A display panel, a display device and a manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

The embodiments of the present invention disclose a display panel, a display device, and a manufacturing method. The display panel includes: a substrate, a metal mask layer, a driving circuit layer, and a light-emitting element array stacked in sequence; the light-emitting element array includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in an array; the metal mask layer is provided with a plurality of first openings; the vertical projection of the first openings on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements; the light-emitting element includes a first electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode sequentially arranged on a side away from the driving circuit layer; the light-emitting element also includes a common auxiliary layer; the common auxiliary layer has a plurality of second openings; the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate. The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention can avoid lateral leakage between light-emitting elements and improve the problem of poor display caused by light-emitting elements being too bright.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application with the application date of August 24, 2020, application number 202010858428.5, and the name of the invention being “A display panel, display device and manufacturing method”. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display panel, a display device, and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0003] With the development of display technology, organic light emitting diode (OLED) has become one of the mainstream display panels due to its advantages such as low power consumption, fast response speed and high resolution.

[0004] Currently, the light-emitting elements in OLEDs typically include a light-emitting layer and a common auxiliary layer (e.g., an electron transport layer, a hole transport layer, etc.). The light-emitting layers of each light-emitting element are independent of each other, while the common auxiliary layer is interconnected. However, due to the electron-pulling properties of the common layer, lateral leakage currents can occur between the light-emitting elements. This lateral leakage current can cause the light-emitting elements to be brighter than others, resulting in color crosstalk. For example, when displaying a red or blue image, the green light-emitting element will also be in a weak state of illumination, affecting the display effect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a display panel, a display device and a manufacturing method thereof, so as to avoid lateral leakage between light-emitting elements, improve the problem of poor display caused by light-emitting elements being strayed from one another, and enhance the display effect.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display panel, including:

[0007] A substrate, a metal mask layer, a driving circuit layer, and a light-emitting element array are sequentially stacked; the light-emitting element array includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in an array;

[0008] The metal mask layer is provided with a plurality of first openings;

[0009] A vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements;

[0010] The light-emitting element comprises a first electrode, a light-emitting layer and a second electrode which are sequentially arranged on a side away from the driving circuit layer; the light-emitting element further comprises a common auxiliary layer;

[0011] The common auxiliary layer has a plurality of second openings; vertical projections of the second openings on the substrate overlap with vertical projections of the first openings on the substrate.

[0012] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, which includes the display panel described in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a display panel, the method comprising:

[0014] providing a substrate;

[0015] forming a metal mask layer on the substrate, wherein a plurality of first openings are provided on the metal mask layer;

[0016] A driving circuit layer and a light-emitting element array are sequentially formed on the metal mask layer; the light-emitting element array includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in an array; a vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements; the light-emitting element includes a first electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode sequentially arranged on a side away from the driving circuit layer; and the light-emitting element further includes a common auxiliary layer;

[0017] Laser irradiation is performed on the side of the substrate facing away from the metal mask layer, and the common auxiliary layer corresponding to the first opening is laser irradiated through the shielding of the metal mask layer to form a second opening on the common auxiliary layer. The vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

[0018] The display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a metal mask layer having a first opening, and the common auxiliary layer is patterned using the mask layer as a mask, so that the common auxiliary layer has multiple second openings. Since the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements, and the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate, the second opening can disconnect the common auxiliary layer of the light-emitting elements located on both sides thereof, thereby improving the problem of lateral leakage between the light-emitting elements, and achieving the effect of preventing the light-emitting elements from being secretly lit and improving the display effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the AA' direction;

[0023] Figure 5 is another cross-sectional view along the AA' direction;

[0024] Figure 6 It is another cross-sectional view along the AA' direction;

[0025] Figure 7 is another cross-sectional view along the AA' direction;

[0026] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 11 is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 12 is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 13 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 14 This is a schematic structural diagram after a metal mask layer is formed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of performing laser irradiation treatment on a side of a substrate facing away from a metal mask layer, provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 16 It is a structural schematic diagram of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only illustrate portions relevant to the present invention, not all structures.

[0036] In view of the problems described in the background art, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display panel, including:

[0037] A substrate, a metal mask layer, a driving circuit layer, and a light-emitting element array are sequentially stacked; the light-emitting element array includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in an array;

[0038] The metal mask layer is provided with a plurality of first openings;

[0039] A vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements;

[0040] The light emitting element comprises a first electrode, a light emitting layer and a second electrode which are sequentially arranged on a side away from the driving circuit layer; the light emitting element further comprises a common auxiliary layer;

[0041] The common auxiliary layer has a plurality of second openings; vertical projections of the second openings on the substrate overlap with vertical projections of the first openings on the substrate.

[0042] The above is the core concept of this application. The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view along the AA' direction. Figure 1-Figure 4 The display panel includes: a substrate 10, a metal mask layer 20, a driving circuit layer 30 and a light-emitting element array 40 stacked in sequence; the light-emitting element array 40 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 410 arranged in an array; the metal mask layer 20 is provided with a plurality of first openings 210; the vertical projection of the first openings 210 on the substrate 10 is located between adjacent light-emitting elements 410; the light-emitting element 410 includes a first electrode 411, a light-emitting layer 413 and a second electrode 414 arranged in sequence on a side away from the driving circuit layer 30; the light-emitting element 410 also includes a common auxiliary layer 412; the common auxiliary layer 412 has a plurality of second openings 4121; the vertical projection of the second openings 4121 on the substrate 10 overlaps with the vertical projection of the first openings 210 on the substrate 10.

[0044] Specifically, substrate 10 is used to support the film layer formed on one side thereof. Substrate 10 can be a rigid substrate, and an exemplary material of substrate 10 is glass. Substrate 10 can also be a flexible substrate, and an exemplary material of substrate 10 can include one or more combinations of polymer resins selected from polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, and cellulose acetate propionate. The material of substrate 10 is not limited herein.

[0045] Specifically, the driving circuit layer 30 includes a plurality of pixel driving circuits 310 for driving the light emitting element 410. Each pixel driving circuit 310 includes at least one thin film transistor T. The structure of the thin film transistor T can be a top gate structure or a bottom gate structure. The structure of the thin film transistor T is not limited here. For example, Figure 3 As shown, if the thin film transistor T has a top-gate structure, then along the direction from the substrate 10 to the metal mask layer 20, the driving circuit layer 30 includes an active layer 31, a first insulating layer, a gate metal layer 32, a second insulating layer, and a source-drain metal layer 33 stacked in sequence. The channel of the thin film transistor T is located in the active layer 31, the gate of the thin film transistor T is located in the gate layer, and the source and drain of the thin film transistor T are located in the source-drain metal layer 33. Optionally, a second planarization layer 52 for planarization may be provided on the side of the driving circuit layer 30 facing away from the substrate 10.

[0046] Specifically, the metal mask layer 20 is opaque, and the material of the metal mask layer 20 can exemplarily include at least one of molybdenum and silver. Here, the material of the metal mask layer 20 is not limited. Optionally, the metal mask layer 20 is located on the side of the driving circuit layer 30 facing the substrate 10. If the structure of the thin film transistor T in the driving circuit layer 30 is a top gate structure (such as Figure 3 (as shown), the metal mask layer 20 is located on the side of the active layer 31 facing the substrate 10; if the thin film transistor T in the driving circuit layer 30 has a bottom-gate structure, the metal mask layer 20 is located on the side of the gate metal layer 32 facing the substrate 10. In this way, the metal mask layer 20 can be prevented from affecting the driving circuit layer 30. Optionally, a first planarization layer 51 can be provided on the side of the metal mask layer 20 facing away from the substrate 10 for planarization.

[0047] Specifically, there are many ways to arrange the plurality of light emitting elements 410. For example, the light emitting element array 40 may include a plurality of light emitting element columns, which are arranged along a first direction X and extend along a second direction Y, with the first direction X and the second direction Y intersecting. Any two light emitting element columns may be aligned in the first direction X (e.g., Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown), it is also possible to set all odd-numbered columns of light-emitting elements to be aligned along the first direction X, and all even-numbered columns of light-emitting elements to be aligned along the first direction X, but the odd-numbered columns of light-emitting elements and the even-numbered columns of light-emitting elements are staggered along the first direction X (as shown). Figure 1 Here, the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting elements 410 is not limited.

[0048] Specifically, the light-emitting element 410 operates under the following principles: When no voltage is applied to the first electrode 411 and the second electrode 414, the light-emitting element 410 does not emit light. When voltage is applied to the first electrode 411 and the second electrode 414, the first electrode 411 injects holes into the light-emitting layer 413, and the second electrode 414 injects electrons into the light-emitting layer 413. The holes and electrons recombine in the light-emitting layer 413 to form excitons, which emit light. Figure 1-Figure 3 The figure only shows that the light-emitting element 410 includes a red light-emitting element, a green light-emitting element and a blue light-emitting element, but this is not a limitation of the present application. Those skilled in the art can set the light-emitting color of the light-emitting element 410 according to actual conditions. For example, in other embodiments, the light-emitting element 410 may include a magenta light-emitting element 410, a yellow light-emitting element 410, or a cyan light-emitting element 410, etc.

[0049] Specifically, the common auxiliary layer 412 is used to promote the recombination of electrons and holes in the light-emitting layer 413, thereby improving the luminous efficiency of the light-emitting element 410. The specific position of the common auxiliary layer 412 in the light-emitting element 410 can be implemented in various ways, which will be described in detail later and will not be explained here. A plurality of second openings 4121 are provided on the common auxiliary layer 412, which can be understood as providing a plurality of second openings 4121 on the entire surface of the common auxiliary layer 412, and the orthographic projection of the second openings 4121 on the substrate 10 is located between adjacent light-emitting elements 410. There are various specific ways to form the second openings 4121. For example, if the laser is directed directly on the side of the substrate 10 where the metal mask layer 20 is not provided, the portion of the entire common auxiliary layer 412 that is blocked by the metal mask layer 20 will not be irradiated by the laser, while the portion of the entire common auxiliary layer 412 that is not blocked by the metal mask layer 20 (i.e., the portion facing the first opening 210) can be irradiated by the laser, and this portion is removed under the action of the laser to form the second openings 4121.

[0050] It should be noted that those skilled in the art can select the wavelength of the laser according to the materials used in each film layer in the display panel so that the laser will not damage other film layers in the display panel when removing the common auxiliary layer 412. For example, a laser with a wavelength of 1054-1074nm can be selected. It should also be noted that when the metal mask layer 20 is used as a mask to laser-etch the common auxiliary layer 412 to form the second opening 4121, in theory, the dimensions of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121 are the same. In practice, due to the diffraction of light, the dimensions of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121 may deviate. However, since the deviation is small, it can be approximately considered that the dimensions of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121 are the same.

[0051] Specifically, the second opening 4121 may extend along the first direction X (eg Figure 3 ), or it may extend along the second direction Y (as shown Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 4 , but not limited thereto, for example, in other embodiments, the extension direction of the second opening 4121 may also have a smaller preset angle with the first direction X (or the second direction Y), that is, the extension direction of the second opening 4121 is slightly inclined relative to the first direction X (or the second direction Y). The extension directions of the second openings 4121 in the common auxiliary layer 412 may be the same (as shown in FIG. 4 ). Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown in FIG, a second opening 4121 including at least two extending directions in the common auxiliary layer 412 may also be provided. This is not limited here and can be provided by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions. In addition, when the second opening 4121 extends along the first direction X, the length of the second opening 4121 along the first direction X may be equal to the length of the light emitting element 410 along the first direction X, or may be greater than the length of the light emitting element 410 along the first direction X (as shown in FIG). Figure 3 Similarly, when the second opening 4121 extends along the second direction Y, the length of the second opening 4121 along the second direction Y can be equal to the length of the light emitting element 410 along the second direction Y (as shown). Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown), it may also be greater than the length of the light emitting element 410 along the second direction Y, which is not limited here, and those skilled in the art may set it according to actual conditions.

[0052] It should be noted that Figure 1-Figure 3 The figure only exemplarily shows that some adjacent light-emitting elements 410 have the second opening 4121 between them, but this is not a limitation of the present application. Those skilled in the art can set which adjacent light-emitting elements 410 have the second opening 4121 between them according to actual conditions.

[0053] It is understandable that the second opening 4121 can block the common auxiliary layer 412 of the light-emitting elements 410 on both sides of the second opening 4121 at the second opening 4121, so that the lateral leakage flow cannot cross the second opening 4121 from the light-emitting element 410 on one side of the second opening 4121 to the light-emitting element 410 on the other side of the second opening 4121. In this way, the second opening 4121 can extend or completely block the flow path of the lateral leakage flow, thereby improving the problem of the light-emitting element being stole due to the lateral leakage flow. It should be noted that whether the second opening 4121 specifically serves to extend the flow path of the lateral leakage flow or to completely block the flow path of the lateral leakage flow is related to the specific implementation form of the second opening 4121. This part will be described in detail later and will not be explained here.

[0054] It is also understood that, compared to the method of forming the common auxiliary layer 412 by evaporating the common auxiliary layer material through a mask, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the size of the mask. Specifically, the mask includes an opening area and a blocking area. When evaporating the common auxiliary layer material, the opening area of the mask allows the common auxiliary layer material to pass through, while the blocking area of the mask blocks the common auxiliary layer material. In this way, the common auxiliary layer material can be evaporated at positions corresponding to the opening area, while the common auxiliary layer material cannot be evaporated at positions corresponding to the blocking area, thereby forming the second opening 4121. It is understood by those skilled in the art that, due to limitations in the mask preparation process, the distance between adjacent opening areas in the mask is typically greater than 20 μm, while the distance between adjacent light-emitting elements 410 in most current display panels is typically around 18 μm. Using a mask to evaporate the common auxiliary layer 412 can result in incomplete common auxiliary layer 412 in the area corresponding to the light-emitting element 410, affecting display performance. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, a metal mask layer with first openings 210 is used as a mask to etch the common auxiliary layer 412 to form second openings 4121. This ensures that the vertical projection of the second opening 4121 on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the light-emitting element 410 on the substrate. This prevents damage to the common auxiliary layer 412 in the light-emitting element 410, thereby preventing the normal light emission of the light-emitting element 410 from being affected, thereby improving the display quality of the display panel.

[0055] Optionally, along the direction of the line connecting two adjacent light emitting elements 410 , the width D of the first opening 210 and the width D of the second opening 4121 are smaller than the gap distance d between the two adjacent light emitting elements 410 .

[0056] Specifically, those skilled in the art can set specific values of the width of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121 according to actual conditions, which are not limited here. For example, based on the current photolithography process, the minimum width of the first opening 210 in the metal mask layer can be In this way, the width D of the second opening 4121 on the common auxiliary layer 412 can be as small as Therefore, the width of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121 can be set to be greater than and smaller than the gap distance d between two adjacent light-emitting elements 410. Optionally, the width D of the second opening 4121 is greater than or equal to 2 μm and smaller than the gap distance d between two adjacent light-emitting elements 410. This prevents the second opening 4121 from damaging the common auxiliary layer 412 in the area corresponding to the light-emitting element 410, and also avoids the problem of the common auxiliary layer 412 not being completely disconnected at the location of the second opening 4121 due to the second opening 4121 being too narrow.

[0057] Optionally, the distance between the edge of the first opening 210 and the edge of the adjacent light-emitting element 410 is greater than or equal to 3 μm. This prevents the second opening 4121 from damaging the common auxiliary layer 412 in the corresponding area of the light-emitting element 410 due to process fluctuations when forming the second opening 4121. This also prevents the vertical projection of the second opening 4121 on the substrate from overlapping with the vertical projection of the light-emitting element 410 on the substrate, ensuring that the light-emitting element 410 can emit light normally.

[0058] The display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a metal mask layer having a first opening, and the common auxiliary layer is patterned using the mask layer as a mask, so that the common auxiliary layer has multiple second openings. Since the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements, and the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate, the second opening can disconnect the common auxiliary layer of the light-emitting elements located on both sides thereof, thereby improving the problem of lateral leakage between the light-emitting elements, and achieving the effect of preventing the light-emitting elements from being secretly lit and improving the display effect.

[0059] Specifically, there are many specific locations and specific implementation forms of the common auxiliary layer 412. Typical examples are described below, but they do not constitute limitations on the present application.

[0060] Continue to see Figure 4 Optionally, the common auxiliary layer 412 includes a first common auxiliary layer 412A located between the first electrode 411 and the light-emitting layer 413 .

[0061] Optionally, the first common auxiliary layer 412A may include any one of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, and an electron blocking layer. For example, along the direction from the substrate 10 toward the metal light-shielding layer, the first common auxiliary layer 412A includes, in sequence, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, and an electron blocking layer. The hole injection layer is used to increase the number of holes entering the hole transport layer, the hole transport layer is used to accelerate the speed of transporting holes to the light-emitting layer 413, and the electron blocking layer is used to prevent electrons from moving toward the first electrode 411, thereby causing the electrons to remain in the light-emitting layer 413 and increasing the probability of electron-hole recombination.

[0062] Figure 5 This is another cross-sectional view along the AA' direction. Figure 5 Optionally, the common auxiliary layer 412 includes a second common auxiliary layer 412B located between the light-emitting layer 413 and the second electrode 414 .

[0063] Optionally, the second common auxiliary layer 412B may include any one of an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, and a hole blocking layer. For example, along the direction from the substrate 10 to the metal light-shielding layer, the second common auxiliary layer 412B includes, in sequence, an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, and a hole blocking layer. The electron injection layer is used to increase the number of electrons entering the electron transport layer, the electron transport layer is used to accelerate the speed of electron transport to the light-emitting layer 413, and the hole blocking layer is used to prevent holes from moving toward the second electrode 414, thereby causing the holes to remain in the light-emitting layer 413 and increasing the probability of electron-hole recombination.

[0064] Figure 6 This is another cross-sectional view along the AA' direction. Figure 6 Optionally, the common auxiliary layer 412 includes a first common auxiliary layer 412A located between the first electrode 411 and the light-emitting layer 413 and a second common auxiliary layer 412B located between the light-emitting layer 413 and the second electrode 414 .

[0065] Optionally, the first common auxiliary layer 412A may include any one of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, and an electron blocking layer. Optionally, the second common auxiliary layer 412B may include any one of an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, and a hole blocking layer.

[0066] Figure 7 This is another cross-sectional view along the AA' direction. Figure 7 Optionally, the common auxiliary layer 412 includes at least one of a hole injection layer 4122 , a hole transport layer 4123 , an electron blocking layer 4124 , a hole blocking layer 4125 , an electron transport layer 4126 and an electron injection layer 4127 .

[0067] For example, Figure 7As shown, the common auxiliary layer 412 includes a hole injection layer 4122 , a hole transport layer 4123 , an electron blocking layer 4124 , a hole blocking layer 4125 , an electron transport layer 4126 and an electron injection layer 4127 .

[0068] Specifically, there are many specific implementation forms of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121. Typical examples are described below, but do not constitute a limitation to the present application.

[0069] Figure 8 FIG is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 Optionally, multiple light-emitting elements 410 are arranged in rows and columns, the light-emitting elements 410 in the same light-emitting element column have the same light-emitting color, and the light-emitting elements in adjacent light-emitting element columns have different light-emitting colors. The vertical projection of the first opening 210 on the substrate 10 is located between adjacent light-emitting elements 410; the common auxiliary layer 412 is provided with a second opening 4121 between adjacent light-emitting element columns. Figure 3 Optionally, multiple light-emitting elements 410 are arranged in rows and columns, the light-emitting colors of the light-emitting elements 410 in the same light-emitting element row are the same, and the light-emitting colors of adjacent light-emitting element rows are different, and the vertical projection of the first opening 210 on the substrate 10 is located between adjacent light-emitting elements 410; the common auxiliary layer 412 is provided with a second opening 4121 between adjacent light-emitting element rows.

[0070] It can be understood that the problem of light-emitting elements stealing light due to lateral leakage between adjacent light-emitting elements of different luminous colors is quite serious. Therefore, disconnecting the common auxiliary layer 412 between adjacent columns of light-emitting elements 410 (or rows of light-emitting elements 410) of different luminous colors can effectively improve the problem of light-emitting elements stealing light due to lateral leakage.

[0071] Figure 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 It is a structural schematic diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 FIG is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9-11 Optionally, a vertical projection of the first opening 210 on the substrate 10 is located between adjacent light-emitting elements 410 ; and the common auxiliary layer 412 is provided with a second opening 4121 between any adjacent light-emitting elements 410 .

[0072] It is understandable that by providing the common auxiliary layer 412 with second openings 4121 between any adjacent light emitting elements 410 , the problem of light emitting elements 410 being dimmed due to lateral leakage between any two adjacent light emitting elements 410 can be improved, further improving the display effect.

[0073] It can also be understood that if the second opening 4121 fails to completely cut off the common auxiliary layer 412 between a light emitting element 410 and its adjacent light emitting element 410 (eg Figure 9 As shown), that is, the lateral leakage flow can bypass the second opening 4121 and flow from one light emitting element 410 to the light emitting element 410 adjacent to the light emitting element 410. At this time, the second opening 4121 plays a role in extending the flow path of the lateral leakage flow; if the second opening 4121 can completely cut off the common auxiliary layer 412 between a light emitting element 410 and the light emitting element 410 adjacent to it (as shown), the lateral leakage flow can bypass the second opening 4121 and flow from one light emitting element 410 to the light emitting element 410 adjacent to it. Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown), at this time, the second opening 4121 plays a role in completely blocking the flow path of the lateral leakage flow, which can greatly improve the problem of the light-emitting element stealing light.

[0074] Continue to see Figure 1-Figure 3 as well as Figures 8-10 Optionally, the vertical projections of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121 on the substrate 10 are straight lines (eg Figure 1 and Figure 10 As shown), wavy (as Figure 8 and Figure 9 as shown) or zigzag (as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown).

[0075] Preferably, the vertical projections of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121 on the substrate 10 are wavy and sawtooth-shaped. It is understood that the wavy and sawtooth edges can be decomposed into two directions, thus relieving stress in two directions and further reducing the stress of the common auxiliary layer 412 after truncation.

[0076] Continue to see Figure 10 Optionally, the vertical projections of the multiple first openings 210 on the metal mask layer 20 on the substrate 10 are in a grid shape; the vertical projections of the multiple second openings 4121 on the common auxiliary layer 412 on the substrate 10 are in a grid shape.

[0077] Specifically, the grid-shaped second openings 4121 divide the entire common auxiliary layer into a plurality of independent common auxiliary blocks, each of which corresponds to at least one light-emitting element 40. Figure 10 illustratively shows that each common auxiliary block corresponds to one light-emitting element 40 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, each common auxiliary block may also correspond to multiple light-emitting elements 40 .

[0078] It is understood that by arranging the plurality of second openings 4121 on the common auxiliary layer 412 so that their vertical projections on the substrate 10 are in a grid shape, the lateral leakage between the light-emitting elements corresponding to different common auxiliary blocks can be completely blocked by the second openings 4121 and cannot bypass the second openings 412. In this way, the ability of the second openings 4121 to block the lateral leakage is improved. It is also understood that when each common auxiliary block corresponds to a light-emitting element 40 (such as Figure 10 As shown), the second opening 412 can block the lateral leakage between any two adjacent light-emitting elements, thereby solving the problem of light-emitting elements secretly lighting up.

[0079] Continue to see Figure 11 Optionally, vertical projections of the first opening 210 and the second opening 4121 on the substrate 10 both surround the light emitting element 410 .

[0080] It is understood that the second opening 4121 can completely cut off the flow path of the lateral leakage between the light emitting element 410 it surrounds and other light emitting elements 410, thus improving the ability of the second opening 4121 to block the lateral leakage. It is also understood that when each light emitting element 40 (such as Figure 10 The vertical projections of the second opening 4121 on the substrate 10 are surrounded by the vertical projections of the second opening 4121 on the substrate 10 (as shown in FIG. Figure 11 As shown), the second opening 412 can block the lateral leakage between any two adjacent light-emitting elements, thereby solving the problem of light-emitting elements secretly lighting up.

[0081] Figure 12 FIG is a structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 Optionally, the driving circuit layer 30 includes multiple pixel driving circuits 310; the multiple pixel driving circuits 310 are electrically connected to the multiple light-emitting elements 410 in a one-to-one correspondence; the vertical projection of the pixel driving circuit 310 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first opening 210 on the substrate 10.

[0082] Specifically, the pixel driving circuit 310 typically includes multiple circuit elements, exemplarily thin-film transistors, capacitors, etc., and the circuit elements in the pixel driving circuit 310 are arranged relatively densely. The driving circuit layer 30 also includes multiple traces located between adjacent light-emitting elements, exemplarily scan lines SCAN, data lines DATA, power lines, etc. Compared with the arrangement density of the circuit elements in the pixel driving circuit 310, the arrangement density of the traces is relatively sparse. Therefore, the vertical projection of the pixel driving circuit 310 on the substrate 10 is set to not overlap with the vertical projection of the first opening 210 on the substrate 10, which can improve the penetration rate of the laser, thereby improving the effective utilization rate of the laser, and making it easier to achieve the melting of the common auxiliary layer 412 with a lower-power laser.

[0083] Optionally, the metal mask layer 20 is reused as a light shielding layer of the driving circuit layer 30 .

[0084] Specifically, the pixel driving circuit 310 includes at least one thin-film transistor T. The vertical projection of the metal mask layer 20 on the substrate 10 covers the vertical projection of the thin-film transistor T on the substrate 10. In this way, the metal mask layer 20 prevents the channel layer of the thin-film transistor T from being exposed to light, which would cause light degradation. It can be understood that reusing the metal mask layer 20 as a light-shielding layer can reduce the manufacturing process of the display panel, reduce costs, and facilitate the thinning of the display panel.

[0085] Based on the above invention concept, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a display panel. Figure 13 This is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 , the method specifically comprises the following steps:

[0086] S110, providing a substrate.

[0087] Specifically, the substrate is used to support the film layer formed on one side thereof. The substrate can be a rigid substrate, an exemplary substrate material being glass. The substrate can also be a flexible substrate, an exemplary substrate material being polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, and a combination of polymer resins such as cellulose acetate propionate. The material of the substrate is not limited herein.

[0088] S120 , forming a metal mask layer on the substrate, wherein a plurality of first openings are provided on the metal mask layer.

[0089] Specifically, the material of the metal mask layer can include at least one of molybdenum and silver. The metal mask layer can be formed by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, inkjet printing, or other film forming methods known to those skilled in the art, and the first opening is formed by etching. Here, the material and preparation process of the metal mask layer are not limited. For example, Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram of a structure after a metal mask layer is formed provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] S130. A driving circuit layer and a light-emitting element array are sequentially formed on the metal mask layer, wherein the light-emitting element array includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in an array; a vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements; the light-emitting element includes a first electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode sequentially arranged on a side away from the driving circuit layer; and the light-emitting element further includes a common auxiliary layer.

[0091] Specifically, forming the driving circuit layer may include sequentially forming an active layer, a first insulating layer, a gate metal layer, a second insulating layer, and a source / drain metal layer, such that the thin film transistors in the driving circuit layer have a top-gate structure. Forming the driving circuit layer may also include sequentially forming a gate metal layer, a first insulating layer, an active layer, a second insulating layer, and a source / drain metal layer, such that the thin film transistors in the driving circuit layer have a bottom-gate structure. Optionally, a first planarization layer may be formed before forming the driving circuit layer. Optionally, a second planarization layer may be formed after forming the driving circuit layer. The material of the active layer may include single crystal silicon, low-temperature polycrystalline silicon, or amorphous silicon, the material of the gate metal layer may include molybdenum, the material of the source / drain metal layer may include molybdenum, aluminum, molybdenum, etc., and the materials of the first and second insulating layers may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, etc. The materials of the first and second planarization layers may include polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polyacrylate, etc. The formation methods of each film layer in the driving circuit layer can be physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, inkjet printing or other film forming methods known to technical personnel in this field. Here, the materials and preparation processes of each film layer in the driving circuit layer are not limited.

[0092] Specifically, forming a light-emitting element array may include: sequentially forming a first electrode layer, a pixel defining layer, a light-emitting layer array, and a second electrode layer, and also includes forming a common auxiliary layer. The materials of the first electrode and the second electrode may include any one or a combination of two or more of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), tin oxide (SnO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), Al, Ag or Mg, etc. The light-emitting layer may include at least one of a red light-emitting layer, a green light-emitting layer, a blue light-emitting layer, a cyan light-emitting layer, a yellow light-emitting layer, a magenta light-emitting layer, etc. The pixel defining layer may include polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene or polyacrylate, etc. The film forming methods of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer may be evaporation, sputtering or other film forming methods known to those skilled in the art. The film forming methods of the light-emitting layer array may be evaporation or other film forming methods known to those skilled in the art. The pixel defining layer may be formed by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, inkjet printing or other film forming methods known to those skilled in the art. Here, the materials and preparation processes of the film layers in the light-emitting element array are not limited.

[0093] Optionally, the common auxiliary layer includes a first common auxiliary layer located between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0094] Optionally, the common auxiliary layer includes a second common auxiliary layer located between the light emitting layer and the second electrode, such as Figure 5 shown.

[0095] Optionally, the common auxiliary layer includes a first common auxiliary layer located between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer and a second common auxiliary layer located between the light-emitting layer and the second electrode, such as Figure 6 shown.

[0096] Optionally, the common auxiliary layer includes at least one layer selected from the group consisting of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron blocking layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer.

[0097] For example, the material of the hole injection layer may include HATCN (Dipyrazino[2,3-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline-2,3,6,7,10,11-hexacarbonitrile; 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexacyano-1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene), etc. The material of the hole transport layer may include NPB (N,N'-bis(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N'-bis(phenyl)-benzidine; N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-(1-naphthyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine (123847-85-8)), etc. The material of the electron blocking layer may include Ir(ppz)3 (Tris(phenylpyrazole)iridium; tris(1-ylpyrazole)iridium), etc. The material of the hole blocking layer may include BCP (2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and the like. The material of the electron transport layer may include Bphen (4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; 4,7-diphenyl-o-phenanthroline) and the like. The material of the electron injection layer includes selecting LiF and the like. The film forming method of the common auxiliary layer may be evaporation or other film forming methods known to those skilled in the art. Here, the material and preparation process of the common auxiliary layer are not limited.

[0098] S140. Perform laser irradiation on the side of the substrate facing away from the metal mask layer, and perform laser irradiation on the common auxiliary layer corresponding to the first opening through the shielding of the metal mask layer to form a second opening on the common auxiliary layer. The vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

[0099] For example, Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, providing a method for laser irradiation on the side of a substrate facing away from the metal mask layer. The specific wavelength of the laser can be determined by those skilled in the art based on the materials used in the various layers of the display panel and is not limited here, as long as fusing the common auxiliary layer does not damage other layers of the display panel.

[0100] Optionally, the vertical projections of the first opening and the second opening on the substrate are straight lines (eg Figure 1 、 Figure 10 and Figure 12 As shown), wavy (as Figure 8 and Figure 9 as shown) or zigzag (as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown).

[0101] Optionally, the vertical projections of the plurality of first openings on the metal mask layer on the substrate are in a grid shape; the vertical projections of the plurality of second openings on the common auxiliary layer on the substrate are in a grid shape, such as Figure 12 shown.

[0102] Optionally, the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light emitting elements; the common auxiliary layer is provided with a second opening between any adjacent light emitting elements, such as Figures 9-11 shown.

[0103] Optionally, vertical projections of the first opening and the second opening on the substrate both surround the light emitting element, such as Figure 11 shown.

[0104] Optionally, the driving circuit layer includes a plurality of pixel driving circuits; the plurality of pixel driving circuits are electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting elements in a one-to-one correspondence; a vertical projection of the pixel driving circuit on the substrate does not overlap with a vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate, such as Figure 12 shown.

[0105] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present invention further provide a display device. The display device includes a display panel as described in any embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the display device exhibits the beneficial effects of the display panel provided in the embodiments of the present invention. Similarities can be understood by referring to the above and will not be repeated here.

[0106] For example, Figure 16 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 As shown, the display device 200 provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes the display panel 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention. The display device 200 can be any electronic device with a display function, such as a touch screen, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a television.

[0107] Note that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and that various obvious changes, readjustments, combinations, and substitutions are possible for those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that: include: A substrate, a metal mask layer, a driving circuit layer, and a light-emitting element array are sequentially stacked; The light emitting element array includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in an array; The metal mask layer is provided with a plurality of first openings; a first planarization layer for planarization is further provided on a side of the metal mask layer facing away from the substrate; A vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements; The light emitting element comprises a first electrode, a light emitting layer and a second electrode which are sequentially arranged on a side away from the driving circuit layer; the light emitting element further comprises a common auxiliary layer; The common auxiliary layer has a plurality of second openings; wherein, laser irradiation treatment is performed on the side of the substrate facing away from the metal mask layer, and the common auxiliary layer corresponding to the first opening is laser irradiated through the shielding of the metal mask layer to form a second opening on the common auxiliary layer, and the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The common auxiliary layer includes a first common auxiliary layer located between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The common auxiliary layer includes a second common auxiliary layer located between the light emitting layer and the second electrode.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The common auxiliary layer includes a first common auxiliary layer located between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer and a second common auxiliary layer located between the light-emitting layer and the second electrode.

5. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein The common auxiliary layer includes at least one of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron blocking layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer.

6. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: Vertical projections of the first opening and the second opening on the substrate are in a straight line, a wave shape, or a sawtooth shape.

7. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The vertical projections of the plurality of first openings on the metal mask layer on the substrate are in a grid shape; the vertical projections of the plurality of second openings on the common auxiliary layer on the substrate are in a grid shape.

8. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements; and the common auxiliary layer is provided with the second opening between any adjacent light-emitting elements.

9. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: Vertical projections of the first opening and the second opening on the substrate both surround the light emitting element.

10. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein Along a direction of a line connecting two adjacent light-emitting elements, a width of the first opening and a width of the second opening are smaller than a gap distance between the two adjacent light-emitting elements.

11. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein The distance between the edge of the first opening and the edge of the adjacent light emitting element is greater than or equal to 3 μm.

12. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein The driving circuit layer includes a plurality of pixel driving circuits; the plurality of pixel driving circuits are electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting elements in a one-to-one correspondence; A vertical projection of the pixel driving circuit on the substrate does not overlap with a vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

13. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein The metal mask layer is reused as a light shielding layer for the driving circuit layer.

14. A display device, characterized in that: The display panel comprises the display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method for manufacturing a display panel, characterized in that: include: providing a substrate; forming a metal mask layer on the substrate, wherein a plurality of first openings are provided on the metal mask layer; A first planarization layer for planarization is further provided on the side of the metal mask layer facing away from the substrate; forming a driving circuit layer and a light emitting element array in sequence on the metal mask layer; The light emitting element array includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in an array; The vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate is located between adjacent light-emitting elements; the light-emitting element comprises a first electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode, which are sequentially arranged on a side away from the driving circuit layer; the light-emitting element array further comprises a common auxiliary layer; Laser irradiation is performed on the side of the substrate facing away from the metal mask layer, and the common auxiliary layer corresponding to the first opening is laser irradiated through the shielding of the metal mask layer to form a second opening on the common auxiliary layer. The vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The common auxiliary layer includes a first common auxiliary layer located between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer and a second common auxiliary layer located between the light-emitting layer and the second electrode.

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