Display panel, display device and preparation method

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of display panels, in particular to a display panel, and aims to solve the problem that an existing display panel is difficult to shape when used for three-dimensional protruding stretching display. In order to achieve the purpose, the display panel comprises a substrate and a plastic elastic layer, the substrate comprises a plurality of pixel island areas arranged at intervals, connecting areas and hollow areas surrounding the pixel island areas and the connecting areas, each pixel island area comprises at least one pixel unit, and the connecting areas comprise connecting units electrically connected with the pixel units in the adjacent pixel island areas; at least part of the area of the plastic elastic layer is configured to be in a curved surface shape to support the corresponding area of the display panel to be in a curved surface state, so that the corresponding area of the display panel can keep an elastic three-dimensional state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of display panels, and specifically provides a display panel, a display device, and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display panels have a series of advantages such as all-solid-state structure, high brightness, full viewing angle, fast response speed, and wide operating temperature range. In addition, OLED display panels can be bent and can be applied to flexible displays, with a wider range of applications.

[0003] Currently, some OLED flexible display panel structures are mostly suitable for flat displays or folding displays, and are difficult to apply to shape-changeable three-dimensional curved displays. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve the problems of the prior art and provides a display panel, a display device and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a display panel, comprising: a substrate, comprising a plurality of spaced-apart pixel island regions, a connection region, and a hollow region surrounding the pixel island regions and the connection region, wherein each of the pixel island regions comprises at least one pixel unit, and the connection region comprises a connection unit electrically connecting pixel units in adjacent pixel island regions; a plastic elastic layer, wherein at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer is configured into a curved shape to support a corresponding region of the display panel in a curved state.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel further includes: a pixel layer located on the substrate, wherein at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located on a side of the substrate away from the pixel layer.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel further includes: a pixel layer located on the substrate; the substrate includes a first flexible film layer, a first bonding layer, and a first protective film layer arranged in sequence away from the pixel layer; wherein at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the first bonding layer and the first flexible film layer; and / or, at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the first bonding layer and the first protective film layer; and / or, at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the first bonding layer and the first protective film layer; and / or, at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the first flexible film layer and the pixel layer.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel further comprises: a pixel layer on the substrate; and a protective layer on a side of the pixel layer away from the substrate, wherein at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located on a side of the protective layer away from the pixel layer.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel further includes: a pixel layer located on the substrate; a protective layer located on a side of the pixel layer away from the substrate, comprising a second flexible film layer, a second bonding layer, and a second protective film layer sequentially arranged in a direction away from the pixel layer; at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the second protective film layer and the second bonding layer; and / or, at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the second flexible film layer and the second bonding layer; and / or, at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the second flexible film layer and the pixel layer.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the plastic elastic layer is hollowed out in the hollow area.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the pixel layer includes a driving circuit layer, a light emitting unit layer, and an encapsulation layer sequentially arranged in a direction away from the substrate, and the stress neutral surface of the curved surface area of ​​the display panel is configured in the driving circuit layer.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, within the curved surface region of the plastic elastic layer, the distances between any two adjacent pixel island regions along the curved surface direction of the plastic elastic layer are substantially equal.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the distance between the orthographic projections of two adjacent pixel island regions along the thickness direction of the display panel gradually increases from the edge to the center of the curved surface area of ​​the display panel.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the curved surface area of ​​the display panel is arranged in a spherical surface, and on a cross section of the pixel island areas arranged in a row, the spacing between the orthographic projections of two adjacent pixel island areas along the thickness direction of the display panel satisfies Among them, d x is the distance between the orthographic projections of the xth pixel island area and the x+1th pixel island area from the edge to the center of the curved area of ​​the display panel along the thickness direction of the display panel, r is the radius of the arc surface where the pixel island areas arranged in a row are located, and α is the central angle of the arc surface where the pixel island areas arranged in a row are located.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments, the material of the plastic elastic layer is at least one of thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone rubber, polyolefin elastomer, and polyvinyl chloride.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing a display panel, comprising: providing a substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of spaced-apart pixel island regions, a connection region, and a hollow region surrounding the pixel island regions and the connection region, wherein each of the pixel island regions comprises at least one pixel unit, and the connection region comprises a connection unit that electrically connects pixel units in adjacent pixel island regions; forming a plastic elastic layer, wherein at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer is configured into a curved shape to support a corresponding region of the display panel in a curved state.

[0017] In some exemplary embodiments, forming the plastic elastic layer includes: forming the plastic elastic layer in a planar configuration; and shaping at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer from a planar configuration to a curved surface to support a corresponding region of the display panel in a curved state.

[0018] In some exemplary embodiments, the plastic elastic layer is formed by an etching process and has a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm.

[0019] In some exemplary embodiments, the plastic elastic layer is formed by a coating process and has a thickness of 1 μm to 10 μm.

[0020] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a display device, comprising the above-mentioned display panel.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The display panel provided by the present disclosure includes a substrate and a plastic elastic layer, the substrate includes a plurality of spaced-apart pixel island areas, a connection area and a hollow area surrounding the pixel island areas and the connection area, wherein each pixel island area includes at least one pixel unit, and the connection area includes a connection unit electrically connecting the pixel units in adjacent pixel island areas; at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer is configured into a curved shape to support the corresponding area of ​​the display panel in a curved state, so that the corresponding area of ​​the display panel can maintain an elastic three-dimensional state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a plan view of a display panel;

[0025] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel;

[0026] Figure 3A is a first cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 3B is a second cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3C is a third cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3D is a fourth cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3E is a fifth cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 3F is a sixth cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3G is a seventh cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 3H is an eighth cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel before bending provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel after being bent provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the distribution of pixel island regions in a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Description of reference numerals:

[0038] 1. Substrate; 11. First protective film layer; 12. First bonding layer; 13. First flexible film layer; 10. Pixel island area; 20. Hollow area; 30. Connection area; 2. Pixel layer; 21. Driving circuit layer; 22. Light-emitting unit layer; 23. Encapsulation layer; 24. Pixel unit; 25. Connection unit; 3. Protective layer; 31. Second flexible film layer; 32. Second bonding layer; 33. Second protective film layer; 4. Plastic elastic layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0040] It should be noted that in the description of the present disclosure, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer" and the like indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present disclosure. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "setting", and "connection" 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 direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal connection of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0042] Figure 1 is a plan view of a display panel; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the display panel includes a substrate 1, which includes a display area, wherein the display area includes a plurality of pixel island areas 10, a hollow area 20 and a connection area 30, the connection area 30 is located between two adjacent pixel island areas 10, and the hollow area 20 surrounds the pixel island area 10 and the connection area 30.

[0044] The display side of the substrate 1 is provided with a pixel layer 2 and a protective layer 3 in sequence, and the pixel layer 2 includes a pixel unit 24 and a connection unit 25. The pixel unit 24 is located in the pixel island area 10, and the connection unit 25 is located in the connection area 30. A wiring is provided in the connection unit 25, which is configured to electrically connect the pixel units 24 located in two adjacent pixel island areas 10. The pixel unit 24 includes a plurality of sub-pixels, and each sub-pixel includes a pixel driving circuit and a light-emitting unit.

[0045] The substrate 1 and the protective layer 3 are both elastic, and the pixel layer 2 is hollowed out in the hollow area 20. When the display panel is bent or stretched, the substrate 1, the protective layer 3 and the pixel layer 2 are all deformed, so as to display the curved surface. Among them, the connection unit 25 in the pixel layer 2 is deformed to compensate for the deformation of the pixel unit 24, reduce the possibility of damage to the pixel unit 24, and improve the reliability of the product.

[0046] The display panel described above is suitable for flat display and folding display, and can quickly restore to a flat state without affecting the display effect. However, the display panel is difficult to shape when used for three-dimensional convex stretch display.

[0047] Based on this, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display panel, including a substrate and a plastic elastic layer, the substrate including a plurality of spaced-apart pixel island areas, a connection area and a hollow area surrounding the pixel island areas and the connection area, wherein each pixel island area includes at least one pixel unit, and the connection area includes a connection unit that electrically connects the pixel units in adjacent pixel island areas; at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer is configured into a curved shape to support the corresponding area of ​​the display panel in a curved state.

[0048] The display panels and preparation methods of some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below through several specific embodiments.

[0049] Figure 1 It is a plan view of a display panel.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display panel, including a substrate 1. The substrate 1 includes a display area, the display area includes a plurality of pixel island areas 10, a hollow area 20 and a connection area 30, the connection area 30 is located between two adjacent pixel island areas 10, and the hollow area 20 surrounds the pixel island area 10 and the connection area 30.

[0051] Figure 3A This is a first cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] For example, Figure 3A As shown, the substrate 1 includes a first protective film layer 11, a first adhesive layer 12 and a first flexible film layer 13 which are sequentially arranged. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first flexible film layer 13 is formed of a flexible material, for example, a twistable, bendable, foldable or rollable material. For example, the material forming the first flexible film layer 13 is ultra-thin glass, metal or plastic, such as PI (Polyimide). For example, the first flexible film layer 13 and the first adhesive layer 12 are hollowed out in the hollow area 20 and the connection area 30, and the first protective film layer 11 is arranged on the entire surface.

[0053] A pixel layer 2 is provided on the display side of the substrate 1, and the pixel layer 2 includes a driving circuit layer 21, a light-emitting unit layer 22, and an encapsulation layer 23, which are sequentially arranged in a direction away from the substrate 1. The pixel layer 2 also includes a pixel unit 24 and a connection unit 25, wherein the pixel unit 24 is located in the pixel island region 10, and the connection unit 25 is located in the connection region 30. A metal wiring is provided in the connection unit 25, and the metal wiring is arranged in the driving circuit layer 21, and the connection unit 25 is configured to electrically connect the pixel units 24 located in two adjacent pixel island regions 10. The pixel unit 24 includes a plurality of sub-pixels, each of which includes a pixel driving circuit and a light-emitting unit, and the pixel driving circuit is configured to drive the light-emitting unit to emit light, wherein the pixel driving circuit is located in the driving circuit layer 21, and the light-emitting unit is located in the light-emitting unit layer 22.

[0054] In addition, combined Figure 1 and Figure 3A As shown, the pixel layer 2 is hollowed out in the hollow area 20, so that there is no material barrier around the connection unit 25. When the display panel is bent or stretched, the deformation of the connection unit 25 is larger to compensate for the deformation of the pixel unit 24, thereby reducing the deformation of the pixel unit 24, reducing the possibility of damage to the pixel unit 24, and improving product reliability.

[0055] For example, the light emitting unit layer 22 and the encapsulation layer 23 are only disposed in the pixel unit 24 , so as to further increase the deformation amount of the connection unit 25 when the display panel is bent or stretched.

[0056] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel before bending provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel after being bent according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Combination Figure 3A , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the display panel also includes a plastic elastic layer 4, at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer 4 is configured to be in a curved shape and the plastic elastic layer 4 is used to support the corresponding area of ​​the display panel in a curved state. Since the plastic elastic layer 4 has a certain elasticity, the area of ​​the display panel in a curved state can also be deformed to a certain extent. For example, the plastic elastic layer 4 is a curved surface such as a spherical surface or an ellipsoidal surface, or the middle area of ​​the plastic elastic layer 4 is a curved surface such as a spherical surface or an ellipsoidal surface and the edge area is a plane. For example, the plastic elastic layer 4 is heated and shaped by a mold so that at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer 4 is shaped from a plane to a curved surface, and then the plastic elastic layer 4 is used to support the remaining film layers of the display panel so that the corresponding area of ​​the display panel remains in a curved state.

[0058] For example, the material of the plastic elastic layer 4 is a thermoplastic material, such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone rubber, polyolefin elastomer (such as Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc., which can be processed by low-temperature thermoplastic processing to form a curved surface, and still maintain good elasticity and different degrees of transparency after cooling and shaping.

[0059] The plastic elastic layer 4 includes at least one film layer.

[0060] Figure 3B is a second cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3C is a third cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3D This is a fourth cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] For example, Figure 3A As shown, at least one layer of the plastic elastic layer 4 is located on the side of the substrate 1 away from the pixel layer 2. When the plastic elastic layer 4 is a single-layer film layer, the plastic elastic layer 4 is located on the side of the substrate 1 away from the pixel layer 2.

[0062] For example, Figure 3B As shown, at least one layer of the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the first bonding layer 12 and the first protective film layer 11. When the plastic elastic layer 4 is a single-layer film layer, the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the first bonding layer 12 and the first protective film layer 11.

[0063] For example, Figure 3C As shown, at least one layer of the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the first adhesive layer 12 and the first flexible film layer 13. When the plastic elastic layer 4 is a single film layer, the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the first adhesive layer 12 and the first flexible film layer 13.

[0064] For example, Figure 3D As shown, at least one layer of the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the first flexible film layer 13 and the pixel layer 2. When the plastic elastic layer 4 is a single-layer film layer, the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the first flexible film layer 13 and the pixel layer 2.

[0065] In some examples, the display panel further includes a protective layer 3, which is located on a side of the pixel layer 2 away from the substrate 1. For example, the protective layer 3 includes a second flexible film layer 31, a second adhesive layer 32, and a second protective film layer 33, which are sequentially arranged in a direction away from the pixel layer 2. For example, the second flexible film layer 31 and the second adhesive layer 32 are hollowed out in the hollow area 20 and the connection area 30. For example, the material of the second flexible film layer 31 is PI.

[0066] Figure 3E is a fifth cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3F is a sixth cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3G is a seventh cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3H This is an eighth cross-sectional view of a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] For example, Figure 3E As shown, at least one layer of the plastic elastic layer 4 is located on the side of the protective layer 3 away from the pixel layer 2. When the plastic elastic layer 4 is a single-layer film layer, the plastic elastic layer 4 is located on the side of the protective layer 3 away from the pixel layer 2.

[0068] For example, Figure 3F As shown, at least one layer of the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the second protective film layer 33 and the second bonding layer 32. When the plastic elastic layer 4 is a single film layer, the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the second protective film layer 33 and the second bonding layer 32.

[0069] For example, Figure 3G As shown, at least one layer of the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the second flexible film layer 31 and the second adhesive layer 32. When the plastic elastic layer 4 is a single film layer, the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the second flexible film layer 31 and the second adhesive layer 32.

[0070] For example, Figure 3H As shown, at least one layer of the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the second flexible film layer 31 and the pixel layer 2. When the plastic elastic layer 4 is a single-layer film layer, the plastic elastic layer 4 is located between the second flexible film layer 31 and the pixel layer 2.

[0071] Among them, Figure 3C , Figure 3D , Figure 3G and Figure 3H As shown, the plastic elastic layer 4 between the first bonding layer 12 and the pixel layer 2 and between the second bonding layer 32 and the pixel layer 2 can be hollowed out, for example, formed by an etching process (such as laser etching or patterning process), and the thickness of the plastic elastic layer 4 is 50 μm to 300 μm. Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3E and Figure 3F As shown, the plastic elastic layer 4 located on both sides of the first protective film layer 11 and on both sides of the second protective film layer 33 can be provided as a whole layer, for example, formed by a coating process, and the thickness of the plastic elastic layer 4 is 1 μm to 10 μm.

[0072] In addition, the first adhesive layer 12, the first flexible film layer 13, the second adhesive layer 32, the second flexible film layer 31, and the hollow plastic elastic layer 4 located between the first adhesive layer 12 and the second adhesive layer 32 are hollowed out in the hollow area 20 and the connection area 30, which can improve the elastic deformation capacity of the connection unit 25 in the connection area 30. In this way, the connection unit 25 can absorb more deformation, thereby reducing the deformation of the pixel unit 24 to reduce the possibility of damage to the pixel unit 24 and improve the reliability of the product.

[0073] The film layer structure located in the curved surface area of ​​the display panel will generate bending stress after bending. For example, the film layer structure of the display panel bends downward, the film layer close to the protective layer 3 is subjected to tensile stress, and the film layer close to the substrate 1 is subjected to compressive stress. There is a stress neutral surface in the middle part of the film layer structure of the display panel, and the bending stress on the stress neutral surface is zero. By adjusting the thickness, material, and number and position of the plastic elastic layer 4 of each film layer structure of the display panel, the position of the stress neutral surface can be changed. Among them, after the material of each film layer is changed, the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the material are changed, thereby changing the position of the stress neutral surface.

[0074] By adjusting the position of the stress neutral plane, the film layer with poor tensile performance (such as the inorganic layer) is placed near the stress neutral plane to reduce the bending stress it bears, and the film layer with better tensile performance is placed at a position with greater stress, thereby improving the tensile performance of the film layer structure of the display panel and improving the service life and reliability of the display panel. Since there are many inorganic layers in the driving circuit layer 21, in the specific example of the present disclosure, the stress neutral plane of the curved surface area of ​​the display panel is configured in the driving circuit layer 21.

[0075] In some examples, before shaping at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer 4 from a plane into a curved surface, the arrangement of the pixel island regions 10 in the region is arranged so that after shaping at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer 4 into a curved surface, the spacing between any two adjacent pixel island regions 10 in the curved surface region along the curved surface direction of the plastic elastic layer 4 is approximately equal. In this way, in the curved surface region of the plastic elastic layer 4, the pixel island regions 10 are evenly distributed in the curved surface region, thereby improving the display effect of the display panel. It should be noted that due to manufacturing errors, the spacing between any two adjacent pixel island regions 10 in the curved surface region along the curved surface direction of the plastic elastic layer 4 cannot be completely equal, but is approximately equal within the range allowed by the error.

[0076] For example, from the edge to the center of the curved surface area of ​​the display panel, the spacing between the orthographic projections of two adjacent pixel islands 10 along the thickness direction of the display panel gradually increases. For example, the display panel is arranged in a curved surface, wherein, before the plastic elastic layer 4 is shaped into a curved surface, the sub-pixel areas are arranged more densely at the edge of the display panel and more sparsely at the center of the display panel, so that the spacing between the orthographic projections of two adjacent pixel islands 10 on the plastic elastic layer 4 gradually increases from the edge to the center of the display panel; after the plastic elastic layer 4 is shaped into a curved surface, the closer the area to the edge of the display panel is, the greater the stretching amount, and the spacing between the two adjacent pixel islands 10 on the curved surface increases as the elastic shaping layer is stretched, wherein the stretching amount near the edge of the display panel is greater than the stretching amount near the center of the display panel, and finally the spacing between any two adjacent pixel islands 10 in the curved surface area along the curved surface direction of the plastic elastic layer 4 is roughly equal.

[0077] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the distribution of pixel island regions in a display panel provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] For example, combined with Figure 6 As shown, at least part of the plastic elastic layer 4 is shaped into a spherical surface, and the plastic elastic layer 4 supports other film layers of the display panel in a curved surface state in the curved surface area. On the cross section of the pixel islands 10 arranged in a row, the spacing between the orthographic projections of two adjacent pixel islands 10 along the thickness direction of the display panel satisfies Among them, d x is the distance between the orthographic projections of the xth pixel island 10 and the x+1th pixel island 10 along the thickness direction of the display panel from the edge to the center of the curved area of ​​the display panel, r is the radius of the arc surface where the pixel islands 10 arranged in a row are located, and α is the center angle of the arc surface where the pixel islands 10 arranged in a row are located. For example, a cross section of pixel islands 10 arranged in a row has a bottom width of 1 inch (i.e., 25.4 mm), 10 pixel islands 10 are arranged on the arc surface of the cross section, the stretching amount of the plastic elastic layer 4 from a plane to a curved surface is 120%, the central angle α of the arc surface where the pixel islands 10 arranged in a row are located is 117.65°, and the radius r of the arc surface where the pixel islands 10 arranged in a row are located is 14.843 mm, wherein d1=1.833 mm, d2=2.290 mm, d3=2.650 mm, d4=2.898 mm, d5=3.025 mm, d6=3.025 mm, d7=2.898 mm, d8=2.650 mm, d9=2.290 mm, d 10 =1.833mm.

[0079] In summary, the display panel provided by the present disclosure has at least the following advantages:

[0080] (1) A plastic elastic layer 4 is provided, wherein at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer 4 is configured to be a curved surface shape and the plastic elastic layer 4 is used to support a corresponding area of ​​the display panel in a curved state. Furthermore, since the plastic elastic layer 4 has a certain elasticity, the corresponding area of ​​the display panel can maintain an elastic three-dimensional state.

[0081] (2) After at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer 4 is shaped into a curved surface, the spacing between any two adjacent pixel islands 10 in the curved surface area along the curved surface direction of the plastic elastic layer 4 is roughly equal, so that the pixel islands 10 are evenly distributed in the curved surface area, thereby improving the display effect of the display panel.

[0082] (3) The stress neutral surface of the curved surface area of ​​the display panel is arranged in the driving circuit layer 21, thereby improving the tensile performance of the film layer structure of the display panel and increasing the service life and reliability of the display panel.

[0083] The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a display panel, comprising: providing a substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of spaced-apart pixel island regions, a connection region, and a hollow region surrounding the pixel island regions and the connection region, wherein each pixel island region comprises at least one pixel unit, and the connection region comprises a connection unit electrically connecting pixel units in adjacent pixel island regions; forming a plastic elastic layer, wherein at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer is configured into a curved shape to support a corresponding region of the display panel in a curved state.

[0084] The following is formed Figure 1 , Figure 3A and Figure 5 Taking the display panel shown as an example, the method for preparing the display panel provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is introduced.

[0085] First, if Figure 3A As shown, a substrate 1 is provided. The substrate 1 includes a display area, which includes a plurality of pixel island areas 10 , a hollow area 20 and a connection area 30 . The connection area 30 is located between two adjacent pixel island areas 10 , and the hollow area 20 surrounds the pixel island area 10 and the connection area 30 .

[0086] For example, a first protective film layer 11 is provided, and an etching process (such as a laser etching process or a patterning process) is used on the first protective film layer 11 to form a patterned first bonding layer 12 and a first flexible film layer 13, so that the first bonding layer 12 and the first flexible film layer 13 are hollowed out in the hollow area 20 and the connection area 30. For example, the laser etching process includes steps such as forming a material layer and removing the material by laser etching, and the patterning process includes steps such as forming a material layer, forming a photoresist, exposing, developing, and etching.

[0087] The material of the first flexible film layer 13 is a flexible material, such as a twistable, bendable, foldable or curlable material. For example, the material forming the first flexible film layer 13 is ultra-thin glass, metal or plastic, such as PI (Polyimide). For example, the material of the first protective film layer 11 is PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane).

[0088] A pixel layer 2 is formed on a substrate 1 .

[0089] For example, a patterned driving circuit layer 21, a light-emitting unit layer 22 and a packaging layer 23 are formed on the first flexible film layer 13, wherein the driving circuit layer 21 is located in the pixel island area 10 and the connection area 30, the light-emitting unit layer 22 and the packaging layer 23 are located in the pixel island area 10, and the driving circuit layer 21, the light-emitting unit layer 22 and the packaging layer 23 are all hollowed out in the hollow area 20. The light-emitting unit layer 22 includes a plurality of light-emitting units, the driving circuit layer 21 located in the pixel island area 10 includes a pixel driving circuit, and the pixel driving circuit is configured to drive the light-emitting unit to emit light; the driving circuit layer 21 located in the connection area 30 includes a metal wiring, and the metal wiring is used to electrically connect the pixel driving circuits in two adjacent pixel island areas 10.

[0090] A protection layer 3 is formed on a side of the pixel layer 2 away from the substrate 1 .

[0091] For example, a patterned second flexible film layer 31 and a second adhesive layer 32 are sequentially formed on the pixel layer 2, and a second protective film layer 33 is formed on the second adhesive layer 32. The second flexible film layer 31 and the second adhesive layer 32 are hollowed out in the hollow area 20 and the connection area 30.

[0092] A plastic elastic layer 4 is formed on a side of the substrate 1 away from the pixel layer 2 .

[0093] For example, combined with Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a plastic elastic layer 4 is formed in a plane, and then at least a part of the plastic elastic layer 4 is shaped from a plane to a curved surface. The plastic elastic layer 4 shaped into a curved surface can support other film layers of the display panel in a curved surface state in a corresponding area, thereby maintaining a three-dimensional curved surface state. At the same time, since the plastic elastic layer 4 also has a certain elasticity, the display panel also has a certain deformation ability.

[0094] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a display device, including the above-mentioned display panel. The display device can be any product or component with a display function, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a monitor, a laptop computer, a digital photo frame, a navigator, a car display screen, a wearable display device, etc., and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0095] There are a few points to note:

[0096] (1) The drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure only relate to the structures related to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and other structures may refer to the general design.

[0097] (2) For the sake of clarity, in the drawings used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure, the thickness of layers or regions is exaggerated or reduced, that is, these drawings are not drawn according to the actual scale. It is understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "under" another element, the element may be "directly" "on" or "under" the other element or there may be intermediate elements.

[0098] (3) In the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features therein may be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0099] The above is only a specific implementation of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure, which should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that: include: A substrate, comprising a plurality of pixel islands, connection areas and hollow areas surrounding the pixel islands and the connection areas, each of the pixel islands comprising at least one pixel unit, and the connection area comprising a connection unit electrically connecting pixel units in adjacent pixel islands; A plastic elastic layer, wherein at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer is configured to be in a curved shape to support a corresponding area of ​​the display panel in a curved state.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display panel further includes: a pixel layer located on the substrate, Wherein, at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located on a side of the substrate away from the pixel layer.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display panel further includes: a pixel layer located on the substrate; The substrate comprises a first flexible film layer, a first adhesive layer and a first protective film layer which are sequentially arranged away from the pixel layer; Wherein, at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the first adhesive layer and the first flexible film layer; and / or, At least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the first bonding layer and the first protective film layer; and / or, At least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the first flexible membrane layer and the pixel layer.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display panel further includes: a pixel layer located on the substrate; a protective layer located on a side of the pixel layer away from the substrate, Wherein, at least one of the plastic elastic layers is located on a side of the protective layer away from the pixel layer.

5. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display panel further includes: a pixel layer located on the substrate; a protective layer located on a side of the pixel layer away from the substrate, comprising a second flexible film layer, a second adhesive layer and a second protective film layer sequentially arranged in a direction away from the pixel layer; At least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the second protective film layer and the second adhesive layer; and / or, At least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the second flexible film layer and the second adhesive layer; and / or, At least one of the plastic elastic layers is located between the second flexible membrane layer and the pixel layer.

6. The display panel according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that: The plastic elastic layer is hollowed out in the hollow area.

7. The display panel according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The pixel layer includes a driving circuit layer, a light emitting unit layer and a packaging layer which are sequentially arranged in a direction away from the substrate, and the stress neutral surface of the curved surface area of ​​the display panel is arranged in the driving circuit layer.

8. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the curved surface region of the plastic elastic layer, the distances between any two adjacent pixel island regions along the curved surface direction of the plastic elastic layer are substantially equal.

9. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: From the edge to the center of the curved surface area of ​​the display panel, the distance between the orthographic projections of two adjacent pixel island areas along the thickness direction of the display panel gradually increases.

10. The display panel according to claim 9, characterized in that: The curved surface area of ​​the display panel is arranged in a spherical surface, and on a cross section through the pixel island areas arranged in a row, the spacing between the orthographic projections of two adjacent pixel island areas along the thickness direction of the display panel satisfies Among them, d x is the distance between the orthographic projections of the xth pixel island area and the x+1th pixel island area from the edge to the center of the curved area of ​​the display panel along the thickness direction of the display panel, r is the radius of the arc surface where the pixel island areas arranged in a row are located, and α is the central angle of the arc surface where the pixel island areas arranged in a row are located.

11. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the plastic elastic layer is at least one of thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone rubber, polyolefin elastomer and polyvinyl chloride.

12. A method for preparing a display panel, characterized in that: include: Providing a substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of pixel islands, a connection region and a hollow region surrounding the pixel islands and the connection region, wherein each of the pixel islands comprises at least one pixel unit, and the connection region comprises a connection unit electrically connecting pixel units in adjacent pixel islands; A plastic elastic layer is formed, wherein at least a portion of the plastic elastic layer is configured to be in a curved shape to support a corresponding area of ​​the display panel in a curved state.

13. The method for preparing a display panel according to claim 12, characterized in that: Forming the plastic elastic layer includes: forming a plastic elastic layer arranged in a plane; At least a partial area of ​​the plastic elastic layer is shaped from a flat surface to a curved surface, so as to support a corresponding area of ​​the display panel in a curved state.

14. The display panel according to claim 12, characterized in that: The plastic elastic layer is formed by etching process and has a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm; or, The plastic elastic layer is formed by a coating process and has a thickness of 1 μm to 10 μm.

15. A display device, characterized in that: Comprising the display panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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