Display panel and display device

Abstract

The present application provides a display panel and a display device, wherein the display panel includes a base substrate, a driving substrate, a pixel definition layer, an auxiliary cathode, a first overhang structure, and a second overhang structure. Among them, a portion of the pixel definition layer located in the non-display area is provided with a groove that penetrates the pixel definition layer; the auxiliary cathode is arranged in the groove and is electrically connected to the driving substrate. The first overhang structure is arranged in the non-display area; the first overhang structure includes a first conductive portion electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode; the second overhang structure is arranged in the display area and is located on the pixel definition layer; the second overhang structure includes a second conductive portion arranged on the surface of the pixel definition layer; a plurality of second conductive portions are interconnected in a mesh shape, and the second conductive portion at the junction of the non-display area and the display area is electrically connected to the first conductive portion. The display panel effectively improves the reliability of the overhang structure in the display area, avoids the occurrence of poor display caused by pixel defects, and is conducive to the low resistance design of the conductive circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display panel and a display device. Background Art

[0002] Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display has become the current mainstream display technology. In order to improve resolution and reduce costs, in the preparation process of AMOLED, maskless deposition and photolithography technology (photo lithography) patterned pixel method can greatly increase the effective light-emitting area (aperture ratio) of AMOLED, which is conducive to greatly increasing pixel density. In order to achieve high resolution and colorization of active matrix OLED, a cathode isolation column structure is introduced, that is, a metal template is not used in the preparation of the device, but an insulating partition is made on the substrate before evaporating the organic film and the metal cathode, and finally the different pixels of the device are separated to realize the pixel array arrangement. This cathode isolation column structure is also called an overhang structure.

[0003] In the prior art, a hole is generally punched in the pixel definition layer below the overhang structure so that the conductive part of the overhang structure contacts the auxiliary cathode through the hole, thereby achieving electrical connection with the drive circuit. This method will make the overhang structure uneven, which may easily cause the overhang structure to collapse or fall off, resulting in pixel display defects and poor display. In addition, placing the auxiliary cathode in the display area will also occupy the space of other wiring in the display area, which is not conducive to the low resistance design of other conductive circuits. At the same time, punching a hole below the overhang structure in the display area will also make it difficult to make the overhang structure narrow, which is not conducive to improving the resolution of the display panel. Summary of the invention

[0004] The display panel and display device provided in the present application are intended to solve the problem that the overhanging structure in the existing display panel is uneven and easily collapses or falls off, resulting in poor display.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, a technical solution adopted by the present application is: providing a display panel having a display area and a non-display area at least arranged on one side of the display area; the display panel comprises:

[0006] substrate substrate;

[0007] A driving substrate, disposed on a side surface of the base substrate;

[0008] A pixel definition layer is disposed on one side of the driving substrate; a portion of the pixel definition layer located in the non-display area is provided with a groove penetrating the pixel definition layer;

[0009] An auxiliary cathode is disposed in the groove and electrically connected to the driving substrate;

[0010] A first overhanging structure is disposed in the non-display area; the first overhanging structure comprises a first conductive portion electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode;

[0011] A second overhanging structure is arranged in the display area and located on the pixel definition layer; the second overhanging structure includes a second conductive portion arranged on the surface of the pixel definition layer; a plurality of the second conductive portions are interconnected in a mesh, and the second conductive portion at the junction of the non-display area and the display area is electrically connected to the first conductive portion.

[0012] In a specific embodiment, a projection area of ​​the first overhang structure on the base substrate along the stacking direction of the display panel is larger than a projection area of ​​the second overhang structure on the base substrate along the stacking direction.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, a projected area of ​​the first conductive portion on the base substrate along the stacking direction is greater than a projected area of ​​the second conductive portion on the base substrate along the stacking direction.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, along the stacking direction, the difference between the height of the first overhang structure and the height of the second overhang structure is less than or equal to 6.5um; wherein the height of the first overhang structure is the distance between the upper surface of the first overhang structure and the substrate; the height of the second overhang structure is the distance between the upper surface of the second overhang structure and the substrate.

[0015] In a specific embodiment, the auxiliary cathode is disposed at the bottom of the groove, and the first conductive portion extends into the groove along the stacking direction and covers the auxiliary cathode.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, the display panel further includes:

[0017] The flat layer is arranged on one side surface of the driving substrate; the pixel definition layer is arranged on the surface of the flat layer and protrudes from the flat layer to enclose a pixel accommodating area; the groove runs through the pixel definition layer and the flat layer.

[0018] In a specific embodiment, the groove comprises:

[0019] A first sub-groove extending from a side surface of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate to a side surface of the planar layer away from the substrate;

[0020] A second sub-groove extending from a side surface of the flat layer away from the base substrate to a side surface of the drive substrate away from the base substrate, and communicating with the first sub-groove;

[0021] The projection of the second sub-groove on the base substrate is located within the projection of the first sub-groove on the base substrate; and the minimum width of the first sub-groove is greater than the maximum width of the second sub-groove.

[0022] In a specific embodiment, the first overhanging structure is disposed on both sides of the display area along a first direction; wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the stacking direction; or,

[0023] The first overhanging structure is arranged on both sides of the display area along the first direction and on one side of the display area along the second direction; wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the stacking direction respectively; or,

[0024] The first overhanging structure is disposed around the circumference of the display area.

[0025] In a specific embodiment, the first overhang structure further includes a first eaves portion disposed on the first conductive portion; along the first direction and / or the second direction, both sides of the first eaves portion protrude from the sidewalls of the first conductive portion;

[0026] The second overhanging structure further includes a second eaves portion disposed on the second conductive portion; along the first direction and / or the second direction, both sides of the second eaves portion protrude from the side wall of the second conductive portion;

[0027] Wherein, a projection area of ​​the first eave portion on the base substrate along the stacking direction is greater than a projection area of ​​the second eave portion on the base substrate along the stacking direction.

[0028] In order to solve the above technical problems, another technical solution adopted in the present application is: to provide a display device, comprising a display panel as mentioned in any one of the above items.

[0029] Beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application: Different from the prior art, the present application provides a display panel, which has a display area and a non-display area at least arranged on one side of the display area; the display panel includes a base substrate, a driving substrate, a pixel definition layer, an auxiliary cathode, a first overhang structure, and a second overhang structure. Among them, the driving substrate is arranged on one side surface of the base substrate; the pixel definition layer is arranged on one side of the driving substrate; the portion of the pixel definition layer located in the non-display area is provided with a groove that penetrates the pixel definition layer; the auxiliary cathode is arranged in the groove and is electrically connected to the driving substrate. The first overhang structure is arranged in the non-display area; the first overhang structure includes a first conductive portion electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode; the second overhang structure is arranged in the display area and is located on the pixel definition layer; the second overhang structure includes a second conductive portion arranged on the surface of the pixel definition layer; a plurality of second conductive portions are interconnected in a mesh, and the second conductive portion at the junction of the non-display area and the display area is electrically connected to the first conductive portion. By setting an auxiliary cathode electrically connected to the drive substrate in the groove of the non-display area, and setting a first overhang structure having a first conductive part on the non-display area, and electrically connecting the first conductive part to the auxiliary electrode, the second conductive part set at the junction of the non-display area and the display area can be electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode through the first conductive part, so that the second conductive part set in the display area and connected to each other in a mesh can be used as a common cathode to provide cathode signals for the pixels in the display area. In this way, the second conductive part in the display area is electrically connected to the drive substrate by only opening a groove in the non-display area, so that the second overhang structure in the display area can be set more flat, reducing the risk of collapse or falling off of the second overhang structure, effectively improving the reliability of the second overhang structure in the display area, and avoiding the occurrence of poor display caused by pixel defects. In addition, by setting the auxiliary cathode in the non-display area to avoid occupying the space for wiring in the display area, it is beneficial to the low resistance design of the conductive circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional display panel;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The shown is a partial enlarged view of point A in the display panel;

[0033] Figure 4a for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the structure shown along line AA;

[0034] Figure 4b for Figure 4a A schematic diagram of the structure of the groove in the structure shown;

[0035] Figure 5a A cross-sectional view of a display panel along line AA provided in the second embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 5b for Figure 5a A schematic diagram of the structure of the groove in the structure shown;

[0037] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0039] 100-display panel; 10-display area; 20-non-display area; 30-groove; 301-first sub-groove; 302-second sub-groove; 1-substrate substrate; 2-driving substrate; 3-pixel definition layer; 4-auxiliary cathode; 5-first overhang structure; 6-second overhang structure; 7-flat layer; 8-sub-pixel; 9-etching protection layer; 51-first conductive part; 52-first eaves part; 61-second conductive part; 62-second eaves part; 81-anode; 82-organic light-emitting layer; 83-cathode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] The terms "first", "second", "third" in this application are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined as "first", "second", "third" can expressly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "multiple" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. In the embodiments of this application, all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication also changes accordingly. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but optionally also includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally also includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0042] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 : is a cross-sectional view of an existing display panel; in an existing display panel with a suspension structure, a groove is usually provided on the pixel definition layer below the suspension structure in the display area, so that the conductive part of the suspension structure is in contact with the auxiliary cathode through the groove, thereby realizing that the cathode of each sub-pixel is electrically connected to the driving circuit layer through the conductive part. Figure 1 As shown, the deeper grooves will cause the overall morphology of the overhang structure to be uneven; those skilled in the art will understand that the role of the overhang structure is to separate the organic light-emitting layer and the cathode, and to ensure that the organic light-emitting layer does not overlap with the conductive part, while ensuring that the cathode overlaps with the conductive part. The uneven overhang structure is prone to collapse or fall off, affecting the overlapping relationship between the conductive part, the cathode and the organic light-emitting layer, resulting in pixel display defects and poor display. In addition, arranging the auxiliary cathode in the display area will also occupy the space of other wiring in the display area, which is not conducive to the low-resistance design of other conductive circuits. At the same time, drilling holes under the overhang structure in the display area will also make it difficult to make the overhang structure narrow, which is not conducive to improving the resolution of the display panel.

[0044] Based on this, the present application provides a display panel, which effectively improves the reliability of the overhang structure in the display area and avoids the occurrence of poor display caused by pixel defects; at the same time, it avoids occupying the wiring space in the display area, which is conducive to the low-resistance design of the conductive circuit; in addition, it can also reduce the size of the overhang structure in the display area, further improving the resolution of the display panel.

[0045] The present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0046] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in the first embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 for Figure 2 The shown is a partial enlarged view of point A in the display panel; Figure 4a for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the structure shown along line AA; Figure 4b for Figure 4a A schematic diagram of the structure of the groove in the structure shown. The first embodiment of the present application provides a display panel, which can be an active matrix OLED display panel. Figure 2 As shown, the display panel has a display area 10 for displaying images, and a non-display area 20 for arranging circuits, pads, frames and other structures; wherein the non-display area 20 is arranged at least on one side of the display area 10. Specifically, as Figure 4a As shown, the display panel may include a base substrate 1 , a driving substrate 2 , a pixel definition layer 3 , an auxiliary cathode 4 , a first overhang structure 5 and a second overhang structure 6 .

[0047] The base substrate 1 is used to support and protect the film structures of the display panel; in a specific embodiment, the base substrate 1 may be a glass substrate. The driving substrate 2 is disposed on a side surface of the base substrate 1; the driving substrate 2 may include a driving circuit layer for driving the sub-pixels 8 disposed in the display area 10 to emit light.

[0048] like Figure 4b As shown, the pixel definition layer 3 is arranged on the side of the driving substrate 2 away from the base substrate 1 and protrudes from the driving substrate 2; wherein the portion of the pixel definition layer 3 located in the display area 10 defines a pixel accommodation area for accommodating the sub-pixel 8; the portion of the pixel definition layer 3 located in the non-display area 20 is provided with a groove 30 penetrating the pixel definition layer 3 for accommodating the auxiliary cathode 4. Specifically, the groove 30 extends from the side surface of the pixel definition layer 3 away from the base substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z of the display panel to the side surface of the driving substrate 2 away from the base substrate 1; wherein the driving substrate 2 forms the bottom wall of the groove 30, and the pixel definition layer 3 forms the side wall of the groove 30.

[0049] Combination Figure 4a and Figure 4b The auxiliary cathode 4 is disposed in the groove 30 and is electrically connected to the driving circuit layer in the driving substrate 2, so that the driving circuit layer can apply voltage to the display area 10 through the auxiliary cathode 4 disposed in the non-display area 20. In a specific embodiment, the auxiliary cathode 4 can fill the entire space of the groove 30, or only fill a portion of the space of the groove 30, as long as the auxiliary cathode 4 can be electrically connected to the driving circuit layer.

[0050] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4aThe first overhang structure 5 is arranged in the non-display area 20 and covers a part of the surface of the pixel definition layer 3 located in the non-display area 20, so as to block the film layer arranged in the display area 10 and prevent the film layer arranged in the display area 10 from overflowing to the non-display area 20 in the support. The first overhang structure 5 may include a first conductive portion 51 electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode 4, so that the driving circuit layer can apply a voltage to the display area 10 through the auxiliary cathode 4 and the first conductive portion 51 arranged in the non-display area 20. Specifically, the first conductive portion 51 is arranged on a side of the first overhang structure 5 close to the pixel definition layer 3, and is arranged in contact with the auxiliary cathode 4, so as to realize the electrical connection between the first conductive portion 51 and the auxiliary cathode 4.

[0051] The second overhang structure 6 is arranged in the display area 10 and is located on the side surface of the pixel definition layer 3 away from the driving substrate 2; and the second overhang structure 6 is arranged around the pixel accommodating area to separate the sub-pixels 8 of different colors to avoid the problem of pixel crosstalk. The second overhang structure 6 may include a second conductive portion 61 arranged on the surface of the pixel definition layer 3, and the second conductive portion 61 at the junction of the non-display area 20 and the display area 10 is electrically connected to the first conductive portion 51, so that the driving circuit layer can apply voltage to the display area 10 through the auxiliary cathode 4, the first conductive portion 51, and the second conductive portion 61 electrically connected to the first conductive portion 51. And the multiple second conductive portions 61 in the display area 10 are interconnected in a mesh shape, so that voltage can be applied to adjacent sub-pixels 8 through the second conductive portion 61. In a specific embodiment, the first conductive portion 51 and the second conductive portion 61 can be made by the same etching process; that is, the first conductive portion 51 and the second conductive portion 61 can be integrally formed and form a grid structure on the display panel.

[0052] By setting an auxiliary cathode 4 electrically connected to the drive substrate 2 in the groove 30 of the non-display area 20, and setting a first overhang structure 5 having a first conductive portion 51 on the non-display area 20, and making the first conductive portion 51 electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, the second conductive portion 61 set at the junction of the non-display area 20 and the display area 10 can be electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode 4 through the first conductive portion 51, so that the second conductive portion 61 set in the display area 10 and connected to each other in a mesh can be used as a common cathode 83 to provide cathode 83 signals for the pixels of the display area 10. In this way, the second conductive portion 61 in the display area 10 is electrically connected to the drive substrate 2 by only opening the groove 30 in the non-display area 20, so that the second overhang structure 6 in the display area 10 can be set more flat, reducing the risk of collapse or falling off of the second overhang structure 6, effectively improving the reliability of the second overhang structure 6 in the display area 10, and avoiding the occurrence of poor display caused by pixel defects.

[0053] Continue reading Figure 2In a specific embodiment, the first overhang structure 5 can be arranged around the circumference of the display area 10, so that the first conductive part 51 arranged around the display area 10 can more evenly apply voltage to the second conductive part 61 in the display area 10. Specifically, the non-display area 20 is arranged around the circumference of the display area 10, and the groove 30 is arranged in a ring shape on the non-display area 20.

[0054] Of course, in some embodiments, the first overhanging structure 5 may also be disposed only on two sides of the display area 10 along the first direction X, that is, Figure 2 The left and right sides of the display area 10 in the display panel shown; in other embodiments, the first overhang structure 5 can also be arranged on both sides of the display area 10 along the first direction X, and on one side of the display area 10 along the second direction Y, that is, Figure 2 The left, right and bottom sides of the display area 10 in the display panel are shown to meet different design requirements. The first direction X is perpendicular to the stacking direction Z, and the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X and the stacking direction Z, respectively.

[0055] like Figure 4a As shown, in a specific embodiment, the projection area of ​​the first overhang structure 5 on the substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z is larger than the projection area of ​​the second overhang structure 6 on the substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z; that is, along the plane perpendicular to the stacking direction Z, the size of the second overhang structure 6 located in the display area 10 is smaller than the size of the first overhang structure 5 located in the non-display area 20, so as to increase the effective opening area in the display area 10 by reducing the area ratio of the second overhang structure 6 in the display area 10, thereby effectively improving the resolution of the display panel.

[0056] Specifically, the projection area of ​​the first conductive portion 51 on the substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z is larger than the projection area of ​​the second conductive portion 61 on the substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z, so as to reduce the size of the second conductive portion 61, thereby effectively improving the resolution of the display panel; at the same time, by increasing the size of the first conductive portion 51, the conductive resistance can also be effectively reduced. It can be understood that the first conductive portion 51 in the display area 10 can be electrically connected to the driving circuit layer through the second conductive portion 61 in the non-display area 20, and the first conductive portion 51 can be directly set on the surface of the pixel definition layer 3, without opening a hole in the corresponding pixel definition layer 3; therefore, the size of the pixel definition layer 3 can be set smaller, and the pixel accommodating area defined by the pixel definition layer 3 can be set larger, thereby increasing the area ratio of the pixel area in the display area 10, which can effectively improve the resolution of the display panel.

[0057] Further, the first overhang structure 5 may further include a first eaves portion 52 disposed on the first conductive portion 51, and the second overhang structure 6 may further include a second eaves portion 62 disposed on the second conductive portion 61. Wherein, along the first direction X and / or the second direction Y, both sides of the first eaves portion 52 protrude from the sidewalls of the first conductive portion 51 and form an eaves structure, so as to better separate the film layers such as the organic light-emitting layer 82 and the cathode 83 at the junction of the display area 10 and the non-display area 20. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that when the first conductive portion 51 is formed, the first conductive portion 51 is recessed into the groove 30, so that the portion of the first eaves portion 52 corresponding to the groove 30 is also recessed downward along the stacking direction Z, forming a step-shaped uneven structure.

[0058] In addition, along the first direction X and / or the second direction Y, both sides of the second eaves portion 62 also protrude from the sidewalls of the second conductive portion 61 to form an eaves structure, so that when the organic light-emitting layer 82 and the cathode 83 in the display area 10 are evaporated and deposited, the cathode 83 can overlap with the second conductive portion 61 and completely cover the organic light-emitting layer 82 by changing the evaporation angle to separate the first conductive portion 51 from the organic light-emitting layer 82. Specifically, the first eaves portion 52 and the second eaves portion 62 can also be made by the same etching process, that is, the first eaves portion 52 and the second eaves portion 62 can be integrally formed.

[0059] Among them, the projection area of ​​the first eaves portion 52 on the base substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z is greater than the projection area of ​​the second eaves portion 62 on the base substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z, so as to reduce the area share of the second overhang structure 6 in the display area 10, thereby increasing the effective opening area in the display area 10, thereby effectively improving the resolution of the display panel.

[0060] Continue reading Figure 4a , along the stacking direction Z, the difference between the height a of the first overhang structure 5 and the height b of the second overhang structure 6 is less than or equal to 6.5um; for example, the difference between the height a of the first overhang structure 5 and the height b of the second overhang structure 6 can be any value among 6.5um, 5.3um, 5um, 2um and 1um. In this way, by setting the height difference between the first overhang structure 5 located in the non-display area 20 and the second overhang structure 6 located in the display area 10 to be small enough, so that the side surface of the first overhang structure 5 away from the substrate 1 and the side surface of the second overhang structure 6 away from the substrate 1 are flatter, the risk of collapse or falling off is further reduced, and the occurrence of poor display caused by pixel defects is avoided.

[0061] It should be noted that the height a of the first overhang structure 5 specifically refers to the distance between the upper surface of the first overhang structure 5 and the substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z, rather than the size of the first overhang structure 5 along the stacking direction Z. The height b of the second overhang structure 6 refers to the distance between the upper surface of the second overhang structure 6 and the substrate 1 along the stacking direction Z, rather than the size of the second overhang structure 6 along the stacking direction Z. In a specific embodiment, the height a of the first overhang structure 5 can be the maximum distance from the side surface of the first eaves portion 52 away from the pixel definition layer 3 to the surface of the substrate 1; the height b of the second overhang structure 6 can be the distance from the side surface of the second eaves portion 62 away from the pixel definition layer 3 to the surface of the substrate 1.

[0062] Combination Figure 4a and Figure 4b In a specific embodiment, the auxiliary cathode 4 can be arranged at the bottom of the groove 30, and the first conductive portion 51 extends into the groove 30 along the stacking direction Z and covers the auxiliary cathode 4, so as to apply voltage to the second conductive portion 61 in the display area 10 through the auxiliary cathode 4 and the first conductive portion 51 in the groove 30. Specifically, the auxiliary cathode 4 is arranged on the partial surface of the driving substrate 2 exposed by the groove 30, and completely covers the exposed surface of the driving substrate 2 to avoid the first conductive portion 51 directly contacting the driving substrate 2 and affecting the display effect. The first conductive portion 51 extends from the surface of the pixel definition layer 3 along the stacking direction Z into the groove 30, and fills the entire space in the groove 30 to cover the side surface of the auxiliary cathode 4 away from the base substrate 1 and the side wall of the groove 30.

[0063] Furthermore, if Figure 4a As shown, in a specific embodiment, the display panel may further include a flat layer 7 disposed on the surface of the driving substrate 2 away from the base substrate 1, which is used to isolate the electrical connection between the driving circuit layer and the pixel electrode, prevent current short circuit, ensure the correct flow of current and control the opening and closing of the pixel. The pixel definition layer 3 is disposed on the surface of the flat layer 7 away from the driving substrate 2. The flat layer 7 provides a smooth and uniform surface for the pixel definition layer 3, ensuring uniform coating of the pixel definition layer 3, thereby meeting the high-precision pixel arrangement and spacing requirements and improving the display quality.

[0064] Combination Figure 4b, the groove 30 penetrates the pixel definition layer 3 and the planar layer 7 along the stacking direction Z, and the width of the groove 30 gradually decreases in the direction from the pixel definition layer 3 to the planar layer 7, forming an inverted trapezoidal groove, so as to facilitate the deposition of conductive material in the groove 30 to form the first conductive part 51. The pixel definition layer 3 and the planar layer 7 form the sidewalls of the groove 30, and the planar layer 7 covers the edge of the auxiliary cathode 4 to prevent the first conductive part 51 in the groove 30 from directly contacting the driving substrate 2. Specifically, the first conductive part 51 completely fills the internal space of the groove 30 and covers the partial surface of the pixel definition layer 3 located in the groove 30, the partial surface of the planar layer 7 located in the groove 30, and the surface of the auxiliary cathode 4 not covered by the planar layer 7.

[0065] like Figure 4a As shown, the pixel definition layer 3 protrudes from the flat layer 7 to enclose a plurality of pixel accommodation areas, and the sub-pixels 8 are arranged in the pixel accommodation areas. Specifically, each sub-pixel 8 may include a stacked anode 81, an organic light-emitting layer 82, and a cathode 83; the anode 81 is connected to the anode 81 power line in the driving circuit layer, and the cathode 83 is connected to the cathode 83 power line in the driving circuit layer through the second conductive portion 61, the first conductive portion 51, and the auxiliary cathode 4, so that the organic light-emitting layer 82 is conductive and emits light.

[0066] The anode 81 is disposed on a surface of the flat layer 7 in the pixel accommodating area away from the driving substrate 2 and is etched into a preset pattern. The pixel definition layer 3 is located between the anode 81 and the anode 81 of the adjacent sub-pixel 8 to space the anodes 81 between the sub-pixels 8 and prevent the anodes 81 of the adjacent sub-pixels 8 from being connected to each other and affecting the display effect of the display panel. Preferably, both sides of the pixel definition layer 3 may also cover part of the anode 81.

[0067] The organic light-emitting layer 82 is disposed on the surface of the anode 81 away from the driving substrate 2. In a specific embodiment, the organic light-emitting layer 82 is deposited on the display panel by evaporation, and covers the anode 81 and part of the pixel definition layer 3, so as to completely cover the anode 81, and prevent the cathode 83 subsequently evaporated from contacting and conducting with the anode 81, thereby affecting the display effect.

[0068] The cathode 83 is disposed on the surface of the organic light-emitting layer 82 facing away from the anode 81. In a specific embodiment, the cathode 83 can also be evaporated on the surface of the organic light-emitting layer 82 by an evaporation source. During the evaporation process, the cathode 83 can be overlapped on the first conductive part 51 by changing the evaporation angle to achieve the contact arrangement of the cathode 83 and the conductive part, so that the cathode 83 of the sub-pixel 8 is connected to the common cathode 83. Furthermore, the cathode 83 covers the uncovered part of the surface of the first conductive part 51 to isolate the first conductive part 51 from the organic light-emitting layer 82, so as to avoid the first conductive part 51 and the organic light-emitting layer 82 being connected to each other, thereby affecting the display effect.

[0069] In a specific embodiment, the display panel may further include an etching protection layer 9, a first encapsulation layer, and a second encapsulation layer. The etching protection layer 9 is used to protect the sub-pixel 8 from etching during the process of preparing sub-pixels 8 of other colors of the display panel, so as to prevent the prepared sub-pixel 8 from being damaged during the subsequent preparation process. Specifically, the etching protection layer 9 is arranged on the side of the cathode 83 away from the organic light-emitting layer 82, and covers the cathode 83, the first overhang structure 5, and the second overhang structure 6. The etching protection layer 9 may include a non-conductive inorganic material; specifically, the etching protection layer 9 may include a silicon-containing inorganic material, such as a SiNx-based inorganic material.

[0070] After all sub-pixels 8 are prepared, a first encapsulation layer and a second encapsulation layer may be provided on the display panel to encapsulate the display panel as a whole. Specifically, the first encapsulation layer is coated on the side of the etching protection layer 9 away from the driving substrate 2; the second encapsulation layer is coated on the side of the first encapsulation layer away from the driving substrate 2. The first encapsulation layer may be an organic encapsulation layer, and the second encapsulation layer may be an inorganic encapsulation layer.

[0071] See also Figure 5a and Figure 5b , Figure 5a A cross-sectional view of a display panel along line AA provided in the second embodiment of the present application; Figure 5b for Figure 5a The structure of the display panel provided in the second embodiment of the present application is basically the same as that of the display panel provided in the first embodiment of the present application, except that, in the second embodiment of the present application, the groove 30 may include a first sub-groove 301 and a second sub-groove 302. Figure 5b As shown, the first sub-groove 301 is located at one end of the groove 30 away from the base substrate 1, and the second sub-groove 302 is located at one end of the groove 30 close to the base substrate 1 and communicates with the first sub-groove 301; wherein the minimum width c of the first sub-groove 301 is greater than the maximum width d of the second sub-groove 302. In this way, the slope of the first conductive portion 51 located in the groove 30 is more gentle, the risk of collapse or fall-off of the first overhang structure 5 is reduced, and the reliability of the first overhang structure 5 located in the non-display area 20 is improved.

[0072] Specifically, the first sub-groove 301 penetrates the pixel definition layer 3 along the stacking direction Z, and extends from the side surface of the pixel definition layer 3 away from the base substrate 1 to the side surface of the planar layer 7 away from the base substrate 1; and the width of the first sub-groove 301 gradually decreases in the direction from the pixel definition layer 3 to the planar layer 7, so as to facilitate the deposition of conductive material in the first sub-groove 301 to form the first conductive portion 51. Specifically, the surface of the pixel definition layer 3 forms the side wall of the first sub-groove 301, and the surface of the planar layer 7 forms the bottom wall of the first sub-groove 301. Figure 5a and Figure 5b The first conductive portion 51 completely fills the inner space of the first sub-groove 301 and covers the partial surface of the pixel definition layer 3 located in the first sub-groove 301 and the partial surface of the planarization layer 7 located in the first sub-groove 301 .

[0073] Part of the bottom wall of the first sub-groove 301 is recessed to form a second sub-groove 302; specifically, the second sub-groove 302 extends from the side surface of the flat layer 7 away from the base substrate 1 to the side surface of the drive substrate 2 away from the base substrate 1, and the width of the second sub-groove 302 gradually decreases in the direction from the pixel definition layer 3 toward the flat layer 7, so as to facilitate the deposition of conductive material in the second sub-groove 302 to form the first conductive portion 51. The projection of the second sub-groove 302 on the base substrate 1 is located within the projection of the first sub-groove 301 on the base substrate 1. Figure 5a and Figure 5b The first conductive portion 51 extends from the first sub-groove 301 to the second sub-groove 302 and completely fills the internal space of the second sub-groove 302 , and the first conductive portion 51 covers a partial surface of the planar layer 7 located in the second sub-groove 302 and a surface of the auxiliary cathode 4 not covered by the planar layer 7 .

[0074] The present application provides a display panel, which has a display area 10 and a non-display area 20 at least arranged on one side of the display area 10; the display panel includes a base substrate 1, a driving substrate 2, a pixel definition layer 3, an auxiliary cathode 4, a first overhang structure 5 and a second overhang structure 6. The driving substrate 2 is arranged on one side of the base substrate 1; the pixel definition layer 3 is arranged on one side of the driving substrate 2; a groove 30 penetrating the pixel definition layer 3 is opened in the portion of the pixel definition layer 3 located in the non-display area 20; the auxiliary cathode 4 is arranged in the groove 30 and is electrically connected to the driving substrate 2. The first overhang structure 5 is arranged in the non-display area 20; the first overhang structure 5 includes a first conductive portion 51 electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode 4; the second overhang structure 6 is arranged in the display area 10 and located on the pixel definition layer 3; the second overhang structure 6 includes a second conductive portion 61 arranged on the surface of the pixel definition layer 3; a plurality of second conductive portions 61 are interconnected in a mesh shape, and the second conductive portion 61 at the junction of the non-display area 20 and the display area 10 is electrically connected to the first conductive portion 51. By setting an auxiliary cathode 4 electrically connected to the drive substrate 2 in the groove 30 of the non-display area 20, and setting a first overhang structure 5 having a first conductive portion 51 on the non-display area 20, and making the first conductive portion 51 electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, the second conductive portion 61 set at the junction of the non-display area 20 and the display area 10 can be electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode 4 through the first conductive portion 51, so that the second conductive portion 61 set in the display area 10 and connected to each other in a mesh can be used as a common cathode 83 to provide cathode 83 signals for the pixels of the display area 10. In this way, the second conductive portion 61 in the display area 10 is electrically connected to the drive substrate 2 by only opening the groove 30 in the non-display area 20, so that the second overhang structure 6 in the display area 10 can be set more flat, reducing the risk of collapse or falling off of the second overhang structure 6, effectively improving the reliability of the second overhang structure 6 in the display area 10, and avoiding the occurrence of poor display caused by pixel defects. In addition, by arranging the auxiliary cathode 4 in the non-display area 20, it avoids occupying the wiring space in the display area 10, which is beneficial to the low resistance design of the conductive circuit.

[0075] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in one embodiment of the present application; the present application also provides a display device for displaying images. The display device includes a display panel 100 involved in any of the above embodiments, and the display device can effectively improve the reliability of the overhang structure in the display area 10, avoid the occurrence of poor display caused by pixel defects, and is conducive to the low resistance design of the conductive circuit.

[0076] The above description is only an implementation method of the present application, and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present application specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly used in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A display panel comprising a display area and a non-display area at least arranged on one side of the display area; characterized in that: include: substrate substrate; A driving substrate, disposed on a side surface of the base substrate; A pixel definition layer is disposed on one side of the driving substrate; a portion of the pixel definition layer located in the non-display area is provided with a groove penetrating the pixel definition layer; An auxiliary cathode is disposed in the groove and electrically connected to the driving substrate; A first overhanging structure is disposed in the non-display area; the first overhanging structure comprises a first conductive portion electrically connected to the auxiliary cathode; A second overhanging structure is arranged in the display area and located on the pixel definition layer; the second overhanging structure includes a second conductive portion arranged on the surface of the pixel definition layer; a plurality of the second conductive portions are interconnected in a mesh, and the second conductive portion at the junction of the non-display area and the display area is electrically connected to the first conductive portion.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: A projection area of ​​the first overhang structure on the base substrate along a stacking direction of the display panel is larger than a projection area of ​​the second overhang structure on the base substrate along the stacking direction.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: A projected area of ​​the first conductive portion on the base substrate along the stacking direction is greater than a projected area of ​​the second conductive portion on the base substrate along the stacking direction.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the stacking direction, the difference between the height of the first overhang structure and the height of the second overhang structure is less than or equal to 6.5um; wherein the height of the first overhang structure is the distance between the upper surface of the first overhang structure and the substrate; the height of the second overhang structure is the distance between the upper surface of the second overhang structure and the substrate.

5. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary cathode is disposed at the bottom of the groove, and the first conductive portion extends into the groove along the stacking direction of the display panel and covers the auxiliary cathode.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that: The display panel further includes: The flat layer is arranged on one side surface of the driving substrate; the pixel definition layer is arranged on the surface of the flat layer and protrudes from the flat layer to enclose a pixel accommodating area; the groove runs through the pixel definition layer and the flat layer.

7. The display panel according to claim 6, characterized in that: The groove comprises: A first sub-groove extending from a side surface of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate to a side surface of the planar layer away from the substrate; A second sub-groove extending from a side surface of the flat layer away from the base substrate to a side surface of the drive substrate away from the base substrate, and communicating with the first sub-groove; The projection of the second sub-groove on the base substrate is located within the projection of the first sub-groove on the base substrate; and the minimum width of the first sub-groove is greater than the maximum width of the second sub-groove.

8. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first overhanging structure is disposed on both sides of the display area along a first direction; wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the stacking direction; or, The first overhanging structure is arranged on both sides of the display area along the first direction and on one side of the display area along the second direction; wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the stacking direction respectively; or, The first overhanging structure is disposed around the circumference of the display area.

9. The display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first overhanging structure further includes a first eaves portion disposed on the first conductive portion; along the first direction and / or the second direction, both sides of the first eaves portion protrude from the sidewalls of the first conductive portion; The second overhanging structure further includes a second eaves portion disposed on the second conductive portion; along the first direction and / or the second direction, both sides of the second eaves portion protrude from the side wall of the second conductive portion; Wherein, a projection area of ​​the first eave portion on the base substrate along the stacking direction is greater than a projection area of ​​the second eave portion on the base substrate along the stacking direction.

10. A display device, characterized in that: Comprising a display panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images