Display panel

Abstract

The application provides a display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a display medium layer, a structure layer, an alignment layer and a sealing layer. The first substrate is provided with a display area and a non-display area. The display medium layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The structure layer is provided with a plurality of micro-grooves in the non-display area of the first substrate. The alignment layer is arranged between the display medium layer and the first substrate. The alignment layer covers the display area and extends to the non-display area and partially overlaps the micro-grooves. The alignment layer includes a first part and a second part. The first part is located between one of the micro-grooves closest to the display area and the display area. The second part is located between two adjacent micro-grooves. The first part and the second part have a first film thickness and a second film thickness along the normal direction of the structure surface respectively, and the second film thickness is smaller than the first film thickness. The sealing layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate and located in the non-display area. The sealing layer overlaps at least part of the micro-grooves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display panel, and more particularly to a display panel having an alignment layer. Background Technology

[0002] One current type of display panel utilizes an alignment layer to orient the display medium layer, and the alignment layer material is primarily coated using anastatic printing. Specifically, anastatic printing involves adhering an alignment liquid to a flexible substrate made of resin with microgrooves on its surface. During the printing process, the alignment liquid within the microgrooves is squeezed and transferred from the flexible substrate to the substrate of the display panel.

[0003] However, this method of applying alignment materials requires a certain level of process precision. This is especially true for display panels with narrow bezels, where the precision requirements for letterpress printing are extremely high. If the precision of the flexible circuit board printing is insufficient, the alignment layer can easily shift and cover the frame adhesive coating area, causing a decrease in the adhesive's adhesion or electrical failure of surrounding circuitry, resulting in reliability issues. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a display panel with superior reliability.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a display dielectric layer, a structural layer, an alignment layer, and a sealing layer. The first substrate has a display area and a non-display area other than the display area. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The display dielectric layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The structural layer is disposed on the first substrate and has a plurality of microgrooves in the non-display area. These microgrooves are recessed from the structural surface of the structural layer. The alignment layer is disposed between the display dielectric layer and the first substrate. The alignment layer covers the display area and extends into the non-display area. The alignment layer covers a portion of the structural surface and overlaps with a portion of the microgrooves. The alignment layer includes a first portion and a second portion covering the structural surface. The first portion is located between the microgrooves closest to the display area and the display area. The second portion is located between adjacent microgrooves. The first portion and the second portion have a first film thickness and a second film thickness, respectively, along the normal direction of the structural surface, and the second film thickness is less than the first film thickness. The sealing layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and is located within the non-display area. The sealing layer overlaps with at least a portion of the microgrooves.

[0006] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the second film thickness to the first film thickness is less than 0.5.

[0007] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the structural surface of the structural layer has a plurality of unit surfaces. A plurality of microgrooves are respectively located at the geometric center of each of these unit surfaces. Each of these unit surfaces has a plurality of openings defining the plurality of microgrooves. Each of these unit surfaces has a surface area A1. One of the openings corresponding to each of these unit surfaces has an opening area A2, and the display panel satisfies the following relationship: 0.2 ≤ A1 / (A1+A2) ≤ 0.4.

[0008] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of micro-grooves are arranged along a first direction at a first pitch P. Each of these micro-grooves has an opening width W on the structural surface and along the first direction and a groove depth D along the normal direction of the structural surface, and the display panel satisfies the following relationship: D / (PW)>0.7.

[0009] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, multiple microgroove structures are separated from each other.

[0010] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, a structural layer has recessed side surfaces and recessed bottom surfaces defining each micro-recess. The recessed side surfaces connect the structural surface and the recessed bottom surfaces. An alignment layer covers the recessed bottom surface of the first micro-recess closest to the display area among the plurality of micro-recesses and exposes the recessed side surfaces of the first micro-recess.

[0011] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, a sealing layer extends to a first microgroove and contacts the portion of the groove side of the first microgroove exposed by the alignment layer.

[0012] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the structural surface of the structural layer has a plurality of openings defining a plurality of micro-grooves, and the width of each of these openings gradually decreases or increases as it moves away from the display area.

[0013] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of micro-grooves include a plurality of first micro-grooves and a plurality of second micro-grooves arranged alternately along a direction away from the display area. The structural surface of the structural layer has a first opening defining each first micro-groove and a second opening defining each second micro-groove. The first opening and the second opening have a first opening width and a second opening width respectively along the arrangement direction, and the first opening width is different from the second opening width.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the display panel further includes a conductive layer disposed on the structural layer. The structural layer has recessed side surfaces and a recessed bottom surface defining each micro-groove. The recessed side surfaces connect the structural surface and the recessed bottom surface. The conductive layer has side surface portions and a bottom surface portion respectively covering the recessed side surfaces and the recessed bottom surface. An alignment layer covers the bottom surface portion of the conductive layer in the first micro-groove closest to the display area among the plurality of micro-grooves and exposes a portion of the side surface portion of the conductive layer in the first micro-groove.

[0015] Based on the above, in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the structural layer has a plurality of micro-grooves recessed from its surface in the non-display area. An alignment layer for orienting the display dielectric layer extends from the display area to the non-display area and terminates in the area where these micro-grooves are provided. Accordingly, in addition to increasing the coating elasticity of the alignment layer, the production yield of the display panel can also be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of the display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the display panel;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the display panel;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the structural layers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the structural layers according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the display panel according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a top view of a partial area of ​​the display panel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a top view of a partial area of ​​the display panel according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 10 This is a top view of a partial area of ​​the display panel according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E: Display panels;

[0028] 110: First substrate;

[0029] 110e: Substrate edge;

[0030] 120: Second substrate;

[0031] 150, 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D, 150E: Structural layers;

[0032] 150s: Structural surface;

[0033] 150bs: Groove bottom surface;

[0034] 150ss: Recessed side;

[0035] 155, 155a, 155b, 155c, 155A, 155B, 155C, 155D, 155E, 155-1, 155-2: microgrooves;

[0036] 170: Conductive layer;

[0037] 171: Side view;

[0038] 173: Bottom section;

[0039] 180: Orientation layer;

[0040] 180p1: Part One;

[0041] 180p2: Part Two;

[0042] 180p3: Part Three;

[0043] 190: Microconductor;

[0044] 200: Display media layer;

[0045] 250, 250A: Sealing layer;

[0046] D: Groove depth;

[0047] DA: Display area;

[0048] EL1: First electrode layer;

[0049] EL2: Second electrode layer;

[0050] EL3: Third electrode layer;

[0051] GC, GC1, GC2: Geometric centers;

[0052] INS1: First insulating layer;

[0053] INS2: Second insulating layer;

[0054] MSZ: Microstructural region;

[0055] NDA: Non-display area;

[0056] OC: cladding layer;

[0057] OP, OP-A, OP-B, OP1, OP2: opening;

[0058] P: Pitch;

[0059] SCL: Semiconductor layer;

[0060] t1, t2, t3: film thickness;

[0061] US, US1, US2: Unit surfaces;

[0062] W, W1, W2: Opening width;

[0063] X, Y, Z: Direction;

[0064] Z1: Region;

[0065] A-A': section line. Detailed Implementation

[0066] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0067] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of the display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the display panel, Z1. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the display panel. Figure 3 Corresponding to Figure 2 At section line A-A'. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, Figure 1 Omitted Figure 2 The microgroove 155 is shown.

[0068] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3The display panel 10 includes a first substrate 110, a second substrate 120, a structural layer 150, and a display medium layer 200. The first substrate 110 has a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The second substrate 120 is disposed opposite to the first substrate 110. The structural layer 150 is disposed on the first substrate 110. The materials of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 may include glass, quartz, polymer, or other suitable rigid substrate materials or flexible substrate materials. The display medium layer 200 is, for example, a liquid crystal layer and is disposed between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120.

[0069] A structural layer 150 is disposed on the first substrate 110 and extends from the display area DA to the non-display area NDA. In this embodiment, the structural layer 150 is, for example, an organic coating layer, and the material of the organic coating layer may include, but is not limited to, organic resin materials such as polysiloxane series, silicone series, or acrylic series. Notably, the structural layer 150 has a structural surface 150s, and a plurality of microgrooves 155 recessed from the structural surface 150s are provided within the non-display area NDA. The distribution range of these microgrooves 155 within the non-display area NDA defines a microstructure region MSZ surrounding the display area DA. In this embodiment, these microgrooves 155 may be arranged in an array within the microstructure region MSZ along directions X and Y, respectively.

[0070] In this embodiment, the orthographic projection outline of the microgroove 155 on the first substrate 110 is, for example, circular, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, the orthographic projection outline of the microgroove on the first substrate 110 may also be triangular, rectangular, or other suitable shapes.

[0071] To align the display medium layer 200 in a specific orientation, an alignment layer 180 is provided between the display medium layer 200 and the structural layer 150. The alignment layer 180 covers the entire display area DA and extends to the non-display area NDA. More specifically, regardless of... Figure 1 Above, below, to the left, or to the right of the display area DA, the alignment layer 180 extends into the non-display area NDA and terminates in the microstructure area MSZ. That is, around the display area DA, the alignment layer 180 extending into the non-display area NDA partially overlaps with the microstructure area MSZ.

[0072] It should be noted that the degree of overlap between the alignment layer 180 and the microstructure region MSZ in the non-display area NDA can depend on the configuration of the microgrooves 155, such as the arrangement pitch, aperture size, and groove depth of the microgrooves 155. For example, due to Figure 2 Region Z1 is located in Figure 1The display area DA is located on one side in the horizontal direction (e.g., direction X). These microgrooves 155 are arranged along direction X at a pitch P, and each has an opening width W on the structural surface 150s along direction X. Each of these microgrooves 155 has a groove depth D along the normal direction (e.g., direction Z) of the structural surface 150s, and satisfies the following relationship: D / (PW)>0.7. Accordingly, the wetting ability of the alignment layer 180 on the structural layer 150 in the microstructure region MSZ can be reduced, thereby preventing the alignment layer 180 from further diffusing towards the substrate edge 110e. In other words, by providing these microgrooves 155, the impact of printing misalignment of the alignment material on the electrical properties of the surrounding circuitry or the adhesion characteristics of the sealing layer can be reduced, which helps to increase the coating flexibility of the alignment layer 180.

[0073] Although not shown in the attached diagram, it should be understood that the setting is... Figure 1 The pitch and aperture width of the multiple microgrooves (not shown) on the upper (or lower) side of the display area DA are defined along the direction Y, and similarly, by satisfying the above-mentioned relationship, the distribution of the alignment layer 180 on the upper (or lower) side of the display area DA also ends at the microstructure area MSZ.

[0074] From another perspective, the structural surface 150s of the structural layer 150 can be divided into multiple unit surfaces US in the microstructure region MSZ, and multiple microgrooves 155 are respectively located at the geometric center GC of these unit surfaces US. These unit surfaces US each have multiple openings OP that define the multiple microgrooves 155. Each unit surface US has a surface area A1, and its opening OP has an opening area A2. To further improve the hydrophobicity of the structural layer 150 to the alignment layer 180 in the microstructure region MSZ, the structural layer 150 can also satisfy the following relationship: 0.2≤A1 / (A1+A2)≤0.4.

[0075] It should be noted that, in this disclosure, the structural layer 150 only needs to satisfy one of the above two relationships in the microstructure region MSZ to reduce the wetting ability of the alignment layer 180 on the structural surface 150s. If both relationships are satisfied, the hydrophobic properties of the alignment layer 180 in the microstructure region MSZ will be more pronounced.

[0076] On the other hand, the multiple microgrooves 155 of the structural layer 150 are structurally separable from each other. That is, these microgrooves 155 are not interconnected. Therefore, during the coating process of the alignment layer 180, when the alignment liquid is covered at the opening OP, a closed space is formed inside the microgrooves 155, and the gas (e.g., air) in this space can support the alignment liquid above. Accordingly, the amount of alignment liquid penetrating into the microgrooves 155 during the coating process can be effectively reduced, thereby further reducing the wetting ability of the alignment layer 180 on the structural surface 150s in the microstructure region MSZ.

[0077] In this embodiment, the alignment layer 180 only covers a portion of the structural surface 150s of the structural layer 150 within the non-display area NDA, and its film thickness within the non-display area NDA increases from one side of the display area DA towards the substrate edge 110e (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (as shown) gradually decreases on one side (as shown) Figure 3 (As shown).

[0078] Specifically, the alignment layer 180 within the non-display area NDA may include a first portion 180p1, a second portion 180p2, and a third portion 180p3. The first portion 180p1 is located between the micro-grooves 155 closest to the display area DA and the display area DA. The second portion 180p2 is located between two adjacent micro-grooves 155 closest to the display area DA and arranged along the X direction (e.g., micro-grooves 155a and 155b). The third portion 180p3 is located between two adjacent micro-grooves 155 next to the display area DA and arranged along the X direction (e.g., micro-grooves 155b and 155c).

[0079] The alignment layer 180 has a first film thickness t1, a second film thickness t2, and a third film thickness t3, respectively, along the normal direction of the structural surface 150s in the first portion 180p1, the second portion 180p2, and the third portion 180p3 of the non-display area NDA. The third film thickness t3 is less than the second film thickness t2, and the second film thickness t2 is less than the first film thickness t1. Preferably, the ratio of the second film thickness t2 to the first film thickness t1 is less than 0.5.

[0080] Furthermore, the structural layer 150 also has groove side surfaces 150ss and groove bottom surfaces 150bs defining microgrooves 155, wherein the groove side surfaces 150ss connect the structural surface 150s and the groove bottom surfaces 150bs. Because the hydrophobicity of the alignment layer 180 in the microstructure region MSZ of the structural layer 150 is enhanced by the microgrooves 155, only a portion of the alignment layer 180 remains within a portion of the microgrooves 155. For example, a portion of the alignment layer 180 may also cover the groove bottom surface 150bs of microgrooves 155a (or microgrooves 155b) and expose the groove side surfaces 150ss of microgrooves 155a.

[0081] The display panel 10 also includes a sealing layer 250 disposed between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120, and located within the non-display area NDA. Specifically, the sealing layer 250 surrounds the display area DA and connects the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 to form a sealed cavity, in which the display dielectric layer 200 fills. The sealing layer 250 may be made of materials such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, photosensitive polymers, or other suitable sealing materials.

[0082] In this embodiment, the sealing layer 250 may partially overlap with the plurality of microgrooves 155 within the microstructure region MSZ, but does not overlap with the alignment layer 180. That is, in this embodiment, the sealing layer 250 does not cover the alignment layer 180, which ensures the adhesion performance of the sealing layer 250 and helps improve the production yield and reliability of the display panel 10. In this embodiment, a gap may be provided between the sealing layer 250 and the alignment layer 180, wherein the gap is as follows... Figure 2 The region between the right boundary of the alignment layer 180 and the left boundary of the sealing layer 250 is shown.

[0083] However, the invention is not limited thereto. Please also refer to Figure 4 In another embodiment, the sealing layer 250A of the display panel 10A may also cover the portion of the alignment layer 180 in the non-display area NDA. Since the microgrooves 155 enhance the hydrophobic properties of the structural layer 150 to the alignment layer 180 in the microstructure region MSZ, even if the alignment layer 180 extends into a portion of the microgrooves 155, the groove sides 150ss of the microgrooves 155 will still be exposed. Therefore, even if the sealing layer 250A covers the alignment layer 180, the sealing layer 250A can still directly contact the groove sides 150ss exposed by the alignment layer 180, helping to ensure the adhesion of the sealing layer 250A.

[0084] Furthermore, the display panel 10 of this embodiment may also include multiple scan lines, multiple data lines, and multiple pixel structures (not shown). These scan lines and data lines intersect each other and define multiple pixel areas (not shown) within the display area DA. These pixel structures are located within these pixel areas and each has an active element (not shown) and a pixel electrode (not shown) electrically connected to each other, wherein the active element is electrically connected to the pixel electrode, a corresponding scan line, and a corresponding data line. These active elements can be independently controlled via a corresponding scan line and a corresponding data line, so that the corresponding multiple pixel electrodes have the same or different potentials. The electric field formed by the enabled pixel electrodes can drive multiple liquid crystal molecules of the display medium layer 200 to rotate, thereby modulating the polarization state of the polarized light incident on the display medium layer 200, and achieving the display effect by changing the light intensity of the polarized light after passing through the display panel 10.

[0085] It should be noted that the display panel 10 may also include another alignment layer (not shown) disposed on the second substrate 120. In order to improve the coating flexibility of the other alignment layer on the second substrate 120, the second substrate 120 may also be provided with another structural layer (not shown) similar to the above-mentioned structural layer 150. Since the arrangement of the alignment layer and the structural layer on the second substrate 120 side of the display dielectric layer 200 is similar to the arrangement relationship of the alignment layer 180 and the structural layer 150 described above, please refer to the relevant paragraphs above for details, and will not be repeated here.

[0086] Other embodiments will be listed below to illustrate this disclosure in detail, wherein the same components will be labeled with the same symbols, and the description of the same technical content will be omitted. For the omitted parts, please refer to the foregoing embodiments, and they will not be repeated below.

[0087] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the structural layers according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 5 Unlike Figure 3 The structural layer 150 is an organic coating layer of a single material. In this embodiment, the structural layer 150A can also be composed of multiple film layers of different materials. For example, the structural layer 150A may include a first electrode layer EL1, a first insulating layer INS1, a semiconductor layer SCL, a second electrode layer EL2, and a second insulating layer INS2 sequentially disposed on the first substrate 110. The first insulating layer INS1 covers the first electrode layer EL1. The semiconductor layer SCL and the second electrode layer EL2 are disposed on the first insulating layer INS1 and are covered by the second insulating layer INS2.

[0088] Of particular note is that the multiple microgrooves 155A of the structural layer 150A are disposed in the portion of the first insulating layer INS1 and the second insulating layer INS2 in the non-display area NDA, and expose a portion of the surface of the first electrode layer EL1. To increase the conductivity of electrical signals, the structural layer 150A may also include a third electrode layer EL3 disposed in the second insulating layer INS2, and the third electrode layer EL3 extends into the microgrooves 155A to electrically connect to the first electrode layer EL1.

[0089] The materials for the first insulating layer INS1 and the second insulating layer INS2 can be selected from organic insulating materials (e.g., polyesters, polyolefins, polyacryloyls, polycarbonates, polyoxyalkylenes, polystyrene, polyethers, polyketides, polyols, polyaldehydes, or other suitable materials, or combinations thereof) or inorganic insulating materials (e.g., silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon carbide, or aluminum oxide). The materials for the first electrode layer EL1, the second electrode layer EL2, and the third electrode layer EL3 can be selected from metal oxides (e.g., indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, or other suitable oxides, or stacks of at least two of the above), metals, alloys, nitrides of metal materials, oxides of metal materials, oxynitrides of metal materials, or other suitable materials, or stacks of metal materials and other conductive materials. The material for the semiconductor layer SCL can be selected from amorphous silicon semiconductors, monocrystalline silicon semiconductors, polycrystalline silicon semiconductors, or metal oxide semiconductors.

[0090] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the structural layers according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 6 Unlike Figure 5 The structural layer 150A, and the structural layer 150B in this embodiment further include a coating layer OC disposed on the third electrode layer EL3, and the plurality of microgrooves 155B are formed by the coating layer OC. The material of the coating layer OC can be selected from organic resin materials such as polysiloxane series, silicone series or acrylic series.

[0091] For example, in this embodiment, the first electrode layer EL1 can be the same film layer as the aforementioned scan line and the gate of the active element; the second electrode layer EL2 can be the same film layer as the aforementioned data line and the source and drain of the active element; and the third electrode layer EL3 can be the same film layer as the aforementioned pixel electrode, but this is not a limitation. In other words, the structural layers of the present invention can be fabricated from the constituent film layers of different elements within the display area DA, without the need for additional materials or processing steps.

[0092] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the display panel according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 7 The display panel 10B in this embodiment and Figure 4The difference of the display panel 10A is that: the structural layer 150 of the display panel 10A in this embodiment is covered with a conductive layer 170, and the conductive layer 170 extends into a plurality of micro-grooves 155 of the structural layer 150.

[0093] In detail, the conductive layer 170 has a side portion 171 and a bottom portion 173 respectively covering the side surface 150ss and the bottom surface 150bs of the groove. Since the arrangement of the microgrooves 155 in this embodiment is similar to... Figure 3 The microgrooves 155 are described in detail in the relevant paragraphs of the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Therefore, even though a conductive layer 170 is coated on the structural layer 150 of this embodiment, it still has hydrophobic properties to the alignment layer 180 in the non-display area NDA. That is to say, although part of the alignment layer 180 of this embodiment covers the bottom surface portion 173 of the conductive layer 170 in the microgrooves 155a and 155b closest to and adjacent to the display area DA, it exposes the side portion 171 of the conductive layer 170 in the microgrooves 155a and 155b.

[0094] On the other hand, the display panel 10B may optionally include a plurality of microconductors 190 dispersedly disposed in the sealing layer 250A. The microconductors 190 are, for example, metal particles, and their material may include gold or silver. Through the arrangement of these microconductors 190 and the conductive layer 170, the electrode layer (not shown) on the second substrate 120 may be electrically connected to the outside via peripheral lines on the first substrate 110, but is not limited thereto.

[0095] Figure 8 This is a top view of a partial area of ​​the display panel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This is a top view of a partial area of ​​the display panel according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 This is a top view of a partial area of ​​the display panel according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Please refer to Figure 8 The display panel 10C in this embodiment and Figure 2 The difference in the display panel 10 lies in the different configuration of the micro-grooves. Specifically, the opening width of the openings OP-A of the multiple micro-grooves 155C in the structural layer 150C of the display panel 10C gradually decreases with distance from the display area DA, but this is not a limitation. Please refer to... Figure 9 In another embodiment, the opening width of the opening OP-B of each of the plurality of micro-grooves 155D of the structural layer 150D of the display panel 10D may also gradually increase as it moves away from the display area DA.

[0097] Please refer to Figure 10In another embodiment, the plurality of micro-grooves 155E of the structural layer 150E of the display panel 10E may have different aperture widths. For example, the plurality of micro-grooves 155E may include a plurality of first micro-grooves 155-1 and a plurality of second micro-grooves 155-2 arranged alternately along a direction away from the display area DA (e.g., direction X). The structural surface 150s of the structural layer 150E has a first aperture OP1 defining the first micro-grooves 155-1 and a second aperture OP2 defining the second micro-grooves 155-2. The first aperture OP1 and the second aperture OP2 have a first aperture width W1 and a second aperture width W2 respectively along the arrangement direction, and the first aperture width W1 is different from the second aperture width W2. In this embodiment, the first aperture width W1 may be greater than the second aperture width W2, but is not limited thereto.

[0098] From another perspective, the structural surface 150s of the structural layer 150E can be divided into two unit surfaces in the microstructure region MSZ, such as a first unit surface US1 and a second unit surface US2. Specifically, a first microgroove 155-1 is located at the geometric center GC1 of the first unit surface US1, and a second microgroove 155-2 is located at the geometric center GC2 of the second unit surface US2. Similar to the aforementioned embodiment, if the surface area B1 of the first unit surface US1, the opening area B2 of the first opening OP1, the surface area C1 of the second unit surface US2, and the opening area C2 of the second opening OP2 of the structural layer 150E in this embodiment can satisfy the following relationships: 0.2≤B1 / (B1+B2)≤0.4 and 0.2≤C1 / (C1+C2)≤0.4, then the hydrophobic properties of the structural layer 150E in the microstructure region MSZ relative to the alignment layer 180 can be effectively improved.

[0099] In summary, in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the structural layer has a plurality of microgrooves recessed from its surface in the non-display area. An alignment layer for orienting the display dielectric layer extends from the display area to the non-display area and terminates in the region where these microgrooves are provided. Accordingly, in addition to increasing the coating elasticity of the alignment layer, the production yield of the display panel can also be improved.

[0100] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, include: The first substrate has a display area and a non-display area other than the display area; The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate; A display dielectric layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; A structural layer is disposed on the first substrate, and a plurality of micro-grooves are provided in the non-display area, wherein the plurality of micro-grooves are recessed from the structural surface of the structural layer. An alignment layer is disposed between the display medium layer and the first substrate. The alignment layer covers the display area and extends to the non-display area. The alignment layer covers a portion of the structural surface and overlaps with a portion of the plurality of microgrooves. The alignment layer includes a first portion and a second portion covering the structural surface. The first portion is located between the microgrooves closest to the display area and the display area. The second portion is located between two adjacent microgrooves. The first portion and the second portion have a first film thickness and a second film thickness, respectively, along the normal direction of the structural surface, and the second film thickness is less than the first film thickness. as well as A sealing layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and located within the non-display area. The sealing layer overlaps with at least a portion of the plurality of microgrooves. The plurality of microgrooves are arranged along a first direction at a first pitch P. Each of the plurality of microgrooves has an opening width W on the structural surface and along the first direction, and a groove depth D along the normal direction of the structural surface. The display panel satisfies the following relationship: D / (PW) > 0.

7. The structural layer has a groove side surface and a groove bottom surface defining each of the plurality of micro-grooves, the groove side surface connecting the structural surface and the groove bottom surface, wherein the alignment layer covers the groove bottom surface of the one of the plurality of micro-grooves closest to the display area and exposes the groove side surface of the one of the plurality of micro-grooves.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of the second film thickness to the first film thickness is less than 0.

5.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The structural surface of the structural layer has multiple unit surfaces, and the multiple micro-grooves are respectively located at the geometric center of each of the multiple unit surfaces. Each of the multiple unit surfaces has multiple openings that define the multiple micro-grooves. Each of the multiple unit surfaces has a surface area A1, and one of the multiple openings corresponding to each of the multiple unit surfaces has an opening area A2. The display panel satisfies the following relationship: 0.2 ≤ A1 / (A1+A2) ≤ 0.

4.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple microgrooves are structurally separated from each other.

5. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing layer extends to one of the plurality of microgrooves and contacts the portion of the groove side of the one of the plurality of microgrooves exposed by the alignment layer.

6. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The structural surface of the structural layer has a plurality of openings that define the plurality of micro-grooves, and the width of each of the plurality of openings gradually decreases or increases as it moves away from the display area.

7. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of microgrooves include a plurality of first microgrooves and a plurality of second microgrooves arranged alternately along a direction away from the display area. The structural surface of the structural layer has a first opening defining each of the plurality of first microgrooves and a second opening defining each of the plurality of second microgrooves. The first opening and the second opening have a first opening width and a second opening width respectively along the arrangement direction, and the first opening width is different from the second opening width.

8. A display panel, characterized in that, include: The first substrate has a display area and a non-display area other than the display area; The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate; A display dielectric layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; A structural layer is disposed on the first substrate, and a plurality of micro-grooves are provided in the non-display area, wherein the plurality of micro-grooves are recessed from the structural surface of the structural layer. An alignment layer is disposed between the display medium layer and the first substrate. The alignment layer covers the display area and extends to the non-display area. The alignment layer covers a portion of the structural surface and overlaps with a portion of the plurality of microgrooves. The alignment layer includes a first portion and a second portion covering the structural surface. The first portion is located between the microgrooves closest to the display area and the display area. The second portion is located between two adjacent microgrooves. The first portion and the second portion have a first film thickness and a second film thickness, respectively, along the normal direction of the structural surface, and the second film thickness is less than the first film thickness. A sealing layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and located within the non-display area, the sealing layer overlapping at least a portion of the plurality of microgrooves; as well as A conductive layer is disposed on the structural layer, wherein the structural layer has a groove side surface and a groove bottom surface defining each of the plurality of microgrooves, the groove side surface connecting the structural surface and the groove bottom surface, the conductive layer having a side surface portion and a bottom surface portion respectively covering the groove side surface and the groove bottom surface, the alignment layer covering the bottom surface portion of the conductive layer in the first microgrooves closest to the display area and exposing a portion of the side surface portion of the conductive layer in the first microgrooves, the plurality of microgrooves being arranged along a first direction at a first pitch P, each of the plurality of microgrooves having an opening width W on the structural surface and along the first direction and a groove depth D along the normal direction of the structural surface, and the display panel satisfying the following relationship: D / (PW) > 0.7.

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