Display module and display device

Abstract

The present application discloses a display module and a display device, including a display panel and a light extraction layer located on the light emitting side of the display panel; the display panel has a display area and a non-display area; the non-display area includes a bending area and a binding area, the display area and the binding area are arranged opposite to each other, and the bending area is bent and arranged between the display area and the binding area; the display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels located in the display area; the light extraction layer includes a first protective layer and a first adhesive layer; the first protective layer is at least located in the display area and includes an opening arranged in alignment with the sub-pixels; the first adhesive layer covers the first protective layer and fills the opening; the angle between the side wall of the opening and the bottom of the first protective layer is greater than 0° and less than 90°, the refractive index of the first protective layer is less than the refractive index of the first adhesive layer, and the first adhesive layer extends from the display area to at least the bending area and covers the display panel located in the bending area. The present application can further reduce the border width of the display module on the basis of improving the light emitting efficiency of the display module.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In order to achieve a narrow frame design for an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, the bending area of ​​the OLED display panel is usually bent to the back of the OLED display panel to reduce the width of the frame. However, the bending of the bending area of ​​the OLED display panel can easily cause the circuit inside the OLED display panel to break. In order to prevent the circuit from breaking due to bending, UV glue is usually covered on the bending area of ​​the OLED display panel to relieve the bending stress of the bending area of ​​the OLED display panel. However, due to the limitations of the manufacturing process, the thickness of the UV glue is difficult to be made thinner, and the frame width of the OLED display panel cannot be further reduced. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a display module and a display device, which can further reduce the border width of the display module on the basis of improving the light output efficiency of the display module.

[0004] The present application provides a display module, comprising a display panel and a light extraction layer located on a light emitting side of the display panel; the display panel comprises a display area and a non-display area arranged adjacent to each other; the non-display area comprises a bending area and a binding area, the display area and the binding area are arranged opposite to each other, and the bending area is bent between the display area and the binding area; the display panel comprises a plurality of sub-pixels located in the display area;

[0005] The light extraction layer includes a first protective layer and a first glue layer; the first protective layer is at least located in the display area of ​​the display panel and includes an opening aligned with the sub-pixel; the first glue layer covers a side of the first protective layer away from the display panel, and a portion of the first glue layer fills the opening;

[0006] Among them, the angle between the side wall of the opening and the bottom of the first protective layer is greater than 0° and less than 90°, the refractive index of the first protective layer is less than the refractive index of the first adhesive layer, and the first adhesive layer extends from the display area at least to the bending area and covers the display panel located in the bending area.

[0007] Optionally, the first adhesive layer extends from the display area to cover a portion of the binding area.

[0008] Optionally, the display module also includes an electronic device located in the binding area and bound to the display panel; the first adhesive layer covers the display panel located in the binding area, and the first adhesive layer is located at the periphery of the electronic device and is set away from the electronic device.

[0009] Optionally, the display module further includes a second protective layer located on a side of the light extraction layer away from the display panel, the second protective layer covers the entire side of the first adhesive layer away from the display panel, and an elastic modulus of the second protective layer is greater than that of the first adhesive layer.

[0010] Optionally, the thickness of the second protective layer is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first adhesive layer, and the overall thickness of the first adhesive layer and the second protective layer is greater than 0 and less than 50 micrometers.

[0011] Optionally, at least the thickness of the first adhesive layer at different positions in the bending zone is equal, and at least the thickness of the second protective layer at different positions in the bending zone is equal.

[0012] Optionally, the refractive index of the first protective layer ranges from 1.5 to 1.54; the refractive index of the first adhesive layer ranges from 1.55 to 1.65.

[0013] Optionally, the material of the first adhesive layer includes optical adhesive and a functional material doped in the optical adhesive; the refractive index of the functional material is greater than the refractive index of the optical adhesive and greater than the refractive index of the first protective layer.

[0014] Optionally, the material of the second protective layer includes at least one of polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl alcohol and triacetyl cellulose.

[0015] Optionally, the display module also includes a polarizer located in the display area and on the side of the second protective layer away from the display panel; the polarizer includes a second adhesive layer, a polarizing functional layer and a substrate layer stacked on the second protective layer; the thickness of the first adhesive layer is less than the thickness of the second adhesive layer.

[0016] Optionally, the display panel includes a substrate layer and a light-emitting layer, an encapsulation layer and a touch layer stacked on the substrate layer; the substrate layer is located in the display area and the non-display area, the light-emitting layer is located in the display area, and the touch layer is located at least in the display area; the sub-pixels are located in the light-emitting layer, and the light extraction layer is located on a side of the touch layer away from the encapsulation layer.

[0017] The present application also provides a display device, which includes a housing and the display module described above, wherein the housing includes a receiving cavity, and the display module is located in the receiving cavity.

[0018] The display module and display device provided in the embodiment of the present application, on the one hand, can effectively improve the light extraction efficiency of the display module by setting a light extraction layer on the light output side of the display panel, thereby improving the display effect; on the other hand, by extending the first adhesive layer in the light extraction layer located on the light output side of the display panel from the display area to the bending area and covering the display panel located in the bending area, the first adhesive layer in the light extraction layer replaces the existing UV adhesive. Compared with the existing UV adhesive, since the first adhesive layer extends from the display area to the bending area, its coverage area is larger, making the manufacturing process of the first adhesive layer simpler, so that it is easier to obtain a first adhesive layer with a smaller thickness and more uniformity, which is beneficial to further reduce the border width of the display module by reducing the thickness of the first adhesive layer, and further conducive to realizing an extremely narrow border or a borderless design. Therefore, the embodiment of the present application can further reduce the border width of the display module on the basis of improving the light output efficiency of the display module, thereby realizing an extremely narrow border or a borderless design on the basis of improving the display effect of the display product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The technical solution and other beneficial effects of the present application will be made apparent by describing in detail the specific implementation methods of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a display module provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of area A.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a UV adhesive replacement film provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the polarizer in the display module.

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the display module when the bending area is not bent.

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another display module provided in an embodiment of the present application

[0026] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0028] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or mutual communication; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0030] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0031] The disclosure below provides many different embodiments or examples to realize the different structures of the present application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, the parts and settings of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are only examples, and the purpose is not to limit the present application. In addition, the present application can repeat reference numbers and / or reference letters in different examples, and this repetition is for the purpose of simplification and clarity, which itself does not indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, the various specific processes and material examples provided by the present application, but those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0032] In order to reduce the width of the bottom frame of the OLED display device, the method of compressing the border design and reducing the bending radius of the panel bending area is often used. However, as the bottom frame of the OLED display panel becomes narrower and narrower, the degree to which its bending radius can be reduced is limited. Therefore, it is possible to consider further reducing the width of the bottom frame of the OLED display device by reducing the thickness of the UV glue (ultraviolet light curing glue) in the bending area of ​​the OLED display panel. However, due to the limited capacity of the current sealing equipment in the bending area, it is impossible to mass-produce UV glue with a thickness of less than 70 microns (μm), so the method of reducing the width of the bottom frame by reducing the thickness of the UV glue is still relatively difficult.

[0033] It can be understood that the lower frame mentioned in the present application refers to the frame area where the fan-out routing is provided, that is, the frame corresponding to the bending area.

[0034] In order to further reduce the width of the lower frame of the OLED display device and realize an extremely narrow frame or a frameless design, the present application provides a display module and a display device, by extending the high refractive index glue layer in the light extraction layer on the light emitting side of the display panel from the display area to the bending area to replace the existing UV glue arranged in the bending area, the width of the lower frame of the display module and the display device can be further reduced on the basis of improving the light emitting efficiency of the display panel, thereby facilitating the realization of an extremely narrow frame or a frameless design. For details, refer to the description of the following embodiments.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a display module 1, which includes a display panel 2 and a light extraction layer 3 located on the light output side of the display panel 2. The display panel 2 has a display area 4 and a non-display area 5 that are adjacent to each other; the non-display area 5 includes a bending area 5a and a binding area 5b, the display area 4 and the binding area 5b are arranged opposite to each other, and the bending area 5a is bent between the display area 4 and the binding area 5b. The display panel 2 includes a plurality of sub-pixels 6 located in the display area 4. The light extraction layer 3 includes a first protective layer 3a and a first glue layer 3b; the first protective layer 3a is at least located in the display area 4 of the display panel 2, and includes an opening 7 arranged in alignment with the sub-pixel 6; the first glue layer 3b covers the side of the first protective layer 3a away from the display panel 2, and part of the first glue layer 3b fills the opening 7.

[0036] Among them, the angle θ between the side wall 7a of the opening 7 and the bottom 7b of the first protective layer 3a is greater than 0° and less than 90°, the refractive index of the first protective layer 3a is less than the refractive index of the first adhesive layer 3b, and the first adhesive layer 3b extends from the display area 4 at least to the bending area 5a and covers the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a.

[0037] It should be noted that the display area 4 of the display panel 2 refers to the part used to display the picture; the bending area 5a of the display panel 2 is provided with connecting lines (such as fan-out lines) for connecting the signal lines in the display area 4; the binding area 5b of the display panel 2 is provided with binding lines for connecting the connecting lines in the bending area 5a and for binding and connecting with the driving chip or the printed circuit board.

[0038] Specifically, the display panel 2 includes a flexible OLED display panel, but is not limited thereto. The binding area 5b of the display panel 2 is bent to the back of the display panel 2 through the bending area 5a to reduce the width of the frame (eg, the lower frame) of the display module 1, thereby achieving a narrow frame design.

[0039] It can be understood that the light emitting side of the display panel 2 refers to the side of the display panel 2 displaying the image, and the back of the display panel 2 refers to the side of the display panel 2 arranged opposite to the light emitting side.

[0040] Specifically, the function of the light extraction layer 3 is to improve the light extraction efficiency of the display panel 2. For example, the light extraction layer 3 can extract the wide-angle light emitted by the sub-pixels 6 in the display panel 2 from the direction close to the normal viewing angle for display, thereby improving the display brightness of the display panel 2 at the normal viewing angle.

[0041] Specifically, Figure 2As shown, since the angle θ between the side wall 7a of the opening 7 and the bottom 7b of the first protective layer 3a is greater than 0° and less than 90°, that is, the taper angle of the first protective layer 3a on the side close to the opening 7 is greater than 0° and less than 90°, the light of a large viewing angle emitted by the sub-pixel 6 can be incident on the side wall 7a of the opening 7. At the same time, since the refractive index of the first protective layer 3a is less than the refractive index of the first adhesive layer 3b, the light of a large viewing angle incident on the side wall 7a of the opening 7 and having an incident angle satisfying the critical angle of total reflection can be totally reflected at the interface between the first protective layer 3a and the first adhesive layer 3b, and the light after total reflection is emitted from a direction close to the normal viewing angle, thereby improving the light extraction efficiency of the display module 1.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, when the sub-pixel 6 in the display panel 2 emits light, the following optical paths are included: as shown in the optical paths L1 and L2, a portion of the light with a large viewing angle incident toward the side wall 7a of the opening 7 is totally reflected at the interface between the first protective layer 3a and the first adhesive layer 3b and then emitted from a direction close to the normal viewing angle; as shown in the optical path L3, another portion of the light emitted toward the opening 7 in the normal viewing direction or in a direction close to the normal viewing direction is directly emitted after passing through the first adhesive layer 3b.

[0043] Specifically, the number of openings 7 on the first protective layer 3a can be consistent with the number of sub-pixels 6, or can be less than the number of sub-pixels 6. Those skilled in the art can design the number and distribution positions of the openings 7 according to the design requirements of the panel structure, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0044] Specifically, the first adhesive layer 3b extends from the display area 4 at least to the bending area 5a, and completely covers the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a. In other words, the first adhesive layer 3b is at least located in the display area 4 and the bending area 5b, so that the first adhesive layer 3b covers the first protective layer 3a located in the display area 4, and covers the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a.

[0045] It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not need to set UV glue in the bending area 5a to protect the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a, but directly extends the first glue layer 3b with a high refractive index in the light extraction layer 3 from the display area 4 to the bending area 5a, so that the first glue layer 3b is directly bonded to the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a, so as to protect the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a and avoid the connection wiring located in the bending area 5a from breaking or being damaged.

[0046] Since the coverage area of ​​the high-refractive-index first adhesive layer 3b in the light extraction layer 3 is large, the first adhesive layer 3b can be prepared by coating the entire surface with adhesive material or directly attaching the finished adhesive layer. Compared with the preparation process of UV adhesive, this preparation method can better control the thickness of the adhesive layer, which is conducive to producing a first adhesive layer 3b with a smaller thickness and more uniform thickness, thereby facilitating further reducing the border width of the display module 1 by reducing the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b.

[0047] It can be understood that the preparation process of the light extraction layer 3 is performed before the bending area 5 of the display panel 2 is bent. At this time, the display area 4, the bending area 5a and the binding area 5b of the display panel 2 are located on the same plane.

[0048] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the first protective layer 3a ranges from 1.5 to 1.54; the refractive index of the first adhesive layer 3b ranges from 1.55 to 1.65. By controlling the refractive index of the first adhesive layer 3b and the first protective layer 3a to be different, the light incident on the side wall 7a of the opening 7 can be totally reflected, thereby changing the emitting direction of the light, thereby improving the light extraction efficiency of the display module 1.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first protective layer 3a is an organic material, for example, the first protective layer 3a is an OC (OverCoating) layer, so that the first protective layer 3a can not only protect the light-emitting side of the display panel 2, but also realize the light extraction function of the display panel 2 through the difference in refractive index with the first adhesive layer 3b. Of course, in other embodiments, the first protective layer 3a can also be an inorganic material. It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the material of the first protective layer 3a, as long as its light transmittance and refractive index meet the design requirements of the panel.

[0050] In some embodiments, the material of the first adhesive layer 3 b includes an optically clear adhesive (OCA) with a high refractive index, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) that meets the refractive index requirement.

[0051] In other embodiments, the material of the first adhesive layer 3b includes an optical adhesive and a functional material doped in the optical adhesive; the refractive index of the functional material is greater than the refractive index of the optical adhesive and greater than the refractive index of the first protective layer 3a. It can be understood that the functional material has a higher refractive index, which helps to achieve a refractive index of the first adhesive layer 3b greater than 1.55.

[0052] In some embodiments, the functional material may be an inorganic high-refractive particle or a high-refractive organic substance (eg, an organic substance containing a benzene ring functional group), which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0053] It can be understood that the first adhesive layer 3 b is sticky, and the first adhesive layer 3 b and the first protective layer 3 a, and the first adhesive layer 3 b and the display panel 2 can be fixedly connected by directly covering the first adhesive layer 3 b on the first protective layer 3 a and the display panel 2 .

[0054] In some embodiments, when the material of the first adhesive layer 3b is an OCA adhesive with a high refractive index, the thickness d1 of the first adhesive layer 3b is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 20 microns. In other embodiments, when the material of the first adhesive layer 3b is an OCA adhesive with a high refractive index, the thickness d1 of the first adhesive layer 3b is greater than or equal to 5 microns and less than or equal to 20 microns.

[0055] Since the minimum thickness of the currently mass-producible UV glue is about 70 microns, and the thickness of the mass-producible high-refractive-index OCA glue can reach less than 20 microns, the thickness d1 of the first glue layer 3b in the embodiment of the present application can be much smaller than the thickness of the existing UV glue layer, thereby further reducing the width D of the lower frame of the display module 1. At the same time, the smaller thickness d1 of the first glue layer 3b is also conducive to reducing the overall thickness of the display module 1.

[0056] In some embodiments, the depth of the opening 7 in the first protective layer 3a (i.e., the height of the opening 7 in the thickness direction of the first protective layer 3a) can be as low as 3 microns. In order to meet the light extraction function, the first adhesive layer 3b needs to at least completely fill the opening 7 of the first protective layer 3a; in order to meet the flatness, the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b can be slightly higher than the thickness of the first protective layer 3a. Therefore, the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b only needs to be greater than 3 microns, and the current mass production thickness of OCA adhesive can reach 5 microns to 20 microns, which can fully meet the requirements of improving the light extraction efficiency of the display panel 2 and the flatness of the light extraction side, protecting the bending area 5a of the display panel 2, reducing the overall thickness of the display module 1, and reducing the border width of the display module 1.

[0057] In some embodiments, the display module 1 also includes a second protective layer 8 located on the side of the light extraction layer 3 away from the display panel 2, the second protective layer 8 covers the entire first adhesive layer 3b on the side away from the display panel 2, and the elastic modulus of the second protective layer 8 is greater than the elastic modulus of the first adhesive layer 3b.

[0058] Since the first adhesive layer 3b is sticky and has a low elastic modulus and a certain degree of deformability, it is easy to come into contact with the first adhesive layer 3b when the display module 1 is subjected to subsequent process operations, thereby causing the first adhesive layer 3b or the connecting wiring located in the bending area 5a to be damaged. Therefore, a second protective layer 8 with a larger elastic modulus is provided on the surface of the first adhesive layer 3b, which can support and protect the first adhesive layer 3b, and further protect the connecting wiring in the bending area 5a.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second protective layer 8 has good transparency, water resistance, grease resistance, and bending resistance, and can be used to protect the bending area 5a exposed to the outside.

[0060] In some embodiments, the second protective layer 8 has the same shape and size as the first adhesive layer 3 b.

[0061] In some embodiments, the stacked structure of the second protective layer 8 and the first adhesive layer 3 b may be a prefabricated film layer.

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides a UV glue replacement film 9, which includes a release film 10, a first glue layer 3b, a second protective layer 8 and a protective film 11 from bottom to top. After the patterned first protective layer 3a is formed on the light-emitting side of the display panel 2, the release film 10 of the UV glue replacement film 9 can be removed and the first glue layer 3b can be directly covered on the first protective layer 3a, so that the first glue layer 3b of the UV glue replacement film 9 at least covers the first protective layer 3a located in the display area 4 and the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a, and then the first glue layer 3b is completely filled in the opening 7 of the first protective layer 3a through a degassing process.

[0063] It can be understood that the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8 in the embodiment of the present application can be formed in the same process, which is conducive to simplifying the process; and the protective film 11 of the UV adhesive replacement film 9 can be removed in the subsequent process to facilitate the preparation of the upper film layer.

[0064] Since the UV adhesive replacement film 9 described above can be mass-produced, the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8 can be better controlled, which is conducive to obtaining a first adhesive layer 3b and a second protective layer 8 with smaller and more uniform thickness.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the width of the lower frame of the display module 1 is D. In addition to being related to the bending radius of the display panel 2, the width D of the lower frame is also related to the thickness d1 of the first adhesive layer 3b and the thickness d2 of the second protective layer 8. Therefore, the width of the lower frame can be reduced by reducing the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8.

[0066] In some embodiments, the thickness d2 of the second protective layer 8 is greater than or equal to the thickness d1 of the first adhesive layer 3 b , and the overall thickness of the first adhesive layer 3 b and the second protective layer 8 is greater than 0 and less than 50 μm.

[0067] Since the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8 cover the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a, and the thickness of the second protective layer 8 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b, the neutral layer of each film layer located in the bending area 5a can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8, so as to better alleviate the bending stress of the bending area 5a and reduce the risk of disconnection of the connecting lines in the bending area 5a.

[0068] In some embodiments, at least the thickness of different positions of the first adhesive layer 3b in the bending region 5a is equal, and at least the thickness of different positions of the second protective layer 8 in the bending region 5a is equal everywhere.

[0069] It can be understood that at least the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8 in the bending zone 5a have uniform thickness. For example, the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b in the bending zone 5a is d1, and the thickness of the second protective layer 8 in the bending zone 5a is d2.

[0070] In some embodiments, the thickness of the first glue layer 3b corresponding to the opening 7 is equal to the thickness of the first glue layer 3b in the bending area 5a, and the thickness of the second protection layer 8 in the display area 4 and the bending area 5a is equal.

[0071] Typically, the existing UV glue in the bending zone requires leveling treatment during production, and the thickness of the UV glue after curing is inconsistent. For example, the UV glue is thicker at one end close to the display area and thinner at the other end close to the binding area. This causes the arc formed in the bending zone of the display panel when bending to be easily deformed, thereby increasing the stress in the deformed area and further increasing the risk of breakage of the connecting wiring in the bending zone.

[0072] Compared with the prior art, on the one hand, the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8 in the embodiment of the present application are directly adhered to the display panel 2 formed with the first protective layer 3a, so that the first adhesive layer 3b directly covers the first protective layer 3a located in the display area 4 and the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a, and there is no need for a leveling process, which simplifies the manufacturing process of the display module 1; on the other hand, the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8 located in the bending area 5a in the embodiment of the present application is uniform, so that the arc formed after the bending area 5a of the display panel 2 is bent is smoother, thereby avoiding the risk of wire breakage caused by arc deformation.

[0073] In some embodiments, the second protective layer 8 has high light transmittance. For example, the material of the second protective layer 8 includes at least one of polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and triacetate cellulose (TAC), but is not limited thereto. Taking the second protective layer 8 made of PU as an example, the minimum mass production thickness of the second protective layer 8 can reach 20 microns, which is conducive to obtaining a second protective layer 8 with a smaller thickness, thereby helping to reduce the border width of the display module 1.

[0074] In some embodiments, the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8 extend from the display area 4 to the binding area 5b, and the first adhesive layer 3b also partially covers the display panel 2 located in the binding area 5b. This design increases the coverage area of ​​the first adhesive layer 3b and continuously covers the display area 4, the bending area 5a and the binding area 5b, which is conducive to increasing the adhesion between the first adhesive layer 3b and the display panel 2 in the bending area 5a, and can avoid the risk of peeling between the edge of the first adhesive layer 3b and the display panel 2 during the bending process of the bending area 5a of the display panel 2; and the first adhesive layer 3b and the second protective layer 8 covering the binding area 5b can protect the binding traces located in the binding area 5b.

[0075] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the display module 1 further includes a polarizer (POL) 12 located in the display area 4 and located on the side of the second protective layer 8 away from the display panel 2; the polarizer 12 includes a second adhesive layer 13, a polarizing functional layer 14 and a substrate layer 15 stacked on the second protective layer 8; wherein the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b is less than the thickness of the second adhesive layer 13. By reducing the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b, it is beneficial to reduce the overall thickness of the display module 1 and reduce the frame width of the display module 1 on the basis of realizing the light extraction function.

[0076] In some embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the polarizing functional layer 14 includes a compensation layer 14a and a polarizing layer 14b located on a side of the second adhesive layer 13 away from the second protective layer 8. The material of the polarizing layer 14b includes PVA, but is not limited thereto.

[0077] In some embodiments, the material of the second adhesive layer 13 includes PSA, but is not limited thereto.

[0078] In some embodiments, the substrate layer 15 may be a single-layer substrate layer or a double-layer substrate layer, which is not limited in the present application.

[0079] In some embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the display module 1 also includes a third adhesive layer 16 and a cover plate 17 located on the side of the polarizer 12 away from the second protective layer 8, and the cover plate 17 and the polarizer 12 are fixedly connected by the third adhesive layer 16; the third adhesive layer 16 and the cover plate 17 cover the display area 4 and can extend in the direction of the bending area 5a.

[0080] Specifically, the cover plate 17 protects the lower film layer, and the material of the cover plate 17 includes ultra-thin glass, but is not limited thereto.

[0081] It can be understood that the cover plate 17 can extend to cover the bending area 5a after partial bending, or can extend to completely cover the bending area 5a after bending, and the present application does not limit this.

[0082] In some embodiments, Figure 2 As shown, the display panel 2 includes a substrate layer 18 and a light-emitting layer 19, an encapsulation layer 20 and a touch layer 21 stacked on the substrate layer 18; the substrate layer 18 is located in the display area 4 and the non-display area 5, the light-emitting layer 19 is located in the display area 4, and the touch layer 21 is located at least in the display area 4; the sub-pixel 6 is located in the light-emitting layer 19, and the light extraction layer 3 is located on the side of the touch layer 21 away from the encapsulation layer 20.

[0083] In some embodiments, the sub-pixel 6 includes an OLED device, for example, the light-emitting layer 19 includes an anode layer, a pixel defining layer 22, an organic light-emitting functional layer and a cathode layer stacked on the substrate layer 18, and the anode layer, the organic light-emitting functional layer and the cathode layer constitute a plurality of OLED devices. A plurality of pixel openings are provided on the pixel defining layer 22, and the OLED devices are located in the pixel openings, and the OLED device in each pixel opening constitutes a sub-pixel 6.

[0084] In some embodiments, a driving circuit for driving the light-emitting layer 19 to emit light is disposed in the substrate layer 18 , for example, the substrate layer 18 is an array layer.

[0085] In some embodiments, any sub-pixel 6 includes any one of a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel, and the light-emitting layer 19 includes at least one red sub-pixel, at least one green sub-pixel and at least one blue sub-pixel for color display.

[0086] In some embodiments, Figure 1As shown, the display module 1 also includes a back plate (BP) 23 and a composite support layer (SCF) 24 located on the back of the display panel 2; the back plate 23 is attached to the back of the display panel 2, and includes a first sub-back plate 23a and a second sub-back plate 23b that are relatively arranged; the first sub-back plate 23a is arranged corresponding to the display area 4, and can extend partially to the bending area 5a; the second sub-back plate 23b is arranged corresponding to the binding area 5b, and can extend partially to the bending area 5a; the composite support layer 24 is located between the first sub-back plate 23a and the second sub-back plate 23b.

[0087] like Figure 5 As shown, when the bending area 5a is not bent, the display area 4, the bending area 5a and the binding area 5b of the display panel 2 are located on the same plane. At this time, the first sub-backplane 23a and the second sub-backplane 23b are located on the same plane, and the composite support layer 24 is located on the side of the first sub-backplane 23a away from the display panel 2. Figure 1 As shown, when the bending area 5a is in a bending state, the binding area 5b of the display panel 2 and the display area 4 of the display panel 2 are arranged relatively to each other, the first sub-back plate 23a and the second sub-back plate 23b are arranged relatively to each other, and the composite supporting layer 24 is located between the first sub-back plate 23a and the second sub-back plate 23b. The first sub-back plate 23a, the composite supporting layer 24 and the second sub-back plate 23b support the display panel 2 and can keep the bending area 5a in a bending state.

[0088] In some embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, a filling tape (Stiffener, STF) 25 may be provided between the composite support layer 24 and the second sub-back plate 23b to fix the second sub-back plate 23b on the composite support layer 24 and to optimize the bending radius.

[0089] In some embodiments, the display module 1 further includes a driving chip 26 or a printed circuit board. The driving chip 26 or the printed circuit board is located in the binding area 5 b of the display panel 2 and is bound and connected to the binding area 5 b of the display panel 2 .

[0090] In the embodiment of the present application, on the one hand, by setting the light extraction layer 3 on the light emitting side of the display panel 2, the light extraction efficiency of the display module 1 can be effectively improved, thereby improving the display effect; on the other hand, by extending the first adhesive layer 3b in the light extraction layer 3 located on the light emitting side of the display panel 2 from the display area 4 to the bending area 5a, and covering the display panel 2 located in the bending area 5a, the first adhesive layer 3b in the light extraction layer 3 replaces the existing UV adhesive. Compared with the existing UV adhesive, since the first adhesive layer 3b extends from the display area 4 to the bending area 5a, its coverage area is larger, making the manufacturing process of the first adhesive layer 3b simpler, so that it is easier to obtain the first adhesive layer 3b with a smaller thickness and more uniform thickness, which is beneficial to further reduce the border width of the display module 1 by reducing the thickness of the first adhesive layer 3b, and further conducive to realizing an extremely narrow border or borderless design. Therefore, the embodiment of the present application can further reduce the border width of the display module 1 on the basis of improving the light extraction efficiency of the display module 1, thereby realizing an extremely narrow border or borderless design on the basis of improving the display effect.

[0091] like Figure 6 As shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides a display module 1, which is different from the aforementioned embodiment in that the display module 1 also includes an electronic device (such as a driving chip 26) located in the binding area 5b and bound to the display panel 2; the first adhesive layer 3b covers the display panel 2 located in the binding area 5b, and the first adhesive layer 3b is located on the periphery of the electronic device and is arranged away from the electronic device.

[0092] It can be understood that the electronic device is located on the side of the display panel 2 facing away from the back plate 23 .

[0093] Specifically, the binding area 5b includes a first area B and a second area C that are adjacently arranged, and the display module 1 also includes an electronic device (such as a driving chip 26) that covers the first area B and is bound and connected to the display panel 2; the first adhesive layer 3b extends from the display area 4 to the binding area 5b, and also covers the display panel 2 located in the second area C, so that the first adhesive layer 3b is located at the periphery of the electronic device and is set away from the electronic device.

[0094] In one embodiment, a certain distance is maintained between the first adhesive layer 3b and the electronic device; in another embodiment, the first adhesive layer 3b covers the side wall of the electronic device (such as the driver chip 26). Those skilled in the art can control whether the first adhesive layer 3b is in direct contact with the electronic device according to the structural characteristics of the electronic device.

[0095] It can be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the binding area 5b is divided into a first area B and a second area C, the first area B is used to bind the electronic device, and the second area C is the peripheral area of ​​the first area B. In other words, the first adhesive layer 3b also covers the area in the binding area 5b that avoids the electronic device, so that the first adhesive layer 3b does not cover the electronic device. This design allows the first adhesive layer 3b to protect the binding area 5b without affecting the stable connection between the electronic device and other peripheral circuits.

[0096] Conventional display modules generally set a glue layer (such as UV glue) in the area other than the bound electronic devices in the binding area to protect the electronic devices and prevent water vapor from invading and causing the electronic devices to fail. However, in the embodiment of the present application, the first glue layer 3b is directly extended from the display area 4 to the binding area 5b and covers the area outside the electronic device (such as the driver chip 26), and even covers the side wall of the electronic device (such as the driver chip 26), which can effectively seal the periphery of the electronic device to prevent water vapor from invading, thereby effectively protecting the electronic device.

[0097] Therefore, the first glue layer 3b in the embodiment of the present application can also replace the UV glue set in the binding area 5b. Since the first glue layer 3b in the embodiment of the present application can be covered on the surface of the display panel 2 in the form of a finished product, it can simultaneously replace the UV glue set in the bending area 5a and the binding area 5b, thereby avoiding the gluing process in this area, which is conducive to simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0098] It can be understood that the second protective layer 8 covers the entire first adhesive layer 3b away from the display panel 2, including the first adhesive layer 3b in the second area C away from the display panel 2. That is, the second protective layer 8 also covers the area in the binding area 5b away from the electronic device.

[0099] Since the elastic modulus of the second protective layer 8 is greater than the elastic modulus of the first adhesive layer 3b, setting the second protective layer 8 in the binding area 5b can effectively increase the stiffness of the display module 1 located in the binding area 5b, avoid setting an additional structure for enhancing the stiffness in the binding area 5b, and avoid the binding area 5b from being damaged by external forces in other processes, thereby further protecting the binding area 5b.

[0100] Therefore, on the one hand, the embodiment of the present application can further reduce the border width of the display module 1 on the basis of improving the light output efficiency of the display module 1, thereby realizing an extremely narrow border or borderless design on the basis of improving the display effect; on the other hand, it can effectively protect the binding area 5b, which is beneficial to improving the yield and reliability of the display module 1.

[0101] like Figure 7As shown, the present application further provides a display device 30 , which includes a housing 27 and the display module 1 described in the above embodiment; wherein the housing 27 includes a receiving cavity 28 , and the display module 1 is located in the receiving cavity 28 .

[0102] Specifically, the display device 30 can be a wearable device, such as a smart bracelet, a smart watch, or a virtual reality (VR) device, or a mobile phone, an e-book, an e-newspaper, a television, or a personal portable computer. It can also be a bendable and foldable flexible OLED display or lighting device. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the specific form of the display device 30.

[0103] In the embodiment of the present application, since the display module 1 can achieve an extremely narrow frame or a frameless design, the frame of the display device 30 will be further reduced accordingly, which is conducive to obtaining a display device 30 with a smaller frame, thereby improving the user experience.

[0104] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0105] The above is a detailed introduction to a display module and a display device provided in the embodiments of the present application. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the technical solutions and core ideas of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements 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 application.

Claims

1. A display module, It is characterized in that The invention comprises a display panel and a light extraction layer located at a light emitting side of the display panel; the display panel comprises a display area and a non-display area arranged adjacent to each other; the non-display area comprises a bending area and a binding area, the display area and the binding area are arranged opposite to each other, and the bending area is bent between the display area and the binding area; the display panel comprises a plurality of sub-pixels located in the display area; The light extraction layer includes a first protective layer and a first glue layer; the first protective layer is at least located in the display area of ​​the display panel and includes an opening aligned with the sub-pixel; the first glue layer covers a side of the first protective layer away from the display panel, and a portion of the first glue layer fills the opening; Among them, the angle between the side wall of the opening and the bottom of the first protective layer is greater than 0° and less than 90°, the refractive index of the first protective layer is less than the refractive index of the first adhesive layer, the first adhesive layer extends from the display area at least to the bending area, and covers the display panel located in the bending area; the material of the first adhesive layer includes optical adhesive.

2. The display module according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The first adhesive layer extends from the display area to cover a portion of the binding area.

3. The display module according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The display module also includes an electronic device located in the binding area and bound to the display panel; the first adhesive layer also covers the display panel located in the binding area, and the first adhesive layer is located at the periphery of the electronic device and is set away from the electronic device.

4. The display module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The display module further includes a second protective layer located on a side of the light extraction layer away from the display panel, the second protective layer covers the entire side of the first adhesive layer away from the display panel, and the elastic modulus of the second protective layer is greater than that of the first adhesive layer.

5. The display module according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The thickness of the second protective layer is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first adhesive layer, and the overall thickness of the first adhesive layer and the second protective layer is greater than 0 and less than 50 micrometers.

6. The display module according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The thickness of the first adhesive layer at different positions at least in the bending area is equal, and the thickness of the second protective layer at different positions at least in the bending area is equal.

7. The display module according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The refractive index of the first protective layer ranges from 1.5 to 1.54; the refractive index of the first adhesive layer ranges from 1.55 to 1.

65.

8. The display module according to claim 1 or 7, It is characterized in that The material of the first adhesive layer also includes a functional material doped in the optical adhesive; the refractive index of the functional material is greater than the refractive index of the optical adhesive and greater than the refractive index of the first protective layer.

9. The display module according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The material of the second protective layer includes at least one of polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl alcohol and triacetyl cellulose.

10. The display module according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The display module also includes a polarizer located in the display area and on the side of the second protective layer away from the display panel; the polarizer includes a second adhesive layer, a polarizing functional layer and a substrate layer stacked on the second protective layer; the thickness of the first adhesive layer is less than the thickness of the second adhesive layer.

11. The display module according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The display panel comprises a substrate layer and a light-emitting layer, an encapsulation layer and a touch layer stacked on the substrate layer; the substrate layer is located in the display area and the non-display area, the light-emitting layer is located in the display area, and the touch layer is at least located in the display area; The sub-pixel is located in the light emitting layer, and the light extraction layer is located on a side of the touch layer away from the encapsulation layer.

12. A display device, It is characterized in that It comprises a shell and the display module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the shell comprises a receiving cavity, and the display module is located in the receiving cavity.

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