Display panel and display device

Abstract

The application relates to a display panel and a display device. The display panel has a main body part and an edge part, the edge part is curved relative to the main body part, and the edge part comprises: a planarization layer; a pixel definition layer, which is arranged on the planarization layer and defines a plurality of pixel openings; a first electrode, which is arranged between the planarization layer and the pixel definition layer; an actuating device, which is arranged between the planarization layer and the pixel definition layer and on which the first electrode is arranged; and a light-emitting unit, which is arranged in the pixel opening; the actuating device is configured to drive the first electrode to rotate so as to adjust the exit angle of light emitted by the light-emitting unit. By driving the first electrode to rotate through the actuating device, the direction of the emitted light of the light-emitting unit can be adjusted. When the direction of the emitted light of the light-emitting unit is adjusted to be close to or consistent with the light-emitting direction of the main body part of the display panel, the display effect of the edge part can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display panel and display device. Background Technology

[0002] OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) has garnered widespread attention in recent years due to its enormous market potential in the display industry. Compared to other display technologies, OLED display panels offer several advantages, such as wide viewing angles, fast response times, no need for backlighting, and the ability to achieve flexible displays. Taking flexible display technology as an example, flexible screens based on OLED display panels are now widely used in products such as smartphones, tablets, and televisions, and are taking on diverse forms, including curved screens and foldable screens.

[0003] However, there is still room for improvement in the display performance of flexible screens. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a display panel and display device to improve the display effect of flexible displays.

[0005] According to one aspect of this application, a display panel is provided, the display panel having a main body portion and an edge portion, the edge portion being curved relative to the main body portion, the edge portion comprising:

[0006] Planarization layer;

[0007] A pixel definition layer is disposed on the planarization layer, and the pixel definition layer defines a plurality of pixel openings;

[0008] A first electrode is disposed between the planarization layer and the pixel definition layer;

[0009] An actuating device is disposed between the planarization layer and the pixel definition layer, and a first electrode is disposed on the actuating device; and

[0010] A light-emitting unit, wherein the light-emitting unit is disposed within the pixel opening;

[0011] The actuator is configured to drive the first electrode to rotate in order to adjust the emission angle of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit.

[0012] According to an embodiment of this application, the display panel includes an actuator at its edge, a first electrode is disposed on the actuator, and a light-emitting unit is disposed within a pixel opening defined by a pixel definition layer. By driving the first electrode to rotate relative to the pixel definition layer, the light-emitting unit disposed on the first electrode can be rotated, thereby adjusting the direction of the emitted light from the light-emitting unit within the pixel opening at the edge. When the direction of the emitted light from the light-emitting unit within the pixel opening at the edge is adjusted to be close to or consistent with the light emission direction of the main body of the display panel, the display effect at the edge can be improved.

[0013] In some embodiments, both the pixel definition layer and the planarization layer comprise a transparent optical elastic resin.

[0014] In some embodiments, the actuating device includes:

[0015] A support platform, on which the first electrode is fixed;

[0016] A rotating shaft, wherein the support platform is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft; and

[0017] A micro motor is connected to the rotating shaft, and the micro motor is used to drive the supported platform to rotate through the rotating shaft.

[0018] In some embodiments, the support stage comprises one or more materials selected from SiN, SiO, and SiNO.

[0019] In some embodiments, the pixel definition layer and the planarization layer are made of a transparent optical elastic resin.

[0020] In some embodiments, there are multiple actuating devices;

[0021] Along the thickness direction of the display panel, each of the carrier platforms is opposite to a pixel opening, and a first electrode is fixedly disposed on each of the carrier platforms.

[0022] In some embodiments, there are multiple actuating devices;

[0023] Along the thickness direction of the display panel, each of the carrier platforms is opposite to multiple pixel openings, and multiple first electrodes are fixedly disposed on each of the carrier platforms.

[0024] In some embodiments, the display panel further includes a controller and a first signal transmission line, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the micro motor via the first signal transmission line to issue control commands to the micro motor to control the rotation of the support platform.

[0025] In some embodiments, the edge portion further includes a driving circuit layer disposed on the side of the planarization layer away from the pixel definition layer. The driving circuit layer includes a thin-film transistor, which includes an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The first electrode is connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode through a metal via.

[0026] In some embodiments, the metal via includes a first via segment disposed on the support platform and a second via segment disposed on the planarization layer, wherein the first via segment and the second via segment are electrically connected.

[0027] In some embodiments, along the thickness direction of the display panel, a portion of the first electrode is disposed directly opposite to the support platform, and another portion is offset from the support platform; the metal via is disposed on the planarization layer, and the portion of the first electrode offset from the support platform is connected to the metal via.

[0028] According to another aspect of this application, a display device is provided, the display device including the display panel in any of the above embodiments.

[0029] In some embodiments, the display panel further includes a controller electrically connected to the actuator;

[0030] The display device further includes a gravity sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller. The gravity sensor is used to measure the tilt angle of the main body relative to the horizontal plane and transmit the tilt angle signal to the controller. The controller is used to control the actuator to rotate according to the tilt angle signal. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a display panel according to one embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the edge portion in one embodiment of this application (the actuator does not drive the first electrode to rotate);

[0033] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the edge portion in one embodiment of this application (the actuator drives the first electrode to rotate);

[0034] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the edge portion in another embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of a display panel in one embodiment of this application (the wide arrow in the figure indicates the light emission direction of the main body, the dashed narrow arrow indicates the emission direction of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit at the edge without adjustment, and the solid narrow arrow indicates the emission direction of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit at the edge after adjustment).

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between the controller, gravity sensing device and driving device in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more complete description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings. However, this application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of this application.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0039] When describing positional relationships, unless otherwise specified, when an element such as a layer, film, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be intermediate elements present. Furthermore, when a layer is referred to as being "below" another layer, it may be directly below it or there may be one or more light-emitting units present. It is also understood that when a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, it may be the only layer between the two layers, or there may be one or more light-emitting units present.

[0040] When using the terms “including,” “having,” and “comprising” as described herein, another component may be added unless explicitly qualifying terms such as “only,” “consisting of,” etc. are used. Unless otherwise stated, singular terms may include plural forms and should not be construed as having a quantity of one.

[0041] It should be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this application, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0042] It should also be understood that, in interpreting an element, although not explicitly described, the element is interpreted as including a range of error, which should be within the acceptable deviation range of a particular value as determined by a person skilled in the art. For example, "approximately," "about," or "substantially" can mean within one or more standard deviations, without limitation herein.

[0043] Furthermore, in the instruction manual, the phrase "planar distribution diagram" refers to the diagram when the target part is viewed from above, and the phrase "cross-sectional diagram" refers to the diagram when the target part is viewed from the side as a cross-section taken by vertically cutting the target part.

[0044] Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to a 1:1 scale, and the relative dimensions of the components are shown in the drawings only as examples and not necessarily to actual scale.

[0045] OLED display panels offer flexible display capabilities, a significant advantage of OLED technology. Currently, flexible display panels that are bendable, foldable, and stretchable have entered the commercialization stage, changing people's perception of traditional static display technology. Taking smartphones as an example, curved-screen phones are now widespread, and foldable screen phones are also commonplace. In addition, even more novel forms such as rollable screens have emerged, further expanding the form factors of smartphones and meeting people's personalized needs.

[0046] However, with the diversification of flexible display screen forms, their display effects face challenges. Generally, flexible displays typically consist of a main body and an edge portion, with the edge portion curved relative to the main body. The light emission direction of the edge portion deviates significantly from that of the main body, resulting in poor display quality at the edge.

[0047] To address the aforementioned problems, the first aspect of this application proposes a display panel to improve the display effect of the curved portion of a flexible display screen.

[0048] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the display panel 10 has a main body 100 and an edge portion 200, the edge portion 200 being curved relative to the main body 100. The edge portion 200 includes a planarization layer 210, a pixel definition layer 220, a first electrode 230, a light-emitting unit 240, and an actuator 250. Specifically, the pixel definition layer 220 is disposed on the planarization layer 210 and defines a plurality of pixel openings. The first electrode 230 is disposed between the planarization layer 210 and the pixel definition layer 220. The actuator 250 is disposed between the planarization layer 210 and the pixel definition layer 220, the first electrode 230 is disposed on the actuator 250, and the light-emitting unit 240 is disposed within the pixel openings. The actuator 250 is configured to drive the first electrode 230 to rotate, thereby adjusting the emission angle of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 240.

[0049] It is understood that the main body 100 of the display panel 10 refers to the part that is always in a flat state, and the edge 200 refers to the part that is always in a curved state or in a curved state in some usage scenarios.

[0050] Taking a curved screen mobile phone as an example, the screen of a curved screen mobile phone has a flat portion and curved portions located on both sides of the flat portion. When the display panel 10 is applied to a curved screen mobile phone, the main body 100 of the display panel 10 corresponds to the flat portion of the screen, and the edge portion 200 of the display panel 10 corresponds to the curved portions on both sides of the screen.

[0051] According to an embodiment of this application, the display panel 10 has an edge portion 200 including an actuator 250, a first electrode 230 disposed on the actuator 250, and a light-emitting unit 240 disposed within a pixel opening defined by a pixel definition layer 220. By causing the actuator 250 to drive the first electrode 230 to rotate relative to the pixel definition layer 220, the light-emitting unit 240 disposed on the first electrode 230 can be rotated, thereby adjusting the direction of the emitted light from the light-emitting unit 240 within the pixel opening of the edge portion 200. When the direction of the emitted light from the light-emitting unit 240 within the pixel opening of the edge portion 200 is adjusted to be close to or consistent with the light emission direction of the main body portion 100 of the display panel (see reference...), Figure 5 This can improve the display effect at the edges.

[0052] In some embodiments, the display panel 10 further includes a second electrode (not shown), which is disposed on the side of the pixel definition layer 220 away from the planarization layer 210. One of the first electrode 230 and the second electrode is an anode, and the other is a cathode. When a driving voltage is applied to the light-emitting unit 240 located between the anode and cathode through the anode and cathode, the light-emitting unit 240 emits light. Further, the second electrode can be a transparent or semi-transparent electrode, thereby allowing light emitted by the light-emitting unit 240 to pass through the second electrode.

[0053] In some embodiments, the pixel definition layer 220 and the planarization layer 210 comprise an optically clear resin (OCR). The optically clear resin has a certain degree of flexibility, thereby giving the pixel definition layer 220 and the planarization layer 210 a certain degree of deformability. This allows the pixel definition layer 220 and the planarization layer 210 to undergo localized adaptive deformation when the actuator 250 drives the first electrode 230 to rotate, without hindering the movement of the first electrode 230.

[0054] In some embodiments, the actuating device 250 includes a support platform 251, a rotating shaft 252, and a micromotor (not shown). A first electrode 230 is fixed to the support platform 251, which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 252. The micromotor is connected to the rotating shaft 252 and drives the support platform 251 to rotate via the rotating shaft 252. The micromotor is a device that converts electrical signals into mechanical motion, providing the power to rotate the support platform 251. The micromotor outputs rotational motion, thereby driving the support platform 251 to rotate via the rotating shaft 252. It is understood that a micromotor refers to a device with a size on the order of millimeters or micrometers that converts electrical signals into mechanical motion. The micromotor can be connected to a controller or control chip via a signal transmission line. The controller or control chip can issue control commands to the micromotor, thereby controlling the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 252.

[0055] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are multiple actuating devices 250. Along the thickness direction of the display panel 10, each support platform 251 is opposite to a pixel opening, and a first electrode 230 is fixedly disposed on each support platform 251. In this embodiment, the number of actuating devices 250 is the same as the number of pixel openings included in the edge portion 200, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the actuating devices 250 and the pixel openings. Since each actuating device 250 has a first electrode 230 disposed on its support platform 251, each actuating device 250 can drive a light-emitting unit 240 to rotate through a first electrode 230. Thus, the light emission direction of the light-emitting unit 240 of each pixel opening in the edge portion 200 can be adjusted.

[0056] In other embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, there are multiple actuators 250 along the thickness direction of the display panel 10. Each support platform 251 is opposite to multiple pixel openings, and multiple first electrodes 230 are fixedly disposed on each support platform 251. In this embodiment, each actuator 250 is opposite to multiple pixel openings, which means that each actuator 250 can drive multiple first electrodes 230 (these first electrodes 230 are fixed on the same support platform 251) in a certain area to rotate simultaneously, thereby uniformly adjusting the light emission direction of multiple light-emitting units 240 in that area. In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide an actuator 250 for each sub-pixel unit, the number of actuators 250 can be reduced, which is beneficial to saving costs. In addition, since each actuator 250 corresponds to multiple pixel openings, the size of the actuator 250 can be made relatively large, which can reduce the manufacturing difficulty of the actuator 250.

[0057] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the display panel 10 also includes a controller 260 and a first signal transmission line 261. The controller 260 is electrically connected to a micro motor via the first signal transmission line 261 to issue control commands to the micro motor to control the rotation of the support platform 251. When the display panel 10 is used in a display device (such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, etc.), it can work with the gravity sensor 300 in the display device to automatically adjust the light emission direction of the light-emitting units 240 in each pixel opening within the edge portion 200. For example, the controller 260 can also be connected to the gravity sensor 300 of the display device via a second signal transmission line 262. The gravity sensor 300 is used to measure the tilt angle of the main body 100 relative to the horizontal plane in real time and transmit the tilt angle signal to the controller 260. The controller 260 calculates the angle value that the light-emitting unit 240 in each pixel opening of the edge part 200 should be adjusted according to the tilt angle signal, and issues control commands to each actuator 250 according to the calculation results, so as to drive the first electrode 230 on each actuator 250 to rotate, thereby adjusting the light emission direction of the light-emitting unit 240 in the pixel opening.

[0058] In some embodiments, the edge portion 200 further includes a driving circuit layer disposed on the side of the planarization layer 210 away from the pixel definition layer 220. The driving circuit layer includes thin-film transistors 280 arranged in an array. The thin-film transistors 280 are used to control the light-emitting units 240 in the corresponding pixel openings to emit light or not emit light. The thin-film transistors 280 include an active layer 281, a gate electrode 282, a source electrode 283, and a drain electrode 284. A first electrode 230 is connected to the source electrode 283 or the drain electrode 284 through a metal via 270. The first electrode 230 and the thin-film transistors 280 can be arranged one-to-one, and the second electrode can be a continuous layer. The thin-film transistors 280 can be top-gate or bottom-gate, and this application is not limited to either.

[0059] In some embodiments, the edge portion 200 further includes a substrate 290, a driving circuit layer is disposed on the substrate 290, and a planarization layer 210 is disposed on the side of the driving circuit layer away from the substrate 290.

[0060] In some embodiments, the metal via 270 includes a first segment disposed on the support platform 251 and a second segment disposed on the planarization layer 210, and the first segment and the second segment are electrically connected. In this embodiment, the metal via 270 includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is disposed on the support platform 251 and the second segment is disposed on the planarization layer 210. When the support platform 251 of the actuator 250 rotates, a certain degree of misalignment will occur between the first via and the second segment. As long as they remain in contact and do not separate, the electrical connection between the thin-film transistor 280 and the first electrode 230 can be guaranteed.

[0061] In some other embodiments, along the thickness direction of the display panel 10, a portion of the first electrode 230 is directly opposite to the support platform 251, while another portion is offset from the support platform 251. A metal via 270 is disposed on the planarization layer 210, and the portion of the first electrode 230 offset from the support platform 251 is connected to the metal via 270. In this embodiment, the metal via 270 is disposed on the planarization layer 210, and the portion of the first electrode 230 offset from the support platform 251 is connected to the metal via 270. This arrangement ensures that the metal via 270 does not pass through the support platform 251, thereby better guaranteeing a stable electrical connection between the thin-film transistor 280 and the first electrode 230 when the support platform 251 rotates.

[0062] In some embodiments, the support platform 251 comprises one or more materials selected from SiN, SiO, and SiNO. Because materials such as SiN, SiO, and SiNO have high hardness, they are not easily deformed, thus ensuring that the first electrode 230 fixed on the support platform 251 is not easily deformed during rotation. Furthermore, materials such as SiN, SiO, and SiNO also have high transmittance, so when the display panel is also equipped with an under-display fingerprint recognition module or an under-display camera module, it will not affect the fingerprint recognition or camera functions.

[0063] Furthermore, the stage 251 can be manufactured using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology, which is a mature process with low manufacturing costs.

[0064] It is understood that a second light-emitting unit (not shown in the figure) is also provided in the main body 100 of the display panel 10. The specific structure of the main body 100 can be referred to the structure of the main body in the display panel in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0065] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application provides a display device that includes the display panel 10 in any of the above embodiments. The display device can be, for example, any product or component with display functionality, such as a monitor, television, digital camera, mobile phone, tablet computer, or navigator.

[0066] The display device according to an embodiment of this application includes a display panel 10. An edge portion 200 of the display panel 10 includes an actuator 250, a first electrode 230 fixed to the actuator 250, and a light-emitting unit 240 disposed within a pixel opening defined by a pixel definition layer 220. By driving the first electrode 230 to rotate relative to the pixel definition layer 220 using the actuator 250, the light-emitting unit 240 disposed on the first electrode 230 can be rotated. This allows adjustment of the direction of the emitted light from the light-emitting unit 240 within the pixel opening of the edge portion 200. When the direction of the emitted light from the light-emitting unit 240 within the pixel opening of the edge portion 200 is adjusted to be close to or consistent with the light emission direction of the main body portion 100 of the display panel, the display effect of the edge portion 200 can be improved.

[0067] In some embodiments, the display panel 10 further includes a controller 260, which is electrically connected to the actuator 250. The display device also includes a gravity sensor 300, which is electrically connected to the controller 260. The gravity sensor 300 measures the tilt angle of the main body 100 relative to the horizontal plane and transmits the tilt angle signal to the controller 260. The controller 260 controls the actuator 250 to rotate according to the tilt angle signal. In this embodiment, the gravity sensor 300 can measure the tilt angle of the main body 100 relative to the horizontal plane in real time and transmit the tilt angle signal to the controller 260. The controller 260 calculates the angle value that the light-emitting units 240 in each pixel opening of the edge portion 200 should be adjusted according to the tilt angle signal, and issues control commands to each actuator 250 according to the calculation results. This adjusts the direction of the emitted light from the light-emitting units 240 in the pixel openings of the edge portion 200 to be close to or consistent with the light emission direction of the main body 100 of the display panel, thereby allowing the user to observe a more complete image in the edge portion 200.

[0068] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0069] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display panel having a main portion and a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion being curved with respect to the main portion, characterized in that, The edge portion comprises: a planarization layer; a pixel definition layer disposed on the planarization layer, the pixel definition layer defining a plurality of pixel openings; a first electrode disposed between the planarization layer and the pixel definition layer; an actuating device disposed between the planarization layer and the pixel definition layer, the first electrode being disposed on the actuating device; and a light emitting unit disposed within the pixel opening; wherein the actuating device is configured to drive the first electrode to rotate to adjust an exit angle of light emitted by the light emitting unit.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The pixel definition layer and the planarization layer each comprise a transparent optically elastic resin.

3. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The actuating device comprises: a bearing platform on which the first electrode is fixed; a rotating shaft fixedly connected with the bearing platform; and a micro motor connected with the rotating shaft, the micro motor being configured to drive the bearing platform to rotate through the rotating shaft.

4. The display panel of claim 3, wherein, The bearing platform comprises one or more of SiN, SiO, and SiNO.

5. The display panel of claim 3, wherein, There are a plurality of actuating devices; In a thickness direction of the display panel, each of the bearing platforms is opposite to one pixel opening, and each of the bearing platforms is fixedly provided with one first electrode.

6. The display panel of claim 3, wherein, There are a plurality of actuating devices; In a thickness direction of the display panel, each of the bearing platforms is opposite to a plurality of pixel openings, and each of the bearing platforms is fixedly provided with a plurality of first electrodes.

7. The display panel of claim 3, wherein, The display panel further comprises a controller and a first signal transmission line, the controller being electrically connected with the micro motor through the first signal transmission line to issue a control instruction to the micro motor to control the rotation of the bearing platform.

8. The display panel of claim 3, wherein, The edge portion further comprises a drive circuit layer disposed on a side of the planarization layer away from the pixel definition layer, the drive circuit layer comprising a thin film transistor comprising an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, the first electrode being connected with the source electrode or the drain electrode through a metal via.

9. The display panel of claim 8, wherein, The metal via comprises a first hole segment disposed on the bearing platform and a second hole segment disposed on the planarization layer, the first hole segment and the second hole segment being electrically connected.

10. The display panel of claim 8, wherein, In a thickness direction of the display panel, a portion of the first electrode is disposed opposite to the bearing platform, and another portion of the first electrode is offset from the bearing platform; the metal via is disposed on the planarization layer, and the portion of the first electrode offset from the bearing platform is connected with the metal via.

11. A display device, characterized by comprising: The display panel comprises any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The display device of claim 11, wherein, The display panel further comprises a controller electrically connected with the actuating device; The display device further comprises a gravity sensing device electrically connected with the controller, the gravity sensing device being configured to measure an inclination angle of the main body portion relative to a horizontal plane and transmit the inclination angle signal to the controller, the controller being configured to control the rotation of the actuating device according to the inclination angle signal.

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