) to control light emission. These electrode lines and TFTs can be damaged by defects such as foreign particles between film layers, resulting in bright spots and / or foreign matter defects on the panel. Bright spots and / or foreign matter defects on the display panel are very easy to detect and directly affect the screen's appearance; however, a few dark spots, because they do not emit light and are small in size, are not easily detected by the human eye. Therefore, panels with a few dark spots generally do not affect the screen's appearance and are acceptable to consumers. Therefore, during OLED panel manufacturing, abnormal bright spots and / or foreign matter defects are often repaired into dark spots to improve panel yield. However, laser repair may damage other film layers.

[0003] Therefore, in this field, there is a desire to develop a more efficient method for repairing defects that can avoid generating additional undesirable bright spots and / or foreign matter. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and proposes a display panel, display device, repair method and repair device to repair bright spots and / or abnormal bright spots caused by foreign objects on the screen, without causing other additional defects.

[0005] This application provides a display panel, including: an array substrate;

[0006] A light-emitting layer is disposed on one side of the array substrate;

[0007] A mechanochromic layer is located on one side of the light-emitting layer in the direction of light emission. A predetermined area of ​​the mechanochromic layer is used to change from a transparent state to a black state under the action of a preset pressure.

[0008] The display panel further includes: an encapsulation layer; the encapsulation layer is disposed between the light-emitting layer and the mechanochromic layer; or the mechanochromic layer is disposed between the encapsulation layer and the light-emitting layer.

[0009] The display panel further includes a touch layer disposed between the encapsulation layer and the mesticolor layer, and a protective layer disposed on the side of the mesticolor layer opposite to the encapsulation layer.

[0010] The mechanochromic layer material is one or more of polyurethane and / or cross-shaped stilbene nitrile derivatives; the preset pressure is set to 2-4 MPa.

[0011] The thickness of the mechanochromic layer is 2-5 μm.

[0012] The force-induced color-changing layer includes multiple sub-regions distributed in an array. Each of the multiple sub-regions corresponds to a multiple sub-pixel region in the light-emitting layer, and the sub-pixel region does not exceed the corresponding sub-region.

[0013] The display panel further includes a planarization layer disposed between the light-emitting layer and the mechanochromic layer.

[0014] This application also provides a display device, including the display panel described in any one of the above claims.

[0015] This application also provides a repair method for repairing the above-mentioned display panel, including: detecting the coordinates of abnormal bright spots on the display panel;

[0016] The pressing component is moved to the corresponding position on the display panel according to the coordinates.

[0017] The pressing component is controlled to apply a preset pressure to the corresponding position of the display panel.

[0018] This application also provides a repair device for repairing the above-mentioned display panel, comprising: an automatic optical inspection component for detecting the coordinates of abnormal bright spots on the display panel and transmitting the coordinates to a control center;

[0019] The control center controls the pressing component to move to the corresponding position on the display panel according to the coordinates.

[0020] Press the component to apply a preset pressure to the corresponding position on the display panel.

[0021] The display panel and display device provided in this application include: an array substrate; a light-emitting layer disposed on one side of the array substrate; and a mechanochromic layer located on the side of the light-emitting layer in the light-emitting direction. A predetermined area of ​​the mechanochromic layer is used to change from a transparent state to a black state under a preset pressure. When an abnormal bright spot appears on the display panel, the corresponding area of ​​the mechanochromic layer turns black, blocking the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit in the light-emitting layer corresponding to the abnormal bright spot from passing through. This results in a uniform display on the display panel, achieving the purpose of repairing the abnormal bright spot without causing any other additional defects.

[0022] The repair method provided in this application is used to repair the aforementioned display panel, comprising: detecting the coordinates of abnormally emitting points on the display panel; moving a pressing component to the corresponding position on the display panel according to the coordinates; and controlling the pressing component to apply a preset pressure to the corresponding position on the display panel. By detecting the coordinates of the abnormally emitting points and applying pressure to the corresponding position on the display panel, the corresponding position of the mechanochromic layer in the display panel is subjected to the applied pressure, causing the color to change from transparent to black. Therefore, the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormally emitting point is blocked, resulting in a uniform display on the display panel, thereby achieving the purpose of repairing the abnormally emitting points without causing other additional defects.

[0023] The repair device provided in this application is used to repair the aforementioned display panel. It includes: an automatic optical detection component that detects the coordinates of abnormally emitting points on the display panel and transmits the coordinates to a control center; a control center that controls a pressing component to move to the corresponding position on the display panel according to the coordinates; and a pressing component that applies a preset pressure to the corresponding position on the display panel. By detecting the coordinates of the abnormally emitting points and applying pressure to the corresponding positions on the display panel, the corresponding positions of the mechanochromic layer in the display panel are subjected to the applied pressure, causing the color to change from transparent to black. Therefore, the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormally emitting point is blocked, resulting in a more uniform display on the display panel, thus achieving the purpose of repairing the abnormally emitting points without causing any other additional defects. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first type of display panel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second type of display panel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third type of display panel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth type of display panel provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the press display panel state provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the repair method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the repair device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Attached icon number

[0032] 1-Array substrate; 2-Light-emitting layer; 3-Mechanochromic layer; 4-Encapsulation layer; 5-Touch layer; 6-Protective layer; 7-Probe; 21-Sub-pixel area; 31-Mechanochromic layer sub-area; 8-Repair device; 81-Automatic optical inspection component; 82-Control center; 83-Pressing component. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] The terms "first," "second," and "third" in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and movements between components in a specific orientation (as shown in the figures). If the specific orientation changes, the directional indications also change accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0035] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0036] In existing technologies, laser repair is generally used to turn the sub-pixels corresponding to abnormal bright spots or shiny foreign objects on the display panel into dark spots.

[0037] Specifically, for the target sub-pixel to be repaired, a laser is used to melt and carbonize the cathode layer, anode layer, and the luminescent material between the cathode and anode layers within the repair area corresponding to the target sub-pixel. This makes the cathode and anode layers conductive, turning the target sub-pixel from an abnormal bright spot into a dark spot. During the repair process, the luminescent material is heated and carbonized, generating high-temperature gas. The continuous accumulation of this high-temperature gas can easily damage other film layers, leading to reliability issues in the OLED display panel. Alternatively, the laser can cut the cathode layer, isolating the cathode layer directly opposite the target sub-pixel from the overall cathode layer of the OLED display panel, turning the target sub-pixel from an abnormal bright spot into a dark spot. If the laser's movement path is repeated, the structure of the sub-pixels corresponding to the repeated parts of the path may be severely damaged.

[0038] Based on the above findings, the inventors of this application considered that, in order to avoid reliability anomalies to the greatest extent and to improve the success rate of repair, the structure of sub-pixels should be damaged as little as possible.

[0039] For ease of description, abnormal shine caused by bright spots and / or foreign objects will be uniformly referred to as abnormal bright spots.

[0040] For the reasons stated above, embodiments of the present invention provide an OLED display panel, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes: an array substrate 1; a light-emitting layer 2 disposed on one side of the array substrate 1; and a mechanochromic layer 3 located on the side of the light-emitting layer 2 in the light-emitting direction. A predetermined area of ​​the mechanochromic layer 3 is used to change from a transparent state to a black state under the action of a preset pressure.

[0041] The light-emitting layer 2 may include multiple sub-pixel units, which may be one or more of red, green and blue sub-pixels. The interaction between different sub-pixels can present different display effects to meet the different display requirements of the display panel.

[0042] When the pressure applied to a predetermined area of ​​the mechanochromic layer 3 is less than a preset value, it remains transparent; when the pressure is equal to the preset value, it changes from transparent to black. For abnormal bright spots to be repaired, a preset pressure can be applied to the predetermined area of ​​the mechanochromic layer 3 to block the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormal bright spot from passing through, making it appear as a dark spot, thus ensuring uniform display on the display panel.

[0043] In some embodiments, the predetermined area includes at least the sub-pixel region where the abnormal bright spot is located, corresponding to the mechanochromic layer. The area where the mechanochromic layer turns black can be larger than the size of the sub-pixel region corresponding to the abnormal bright spot, so as to more effectively block the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormal bright spot to be repaired.

[0044] As can be seen, the above method is simple and easy to implement, and can repair all abnormal bright spots. Compared with the existing technology that uses laser irradiation for repair, it is faster and more efficient.

[0045] In addition, by changing the color of the force-sensitive color-changing layer from transparent to black, the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit in the light-emitting layer corresponding to the abnormal bright spot to be repaired is blocked from passing through, thereby achieving the purpose of repairing the abnormal bright spot. Unlike laser repair, it will not cause additional defects such as damage to other film layers due to heat.

[0046] The display panel also includes an encapsulation layer 4, which is disposed on one side of the light-emitting layer 2 to isolate moisture or oxygen from corroding the light-emitting material of the light-emitting layer 2, and to prevent the entire display panel from failing due to damage to the light-emitting layer 2.

[0047] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 As shown, the encapsulation layer 4 is disposed between the light-emitting layer 2 and the mechanochromic layer 3.

[0048] Specifically, the mechanochromic layer 3 is disposed on the surface of the encapsulation layer 4 away from the array substrate 1. Since the surface of the encapsulation layer 4 is relatively flat, it facilitates the coating process of the mechanochromic layer 3, ensuring uniform thickness and thus making the mechanochromic properties of the entire layer uniform and stable. When it is necessary to repair abnormal bright spots, the mechanochromic layer 3 can effectively change from transparent to black at various locations, achieving the technical effect of masking the abnormal bright spot area. Furthermore, because it is disposed on the surface of the encapsulation layer 4 away from the array substrate 1, rather than on the surface of organic layers such as luminescent materials, the impact on the organic layers is reduced.

[0049] In some embodiments, see Figure 3As shown, the display panel also includes a touch layer 5 disposed between the encapsulation layer 4 and the mestichrome layer 3, and a protective layer 6 disposed on the side of the mestichrome layer 3 facing away from the encapsulation layer 4. Since the mestichrome layer 3 is disposed on the outside of the touch layer 5, pressure can be applied to the surface of the mestichrome layer 3 more easily through the protective layer 6. Furthermore, compared to other embodiments where the mestichrome layer 3 is disposed between the touch layer 5 and the light-emitting layer 2, the potential impact on other film layers can be reduced.

[0050] In some embodiments, a polarizer (not shown) is also provided on the outer surface of the display panel for display; in this case, the mechanochromic layer 3 may also be provided on the outer surface of the polarizer.

[0051] In some embodiments, the mechatronic layer material is one or more of polyurethane and / or cross-shaped stilbene nitrile derivatives. A preset pressure of 2-4 MPa is used to change the color of the corresponding position in the mechatronic layer 3 from transparent to black, thus blocking the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormal bright spot defect. A pressure less than 2 MPa will not effectively repair bright spots and / or foreign matter defects, while a pressure greater than 4 MPa may damage the panel. Generally, the preset pressure can be set to 2 MPa, 3 MPa, 4 MPa, etc. Of course, it can also be flexibly set according to actual conditions.

[0052] In some embodiments, the thickness of the mechanochromic layer 3 is greater than or equal to 2 μm and less than or equal to 5 μm.

[0053] The purpose of setting the thickness of the mechanochromic layer 3 to be greater than or equal to 2µm and less than or equal to 5µm is that if the thickness of the mechanochromic layer 3 is too small, it may turn black after being subjected to external pressure, resulting in poor blocking effect on the light emitted by abnormal bright spots, and thus failing to block the light emitted by abnormal bright spots. At the same time, if the thickness of the mechanochromic layer is too large, it will increase the overall thickness of the display panel, affecting the light emission effect of the display panel, and also reducing the foldability of the display panel, thereby affecting the application of the display panel.

[0054] The thickness of the megohmmeter layer 3 is greater than or equal to 2µm and less than or equal to 5µm. This ensures that the megohmmeter layer 3 has a good effect on blocking abnormal bright spots without adversely affecting the overall performance of the display panel. In actual production, the thickness of the megohmmeter layer 3 can be adjusted according to requirements. The specific thickness of the megohmmeter layer 3 can be 2µm, 3µm, or 4µm, etc., as long as the thickness of the megohmmeter layer 3 is minimized while ensuring the effect of blocking abnormal bright spots.

[0055] In some embodiments, the orthogonal projection of the mechanochromic layer 3 onto the light-emitting layer 2 covers the light-emitting layer 2, thereby enabling complete coverage of the location of potential abnormal light spots.

[0056] In some embodiments, see Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the mechanochromic layer 3 includes multiple sub-regions 31 arranged in an array. Each sub-region 31 corresponds one-to-one with a sub-pixel region 21 in the luminescent layer 2, and the sub-pixel region 21 does not extend beyond its corresponding sub-region 31. By dividing the mechanochromic layer 3 into multiple sub-regions 31 arranged in an array, corresponding one-to-one with the sub-pixel regions 21, it is easier and faster to complete the repair alignment when repairing abnormal luminous spot A.

[0057] Optionally, a sub-region 31 may correspond to a sub-pixel region 21, or it may correspond to a subset of adjacent sub-pixel regions among multiple sub-pixel regions 21. For example, a sub-region 31 may correspond to two or more adjacent sub-pixel regions among multiple sub-pixel regions 21.

[0058] In some embodiments, the display substrate further includes a planarization layer (not shown), which is disposed between the light-emitting layer 2 and the mechanochromic layer 3. The mechanochromic layer 3 is disposed on the planarization layer, which ensures uniform and stable mechanochromic characteristics across the entire planarization layer. When it is necessary to repair abnormal bright spots, the mechanochromic layer can effectively achieve a change from transparent to black at various locations, thus achieving the technical effect of masking the abnormal area.

[0059] This application also provides a display device, including a display panel as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0060] This application also provides a repair method, such as Figure 6 As shown, a method for repairing a display panel as described in any of the above embodiments includes: S01: detecting the coordinates of an abnormally bright spot on the display panel; S02: moving a pressing component to the corresponding position on the display panel according to the coordinates; S03: controlling the pressing component to apply a preset pressure to the corresponding position on the display panel.

[0061] By detecting the coordinates of the abnormal bright spot, the pressing component is moved to the corresponding position of the coordinates. The pressing component applies a preset pressure to the corresponding position of the display panel. The corresponding position of the force-sensitive color-changing layer 3 in the display panel changes from transparent to black due to the applied pressure. The light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormal bright spot is blocked, which makes the display panel display uniform, so as to achieve the purpose of repairing the abnormal bright spot without causing other additional defects.

[0062] This application also provides a repair device 8, such as Figure 7As shown, a method for repairing a display panel as described in any of the above embodiments includes: an automatic optical detection component 81, which detects the coordinates of abnormal bright spots on the display panel and transmits the coordinates to a control center 82; the control center 82, which controls a pressing component 83 to move to the corresponding position on the display panel according to the coordinates; and the pressing component 83, which applies a preset pressure to the corresponding position on the display panel.

[0063] The coordinates of abnormal bright spots are detected by an automatic optical detection component. The control center controls the pressing component to move to the corresponding position of the coordinates. The pressing component applies a preset pressure to the corresponding position of the display panel. The corresponding position of the force-sensitive color-changing layer 3 in the display panel changes from transparent to black due to the applied pressure. The light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormal bright spot is blocked, which makes the display panel display uniform, so as to achieve the purpose of repairing abnormal bright spots without causing other additional defects.

[0064] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the pressing component applies pressure to the corresponding position of the abnormal bright spot A on the display panel via probe 7. Probe 7 allows for more precise pressure application. The corresponding position of the mestizo layer in the display panel changes from transparent to black under the pressure applied by probe 7. The light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormal bright spot A is blocked, resulting in a dark spot and a more uniform display. Of course, pressure can also be applied using other components besides the probe.

[0065] In some embodiments, the repair device further includes a pressure monitoring component for detecting the pressure applied by the pressing component and whether the pressure reaches a preset threshold of 2-4 MPa. If the pressure is too low, it will not be sufficient to repair the abnormal bright spots; if the pressure is too high, it may damage the panel. The pressure monitoring component stores a preset threshold and compares it with the pressure value collected by the pressing component. If the pressure exceeds the specified threshold, it issues a prompt to the operator to change the pressure applied by the pressing component, thus achieving the repair function while ensuring that the display panel is not damaged.

[0066] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A display panel, comprising: Array substrate; A light-emitting layer is disposed on one side of the array substrate; A mechanochromic layer is located on one side of the light-emitting layer in the light-emitting direction. A predetermined area of ​​the mechanochromic layer is used to change from a transparent state to a black state under the action of a preset pressure. The coordinates of the abnormal bright spot of the display panel are moved to the corresponding position of the display panel and a pressing component is applied to the corresponding position of the display panel to block the light emitted by the sub-pixel unit corresponding to the abnormal bright spot, making it appear as a dark spot, so that the display panel displays uniformly. The mechanochromic layer includes multiple sub-regions distributed in an array. The multiple sub-regions are arranged one-to-one with the multiple sub-pixel areas in the light-emitting layer, and the sub-pixel areas do not exceed the corresponding sub-regions.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, further comprising: An encapsulation layer; the encapsulation layer is disposed between the light-emitting layer and the mechanochromic layer.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, the display panel further includes a touch layer disposed between the encapsulation layer and the mesticolor layer, and a protective layer disposed on the side of the mesticolor layer opposite to the encapsulation layer.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mechanochromic layer material is one or more of polyurethane and / or cross-shaped stilbene nitrile derivatives; the preset pressure is set to 2-4 MPa.

5. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the mechanochromic layer is 2-5 μm.

6. The display panel according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The display panel further includes a planarization layer disposed between the light-emitting layer and the mechanochromic layer.

7. A display device comprising a display panel according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. A repair method for repairing a display panel according to any one of claims 1-6, comprising: Detect the coordinates of the abnormal bright spots on the display panel; The pressing component is moved to the corresponding position on the display panel according to the coordinates. The pressing component is controlled to apply a preset pressure to the corresponding position of the display panel.

9. A repair apparatus for repairing a display panel according to any one of claims 1-6, comprising: An automatic optical inspection component detects the coordinates of abnormal bright spots on the display panel and transmits the coordinates to the control center; The control center controls the pressing component to move to the corresponding position on the display panel according to the coordinates. Press the component to apply a preset pressure to the corresponding position on the display panel.

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