Photoalignment mask plate and assembly thereof, photoalignment method, display panel and device

Abstract

This application discloses a photoalignment mask and its components, a photoalignment method, a display panel, and an apparatus to improve display uniformity. An embodiment of this application provides a photoalignment mask comprising multiple light-transmitting patterns arranged in a first direction, with adjacent light-transmitting patterns staggered in a second direction; the second direction intersects the first direction; and different light-transmitting patterns have different photoalignment scanning directions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to photoalignment masks and their components, photoalignment methods, display panels and devices. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, one common method for light alignment in liquid crystal display panels is ultraviolet vertical alignment (UV). 2 A) Technology, UV 2 Technology A uses ultraviolet light at a specific angle to scan and align the photo-alignment film through a mask, causing an alignment reaction that aligns the liquid crystal molecules at a certain angle. However, UV... 2 Technology A uses photomasks smaller than the LCD panel size, therefore requiring multiple photomasks to be stitched together. Considering the light source illumination range and photomask size, repeated exposure zones are usually required. However, due to repeated exposure and other reasons, the areas corresponding to these repeated exposure zones often exhibit uneven display. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a photoalignment mask and its components, a photoalignment method, a display panel, and an apparatus to improve display uniformity.

[0004] This application provides a photoalignment mask, which includes a variety of light-transmitting patterns arranged in a first direction, with two adjacent light-transmitting patterns staggered in a second direction; the second direction intersects the first direction; and the photoalignment scanning directions of different light-transmitting patterns are different.

[0005] In some embodiments, the photoalignment mask is divided into: a first region, and a second region located on both sides of the first region in a second direction; the second region includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region located between the first region and the first sub-region in the second direction;

[0006] The light-transmitting pattern includes: a first part, and a second part located on both sides of the first part in a second direction; the first part includes: a plurality of first light-transmitting areas of equal length in the second direction and a first non-light-transmitting area located between the first light-transmitting areas; the second part includes: a plurality of second light-transmitting areas and a second non-light-transmitting area located between the second light-transmitting areas; in the direction from the first part to the second part of the light-transmitting pattern, the length of the second light-transmitting area in the second direction gradually decreases.

[0007] The first part includes the portion located in the first zone and the portion located in one of the second sub-zones;

[0008] One of the two second parts is located in the first sub-region on one side of the first region, and the other of the two second parts is located in the second sub-region on the other side of the first region.

[0009] In some embodiments, the plurality of light-transmitting patterns includes a first light-transmitting pattern and a second light-transmitting pattern;

[0010] The first part of the first light-transmitting pattern includes: a first sub-part located in the first region, and a second sub-part located on one side of the first sub-part in the second direction;

[0011] The first part of the second light-transmitting pattern includes: a third sub-part located in the first region, and a fourth sub-part located on one side of the third sub-part in the second direction;

[0012] The second sub-part and the fourth sub-part are located in different second sub-regions;

[0013] In the second zone on one side of the first zone, the second part of the first light-transmitting pattern and the second part of the second light-transmitting pattern are located in the first sub-zone and the second sub-zone, respectively.

[0014] In some embodiments, in the second direction, the width of the first sub-region is equal to the width of the second sub-region.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first part is rectangular in shape, the rectangle including a pair of first sides extending along a second direction, and the second part including a second side and a third side respectively connected to the first sides;

[0016] At least one of the second and third sides satisfies y = sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b; where a is not 0.

[0017] In some embodiments, one of the second and third sides is parallel to the second direction, and the other of the second and third sides satisfies y = sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b; where a is not 0.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second part includes: a fifth sub-part, and a sixth sub-part located on both sides of the fifth sub-part in a second direction;

[0019] The second and third sides of the sixth sub-part satisfy y = sin 2 x, the second and third sides of the fifth sub-part satisfy y = ax + b.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second portion includes a seventh sub-part and an eighth sub-part arranged in a first direction. The seventh sub-part includes a fourth side parallel to the second direction and a fifth side located on the side of the fourth side facing the eighth sub-part. The eighth sub-part includes a sixth side parallel to the second direction and a seventh side located on the side of the sixth side facing the seventh sub-part.

[0021] The fifth and seventh sides satisfy y = sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b.

[0022] In some embodiments, the ratio of the maximum width of the second portion in the first direction to the maximum width of the second portion in the second direction is less than 1.

[0023] In some embodiments, the surface of the photoalignment mask facing away from the photoalignment light source includes a groove in the second region; the bottom surface of the groove is a curved surface that bulges toward the photoalignment light source.

[0024] This application provides an embodiment of a photoalignment mask assembly, which includes: a plurality of photoalignment mask plates provided in this application embodiment;

[0025] The distance between any two adjacent photoalignment masks is greater than 0.

[0026] This application provides an optical alignment method, including:

[0027] A first optical alignment mask assembly is used to perform optical alignment on the substrate to be aligned; wherein, the first optical alignment mask assembly is the optical alignment mask assembly provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0028] A second optical alignment mask assembly is used to perform optical alignment on the substrate to be aligned; wherein, the second optical alignment mask assembly is the optical alignment mask assembly provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] The orthographic projection of the photoalignment mask in the first photoalignment mask assembly onto the substrate to be aligned overlaps with the orthographic projection of the photoalignment mask in the second photoalignment mask assembly onto the substrate to be aligned.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first photoalignment mask assembly is used to perform photoalignment on the substrate to be aligned, specifically including:

[0031] The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the first scanning direction, and the first light-transmitting pattern of the first photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the first region of the substrate to be aligned.

[0032] The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the second scanning direction, and the second light-transmitting pattern of the first photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the second region of the substrate to be aligned; the first region and the second region have an overlapping area;

[0033] The second optical alignment mask assembly is used to perform optical alignment on the substrate to be aligned, specifically including:

[0034] The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the first scanning direction, and the first light-transmitting pattern of the second photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the third region of the substrate to be aligned.

[0035] The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the second scanning direction, and the second light-transmitting pattern of the second photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the fourth region of the substrate to be aligned; the third region and the fourth region have an overlapping area.

[0036] This application provides a display panel comprising: an array substrate and a counter substrate disposed opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer located between the array substrate and the counter substrate; the array substrate includes an alignment film layer, and / or the counter substrate includes an alignment film layer, and the alignment film layer of the array substrate and / or the alignment film layer of the counter substrate are optically aligned using the photoalignment method provided in this application.

[0037] This application provides a display device, including a display panel provided in this application embodiment.

[0038] The photoalignment mask, photoalignment mask assembly, photoalignment method, display panel, and display device provided in this application have overlapping areas on different photoalignment masks, with a portion of the light-transmitting pattern undergoing a single exposure and another portion undergoing two exposures. Thus, the repeated exposure areas of different light-transmitting patterns are also misaligned in the second direction. In the first direction, the repeated exposure area of ​​one type of light-transmitting pattern is located on one side of the non-repeated exposure area of ​​another type of light-transmitting pattern. The overlapping area can be divided into multiple sub-overlapping areas arranged along the second direction. Only one type of light-transmitting pattern is repeatedly exposed in each sub-overlapping area. Therefore, in each sub-overlapping area, only a portion is repeatedly exposed. Compared to the case where all overlapping areas are repeatedly exposed, and compared to the case where all overlapping areas on different photoalignment masks are repeatedly exposed, this improves the alignment stability of the overlapping areas, avoids excessive brightness in the repeatedly exposed areas of the display panel, and improves display uniformity. Attached Figure Description

[0039] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, 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 this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a photoalignment mask provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of two photoalignment masks provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another photoalignment mask provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the light alignment scanning direction of a first light-transmitting pattern and a second light-transmitting pattern provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another photoalignment mask provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another photoalignment mask provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0046] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the light accumulation curve provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another photoalignment mask provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0048] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another photoalignment mask provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0049] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another photoalignment mask provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0050] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of light intensity distribution in a repeatedly exposed area provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of another photoalignment mask provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another photoalignment mask provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a photoalignment mask assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 15 A schematic flowchart of an optical alignment method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of a photoalignment method provided in this application, utilizing a second photoalignment mask assembly and a second photoalignment mask assembly;

[0056] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of different regions in an optical alignment method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of the domains of sub-pixels in a display panel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0060] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other without conflict. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0061] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

[0062] It should be noted that the dimensions and shapes of the figures in the accompanying drawings do not reflect actual proportions and are intended only to illustrate the content of this application. Furthermore, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout.

[0063] This application provides a photoalignment mask, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the photoalignment mask includes: multiple light-transmitting patterns 3 arranged in the first direction Y, two adjacent light-transmitting patterns 3 being staggered in the second direction X; the second direction X intersects the first direction Y; and the photoalignment scanning directions of different types of light-transmitting patterns 3 are different.

[0064] It should be noted that the photoalignment mask provided in this application embodiment can be used for ultraviolet vertical alignment (UV). 2 A) Photoalignment technology. Utilizing UV... 2 When performing photoalignment on a liquid crystal display panel using technology A, the size of the photoalignment mask is usually smaller than the size of the liquid crystal display panel. To align the liquid crystal display panel, multiple sets of photoalignment masks need to be used for multiple exposures. Considering the illumination range of the exposure light source and the size of the photoalignment mask, the substrate of the liquid crystal display panel that needs to be aligned has a single exposure area and a repeated exposure area. The repeated exposure area is exposed twice through different photoalignment masks.

[0065] In related technologies, different types of light-transmitting patterns are not misaligned in the second direction. When the photoalignment mask of the related technology is used for multiple exposures, the two photoalignment masks exposed in multiple exposures have overlapping areas. In the overlapping area, the area of ​​all light-transmitting patterns is equal. That is, the area corresponding to all light-transmitting patterns in the overlapping area is repeatedly exposed. This will cause the display panel to have a brighter display in the repeatedly exposed area, resulting in uneven display.

[0066] When performing photoalignment using multiple photoalignment masks provided in the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 2 As shown, A1 and A2 are two photoalignment masks provided in embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This is merely a top view illustrating the non-overlapping arrangement of A1 and A2 on the same plane. In actual implementation, A1 and A2 have overlapping areas in their orthographic projections onto the substrate to be aligned. These overlapping areas correspond to repeated exposure areas. However, because different types of light-transmitting patterns 3 are staggered in the second direction X, in the overlapping area of ​​A1 and A2, a portion of each light-transmitting pattern corresponds to a non-repeated exposure area, and another portion corresponds to a repeated exposure area. That is, in the photoalignment mask provided in this embodiment, in the overlapping areas of different photoalignment masks, a portion of the light-transmitting pattern undergoes a single exposure, while another portion undergoes two exposures. Thus, the repeated exposure areas of different types of light-transmitting patterns are also staggered in the second direction. In the first direction, the repeated exposure area of ​​one type of light-transmitting pattern is located on one side of the non-repeated exposure area of ​​another type of light-transmitting pattern. The overlapping area can be divided into multiple sub-overlapping areas arranged along the second direction. Each sub-overlapping area has only one light-transmitting pattern that is repeatedly exposed. In this way, only a portion of each sub-overlapping area is repeatedly exposed. Compared to the case where all overlapping areas are repeatedly exposed, this can improve the alignment stability of the overlapping area, avoid the display panel from having excessively bright display in the repeatedly exposed area, and improve display uniformity.

[0067] It should be noted that UV 2Technology A uses ultraviolet light at a specific angle to scan and align through a photomask, illuminating a photoalignment film. This causes an alignment reaction in the photoalignment film, resulting in liquid crystal molecules aligning at a certain angle. The display panel includes multiple sub-pixels (sub-pixels can be defined by the intersection of gate lines extending along the row direction and data lines extending along the column direction). Each sub-pixel can include different domains, and the liquid crystal molecules of different domains have different angles. In specific implementations, different light-transmitting patterns can be set on the photoalignment mask, so that the light alignment scanning direction of different light-transmitting patterns is different, thus achieving the goal of each sub-pixel including different domains.

[0068] The photoalignment mask provided in this application embodiment has overlapping regions in different photoalignment masks. Each light-transmitting pattern is partially exposed once and partially exposed twice. Only one light-transmitting pattern is repeatedly exposed in each sub-overlapping region. In this way, in the sub-pixels of each sub-overlapping region, only a portion is repeatedly exposed, while the rest is only exposed once. Compared with the case where all sub-pixels in overlapping regions of different photoalignment masks are repeatedly exposed, the alignment stability of the sub-pixels can be improved, thereby improving the problem of uneven display in this area.

[0069] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the photoalignment mask is divided into: a first region 1 and a second region 2 located on both sides of the first region 1 in the second direction X; the two second regions 2 are 2-1 and 2-2, respectively.

[0070] The light-transmitting pattern 3 includes a first part 301 and a second part 302. The second part 302 is located on one side of the first part 301 in the second direction X. The first part 301 includes a plurality of first light-transmitting areas 3011 of equal length in the first direction Y and a first non-light-transmitting area 3012 located between the first light-transmitting areas 3011. The second part 302 includes a plurality of second light-transmitting areas 3012 and a second non-light-transmitting area 3022 located between the second light-transmitting areas 3012.

[0071] The inventors of this application discovered through research that, for example... Figure 3The photoalignment mask shown has the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 and the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 staggered on one side in the second direction X, and not staggered on the other side. The first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 includes a second portion 302 located in each second region 2. In the second region 2 where the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 and the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 are not staggered, i.e., the second region 2 marked as 2-2 in the attached figure, the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 includes the second portion 302. The second region 2, corresponding to the staggered arrangement of pattern 3-1 and the second translucent pattern 3-2, is designated as region 2 in the attached drawing 2-1. The second translucent pattern 3-2 does not include the second part 302. In the first translucent pattern 3-1, the length of the second translucent region 3012 gradually decreases in the first direction Y in the direction from the first part 301 to the second part 302. In the second translucent pattern 3-2, the length of the second translucent region 3012 in the first direction Y is equal to the length of the first translucent region 3011 in the first direction Y. Figure 3 The second light-transmitting pattern is rectangular in shape; the second region 2 corresponds to two photoalignment masks with overlapping areas, that is, in the second region 2 (labeled 2-1 in the attached figure), the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 includes the portion located in the overlapping area, while the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 does not include the portion located in the overlapping area. Thus, the overlapping area corresponding to one light-transmitting pattern undergoes only a single exposure, while the overlapping area corresponding to the other light-transmitting pattern undergoes repeated exposures. Therefore, Figure 3 In the photoalignment mask shown, when one half of a sub-pixel corresponds to the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 and the other half corresponds to the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2, only half of the sub-pixels in the overlapping area are repeatedly exposed, while the other half are exposed only once. Compared to the case where all sub-pixels in the overlapping area are repeatedly exposed, this improves the alignment stability of the sub-pixels. However, darker areas will appear in the overlapping area, which is due to insufficient exposure in the single exposure corresponding to one of the light-transmitting patterns.

[0072] The photoalignment mask provided in this application embodiment, in some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the second region 2 includes a first sub-region 201 and a second sub-region 202 located between the first region 1 and the first sub-region 201 in the second direction X;

[0073] The light-transmitting pattern 3 includes: a first part 301, and a second part 302 located on both sides of the first part 301 in the second direction X;

[0074] The first part 301 includes a plurality of first light-transmitting areas 3011 of equal length in the first direction Y and a first non-light-transmitting area 3012 located between the first light-transmitting areas 3011. The second part 302 includes a plurality of second light-transmitting areas 3012 and a second non-light-transmitting area 3022 located between the second light-transmitting areas 3012. In the light-transmitting pattern, in the direction from the first part 301 to the second part 302, the length of the second light-transmitting area 3012 in the first direction Y gradually decreases.

[0075] The first part 301 includes a portion located in the first zone 1 and a portion located in one of the second sub-zones 202;

[0076] One of the two second parts 302 is located in the first sub-region 201 on one side of the first region 1, and the other of the two second parts 302 is located in the second sub-region 202 on the other side of the first region 1.

[0077] In practical implementation, when using multiple photoalignment masks to perform photoalignment on a substrate to be aligned, for the two photoalignment masks being spliced, their orthographic projections onto the substrate to be aligned have overlapping and non-overlapping regions. The first region of the photoalignment mask, as projected onto the substrate to be aligned, corresponds to the non-overlapping region, i.e., the first region corresponds to the single exposure region. The second region of the photoalignment mask, as projected onto the substrate to be aligned, corresponds to the overlapping region. The overlapping region can be divided into multiple sub-overlapping regions arranged along the second direction. The first sub-region and the second sub-region, as projected onto the substrate to be aligned, correspond to different sub-overlapping regions. Taking the left and right sides of the first region in the second direction as examples, the first sub-region on the left side of the first region and the second sub-region on the right side of the first region correspond to a repeated exposure region for one type of light transmission pattern, while the first sub-region on the right side of the first region and the second sub-region on the left side of the first region correspond to a repeated exposure region for another type of light transmission pattern. This achieves a situation where, in the overlapping region, part of the light-transmitting pattern undergoes a single exposure, while another part undergoes two exposures, and the repeated exposure areas of the first and second light-transmitting patterns are misaligned in the second direction. Thus, when half of a sub-pixel corresponds to the first light-transmitting pattern and the other half to the second, only half of the sub-pixels in the overlapping region corresponding to the first sub-region undergo repeated exposure, while the other half undergoes a single exposure. Similarly, only half of the sub-pixels in the overlapping region corresponding to the second sub-region undergo repeated exposure, while the other half undergoes a single exposure. Compared to the case where all sub-pixels in the overlapping region corresponding to the second region undergo repeated exposure, this improves the alignment stability of the sub-pixels. Furthermore, compared to... Figure 3The light-aligning mask shown corresponds to a single exposure for one of the light-transmitting patterns. This can also avoid overlapping areas and dark areas caused by insufficient exposure, thus improving brightness uniformity and display uniformity.

[0078] It should be noted that, Figure 1 In the first region 1, the second sub-region 202 on the left and the first sub-region 201 on the right correspond to the repeated exposure area of ​​the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1, and the first sub-region 201 on the left and the second sub-region 202 on the left correspond to the repeated exposure area of ​​the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2.

[0079] In some embodiments, in the second direction, the width of the first light-transmitting area and the width of the second light-transmitting area are equal. The width between two adjacent first light-transmitting areas, the width between two adjacent second light-transmitting areas, and the width between adjacent first and second light-transmitting areas are equal.

[0080] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the length of the second light-transmitting area 3012 in the first direction Y is less than the length of the first light-transmitting area 3011 in the first direction Y.

[0081] It should be noted that, since the second region corresponds to the repeated exposure area of ​​the substrate that needs to be aligned, the length of the second light-transmitting region gradually decreases in the direction from the first part to the second part in the light-transmitting pattern, which is beneficial to balancing the amount of light accumulated in the repeated exposure area and the non-repeated exposure area.

[0082] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the multiple light-transmitting patterns 3 include a first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 and a second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 arranged in the first direction Y;

[0083] The first portion 301 of the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 includes: a first sub-portion 301-1 located in the first region 1, and a second sub-portion 301-2 located on one side of the first sub-portion 301-1 in the second direction X;

[0084] The first part 301 of the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 includes: a third sub-part 301-3 located in the first region 1, and a fourth sub-part 301-4 located on one side of the third sub-part 301-3 in the second direction X;

[0085] The first sub-part 301-1 and the third sub-part 301-3 are located in the first area 1, and the second sub-part 301-2 and the fourth sub-part 301-4 are located in different second sub-areas 202;

[0086] In the second area 2 on one side of the first area 1, the second part 302 of the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 and the second part 302 of the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 are located in the first sub-area 201 and the second sub-area 202, respectively.

[0087] In the second direction X, the width h1 of the first sub-region 201 is equal to the width h2 of the second sub-region 202.

[0088] It should be noted that, Figure 1 In the first area 1, on the right side, the second part 302 of the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 is located in the first sub-area 201, the second sub-part 301-2 is located in the second sub-area 202 between the first sub-area 201 and the first area 1, and the second part 302 of the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 is located in the second sub-area 202; on the left side of the first area 1, the second part 302 of the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 is located in the first sub-area 201, the fourth sub-part 301-4 is located in the second sub-area 202 between the first sub-area 201 and the first area 1, and the second part 302 of the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 is located in the second sub-area 202.

[0089] Specifically, for the first light-transmitting pattern, the area of ​​the substrate requiring alignment corresponding to the second part is repeatedly exposed, while the area of ​​the substrate requiring alignment corresponding to the second sub-part is exposed only once. For the second light-transmitting pattern, the area of ​​the substrate requiring alignment corresponding to the second part is repeatedly exposed, while the area of ​​the substrate requiring alignment corresponding to the fourth sub-part is exposed only once. This achieves the following: in the overlapping area, one part of the light-transmitting pattern is exposed only once, while another part is exposed twice, and the repeatedly exposed areas of the first and second light-transmitting patterns are misaligned in the second direction.

[0090] In some embodiments, in the second direction, the width of the first light-transmitting area of ​​the first light-transmitting pattern, the width of the second light-transmitting area of ​​the first light-transmitting pattern, the width of the first light-transmitting area of ​​the second light-transmitting pattern, and the width of the second light-transmitting area of ​​the second light-transmitting pattern are equal. In the first direction, the length of the first light-transmitting area of ​​the first light-transmitting pattern is equal to the length of the first light-transmitting area of ​​the second light-transmitting pattern.

[0091] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the photoalignment mask also includes a third region 10, which does not include the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 and the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2; in the first direction Y, the second region 2 is located between the third region 10 and the first region 1.

[0092] In some embodiments, the light-aligning scanning directions of the first light-transmitting pattern and the second light-transmitting pattern are opposite. For example, as... Figure 4As shown, the light alignment scanning direction of one of the first light-transmitting patterns 3-1 and the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 is the positive direction Y+ of the first direction Y, and the light alignment scanning direction of the other of the first light-transmitting patterns 3-1 and the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2 is the negative direction Y- of the first direction Y. The angle b1 of the light alignment light source 5 corresponding to the first light-transmitting pattern 3-1 is also different from the angle b2 of the light alignment light source 5 corresponding to the second light-transmitting pattern 3-2. When the light alignment light source 5 scans along the positive direction Y+, the angle b1 between the emitted light of the light source 5 and the positive direction Y+ is an obtuse angle. When the light alignment light source 5 scans along the negative direction Y-, the angle b2 between the emitted light of the light source 5 and the negative direction Y- is an obtuse angle. In a specific implementation, b1 and b2 are, for example, 140°.

[0093] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first part 301 is rectangular in shape, and the rectangle includes a pair of first sides 4-3 extending along the second direction X.

[0094] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the second part 302 includes a second side 4-1 and a third side 4-2 that are respectively connected to the first side 4-3.

[0095] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figures 8-10 As shown, at least one of the second side 4-1 and the third side 4-2 satisfies y = sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b; where a is not 0.

[0096] It should be noted that, Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figures 8-10 In this application, A1 and A2 are both photoalignment masks provided in the embodiments. When photoalignment is performed using A1 and A2, the second regions of A1 and A2 overlap in the orthographic projection of the substrate to be aligned. Furthermore, for the same light-transmitting pattern, the second portions 302 of A1 and A2 overlap in the orthographic projection of the substrate to be aligned. Specifically, the second portions 302 of the first light-transmitting pattern of A1 and A2 overlap in the orthographic projection of the substrate to be aligned, and the second portions 302 of the second light-transmitting pattern of A1 and A2 overlap in the orthographic projection of the substrate to be aligned. Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figures 8-10 The middle part is either the first or second light-transmitting pattern of A1 or A2.

[0097] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, both the second side 4-1 and the third side 4-2 satisfy y = sin2 x.

[0098] Alternatively, in some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, both the second side 4-1 and the third side 4-2 satisfy y = ax + b.

[0099] It should be noted that, as Figure 5 As shown, when both the second side 4-1 and the third side 4-2 satisfy y = sin 2 When x, the slopes of different positions on the second side 4-1 and the third side 4-2 are different. This results in inconsistent length changes in multiple second light-transmitting areas along the first direction. The slopes of the second side 4-1 and the third side 4-2 are greatest at the bisectors of the second area along the first direction. The central region of the repeated exposure area corresponding to the second area is... Figure 5 The B area in the middle section exhibits an overly bright display, resulting in uneven display.

[0100] The photoalignment mask provided in this embodiment satisfies y = ax + b on both its second and third sides. The slopes of different positions on the second side 4-1 are the same, and the slopes of different positions on the third side 4-2 are also the same. This ensures that the length variations of the multiple second light-transmitting regions included in the second part are consistent in the first direction, compared to the second and third sides both satisfying y = sin... 2 In case x, the energy change trend in region B can be slowed down when using a single photoalignment mask for photoalignment, making the energy transition of the second part of photoalignment smoother, which is more conducive to balancing the energy of photoalignment in different regions, reducing the brightness difference in different regions of the liquid crystal display panel, and improving display uniformity.

[0101] Alternatively, in some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the second part 302 includes: a fifth sub-part 302-1, and a sixth sub-part 302-2 located on both sides of the fifth sub-part 302-1 in the second direction X;

[0102] The second side 4-1 and the third side 4-2 of the sixth sub-part 302-2 satisfy y = sin 2 x, the second side 4-1 and the third side 4-2 of the fifth sub-part 302-1 satisfy y=ax+b.

[0103] It should be noted that the inventors of this application have specified that the second and third sides satisfy y = sin 2The study of display unevenness under different light accumulation curves revealed that for each photoalignment mask, the light accumulation was lowest at the bisector of the second region extending along the first direction. When the light accumulation was around 87%, the display unevenness in the repeated exposure area of ​​the display panel corresponding to the second region was relatively mild, but there were darker areas on both sides of the lowest light accumulation point. If the light accumulation continued to decrease to 80%, a dark area appeared in the region corresponding to the fifth sub-part, i.e., region B, but the center of the dark area remained bright relative to the edges. This phenomenon is suspected to be due to insufficient light accumulation in the region on both sides of the bisector of the first direction in region B, corresponding to the fifth sub-part.

[0104] It should be noted that, Figure 7 In the diagram, region B corresponds to the fifth sub-part, where a1 represents the second and third sides satisfying y = sin 2 The light accumulation curve under case x, curve a2 in this region is the light accumulation curve when the second and third sides satisfy y = ax + b. That is, in the photoalignment mask provided in this application embodiment, the second and third sides of the fifth sub-part satisfy y = ax + b, compared to the second and third sides of this part satisfying y = sin 2 In case x, the amount of light accumulated in that area can be increased, avoiding the problem of dark areas due to insufficient light accumulation, improving the brightness uniformity of the display panel, and thus improving the display uniformity.

[0105] It should be noted that the fifth sub-part corresponds to a brighter area in the orthographic projection of the substrate to be aligned, i.e. Figure 5 Region B in the second direction. The width of this region in the second direction is related to the maximum width of the second part in the second direction. In specific implementation, the maximum width of the fifth sub-part in the second direction can be obtained by simulation based on the required size of the second part. For example, when the maximum width of the second part in the second direction is in the range of 45 mm to 52 mm, the width of the fifth sub-part in the second direction is approximately 20 mm to 30 mm.

[0106] In some embodiments, one of the second and third sides is parallel to the second direction X, and the other of the second and third sides satisfies y = sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b; where a is not 0.

[0107] In some embodiments, the second portion has a first axis of symmetry parallel to the second direction X, when both the second and third sides satisfy y = sin 2 When x and / or y = ax + b, the second side and the third side of the second part are symmetric about the first axis of symmetry.

[0108] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8As shown, in the second part 302 on one side of the first part 301, the second side 4-1 is parallel to the second direction X and lies on the same straight line as one of the first sides 4-3 of the first part 301, and the third side 4-2 satisfies y = sin 2 x;

[0109] In the second part 302 on the other side of the first part 301, the third side 4-2 is parallel to the second direction X and lies on the same straight line as one of the first sides 4-3 of the first part 301, and the second side 4-1 satisfies y = sin 2 x.

[0110] It should be noted that, Figure 8 In the middle, A1 and A2 are two different photoalignment masks. The second part 302 of A1 is the second part 302 located to the right of the first part 301 of A1, and the second part 302 of A2 is the second part 302 located to the left of the first part 301 of A2.

[0111] Alternatively, in some embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, in the second part 302 on one side of the first part 301, the second side 4-1 is parallel to the second direction X and lies on the same straight line as one of the first sides 4-3 of the first part 301, and the third side 4-2 satisfies y=ax+b;

[0112] In the second part 302 on the other side of the first part 301, the third side 4-2 is parallel to the second direction X and lies on the same straight line as one of the first sides 4-3 of the first part 301, and the second side 4-1 satisfies y = ax + b.

[0113] Alternatively, in some embodiments, such as Figure 10 As shown, in the second part 302 on one side of the first part 301, the second side 4-1 is parallel to the second direction X and lies on the same straight line as one of the first sides 4-3 of the first part 301. The third side 4-2 of the fifth sub-part 302-1 satisfies y = ax + b, and the third side 4-2 of the sixth sub-part 302-2 satisfies y = sin 2 x;

[0114] In the second part 302 on the other side of the first part 301, the third side 4-2 is parallel to the second direction X and lies on the same straight line as one of the first sides 4-3 of the first part 301. The second side 4-1 of the fifth sub-part 302-1 satisfies y = ax + b, and the second side 4-1 of the sixth sub-part 302-2 satisfies y = sin 2 x.

[0115] In specific implementation, such as Figures 8-10As shown, for two different photoalignment masks A1 and A2 corresponding to the same repeated exposure area, the orthographic projection of the second part 302 of photoalignment mask A1 in the repeated exposure area and the orthographic projection of the second part 302 of photoalignment mask A2 in the repeated exposure area do not overlap, and the orthographic projection of the second part 302 of photoalignment mask A1 in the repeated exposure area and the orthographic projection of the second part 302 of photoalignment mask A2 in the repeated exposure area form a complete rectangle.

[0116] It should be noted that the light intensity distribution in the repeated exposure area irradiated by the optical structure of the photoalignment exposure equipment is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, the unit of light intensity is candela. The brighter areas of the liquid crystal display panel are concentrated in areas with higher light intensity, i.e. Figure 11 Region C in the image. In the photoalignment mask provided in this embodiment, one of the second and third sides is parallel to the second direction X, and the other of the second and third sides satisfies y = sin... 2 x and / or y = ax + b, compared to the second and third sides, both satisfy y = sin 2 In the case of x and / or y = ax + b, the overlap area between the second part and the area with stronger light intensity can be reduced, which is more conducive to balancing the energy of light orientation in different areas, reducing the brightness difference in different areas of the liquid crystal display panel, and improving display uniformity.

[0117] In some embodiments, such as Figure 12 As shown, the second part 302 includes a seventh sub-part 302-3 and an eighth sub-part 302-4 arranged in the first direction Y. The seventh sub-part 302-3 includes a fourth side 4-4 parallel to the first direction Y and a fifth side 4-5 located on the side of the fourth side 4-4 facing the eighth sub-part 302-4. The eighth sub-part 302-4 includes a sixth side 4-6 parallel to the second direction X and a seventh side 4-7 located on the side of the sixth side 4-6 facing the seventh sub-part 302-3.

[0118] The fifth side (4-5) and the seventh side (4-7) satisfy y = sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b.

[0119] The embodiments provided in this application are as follows: Figure 12 The photoalignment mask shown has its seventh and eighth sub-parts of the second part disconnected from each other, which reduces the overlap area between the second part and the area with stronger light intensity. This is more conducive to balancing the energy of photoalignment in different areas, reducing the brightness difference between different areas of the liquid crystal display panel, and improving display uniformity.

[0120] It should be noted that, as Figure 12 The setup method shown in the second part is compared to Figures 8-10The second part overlaps with the area with stronger light intensity in a smaller area, which is more conducive to reducing the brightness difference between different areas of the liquid crystal display panel and improving display uniformity.

[0121] It should be noted that, Figure 12 The fifth and seventh sides satisfy y = sin 2 Let's take x as an example. Of course, in practice, the fifth and seventh sides could also satisfy y = ax + b. Alternatively, the seventh and eighth sub-parts could both include the fifth sub-part and the sixth sub-part located on either side of the fifth sub-part in the second direction X, with the fifth and seventh sides of the fifth sub-part satisfying y = ax + b, and the fifth and seventh sides of the sixth sub-part satisfying y = sin... 2 x.

[0122] In some embodiments, the seventh sub-part 302-3 and the eighth sub-part 302-4 are symmetrically arranged along the first axis of symmetry 6 of the second part 302.

[0123] In some embodiments, the ratio of the maximum width of the second portion in the first direction Y to the maximum width of the second portion in the second direction X is less than 1. This makes the length variation trend of the plurality of second light-transmitting areas included in the second portion more gradual in the first direction, further mitigating the energy variation trend in region B when performing photoalignment using a single photoalignment mask. This results in a more gradual energy transition in the photoalignment of the second portion, which is more conducive to balancing the energy of photoalignment in different regions, reducing brightness differences in different regions of the liquid crystal display panel, and improving display uniformity.

[0124] It should be noted that the smaller the ratio of the maximum width of the second part in the first direction Y to the maximum width of the second part in the second direction X, the gentler the length variation trend of the multiple second light-transmitting areas included in the second part in the first direction. This is more conducive to a smoother energy transition in the photoorientation of the second part, better balancing the energy of photoorientation in different regions, and reducing brightness differences in different areas of the liquid crystal display panel. However, in the actual design of the photoorientation mask, the influence of process difficulty and the size of each region on photoorientation needs to be considered. In specific implementation, the width of the first part in the second direction X is approximately 163 mm, and the maximum width of the second part in the second direction X is, for example, greater than or equal to 50 mm and less than or equal to 52 mm. The maximum width of the second part in the first direction Y is, for example, 40 mm.

[0125] In some embodiments, such as Figure 13 As shown, the surface 7 of the photo-alignment mask on the side opposite to the photo-alignment light source 5 includes a groove 8 located in the second region 2.

[0126] It should be noted that the photoalignment mask provided in this application embodiment has a grating structure in which the light-transmitting areas and non-light-transmitting areas in the first light-transmitting pattern and the second light-transmitting pattern are alternately arranged. Therefore, when performing photoalignment using the photoalignment mask, there is a diffraction phenomenon. In the areas where diffraction occurs, alignment disorder occurs, which reduces the transmittance of the liquid crystal display panel. That is, the existence of the diffraction phenomenon will lead to the appearance of dark areas.

[0127] The photoalignment mask provided in this application includes a groove in the second region on the surface of the photoalignment light source side. This groove can increase the width of the dark area caused by diffraction, thereby reducing the brightness of the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to the second region and avoiding uneven display caused by brighter areas in the repeated exposure area of ​​the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to the second region.

[0128] It should be noted that, Figure 13 In the embodiments of this application, A1 and A2 are both photoalignment masks. When photoalignment is performed using A1 and A2, the second regions of A1 and A2 overlap in the orthographic projection of the substrate to be aligned, and the second portions 302 of A1 and A2 overlap in the orthographic projection of the substrate to be aligned.

[0129] In some embodiments, such as Figure 13 As shown, the bottom surface 9 of the groove 8 is a curved surface that bulges towards the light source 5. This can further increase the width of the dark area caused by diffraction.

[0130] In some embodiments, such as Figure 14 As shown, the photoalignment mask includes a first substrate 11 and a metal layer 12 on the side of the first substrate 11 facing away from the photoalignment light source. The metal layer is, for example, a chromium layer. The thickness of the first substrate is approximately 5 mm, and the maximum thickness of the metal layer 12 is approximately 200 micrometers. The groove 8 of the photoalignment mask is a groove formed in the metal layer 12, and the maximum depth of the groove 8 is greater than or equal to 50 micrometers and less than or equal to 150 micrometers.

[0131] In practical implementation, in the second direction X, the maximum width of the groove is equal to the brighter area of ​​the liquid crystal display panel. Figure 5 The width of region B is related to the width of the second region. Given a fixed width, the width of region B, as well as the maximum width of the groove, can be determined through experiments and simulations. In practical implementation, the maximum width of the groove in the second direction X is equal to the width of region B.

[0132] In specific implementation, for example, in the second direction X, the width of the second region is 45 mm, the maximum width of the groove is 20 mm, and the maximum depth of the groove is 100 micrometers.

[0133] In a specific implementation, the second region has a third axis of symmetry, and the groove has a fourth axis of symmetry. Both the third and fourth axes of symmetry are perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, and the third and fourth axes of symmetry coincide.

[0134] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application also provide a photoalignment mask assembly, such as... Figure 14 As shown, the photoalignment mask assembly includes: a plurality of photoalignment mask plates 13 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0135] The distance between any two adjacent photoalignment masks 13 is greater than 0.

[0136] like Figure 14 As shown, the photoalignment mask assembly includes a plurality of photoalignment mask plates 13 arranged along the second direction X.

[0137] In specific implementation, such as Figure 14 As shown, the distance h3 between any two adjacent light-transmitting patterns 3 of the same type in the photo-alignment mask 13 is equal to the width of the first region of the photo-alignment mask in the second direction X. That is, the distance between the first light-transmitting patterns is equal to the width of the first region of the photo-alignment mask in the second direction X, and the distance between the second light-transmitting patterns is equal to the width of the first region of the photo-alignment mask in the second direction X.

[0138] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application also provide an optical alignment method, such as... Figure 15 As shown, it includes:

[0139] S101. A first optical alignment mask assembly is used to perform optical alignment on the substrate to be aligned; wherein, the first optical alignment mask assembly is the optical alignment mask assembly provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0140] S102. Optically align the substrate to be aligned using a second optical alignment mask assembly; wherein, the second optical alignment mask assembly is the optical alignment mask assembly provided in the embodiments of this application; and the first optical alignment mask assembly;

[0141] like Figure 16 As shown, the orthographic projection of the photoalignment mask 13 in the first photoalignment mask assembly 14-1 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned overlaps with the orthographic projection of the photoalignment mask 13 in the second photoalignment mask assembly 14-2 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned.

[0142] The photoalignment method provided in this application embodiment utilizes a first photoalignment mask assembly and a second photoalignment mask assembly to perform photoalignment on a substrate to be aligned. Since both the first and second photoalignment mask assemblies include the photoalignment mask provided in this application embodiment, and since different light-transmitting patterns of the photoalignment mask are staggered in the second direction, the first and second photoalignment mask assemblies have overlapping areas. A portion of each light-transmitting pattern corresponds to a non-repeated exposure area, and another portion corresponds to a repeated exposure area. That is, in the overlapping area of ​​different photoalignment masks, a portion of the light-transmitting pattern undergoes a single exposure, while another portion undergoes two exposures. Thus, the repeated exposure areas of different light-transmitting patterns are also staggered in the second direction. In the first direction, the repeated exposure area of ​​one light-transmitting pattern is located on one side of the non-repeated exposure area of ​​another light-transmitting pattern. The overlapping area can be divided into multiple sub-overlapping areas arranged along the second direction. Each sub-overlapping area has only one light-transmitting pattern that is repeatedly exposed. In this way, only a portion of each sub-overlapping area is repeatedly exposed. Compared to the case where all overlapping areas are repeatedly exposed, this can improve the alignment stability of the overlapping area, avoid the display panel from having excessively bright display in the repeatedly exposed area, and improve display uniformity.

[0143] In some embodiments, such as Figure 16 As shown, the orthographic projection of the second region 2 of the photoalignment mask 13 in the first photoalignment mask assembly 14-1 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned overlaps with the orthographic projection of the second region 2 of the photoalignment mask 13 in the second photoalignment mask assembly 14-2 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned. Specifically, the orthographic projection of the first sub-region 201 of the photoalignment mask 13 in the first photoalignment mask assembly 14-1 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned overlaps with the orthographic projection of the second sub-region 202 of the photoalignment mask 13 in the second photoalignment mask assembly 14-2 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned, and the orthographic projection of the second sub-region 202 of the photoalignment mask 13 in the first photoalignment mask assembly 14-1 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned overlaps with the orthographic projection of the first sub-region 201 of the photoalignment mask 13 in the second photoalignment mask assembly 14-2 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned.

[0144] It should be noted that, as Figure 16As shown, the substrate 15 to be aligned includes an alignment region 1501 and a non-alignment region 1502 located outside the alignment region 1501; in one of the outermost photoalignment mask plates 13 of the first photoalignment mask assembly 14-1, the orthographic projection of the first region 1 and the second region 2 and the third region 10 located on one side of the first region 1 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned falls into the alignment region 1501, and the orthographic projection of the second region 2 and the third region 10 located on the other side of the first region 1 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned falls into the non-alignment region 1502; in one of the outermost photoalignment mask plates 13 of the second photoalignment mask assembly 14-2, the orthographic projection of the first region 1 and the second region 2 and the third region 10 located on one side of the first region 1 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned falls into the alignment region 1501, and the orthographic projection of the second region 2 and the third region 10 located on the other side of the first region 1 onto the substrate 15 to be aligned falls into the non-alignment region 1502.

[0145] It should be noted that, Figure 16 The following example illustrates how both the first and second optical alignment mask assemblies 14-1 and 14-2 include two optical alignment mask plates 13. In specific implementations, the number of optical alignment mask plates included in both the first and second optical alignment mask assemblies can be specifically set according to the size of the optical alignment mask plates and the size of the substrate to be aligned.

[0146] It should be noted that the alignment region includes multiple re-exposure regions and multiple non-re-exposure regions. For the first region and the second region whose orthographic projection falls into the alignment region, the orthographic projection of the first region on the substrate to be aligned overlaps with the non-re-exposure region, and the orthographic projection of the second region on the substrate to be aligned overlaps with the re-exposure region.

[0147] In some embodiments, when light is directed toward the second portion of the light-transmitting pattern of the mask, the shape is as follows: Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 12 As shown, in the first and second optical alignment mask assemblies that have overlap, the orthographic projection of the second part of the first optical alignment mask assembly onto the substrate to be aligned overlaps with the orthographic projection of the second part of the second optical alignment mask assembly onto the substrate to be aligned.

[0148] In some embodiments, when light is directed toward the second portion of the light-transmitting pattern of the mask, the shape is as follows: Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 As shown, in the overlapping first and second optical alignment mask assemblies, the orthographic projection of the second part of the first optical alignment mask assembly onto the substrate to be aligned and the orthographic projection of the second part of the second optical alignment mask assembly onto the substrate to be aligned do not overlap.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first photoalignment mask assembly is used to perform photoalignment on the substrate to be aligned, specifically including:

[0150] The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the first scanning direction, and the first light-transmitting pattern of the first photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the first region of the substrate to be aligned.

[0151] The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along a second scanning direction, and the second light-transmitting pattern of the first photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the second region of the substrate to be aligned; for example... Figure 17 As shown, the first region 16 and the second region 17 have overlapping areas;

[0152] The second optical alignment mask assembly is used to perform optical alignment on the substrate to be aligned, specifically including:

[0153] The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the first scanning direction, and the first light-transmitting pattern of the second photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the third region of the substrate to be aligned.

[0154] The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the second scanning direction, and the second light-transmitting pattern of the second photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the fourth region of the substrate to be aligned; such as Figure 17 As shown, the third region 18 and the fourth region 19 have overlapping areas.

[0155] It should be noted that, since the photoalignment mask provided in this application has a grating structure in which the light-transmitting area and the non-light-transmitting area are alternately arranged in the first light-transmitting pattern and the second light-transmitting pattern, there is a diffraction phenomenon when performing photoalignment using the photoalignment mask. In the areas where diffraction occurs, alignment disorder occurs, which reduces the transmittance of the liquid crystal display panel. That is, the existence of the diffraction phenomenon will lead to the appearance of dark areas.

[0156] The photoalignment method provided in this application embodiment, compared to the case where the first and second regions have no overlapping areas, and the third and fourth regions have no overlapping areas, has overlapping areas in the first and second regions, and overlapping areas in the third and fourth regions. This can increase the width of the dark area caused by diffraction. When the substrate to be aligned is a liquid crystal display panel, it can reduce the brightness of the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to the second region, and avoid uneven display caused by brighter areas in the repeated exposure area of ​​the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to the second region.

[0157] In some embodiments, such as Figure 17 As shown, in the first direction Y, the width h4 of the overlapping area of ​​the first region 16 and the second region 17 is 6 micrometers, and the width h5 of the overlapping area of ​​the third region 18 and the fourth region 19 is 6 micrometers.

[0158] This application provides a display panel, such as... Figure 18As shown, the display panel includes: an array substrate 20 and a counter substrate 21 disposed opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer 22 located between the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 21; the array substrate 20 includes an alignment film layer, and / or the counter substrate 21 includes an alignment film layer, and the alignment film layer of the array substrate and / or the alignment film layer of the counter substrate are optically aligned using the photoalignment method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0159] In some embodiments, the array substrate includes a first alignment layer, the opposing substrate includes a second alignment layer, and the liquid crystal layer is located between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.

[0160] In specific implementation, the photoalignment method provided in the embodiments of this application can be used to align the first alignment film layer of the array substrate and the second alignment film layer of the opposing substrate respectively.

[0161] In specific implementation, such as Figure 19 As shown, the display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels 25 arranged in an array along the third direction X' and the fourth direction Y'. When performing photoalignment on the first alignment film layer of the array substrate, the scanning directions of the photoalignment light source are the positive X'+ and negative X'- of the third direction X', respectively. When performing photoalignment on the opposing substrate including the second alignment film layer, the scanning directions of the photoalignment light source are the positive Y'+ and negative Y'- of the fourth direction Y', respectively; or, when performing photoalignment on the first alignment film layer of the array substrate, the scanning directions of the photoalignment light source are the positive Y'+ and negative Y'- of the fourth direction Y', respectively. When performing photoalignment on the opposing substrate including the second alignment film layer, the scanning directions of the photoalignment light source are the positive X'+ and negative X'- of the third direction X', respectively. This allows for the realization of... Figure 19 As shown, each sub-pixel 25 includes four domains 2501, and the regions corresponding to the four domains 2501 are divided into two rows and two columns. When the scanning directions of the photo-aligned light source are positive X'+ and negative X'- of the third direction X', the region corresponding to the first row 25-1 is scanned along the negative X'- of the third direction X', and the region corresponding to the second row 25-2 is scanned along the positive X'+ of the third direction X'. When the scanning directions of the photo-aligned light source are positive Y'+ and negative Y'- of the fourth direction Y', the region corresponding to the first column 25-3 is scanned along the negative Y'- of the fourth direction Y', and the region corresponding to the second column 25-4 is scanned along the positive Y'+ of the fourth direction Y'.

[0162] In some embodiments, the array substrate further includes: a first substrate, a plurality of thin-film transistors located between the first substrate and the first alignment layer, a plurality of pixel electrodes located between the thin-film transistors and the first alignment layer, and a common electrode located between the thin-film transistors and the pixel electrodes or between the pixel electrodes and the first alignment layer; the thin-film transistors and the pixel electrodes are electrically connected in a one-to-one correspondence, and each sub-pixel includes a thin-film transistor and a pixel electrode; the opposing substrate further includes: a second substrate, a black matrix and a color filter located between the second substrate and the second alignment layer; the black matrix includes an opening region corresponding to each sub-pixel, and the color filter is located at least within the opening region.

[0163] This application provides a display device, such as... Figure 20 As shown, it includes the display panel 23 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0164] In some embodiments, such as Figure 20 As shown, the display device also includes a backlight module 24, and the display panel 23 is located on the light-emitting side of the backlight module 24.

[0165] The display device provided in this application embodiment includes any product or component with display function, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, television, monitor, laptop computer, digital photo frame, and navigator. Other essential components of this display device are understood by those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here, nor should they be construed as limiting this application.

[0166] In summary, the photoalignment mask, photoalignment mask assembly, photoalignment method, display panel, and display device provided in this application have overlapping areas on different photoalignment masks, with a portion of the light-transmitting pattern undergoing a single exposure and another portion undergoing two exposures. Thus, the repeated exposure areas of different light-transmitting patterns are also misaligned in the second direction. In the first direction, the repeated exposure area of ​​one type of light-transmitting pattern is located on one side of the non-repeated exposure area of ​​another type of light-transmitting pattern. The overlapping area can be divided into multiple sub-overlapping areas arranged along the second direction. Only one type of light-transmitting pattern is repeatedly exposed in each sub-overlapping area. Therefore, in each sub-overlapping area, only a portion is repeatedly exposed. Compared to the case where all overlapping areas are repeatedly exposed, this improves the alignment stability of the overlapping area, avoids excessive brightness in the repeatedly exposed areas of the display panel, and improves display uniformity.

[0167] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including both the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention.

[0168] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A photoreceptive alignment mask, characterized in that The photoalignment mask includes multiple light-transmitting patterns arranged in a first direction, with adjacent two types of light-transmitting patterns staggered in a second direction; the second direction intersects the first direction; and different types of light-transmitting patterns have different photoalignment scanning directions. The photoalignment mask is divided into: a first region, and a second region located on both sides of the first region in the second direction; the second region includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region located between the first region and the first sub-region in the second direction; The light-transmitting pattern includes: a first part, and a second part located on both sides of the first part in a second direction; the first part includes: a plurality of first light-transmitting areas of equal length in the second direction and a first non-light-transmitting area located between the first light-transmitting areas; the second part includes: a plurality of second light-transmitting areas and a second non-light-transmitting area located between the second light-transmitting areas; in the light-transmitting pattern, in the direction from the first part to the second part, the length of the second light-transmitting area in the second direction gradually decreases. The first part includes a portion located in the first region and a portion located in one of the second sub-regions; One of the two second portions is located in the first sub-region on one side of the first region, and the other of the two second portions is located in the second sub-region on the other side of the first region.

2. The photoreorientation mask according to claim 1, wherein The multiple light-transmitting patterns include a first light-transmitting pattern and a second light-transmitting pattern; The first portion of the first light-transmitting pattern includes: a first sub-portion located in the first region, and a second sub-portion located on one side of the first sub-portion in the second direction; The first part of the second light-transmitting pattern includes: a third sub-part located in the first region, and a fourth sub-part located on one side of the third sub-part in the second direction; The second sub-part and the fourth sub-part are located in different second sub-regions; In the second region on one side of the first region, the second portion of the first light-transmitting pattern and the second portion of the second light-transmitting pattern are located in the first sub-region and the second sub-region, respectively.

3. The photoreorientation mask according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In the second direction, the width of the first sub-region is equal to the width of the second sub-region.

4. The photoreorientation mask of claim 1, wherein, The first part is rectangular in shape, the rectangle including a pair of first sides extending along the second direction, and the second part including a second side and a third side respectively connected to the first side; at least one of the second side and the third side satisfies y = sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b; where a is not 0.

5. The photoreorientation mask of claim 4, wherein, One of the second side and the third side is parallel to the second direction, and the other of the second side and the third side satisfies y=sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b; where a is not 0.

6. The photoreorientation mask of claim 4, wherein, The second part includes: a fifth sub-part, and a sixth sub-part located on both sides of the fifth sub-part in the second direction; The second and third sides of the sixth sub-part satisfy y=sin 2 x, the second side and the third side of the fifth sub-part satisfy y = ax + b.

7. The photoreorientation mask of claim 1, wherein, The second part includes a seventh sub-part and an eighth sub-part arranged in the first direction. The seventh sub-part includes a fourth side parallel to the second direction and a fifth side located on the side of the fourth side facing the eighth sub-part. The eighth sub-part includes a sixth side parallel to the second direction and a seventh side located on the side of the sixth side facing the seventh sub-part. The fifth edge and the seventh edge satisfy y = sin 2 x and / or y = ax + b.

8. The photomask according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein The ratio of the maximum width of the second part in the first direction to the maximum width of the second part in the second direction is less than 1.

9. The photomask according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4-7, wherein, The surface of the photoalignment mask facing away from the photoalignment light source includes a groove located in the second region, and the bottom surface of the groove is a curved surface that bulges toward the photoalignment light source.

10. A photoalignment mask assembly, characterized in that, The photoalignment mask assembly includes: a plurality of photoalignment mask plates according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The distance between any two adjacent photoalignment masks is greater than 0.

11. A photoalignment method characterized in that, The method includes: A first optical alignment mask assembly is used to perform optical alignment on the substrate to be aligned; wherein, the first optical alignment mask assembly is the optical alignment mask assembly according to claim 10; A second optical alignment mask assembly is used to perform optical alignment on the substrate to be aligned; wherein, the second optical alignment mask assembly is the optical alignment mask assembly according to claim 10; The orthographic projection of the photoalignment mask in the first photoalignment mask assembly onto the substrate to be aligned overlaps with the orthographic projection of the photoalignment mask in the second photoalignment mask assembly onto the substrate to be aligned.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The process of using a first photoalignment mask assembly to perform photoalignment on the substrate to be aligned specifically includes: The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the first scanning direction, and the first light-transmitting pattern of the first photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the first region of the substrate to be aligned. The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along a second scanning direction, and the second light-transmitting pattern of the first photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the second region of the substrate to be aligned; the first region and the second region have an overlapping area; The process of using a second photoalignment mask assembly to perform photoalignment on the substrate to be aligned specifically includes: The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan the third region of the substrate to be aligned along the first scanning direction using the first light-transmitting pattern of the second photoalignment mask assembly. The photoalignment light source is controlled to scan along the second scanning direction, and the second light-transmitting pattern of the second photoalignment mask assembly is used to scan the fourth region of the substrate to be aligned; the third region and the fourth region have an overlapping area.

13. A display panel, characterized by The display panel includes: an array substrate and a counter substrate disposed opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer located between the array substrate and the counter substrate; the array substrate includes an alignment film layer, and / or the counter substrate includes an alignment film layer, and the alignment film layer of the array substrate and / or the alignment film layer of the counter substrate are optically aligned using the optical alignment method according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A display device comprising: Includes the display panel according to claim 13.

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