Flexible display panel, preparation method thereof and display device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a flexible display panel, a preparation method thereof and a display device. The flexible display panel comprises a substrate, an optical functional layer and a filling portion. The substrate has a display area and a non-display area, and a cutting path is arranged on the non-display area. The cutting path is located on the light-out side of the substrate. The cutting path and its adjacent area have a height difference, and the height of the cutting path is less than the height of the adjacent area. The optical functional layer is located on the light-out side of the substrate and covers the display area and the non-display area. The filling portion is arranged in the cutting path, and the filling portion is filled between the optical functional layer and the substrate and is in contact with the surface of the optical functional layer close to the substrate. The technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application helps to eliminate the step difference between the cutting path area and its adjacent area in the substrate, thereby filling the gap between the optical functional layer and the cutting path, avoiding the peeling of the film layer attached to the cutting path area when bending, and improving the quality and display effect of the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the continuous development of display technology, people have increasingly higher requirements for the quality of display panels. Currently, flexible display panels are prone to film peeling when bent, which affects the quality and display effect of the display panel. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a flexible display panel, its preparation method, and a display device to improve the problem of film peeling that easily occurs when the flexible display panel is bent, thereby improving the quality and display effect of the display panel.

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

[0005] A substrate has a display area and a non-display area. A dicing channel is provided on the non-display area. The dicing channels are all located on the light-emitting side of the substrate. The dicing channel and its adjacent area have a height difference, and the height of the dicing channel is less than the height of the adjacent area of ​​the dicing channel.

[0006] An optical functional layer is located on the light-emitting side of the substrate and covers the display area and the non-display area;

[0007] A filling portion is disposed in the cutting channel, the filling portion filling the space between the optical functional layer and the substrate, and contacting the surface of the optical functional layer on the side closer to the substrate.

[0008] Optionally, the thickness of the filling portion is less than or equal to the absolute value of the height difference between the cutting channel and its adjacent area.

[0009] Optionally, the surface of the filling portion facing the optical functional layer is provided with at least one groove, and the opening of the groove faces the optical functional layer.

[0010] Optionally, the depth of the groove is less than the thickness of the filling portion, and the inner wall of the groove is in contact with the surface of the optical functional layer on the side closest to the substrate.

[0011] Optionally, the vertical projection shape of the groove on the substrate includes at least one of curved and rectangular shapes.

[0012] Optionally, the optical functional layer includes a polarizer and an adhesive layer;

[0013] The polarizer is located on the light-emitting side of the substrate and covers the display area and the non-display area;

[0014] The adhesive layer is located between the substrate and the polarizer, and covers the display area and the non-display area, for bonding the substrate and the polarizer;

[0015] The filling portion is filled between the adhesive layer and the cutting channel, and the filling portion is in contact with the surface of the adhesive layer near the substrate;

[0016] Preferably, the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

[0017] Optionally, the thickness of the filling portion ranges from 0.35 μm to 3 μm.

[0018] Optionally, the filler portion includes an organic adhesive material;

[0019] Preferably, the filler is made of acrylic resin or polyimide.

[0020] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for preparing a flexible display panel, comprising:

[0021] A substrate is provided, and a dicing channel is provided on the non-display area of ​​the substrate. The dicing channels are all located on the light-emitting side of the substrate. The dicing channel and its adjacent area have a height difference, and the height of the dicing channel is less than the height of the adjacent area of ​​the dicing channel.

[0022] A filling portion is provided, which is disposed in the cutting channel, and an optical functional layer covering the display area and non-display area of ​​the substrate is formed on the light-emitting side of the substrate, so that the filling portion fills the space between the optical functional layer and the substrate and contacts the surface of the optical functional layer on the side closer to the substrate.

[0023] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a display device, namely the flexible display panel described in the first aspect.

[0024] The flexible display panel, its manufacturing method, and display device provided in this invention, by providing a filling portion in the dicing channel, fills the space between the optical functional layer and the substrate, and the filling portion contacts the surface of the optical functional layer near the substrate. This filling portion can compensate for the height difference between the dicing channel and its adjacent areas in the substrate, helping to eliminate the step difference between the dicing channel area and its adjacent areas in the substrate, thereby filling the gap between the optical functional layer and the dicing channel. This helps to prevent air bubbles from forming between the film layers (such as optical functional layers, touch layers, and cover plates) attached to the dicing channel area and the dicing channel, thereby preventing the film layers attached to the dicing channel area from peeling off when bent, thus improving the quality and display effect of the display panel.

[0025] 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

[0026] 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.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a top view structural diagram of a flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of another flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A top view of the filling section;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of another flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A top view of the filling section;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of another flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for preparing a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] As described in the background section, existing flexible display panels are prone to film peeling during bending, affecting the quality and display effect. The inventors have discovered that the specific reason for this problem is that flexible display panels have cutting channels on their periphery. During the manufacturing process, the flexible display panel is cut along these channels to remove excess material. It's worth noting that due to the precision required for cutting, a portion is usually retained after the cut. However, there is a height difference between the cutting channel area and adjacent areas of the flexible display panel. This creates gaps between the film layer attached to the cutting channel and the channel itself, resulting in air bubbles. When the flexible display panel is bent later, these air bubbles cause the film layers to peel off easily, even leading to cracks in the cover plate, thus affecting the quality and display effect.

[0038] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a flexible display panel. Figure 1 This is a top view of a flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, showing only the display area 100, the non-display area 200, and the cutting channel 300 of the flexible display panel. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically... Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure obtained by cutting the flexible display panel along section line AA'. Combined with... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flexible display panel provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a substrate 10 and a filling portion 20.

[0039] The substrate 10 includes a display area 100 and a non-display area 200. A dicing channel 300 is provided on the non-display area 200, located on the light-emitting side of the substrate 10. The dicing channel 300 occupies at least a portion of the non-display area 200. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In all embodiments, the dicing channel 300 is shown to be located on the periphery of the non-display area 200, meaning the width of the dicing channel 300 can be smaller than the width of the non-display area 200, and the adjacent area of ​​the dicing channel 300 is the non-display area 200. In other embodiments, the entire non-display area 200 can be configured as the dicing channel 300, meaning the width of the dicing channel 300 and the non-display area 200 can be equal, and the adjacent area of ​​the dicing channel 300 is the display area 100. The dicing channel 300 and its adjacent area have a height difference, and the height of the dicing channel 300 is smaller than the height of the adjacent area of ​​the dicing channel 300. The optical functional layer 30 is located on the light-emitting side of the substrate 10, covering the display area 100 and the non-display area 200. A filling portion 20 is disposed in the dicing channel 300, filling the space between the optical functional layer 30 and the substrate 10, and contacting the surface of the optical functional layer 30 near the substrate 10.

[0040] Specifically, a flexible display panel refers to a display panel with good bending performance, capable of being bent. This display panel may specifically include an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display panel, etc. The substrate 10 may include a substrate, and a buffer layer, an array circuit layer, and a light-emitting functional layer stacked on the substrate. The array circuit layer contains multiple pixel circuits, and the light-emitting functional layer can form multiple light-emitting devices. The non-display area 200 of the substrate 10 may surround the display area 100, and a cutting path 300 may be disposed around the periphery of the non-display area 200, such that the cutting path 300 surrounds the display area 100 and at least a portion of the non-display area 200. The cutting path 300 is used for cutting; by cutting the flexible display panel through the cutting path 300, excess portions in the non-display area 200 can be removed, and the edges of the flexible display panel can be refined.

[0041] The display area 100 of the substrate 10 is provided with multiple light-emitting devices and pixel circuits for driving the light-emitting devices to emit light. The non-display area 200 between the display area 100 and the dicing 300 is provided with structures such as scanning circuits for providing scanning signals to the pixel circuits. The dicing 300 generally does not have structures such as light-emitting devices, pixel circuits, and scanning circuits. Therefore, there is a height difference between the dicing 300 and its adjacent areas (e.g., the display area 100 and the non-display area 200 located on one side of the dicing 300). The light-emitting side of the substrate 10 can be the light-emitting side of the light-emitting devices in the substrate 10. The dicing 300 can be disposed on the light-emitting side surface of the substrate 10. The height of the dicing 300 can be the height H1 from the lower surface of the substrate 10 (i.e., the surface of the substrate 10 away from the light-emitting side) to the upper surface of the dicing 300 (i.e., the surface of the dicing 300 facing the optical functional layer 30). The height of the adjacent area of ​​the cutting channel 300 can be the height H2 of the lower surface to the upper surface (i.e. the light-emitting side surface of the substrate 10) of the display area 100 and the non-display area 200 located on one side of the cutting channel 300, where H1 < H2.

[0042] The optical functional layer 30 can process the light emitted from the substrate 10. For example, the optical functional layer 30 can absorb and adjust the light incident on the substrate 10 to improve the display effect. By providing a filling portion 20 in the dicing 300, the filling portion 20 fills the space between the optical functional layer 30 and the substrate 10, and contacts the surface of the optical functional layer 30 near the substrate 10 and the surface of the dicing 300. The filling portion 20 can compensate for the height difference between the dicing 300 and its adjacent areas, filling the gap between the dicing 300 and the optical functional layer 30. This helps to avoid the generation of air bubbles between the dicing 300 and the optical functional layer 30, thereby preventing the optical functional layer 30 in the dicing area from peeling off when bent, thus improving the quality and display effect of the display panel.

[0043] It should be noted that the flexible display panel may also include other film layers located on the side of the optical functional layer 30 away from the substrate 10, such as a touch layer and a cover plate. By filling the gap between the cutting channel 300 and the optical functional layer 30, this embodiment of the invention not only helps to prevent the optical functional layer 30 in the cutting channel area from peeling off when bent, but also helps to prevent other film layers such as the touch layer and the cover plate from peeling off along with the optical functional layer 30 when bent, thereby preventing the cover plate from cracking due to the peeling of the film layers of the flexible display panel.

[0044] In summary, the technical solution of this invention, by providing a filling portion in the cutting channel, fills the space between the optical functional layer and the substrate, and the filling portion contacts the surface of the optical functional layer near the substrate. This filling portion can compensate for the height difference between the cutting channel and its adjacent areas in the substrate, helping to eliminate the step difference between the cutting channel area and its adjacent areas in the substrate, thereby filling the gap between the optical functional layer and the cutting channel. This helps to prevent air bubbles from forming between the film layers (such as the optical functional layer, touch layer, and cover plate) attached to the cutting channel area and the cutting channel, thereby preventing the film layers attached to the cutting channel area from peeling off when bent, thus improving the quality and display effect of the display panel.

[0045] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 Based on the above embodiments, the thickness of the filling portion 20 can be set to be less than or equal to the absolute value of the height difference between the cutting channel 300 and its adjacent areas. For example, the height of the cutting channel 300 is H1, the height of the adjacent area of ​​the cutting channel 300 is H2, and the absolute value of the height difference between the cutting channel 300 and its adjacent areas can be expressed as: |H1-H2|=H2-H1=H0 (H0 is not shown in the figure). The thickness of the filling portion 20 refers to the thickness I0 of the filling portion 20 in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 10, and I0≤H0. When I0=H0, the difference between the overall height of the cutting channel 300 and the filling portion 20 and the height of the substrate 10 in the adjacent areas of the cutting channel 300 and the filling portion 20 is zero. This allows the filling portion 20 to fully fill the gap between the cutting channel 300 and the optical functional layer 30, preventing the formation of air bubbles between the cutting channel 300 and the optical functional layer 30, thereby preventing the film layer attached to the cutting channel area from peeling off during bending. When I0 < H0, for example, when the height difference between the overall height of the cutting channel 300 and the filling portion 20 and the height of the substrate 10 in the region adjacent to the cutting channel 300 and the filling portion 20 is small, there is still a small step difference between the overall height of the cutting channel 300 and the filling portion 20 and the substrate 10 in the region adjacent to the cutting channel 300 and the filling portion 20. After the optical functional layer 30 is formed on the light-emitting side of the substrate 10, at least a portion of the optical functional layer 30 near the substrate 10 can extend into the step difference region. Provided that the filling portion 20 is in contact with the surface of the optical functional layer 30 near the substrate 10, the step difference region can be compensated by the optical functional layer 30. The gap between the cutting channel 300 and the optical functional layer 30 can be filled by the filling portion 20 and the optical functional layer 30 together, thereby avoiding the generation of air bubbles between the cutting channel 300 and the optical functional layer 30.

[0046] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of another flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically... Figure 1A schematic diagram of another cross-sectional structure obtained by cutting the flexible display panel along section line AA'. See also Figure 3 Optionally, at least one groove 210 is provided on the surface of the filling portion 20 facing the optical functional layer 30, and the opening of the groove 210 faces the optical functional layer 30.

[0047] Figure 3 The illustration schematically shows two grooves 210 on the surface of the filling portion 20 facing the optical functional layer 30. In other embodiments, one or more grooves 210 may be provided on the surface of the filling portion 20 facing the optical functional layer 30. This embodiment does not limit the specific number of grooves 210. The depth of the groove 210 may be less than the thickness I0 of the filling portion 20, and the inner wall of the groove 210 is in contact with the surface of the optical functional layer 30 near the substrate 10. This allows the optical functional layer 30 to fill the groove 210, which helps to increase the contact area between the optical functional layer 30 and the filling portion 20, thereby increasing the bonding strength between the film layer attached to the dicing area and the filling portion 20, and helping to prevent the film layer attached to the dicing area from peeling off when bent.

[0048] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A top view of the filling section. (Combined with...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The vertical projection shape of the groove 210 on the substrate 10 can be curved. The groove 210 can extend in a curved shape on the surface of the filling portion 20 away from the dicing channel 300 to further increase the contact area between the film layer attached to the dicing channel area and the filling portion 20. Figure 4 Only one curved groove 210 is shown. In other embodiments, the vertical projection shape of the groove 210 on the substrate 10 can also be a "twisted" curved shape, which can also increase the contact area between the film layer attached to the cutting area and the filling part 20.

[0049] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of another flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically... Figure 1 Another cross-sectional structure diagram obtained by cutting the flexible display panel along section line AA'. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A top view of the filling section. (Combined with...) Figure 5 and Figure 6 The vertical projection shape of the groove 210 on the substrate 10 can also be rectangular, such as square or rectangle, to further increase the contact area between the film layer attached to the cutting area and the filling part 20.

[0050] In other embodiments, the vertical projection shape of the groove 210 on the substrate 10 may include both curved and rectangular shapes. For example, the vertical projection shape of some grooves 210 on the substrate 10 may be curved, while the vertical projection shape of other grooves 210 on the substrate 10 may be rectangular. The vertical projection shape of the groove 210 on the substrate 10 may also be other shapes, including but not limited to rhombuses, trapezoids, and circles.

[0051] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of another flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically... Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure obtained by cutting the flexible display panel along section line BB'. See also... Figure 7 Optionally, the substrate 10 includes a substrate 110, a buffer layer 120, an array circuit layer 130, a light-emitting functional layer 140, and an encapsulation layer (not shown in the figures). The substrate 110 can be a flexible substrate; for example, the material of the substrate 110 may include polyimide (PI). The buffer layer 120 is located on one side of the substrate 110, and the material of the buffer layer 120 may include silicon oxide (SiOx) and silicon nitride (SiNx). The array circuit layer 130 may include an active layer and multiple metal layers, and thin-film transistors and capacitors, etc., for pixel circuits are formed in the array circuit layer 130. The light-emitting functional layer 140 includes an anode layer, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode layer, and multiple light-emitting devices are formed in the light-emitting functional layer 140. The anode of the light-emitting device can be electrically connected to the thin-film transistor in the pixel circuit to drive the light-emitting device to emit light through the pixel circuit, thereby enabling the flexible display panel to display. The encapsulation layer can employ existing thin-film encapsulation (TFE) technology, including multilayer organic and inorganic overlapping structures.

[0052] See also Figure 7 The optical functional layer 30 may include an adhesive layer 310 and a polarizer 320. The polarizer 320 is located on the light-emitting side of the substrate 10 and covers the display area 100 and the non-display area 200. The adhesive layer 310 is located between the substrate 10 and the polarizer 320 and covers the display area 100 and the non-display area 200, serving to bond the substrate 10 and the polarizer 320. A filling portion 20 fills the area between the adhesive layer 310 and the dicing channel 300, and the filling portion 20 is in contact with the surface of the adhesive layer 310 near the substrate 10.

[0053] Specifically, the adhesive layer 310 can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). By filling the area between the adhesive layer 310 and the dicing 300 with the filler portion 20, the step difference between the dicing area and its adjacent areas is reduced, thereby filling the gap between the adhesive layer 310 and the dicing 300. This helps to prevent air bubbles from forming between the adhesive layer 310 and the dicing 300, thus preventing the adhesive layer 310 and the polarizer 320 from peeling off when the flexible display panel is bent, thereby improving the quality and display effect of the display panel.

[0054] See also Figure 7 Optionally, the flexible display panel further includes a protective layer 40, which is located between the substrate 10 and the optical functional layer 30, and covers the display area 100 and at least a portion of the non-display area 200. Specifically, the protective layer 40 may cover the display area 100 and the non-display area 200 between the display area 100 and the cutting channel 300. The protective layer 40 enables the surface of the flexible display panel to be flat and acts as a buffer and barrier against water and oxygen, thereby preventing external impurities from entering the substrate 10. The protective layer 40 may include an organic adhesive. Further, the thickness of the filling portion 20 may be less than or equal to the absolute value of the height difference between the surface of the protective layer 40 away from the substrate 10 and the surface of the cutting channel 300 near the optical functional layer 30.

[0055] For example, the height of the surface of the cleaving channel 300 near the optical functional layer 30 can be the height H1 from the lower surface of the substrate 10 to the upper surface of the cleaving channel 300, and the height of the surface of the protective layer 40 away from the substrate 10 can be the height H3 from the lower surface of the substrate 10 to the surface of the protective layer 40 away from the substrate 10. The absolute value of the height difference between the surface of the protective layer 40 away from the substrate 10 and the surface of the cleaving channel 300 near the optical functional layer 30 can be expressed as: |H1-H3|=H3-H1=H4 (H4 is not shown in the figure), and the thickness I0 of the filling portion 20 ≤ H4. Figure 7The example shown illustrates the case where I0 < H4. In other embodiments, I0 can also be set to H4. Because a protective layer 40 is provided between the substrate 10 and the optical functional layer 30, there is a height difference between the substrate 10 and the protective layer 40 in the cutting channel 300 and its adjacent areas. In this embodiment, by setting the thickness I0 of the filling part 20 to be less than or equal to the absolute value I4 of the height difference between the surface of the protective layer 40 away from the substrate 10 and the surface of the cutting channel 300 near the optical functional layer 30, the filling part 20 can compensate for the height difference between the substrate 10 and the protective layer 40 in the cutting channel 300 and its adjacent areas. This makes the overall height difference between the cutting channel 300 and the filling part 20 and the height difference between the substrate 10 and the protective layer 40 in the adjacent areas of the cutting channel 300 small or zero, i.e., H1+I0≤H4. This helps to eliminate the step difference in the cutting channel area and its adjacent areas of the flexible display panel, thereby filling the gap between the cutting channel 300 and the optical functional layer 30. This helps to avoid the generation of air bubbles between the cutting channel 300 and the optical functional layer 30, thereby preventing the optical functional layer 30 in the cutting channel area from peeling off when bent, thus improving the quality and display effect of the display panel.

[0056] See also Figure 7 Based on the above embodiments, optionally, the thickness I0 of the filling portion 20 ranges from 0.35μm to 3.35μm. For example, the height difference between the cut channel 300 and its adjacent area is approximately 3.35 μm, i.e., H3-(H1+I0)≈3.35 μm. The thickness of the adhesive layer 310 can be set to 15 μm. Since there is a step difference between the cut channel 300 and its adjacent area, after the adhesive layer 310 is formed on the protective layer 40, at least a portion of the adhesive layer 310 near the substrate 10 will extend towards the cut channel area, thereby compensating for part of the step difference between the cut channel 300 and its adjacent area. The step difference thickness that the adhesive layer 310 can compensate for is 10%-20% of the thickness of the adhesive layer 310. For example, the maximum value of the step difference thickness that the adhesive layer 310 can compensate for can be 15*20%=3 μm. Then there will still be a gap with a thickness of approximately 0.35 μm between the adhesive layer 310 and the cut channel 300. By setting the minimum thickness of the filling portion 20 to 0.35 μm, the gap between the cut channel 300 and the adhesive layer 310 can be filled by the filling portion 20. The maximum thickness of the filling portion 20 can be equal to the height difference between the cutting track 300 and its adjacent areas, i.e., 3.35 μm. This helps to eliminate the step difference between the cutting track area and its adjacent areas, so that the filling portion 20 can fill the gap between the cutting track 300 and the adhesive layer 310 to the maximum extent. Furthermore, since the adhesive layer 310 is thin, there is no need to increase the thickness of the adhesive layer 310 to fill the gap between the cutting track 300 and the adhesive layer 310, thus avoiding the need to increase the thickness of the flexible display panel.

[0057] The thickness I0 of the filling portion 20 can be any value within the range of 0.35μm-3.35μm. Preferably, the thickness I0 of the filling portion 20 can be set to a range of 2μm-3μm. In this way, the filling portion 20 can fill the gap between the cutting path 300 and the adhesive layer 310 without increasing the thickness of the adhesive layer 310 to compensate for the cutting path 300 and its adjacent areas, that is, it will not increase the thickness of the flexible display panel. In addition, by setting the thickness I0 of the filling portion 20 to a range of 2μm-3μm, the thickness I0 of the filling portion 20 is not too thick. Thus, the cutting path 300 can still be observed through the adhesive layer 310, the polarizer 320 and the filling portion 20, and the impact on the cutting process accuracy is small.

[0058] See also Figure 7 Based on the above embodiments, optionally, the filling portion 20 includes an organic adhesive material. Specifically, the organic adhesive material may include acrylic resin or polyimide (PI). By filling the cutting path 300 with organic adhesive material, the gap between the cutting path 300 and the adhesive layer 310 is filled to avoid the generation of air bubbles between the cutting path 300 and the adhesive layer 310, and the adhesion between the adhesive layer 310 and the substrate 10 is increased, thereby preventing the optical functional layer 30 in the cutting path area from peeling off when bent. Furthermore, when a groove 210 is provided on the surface of the filling portion 20 away from the cutting path 300, the contact area between the filling portion 20 and the adhesive layer 310 can be increased, thereby further increasing the adhesion between the adhesive layer 310 and the substrate 10.

[0059] This invention also provides a display device, which includes the flexible display panel in any of the above embodiments. The display device can be a flexible display device, specifically including flexible display devices with display functions such as mobile phones, computers, and tablet computers. The display device provided by this invention includes the flexible display panel in any of the above embodiments, and therefore has the corresponding structure and beneficial effects of a flexible display panel, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0060] This invention also provides a method for preparing a flexible display panel, which is used to prepare the flexible display panel in any of the above embodiments. Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 8 The method may specifically include the following steps:

[0061] S110. A substrate is provided, and a dicing channel is provided on the non-display area of ​​the substrate. The dicing channels are all located on the light-emitting side of the substrate. The dicing channel and its adjacent area have a height difference, and the height of the dicing channel is less than the height of the adjacent area of ​​the dicing channel.

[0062] S120. A filling portion is provided, which is disposed in the cutting channel, and an optical functional layer covering the display area and non-display area of ​​the substrate is formed on the light-emitting side of the substrate, so that the filling portion fills the space between the optical functional layer and the substrate and contacts the surface of the optical functional layer on the side closer to the substrate.

[0063] Specifically, see Figure 7 The filling part 20 may include an organic adhesive material, which can be formed in the cutting channel 300 by coating.

[0064] The technical solution of this invention provides a filling portion in the dicing channel, which fills the space between the optical functional layer and the substrate. The filling portion is in contact with the surface of the optical functional layer near the substrate. This filling portion can compensate for the height difference between the dicing channel and its adjacent areas in the substrate, helping to eliminate the step difference between the dicing channel area and its adjacent areas in the substrate. This fills the gap between the optical functional layer and the dicing channel, helps to prevent air bubbles from forming between the film layer attached to the dicing channel area and the dicing channel, and thus prevents the film layer attached to the dicing channel area from peeling off when bent, thereby improving the quality and display effect of the display panel.

[0065] Optionally, the method for manufacturing a flexible display panel further includes:

[0066] S130. At least one groove is formed on the surface of the filling portion facing the optical functional layer, and the opening of the groove faces the optical functional layer.

[0067] Specifically, see [link to relevant documentation] Figure 7 The surface of the filling portion 20 facing the optical functional layer 30 can be etched to obtain at least one groove 210. The groove 210 increases the contact area between the optical functional layer 30 and the filling portion 20, thereby increasing the bonding strength between the film layer attached to the cutting area and the filling portion 20, which helps to prevent the film layer attached to the cutting area from peeling off when bent.

[0068] Optionally, the method for manufacturing a flexible display panel further includes:

[0069] S140. A protective layer is formed on the light-emitting side of the substrate, the protective layer covering the display area and at least part of the non-display area.

[0070] Optionally, the method for manufacturing a flexible display panel further includes:

[0071] S150. An adhesive layer in the optical functional layer is formed on the side of the protective layer away from the substrate. The adhesive layer covers the display area and the non-display area. A filling portion is filled between the adhesive layer and the cutting channel. The filling portion is in contact with the surface of the adhesive layer on the side closer to the substrate.

[0072] S160. A polarizer in the optical functional layer is formed on the side of the adhesive layer away from the substrate. The polarizer covers the display area and the non-display area so that the polarizer and the substrate are bonded together through the adhesive layer.

[0073] Optionally, the method for manufacturing a flexible display panel further includes:

[0074] S170. A touch layer and a cover plate are formed on the side of the polarizer away from the substrate.

[0075] S180. Cut the flexible display panel in the area where the cutting channel is located to obtain the final flexible display panel.

[0076] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 7 Cutting the flexible display panel in the area where the cutting channel 300 is located can remove the excess part around the cutting channel 300. For example, multiple structures for testing, such as dummy pixel circuits, are provided in the non-display area 200 around the cutting channel 300 of the substrate 10. The electrical performance of the flexible display panel can be tested through the dummy pixel circuits and other structures. After the testing stage of the flexible display panel is completed and before the flexible display panel is put into use, the flexible display panel can be cut along the cutting channel 300 to remove this part of the structure.

[0077] In other embodiments, the flexible display panel may be cut after step S160, and then step S170 may be performed to obtain the final flexible display panel.

[0078] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used, with steps reordered, added, or deleted. For example, the steps described in this invention can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution of this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0079] 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 flexible display panel, characterized in that, include: A substrate has a display area and a non-display area. A dicing channel is provided on the non-display area. The dicing channels are all located on the light-emitting side of the substrate. The dicing channels and their adjacent areas have a step difference, and the height of the dicing channel is less than the height of the adjacent area of ​​the dicing channel. An optical functional layer is located on the light-emitting side of the substrate and covers the display area and the non-display area; A filling portion is disposed in the cutting channel, the filling portion fills the space between the optical functional layer and the substrate, and contacts the surface of the optical functional layer on the side closer to the substrate; The surface of the filling portion facing the optical functional layer has at least one groove, and the opening of the groove faces the optical functional layer. It also includes a protective layer located between the substrate and the optical functional layer, covering the display area and at least a portion of the non-display area; The thickness of the filling portion is less than or equal to the absolute value of the height difference between the surface of the protective layer away from the substrate and the surface of the cut track near the optical functional layer. The vertical projection shape of the groove on the substrate includes a symmetrical curved shape; the groove extends in a curved shape on the surface of the filling portion away from the cutting track, the first segment of the curved groove protrudes from the display area towards the non-display area, and the second segment of the curved groove protrudes from the non-display area towards the display area; the optical functional layer includes a polarizer and an adhesive layer; the polarizer is located on the light-emitting side of the substrate and covers the display area and the non-display area; the adhesive layer is located between the substrate and the polarizer and covers the display area and the non-display area, for bonding the substrate and the polarizer; the filling portion fills the space between the adhesive layer and the cutting track, and the filling portion is in contact with the surface of the adhesive layer near the substrate; the thickness of the adhesive layer compensating for the step difference is 10%-20% of the thickness of the adhesive layer; the thickness range of the filling portion is 0.35 mm. m -3 m.

2. The flexible display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depth of the groove is less than the thickness of the filling portion, and the inner wall of the groove is in contact with the surface of the optical functional layer on the side closest to the substrate.

3. The flexible display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adhesive layer includes pressure-sensitive adhesive.

4. The flexible display panel according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The filler portion includes an organic adhesive material.

5. The flexible display panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The filler material includes acrylic resin or polyimide.

6. A method for preparing a flexible display panel, used to prepare the flexible display panel as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, include: A substrate is provided, and a dicing channel is provided on the non-display area of ​​the substrate. The dicing channels are all located on the light-emitting side of the substrate. The dicing channels and their adjacent areas have a step difference, and the height of the dicing channel is less than the height of the adjacent area of ​​the dicing channel. A filling portion is provided, which is disposed in the cutting channel, and an optical functional layer covering the display area and non-display area of ​​the substrate is formed on the light-emitting side of the substrate, so that the filling portion fills the space between the optical functional layer and the substrate and contacts the surface of the optical functional layer on the side closer to the substrate.

7. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the flexible display panel described in any one of claims 1-5.

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