Display panel, preparation method thereof and display device

Abstract

The application discloses a display panel, a preparation method thereof and a display device, and relates to the technical field of display panels. The display panel comprises a substrate and at least one metal trace, each metal trace comprises a first section and a second section, the second section is located on the side of the first section away from a display area and extends to the side surface of the display panel; the display panel further comprises a switching element arranged in a non-display area, the switching element is located between the first section and the second section and is electrically connected with both, and is used for controlling the conduction and the turn-off of the first section and the second section; when the display panel normally works, the switching element is in a turn-off state to make the first section and the second section disconnected, and a test signal or a display signal is interrupted at the switching element and cannot be transmitted to the second section, so that the electrochemical reaction phenomenon caused by the electric signal passing through the tail end of the metal trace is avoided, the risk of metal corrosion is reduced, and the diffusion of metal corrosion is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Generally, a display panel is formed by cutting a display motherboard. Therefore, the test traces on the display motherboard are also cut, exposing them to the air from the side of the display panel. During normal display, the exposed test traces become electrically charged because the internal circuits are directly or indirectly connected to them. When the electrical signal passes through the end of the test trace, an electrochemical reaction occurs, accelerating the corrosion process and causing abnormalities in the screen signal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a display panel, its manufacturing method, and a display device to solve the technical problem that existing display panels experience electrochemical reactions at the end of test traces, accelerating the corrosion process and causing abnormal screen signals.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] This invention provides a display panel, including a display area and a non-display area located on at least one side of the display area;

[0006] The display panel also includes:

[0007] substrate;

[0008] At least one metal trace is disposed on one side of the substrate and at least in the non-display area. Each metal trace includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the second segment is located on the side of the first segment away from the display area and extends to the side of the display panel.

[0009] The display panel further includes a switching element disposed in the non-display area. The switching element is located between the first segment and the second segment and is electrically connected to both of them, and is used to control the conduction and shutdown of the first segment and the second segment.

[0010] According to the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the display panel further includes a plurality of driving transistors disposed on one side of the substrate and located in the display area, wherein the switching element is a thin film transistor and is disposed on the same layer as the driving transistors.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switching element of the display panel includes:

[0012] A first semiconductor layer is disposed on one side of the substrate;

[0013] A gate insulating layer covers the side of the first semiconductor layer away from the substrate;

[0014] A first gate is disposed on the side of the gate insulating layer away from the substrate; and

[0015] An interlayer dielectric layer covers the side of the first gate away from the substrate;

[0016] A first source-drain metal layer is disposed on the side of the interlayer dielectric layer away from the substrate, and includes a first source and a first drain. The first source is electrically connected to the first segment, and the first drain is electrically connected to the second segment. The first source and the first drain are electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer through vias penetrating the interlayer dielectric layer and the gate insulating layer.

[0017] According to the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the first segment is multiplexed as the first source of the switching element, and the second segment is multiplexed as the first drain of the switching element.

[0018] According to the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the display panel further includes:

[0019] A light-shielding layer is disposed on one side of the substrate;

[0020] A buffer layer is disposed on the side of the light-shielding layer away from the substrate. The driving transistor and the switching element are located on the side of the buffer layer away from the substrate. The first segment is electrically connected to the light-shielding layer through a via penetrating the interlayer dielectric layer and the buffer layer.

[0021] The light-shielding layer's orthogonal projection on the substrate covers the orthogonal projections of the driving transistor and the switching element on the substrate.

[0022] According to the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the first gate is connected to a control signal, which is used to control the switching element to turn on and off.

[0023] According to the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the display panel further includes:

[0024] An insulating layer covering the metal traces and the side of the switching element away from the substrate; and

[0025] At least one signal terminal is disposed on the side of the insulating layer away from the substrate and located in the non-display area, the signal terminal corresponding to the first segment of the metal trace electrically connected to it.

[0026] This invention provides a method for manufacturing a display panel, comprising the following steps:

[0027] Provide a substrate;

[0028] At least one metal trace and a switching element are formed on the substrate, wherein the metal trace is located at least in the non-display area and the switching element is located in the non-display area;

[0029] The metal traces are patterned to form a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is located on the side of the first segment away from the display area. The switching element is located between the first segment and the second segment and is electrically connected to both. The control terminal of the switching element is connected to a control signal to control the conduction and de-conduction of the first segment and the second segment.

[0030] Controlling the switching element to be in the ON state, a test signal is sent to the side of the metal trace away from the display area to perform a lighting test on the display panel; and

[0031] The display motherboard is cut along the cutting line to form at least two display panels, with the side of the second segment away from the display area exposed on one side of the display panel.

[0032] According to the method for manufacturing a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, after cutting to form the display panel, the manufacturing method further includes:

[0033] The switching element is controlled to be in the off state, and a display signal is connected to the first segment of the metal trace to drive the display panel to display light.

[0034] This invention provides a display device including the aforementioned display panel.

[0035] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The display panel, its preparation method, and the display device provided by the present invention, by segmenting the metal traces and setting a switching element in the non-display area of ​​the display panel, the switching element is located between the first and second segments of the metal traces and electrically connected to both, and is used to control the conduction and shutdown of the first and second segments. When the display panel is working normally, the switching element is in the off state to disconnect the first and second segments, and the display signal is interrupted at the switching element and cannot be transmitted to the second segment, thereby avoiding the electrochemical reaction phenomenon caused by the electrical signal passing through the tail end of the metal trace, which helps to reduce the risk of metal corrosion and avoid the spread of metal corrosion that could cause abnormalities in the driving signal or screen dot signal. Attached Figure Description

[0036] 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.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0040] AA, Display area; NA, Non-display area; 1, Substrate; 2, Metal trace; 21, First segment; 22, Second segment; 3, Switching element; 31, First semiconductor layer; 32, Gate insulating layer; 33, First gate; 34, Interlayer dielectric layer; 35, First source-drain metal layer; 351, First source; 352, First drain; 4, Driving transistor; 41, Second semiconductor layer; 42, Second gate; 43, Second source-drain metal layer; 431, Second source; 432, Second drain; 5, Light-shielding layer; 6, Buffer layer; 7, Insulating layer; 8, Signal terminal; 9, Driving circuit board; 10, Planarization layer; 11, Dam layer. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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 are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for illustration and explanation of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. In the present invention, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" generally refer to the upper and lower positions of the device in actual use or operation, specifically the drawing directions in the accompanying drawings; while "inner" and "outer" refer to the outline of the device.

[0042] Please see Figure 1 This invention provides a display panel, which includes a display area AA and a non-display area NA located on at least one side of the display area AA.

[0043] The display panel further includes a substrate 1 and at least one metal trace 2. The metal trace 2 is disposed on one side of the substrate 1 and is located at least in the non-display area NA. Each metal trace 2 includes a first segment 21 and a second segment 22. The second segment 22 is located on the side of the first segment 21 away from the display area AA and extends to the side of the display panel.

[0044] The display panel also includes a switching element 3 disposed in the non-display area NA. The switching element 3 is located between the first segment 21 and the second segment 22 and is electrically connected to both. It is used to control the conduction and shutdown of the first segment 21 and the second segment 22. When the display panel is performing a screen test or is working normally, the switching element 3 is in the off state to disconnect the first segment 21 and the second segment 22. The test signal or display signal is interrupted at the switching element 3 and cannot be transmitted to the second segment 22, thereby avoiding the electrochemical reaction phenomenon caused by the electrical signal passing through the tail end of the metal trace 2. This helps to reduce the risk of metal corrosion and prevent the spread of metal corrosion.

[0045] In this embodiment of the invention, the display panel is cut from a display motherboard along a cutting line. The display motherboard includes at least two display panels and a test terminal. The metal trace 2 of each display panel is connected to the test terminal, which provides a test signal. The test signal is transmitted from the test terminal through the metal trace 2 to the driving circuit in the display area AA. Before cutting the display motherboard, a screen test is performed on the display panel to confirm whether there are any defects. Performing the test in the early stage helps to reduce production costs. Before cutting, the metal trace 2 passes through the cutting line. After cutting, the metal trace 2 is cut off at the cutting line, and the side of the metal trace 2 away from the display area AA is exposed at the cutting point. In addition, the test terminal is removed, and the test terminal is no longer present on the display panel after cutting.

[0046] After the cut display panel and backlight module are assembled, during the screen test or normal operation, the test signal or external drive signal provided by the drive circuit board 9 can be transmitted to the drive circuit in the display area AA through the metal trace 2. Some electrical signals will be transmitted along the metal trace 2 to the side of the display panel, resulting in electrical signal accumulation at the end of the metal trace 2, causing an electrochemical reaction, accelerating the corrosion process, and causing abnormalities in the drive signal or screen test signal.

[0047] In this embodiment of the invention, by setting the switching element 3, the metal trace 2 is segmented. Before cutting, the switching element 3 is in a conducting state, so that the first segment 21 and the second segment 22 are connected. The test signal provided by the test end can be transmitted to the driving circuit in the display area AA through the metal trace 2. When the display panel is working normally, the switching element 3 is in a disconnected state, so that the first segment 21 and the second segment 22 are disconnected. The test signal or external driving signal provided by the driving circuit board 9 can only be transmitted to the driving circuit in the display area AA through the first segment 21 of the metal trace 2, and cannot be transmitted to the end of the metal trace 2 through the second segment 22. This reduces the risk of metal corrosion, avoids the spread of metal corrosion, and avoids abnormalities in the driving signal or screen dot signal.

[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, the display panel further includes a plurality of driving transistors 4 disposed on one side of the substrate 1 and located in the display area AA. Of course, the switching element 3 may also be other elements that perform the same function as the thin-film transistor, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0049] This invention uses a thin-film transistor as an example to illustrate the switching element 3. The thin-film transistor can be an etch-block type, a back-channel etch type, or, depending on the position of the gate and the semiconductor layer, can be classified as a bottom-gate thin-film transistor, a top-gate thin-film transistor, etc. There are no specific limitations.

[0050] For example, Figure 1 The switching element 3 shown is a top-gate thin-film transistor device. The switching element 3 includes a first semiconductor layer 31, a gate insulating layer 32, a first gate 33, an interlayer dielectric layer 34, and a first source-drain metal layer 35. The first semiconductor layer 31 is disposed on one side of the substrate 1. The gate insulating layer 32 covers the side of the first semiconductor layer 31 away from the substrate 1. The first gate 33 is disposed on the side of the gate insulating layer 32 away from the substrate 1. The interlayer dielectric layer 34 covers the side of the first gate 33 away from the substrate 1. The first source-drain metal layer 35 is disposed on the side of the interlayer dielectric layer 34 away from the substrate 1. The first source-drain metal layer 35 includes a first source 351 and a first drain 352. The first source 351 is electrically connected to the first segment 21, and the first drain 352 is electrically connected to the second segment 22. The first source 351 and the first drain 352 are electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer 31 through vias penetrating the interlayer dielectric layer 34 and the gate insulating layer 32.

[0051] In this embodiment of the invention, the switching element 3 and the driving transistor 4 are disposed on the same layer, meaning that the switching element 3 and the driving transistor 4 can be formed using the same fabrication process, which helps to save on manufacturing processes and reduce costs. Specifically, each film layer of the switching element 3 is disposed on the same layer as the corresponding film layer of the driving transistor 4 and is formed using the same fabrication process.

[0052] Specifically, the driving transistor 4 includes a second semiconductor layer 41, a second gate 42, and a second source-drain metal layer 43. The gate insulating layer 32 covers the first semiconductor layer 31 and the second semiconductor layer 41. The interlayer dielectric layer 34 covers the first gate 33 and the second gate 42. The second source-drain metal layer 43 includes a second source 431 and a second drain 432. The second source 431 and the second drain 432 are electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer 41 through vias penetrating the interlayer dielectric layer 34 and the gate insulating layer 32.

[0053] In this embodiment of the invention, the first semiconductor layer 31 and the second semiconductor layer 41 are disposed on the same layer, the first gate 33 and the second gate 42 are disposed on the same layer, and the first source-drain metal layer 35 and the second source-drain metal layer 43 are disposed on the same layer.

[0054] In this embodiment of the invention, the first source-drain metal layer 35 and the second source-drain metal layer 43 are both disposed on the same layer as the metal trace 2. The first segment 21 is multiplexed as the first source 351 of the switching element 3, and the second segment 22 is multiplexed as the first drain 352 of the switching element 3. The first segment 21 and the second segment 22 can be fabricated in the same process as the first source 351 and the first drain 352.

[0055] The first gate 33 is connected to a control signal, which is used to control the switching element 3 to turn on and off. The switching element 3 can be either a P-type thin film transistor or an N-type thin film transistor. For example, when the switching element 3 is a P-type thin film transistor, the switching element 3 is turned on when the control signal is high, and the first segment 21 and the second segment 22 are turned on; when the control signal is low, the switching element 3 is turned off, and the first segment 21 and the second segment 22 are disconnected.

[0056] The display panel further includes a light-shielding layer 5 and a buffer layer 6. The light-shielding layer 5 is disposed on one side of the substrate 1 to prevent light from damaging the first semiconductor layer 31 and the second semiconductor layer 41. The buffer layer 6 is disposed on the side of the light-shielding layer 5 away from the substrate 1. The driving transistor 4 and the switching element 3 are located on the side of the buffer layer 6 away from the substrate 1. The first segment 21 is electrically connected to the light-shielding layer 5 through a via penetrating the interlayer dielectric layer 34 and the buffer layer 6. The second drain 432 is also electrically connected to the light-shielding layer 5 through a via penetrating the interlayer dielectric layer 34, the gate insulating layer 32, and the buffer layer 6. The orthographic projection of the light-shielding layer 5 on the substrate 1 covers the orthographic projection of the driving transistor 4 and the switching element 3 on the substrate 1.

[0057] The display panel further includes an insulating layer 7 and at least one signal terminal 8. The insulating layer 7 covers the metal trace 2 and the switching element 3 on the side away from the substrate 1. The signal terminal 8 is disposed on the side of the insulating layer 7 away from the substrate 1 and located in the non-display area NA. The signal terminal 8 is electrically connected to the first segment 21 of the metal trace 2.

[0058] The signal terminal 8 is used to receive test signals and external drive signals, which can be provided by the drive circuit board 9. In this embodiment of the invention, the drive circuit board 9 can be a flip-chip film. The signal terminal 8 transmits the received external drive signals to the metal trace 2. Since the metal trace 2 is electrically connected to the light-shielding layer 5, and the light-shielding layer 5 is electrically connected to the second drain 432 of the drive transistor 4, the external drive signals can be transmitted to the drive transistor 4 to enable the display panel to work normally.

[0059] Furthermore, the display panel also includes a planarization layer 10 and a dam layer 11. The planarization layer 10 is disposed on the side of the insulating layer 7 away from the substrate 1, and the dam layer 11 is disposed on the side of the planarization layer 10 away from the substrate 1. The planarization layer 10 and the dam layer 11 are provided with an opening, and the signal terminal 8 is disposed in the opening and in contact with the metal trace 2.

[0060] The display panel can be a liquid crystal display panel or other types of display panels, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, without limitation.

[0061] Please see Figure 2 This invention also provides a method for manufacturing a display panel, comprising the following steps:

[0062] S1 provides a substrate;

[0063] S2, at least one metal trace and a switching element are formed on the substrate, wherein the metal trace is located at least in the non-display area and the switching element is located in the non-display area;

[0064] S3, the metal trace is patterned to form a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is located on the side of the first segment away from the display area. The switching element is located between the first segment and the second segment and is electrically connected to both. The control terminal of the switching element is connected to a control signal to control the conduction and de-conduction of the first segment and the second segment.

[0065] S4, control the switching element to be in the ON state, and send a test signal to the side of the metal trace away from the display area to perform a lighting test on the display panel; and

[0066] S5, the display motherboard is cut along the cutting line to form at least two display panels, and the side of the second segment away from the display area is exposed on one side of the display panel.

[0067] Furthermore, after cutting to form the display panel, the manufacturing method further includes:

[0068] The switching element is controlled to be in the off state, and a test signal or display signal is connected to the first segment of the metal trace.

[0069] This invention also provides a display device, which includes the display panel described in the above embodiments. The display device includes, but is not limited to, electronic paper, mobile phones, tablet computers, televisions, monitors, laptops, digital photo albums, GPS devices, etc.

[0070] The display panel can be a liquid crystal display panel. In this case, the display device further includes a backlight module, which is disposed on the side of the display panel away from the light-emitting surface and is used to provide backlight for the display panel.

[0071] The beneficial effects are as follows: The display panel and its preparation method and display device provided in the embodiments of the present invention, by segmenting the metal traces and setting a switching element in the non-display area of ​​the display panel, the switching element is located between the first segment and the second segment of the metal trace and electrically connected to both, and is used to control the conduction and shutdown of the first segment and the second segment. When the display panel is working normally, the switching element is in the off state to disconnect the first segment and the second segment. The display signal is interrupted at the switching element and cannot be transmitted to the second segment, thereby avoiding the electrochemical reaction phenomenon caused by the electrical signal passing through the tail end of the metal trace. This helps to reduce the risk of metal corrosion and avoid the spread of metal corrosion that could cause abnormalities in the driving signal or screen dot signal.

[0072] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, the above preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized by, The display panel comprises a display area and a non-display area located at least one side of the display area. The display panel further comprises: a substrate; at least one metal trace disposed on one side of the substrate and located at least in the non-display area, each of the metal traces comprising a first segment and a second segment, the second segment being located on a side of the first segment away from the display area and extending to a side surface of the display panel; wherein the display panel further comprises a switching element disposed in the non-display area, the switching element being located between and electrically connected to the first segment and the second segment, for controlling the conduction and non-conduction of the first segment and the second segment, the switching element being in a non-conduction state to disconnect the first segment and the second segment; The switching element comprises: a first gate electrode disposed on one side of the substrate; an interlayer dielectric layer covering a side of the first gate electrode away from the substrate; and a first source-drain metal layer disposed on a side of the interlayer dielectric layer away from the substrate, comprising a first source electrode and a first drain electrode, the first source electrode being electrically connected to the first segment, and the first drain electrode being electrically connected to the second segment.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The display panel further comprises a plurality of drive transistors disposed on one side of the substrate and located in the display area, and the switching element is a thin film transistor and is disposed in the same layer as the drive transistors.

3. The display panel of claim 2, wherein, The switching element comprises: a first semiconductor layer disposed on one side of the substrate; a gate insulating layer covering a side of the first semiconductor layer away from the substrate; the first gate electrode is disposed on a side of the gate insulating layer away from the substrate; the first source electrode and the first drain electrode are electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer through a via hole penetrating through the interlayer dielectric layer and the gate insulating layer.

4. The display panel of claim 3, wherein, The first segment is multiplexed as the first source electrode of the switching element, and the second segment is multiplexed as the first drain electrode of the switching element.

5. The display panel of claim 4, wherein, The display panel further comprises: a light shielding layer disposed on one side of the substrate; a buffer layer disposed on a side of the light shielding layer away from the substrate, the drive transistors and the switching element being located on a side of the buffer layer away from the substrate, and the first segment being electrically connected to the light shielding layer through a via hole penetrating through the interlayer dielectric layer and the buffer layer; wherein the orthographic projection of the light shielding layer on the substrate covers the orthographic projection of the drive transistors and the switching element on the substrate.

6. The display panel of claim 3, wherein, The first gate electrode is connected to a control signal for controlling the conduction and non-conduction of the switching element.

7. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The display panel further comprises: an insulating layer covering a side of the metal trace and the switching element away from the substrate; and at least one signal terminal disposed on a side of the insulating layer away from the substrate and located in the non-display area, the signal terminal being electrically connected to the first segment of the metal trace.

8. A method for manufacturing a display panel, characterized by, The display panel comprises a display area and a non-display area located at least one side of the display area, and the preparation method of the display panel comprises the following steps: providing a substrate; forming at least one metal trace and a switch element on the substrate, the metal trace is located at least in the non-display area, the switch element is located in the non-display area, the switch element comprises a first gate, an interlayer dielectric layer and a first source-drain metal layer, the first gate is arranged on one side of the substrate, the interlayer dielectric layer covers the side of the first gate away from the substrate, the first source-drain metal layer is arranged on the side of the interlayer dielectric layer away from the substrate, and the first source-drain metal layer comprises a first source and a first drain; performing a patterning process on the metal trace to form a first segment and a second segment, the second segment is located on the side of the first segment away from the display area, the switch element is located between the first segment and the second segment and is electrically connected with both, the first source is electrically connected with the first segment, the first drain is electrically connected with the second segment, a control end of the switch element is connected with a control signal for controlling the conduction and the turn-off of the first segment and the second segment, and the switch element is in the turn-off state to disconnect the first segment and the second segment; controlling the switch element to be in the conduction state, inputting a test signal to the side of the metal trace away from the display area to perform a lighting test on the display panel; and cutting the display mother board along the cutting line to form at least two display panels, and the side of the second segment away from the display area is exposed to one side of the display panel.

9. The method of manufacturing a display panel according to claim 8, wherein, After cutting the display panel, the preparation method further comprises: controlling the switch element to be in the turn-off state, inputting a test signal or a display signal to the first segment of the metal trace.

10. A display device, characterized by comprising: The display panel comprises any one of claims 1-7.

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