Display panel, preparation method thereof and mask plate

Abstract

The invention provides a display panel, a preparation method thereof and a mask plate, relates to the technical field of display, and improves the yield of a frame area of the display panel. The display panel comprises a display area and a frame area, the frame area is located on the periphery of the display area, and the display panel further comprises a substrate; the touch metal layer is located on one side of the substrate, the touch metal layer comprises a touch wire, and the touch wire extends from the display area to the frame area; the first optical layer is located on the side, away from the substrate, of the touch metal layer, the first optical layer comprises at least one groove, the groove is located in the frame area, and the orthographic projection of at least part of the groove on the substrate and the orthographic projection of the touch wire on the substrate are overlapped; at least part of the second optical layer is located on the side, away from the substrate, of the first optical layer, the second optical layer at least partially fills the grooves, and the edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer on the substrate does not exceed the orthographic projection of at least one groove on the substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display panel and a preparation method thereof, and a mask plate. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, organic light-emitting display panels have gradually become the mainstream products in the display field. Due to their advantages such as high image quality, power saving, thin body and wide range of applications, they are widely used in various consumer electronic products such as mobile phones, televisions, laptops, desktop computers, etc.

[0003] However, currently, the border area of ​​the display panel has a structural problem. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application is proposed. The embodiments of the present application provide a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and a mask plate, which improve the yield rate of the frame area of ​​the display panel.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a display panel, comprising a display area and a frame area, wherein the frame area is located at the periphery of the display area, and the display panel further comprises: a substrate; a touch metal layer, located at one side of the substrate, the touch metal layer comprising a touch trace, and the touch trace extends from the display area to the frame area; a first optical layer, located at a side of the touch metal layer away from the substrate, the first optical layer comprising at least one groove, the groove being located in the frame area, and an orthographic projection of at least part of the groove on the substrate overlaps with an orthographic projection of the touch trace on the substrate; and a second optical layer, wherein at least part of the second optical layer is located at a side of the first optical layer away from the substrate, the second optical layer at least partially fills the groove, and an edge line of an orthographic projection of the second optical layer on the substrate does not exceed an orthographic projection of at least one groove on the substrate.

[0006] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, at least one groove includes multiple grooves, and the multiple grooves are arranged in a direction surrounding the display area; preferably, the orthographic projections of the multiple grooves on the substrate overlap with the orthographic projections of the touch lines on the substrate, or the orthographic projections of at least some of the grooves on the substrate are located between the orthographic projections of adjacent touch lines on the substrate; preferably, the orthographic projections of the multiple grooves on the substrate overlap with the orthographic projection of the same touch line on the substrate; preferably, the orthographic projection shape of the groove on the substrate includes any one of a polygon, a circle, and an ellipse; preferably, in the thickness direction of the substrate, the cross-sectional shape of the groove includes at least one of an inverted trapezoid, a semicircle, and an ellipse.

[0007] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the first optical layer also includes at least one through hole, and the through holes and grooves are arranged in a direction surrounding the display area; the orthographic projection of the through hole on the substrate and the orthographic projection of the touch line on the substrate do not overlap; the edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer on the substrate does not exceed the orthographic projection of at least one through hole on the substrate; preferably, at least some of the through holes and grooves are connected.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the display panel also includes a dam, the dam surrounds the display area, and the orthographic projection of the dam on the substrate is located on the side of the orthographic projection of the groove on the substrate close to the display area; preferably, at least one groove includes a groove near the display area, and the distance between the dam and the groove near the display area is 100 microns to 200 microns.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the display panel also includes a plurality of light-emitting devices located on the substrate; the first optical layer includes a plurality of microlenses, and the orthographic projections of the microlenses on the substrate overlap with the orthographic projections of the light-emitting devices on the substrate; preferably, part of the second optical layer fills the gaps between adjacent microlenses; preferably, the refractive index of the first optical layer is less than the refractive index of the second optical layer; preferably, the substrate also includes a packaging structure located between the light-emitting devices and the touch metal layer.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the first optical layer includes a touch protection layer, and the touch protection layer is in contact with the touch metal layer; preferably, the material of the first optical layer includes photoresist.

[0011] The second aspect of the present application provides a mask plate, comprising: a transparent substrate, including a central area and an edge area surrounding the central area; at least one pattern structure, the pattern structure is located on one side of the transparent substrate and in the edge area; the pattern structure includes a semi-transparent portion.

[0012] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementations, the semi-transparent portion includes a semi-transparent film, or the semi-transparent portion includes a plurality of shading strips arranged at intervals; preferably, at least one pattern structure includes a plurality of pattern structures, and the plurality of pattern structures are arranged at intervals around the central area; preferably, the shape of the orthographic projection of the semi-transparent portion on the transparent substrate includes any one of a rectangle, a circle, and an ellipse.

[0013] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementations, the pattern structure further includes a light shielding portion in contact with the semi-transparent portion.

[0014] A second aspect of the present application provides a method for preparing a display panel, the display panel comprising a display area and a frame area, the frame area being located at the periphery of the display area, the preparation method comprising: preparing a touch metal layer on a substrate, the touch metal layer comprising a touch routing, the touch routing extending from the display area to the frame area; preparing a first optical material layer on a side of the touch metal layer facing away from the substrate; using a mask plate provided by any of the above embodiments to pattern the first optical material layer to form a first optical layer, the first optical layer comprising at least one groove, the groove being located in the frame area, the orthographic projection of at least part of the groove on the substrate overlapping with the orthographic projection of the touch routing on the substrate; preparing a second optical layer on a side of the first optical layer facing away from the substrate, the second optical layer at least partially filling the groove, and an edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer on the substrate does not exceed the orthographic projection of at least one groove on the substrate.

[0015] According to the display panel and its preparation method and mask plate provided by the embodiment of the present application, by setting a groove in the first optical layer of the border area, when the second optical layer is subsequently prepared on the first optical layer, the groove can be used to accommodate the overflowed second optical material, and the second optical material can be blocked in the groove to prevent the second optical material from overflowing to the area of ​​the border area that is farther away from the display area, thereby ensuring that the thickness of the area farther away from the display area will not be affected by the second optical material, improving the uniformity of the thickness of the border area, and reducing the probability of problems such as printing pits, white spots on the appearance, and jagged defects. At the same time, since the groove does not pass through the first optical layer, the first optical layer can provide protection for the touch wiring below the groove to prevent the touch wiring from being damaged by etching. Combining the above two aspects, it can be seen that the display panel provided by the embodiment of the present application improves the yield of the display panel border area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] By describing the embodiments of the present application in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent. The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present application and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the present application and do not constitute a limitation of the present application. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the top structure of a display panel provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the display panel along line N1N2 is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the top view structure of the display panel provided in the second embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A magnified view of a local area Q.

[0021] Figure 5 For along Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the N3N4 line.

[0022] Figure 6a This is a partial enlarged view of the display panel provided in the third embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 6b For along Figure 6a Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the N5N6 line.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the top structure of a display panel provided in the fourth embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of a display panel provided in the fifth embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the top view structure of the first mask plate provided in the present application.

[0027] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of the top view structure of the second mask plate provided in this application.

[0028] Fig.11 The first embodiment of the present application provides Fig.10 A magnified view of the local area N in FIG.

[0029] Fig.12 The second embodiment of the present application provides Fig.10 A magnified view of the local area N in FIG.

[0030] Fig.13 The third embodiment of the present application provides Fig.10 A magnified view of the local area N in FIG.

[0031] Fig.14 A flow chart of a method for preparing a display panel provided in one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Currently, the frame of the display panel has structural problems, such as poor uniformity of the frame thickness, printing pits, white spots on the appearance, and jagged defects.

[0033] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application is proposed. The embodiment of the present application provides a display panel, by setting a groove in the first optical layer of the frame area, when the second optical layer is subsequently prepared on the first optical layer, the groove can be used to accommodate the overflowed second optical material, and the second optical material can be blocked in the groove to prevent the second optical material from overflowing to the frame area farther away from the display area, thereby ensuring that the thickness of the area farther away from the display area will not be affected by the second optical material, improving the uniformity of the thickness of the frame area, and reducing the probability of problems such as printing pits, white spots on the appearance, and jagged defects. At the same time, since the groove does not pass through the first optical layer, the first optical layer can provide protection for the touch wiring under the groove to prevent the touch wiring from being damaged by etching. Combining the above two aspects, it can be seen that the display panel provided by the embodiment of the present application improves the yield of the frame area of ​​the display panel.

[0034] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] In addition, in order to better illustrate the present application, numerous specific details are given in the following specific embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present application can also be implemented without certain specific details. In some examples, methods and means well known to those skilled in the art are not described in detail in order to highlight the subject matter of the present application.

[0036] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0037] In addition, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., if used, are merely used to distinguish between the descriptions and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] A first aspect of the present application provides a display panel. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the top structure of a display panel provided in one embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 for Figure 1 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the display panel along the N1N2 line is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the display panel includes a display area AA and a frame area NA, and the frame area AA is located at the periphery of the display area NA.

[0039] The display panel also includes: a substrate 11, a touch metal layer 12, a first optical layer 13, and a second optical layer 14. The touch metal layer 12 is located on one side of the substrate 11, and the touch metal layer 12 includes a touch trace 120, and the touch trace 120 extends from the display area AA to the frame area NA. The first optical layer 13 is located on the side of the touch metal layer 12 away from the substrate 11, and the first optical layer 13 includes at least one groove G, and the groove G is located in the frame area NA, and at least part of the orthographic projection of the groove G on the substrate 11 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the touch trace 120 on the substrate 11. At least part of the second optical layer 14 is located on the side of the first optical layer 13 away from the substrate 11, and the second optical layer 14 at least partially fills the groove G. The edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer 14 on the substrate 11 does not exceed the orthographic projection of at least one groove G on the substrate 11.

[0040] The groove G penetrates a portion of the second optical layer 14 in the thickness direction of the substrate 11, but does not completely penetrate the second optical layer 14, that is, the second optical layer 14 still exists on the side of the groove G facing the substrate 11. Exemplarily, the groove G can be obtained by partially etching the second optical layer 14. For example, in the case where the second optical layer 14 is a negative photoresist, the second optical layer 14 can be exposed in a half-exposure plus full-exposure manner, and the groove G is formed in the half-exposure area, and the full-exposure area is completely retained.

[0041] At least one groove can be regarded as a whole, and the edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer 14 on the substrate 11 does not exceed the whole, that is, in the direction from the display area AA to the frame area NA, the edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer 14 on the substrate 11 does not exceed the groove G farthest from the display area AA.

[0042] The substrate 11 may be a base substrate or an array substrate. The array substrate refers to a substrate including a base substrate and a pixel circuit formed on the base substrate.

[0043] In some embodiments, the base substrate may be a glass-based substrate.

[0044] In some embodiments, the substrate substrate may include an organic resin material such as epoxy resin, triazine, silicone resin or polyimide. For example, the substrate substrate may be a FR4 type printed circuit board (PCB), or may be a flexible PCB that is easily deformed.

[0045] In some embodiments, the substrate substrate may include a ceramic material such as silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, or aluminum oxide, or include a metal or a metal compound.

[0046] The touch metal layer 12 includes a first sub-touch metal layer 121 and a second sub-touch metal layer 122 stacked in a direction away from the substrate 11. A touch insulating layer is provided between the first sub-touch metal layer 121 and the second sub-touch metal layer 122. The touch trace 120 may be located in the first sub-touch metal layer 121, or in the second sub-touch metal layer 122, or may be partially located in the first sub-touch metal layer 121, and the remaining part may be switched to the second sub-touch metal layer 122 by switching the line.

[0047] In one embodiment, the first optical layer 13 includes a touch protection layer, and the touch protection layer is in contact with the touch metal layer 12. In this case, the first optical layer 13 has at least two functions, one is to serve as a protection layer for the touch metal layer 12, and the other is to cooperate with the second optical layer 14 to form an optical path adjustment structure, and the optical path adjustment structure is located in the display area AA.

[0048] Exemplarily, the material of the first optical layer 13 includes photoresist.

[0049] Exemplarily, the display panel further includes a plurality of light emitting devices 15 located on the substrate 11. The first optical layer 13 includes a plurality of microlenses, and the orthographic projections of the microlenses on the substrate 11 overlap with the orthographic projections of the light emitting devices 15 on the substrate 11. Part of the second optical layer 14 fills the spaces between adjacent microlenses. Exemplarily, the refractive index of the first optical layer 13 is less than the refractive index of the second optical layer 14.

[0050] In some possible implementations, the display panel further includes a pixel circuit 16 located between the substrate 11 and the light emitting device 15. The pixel circuit 16 is electrically connected to the light emitting device 15 to drive the light emitting device 15 to emit light according to a predetermined gray scale for display.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first optical layer 13 includes a groove G, and the orthographic projection of the groove G on the substrate 11 partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the touch trace 120 on the substrate 11. Exemplarily, the groove G at least partially surrounds the display area AA.

[0052] In one embodiment, the substrate 11 further includes a packaging structure 17 located between the light emitting device 15 and the touch metal layer 12. Exemplarily, the packaging structure 17 includes a first inorganic packaging layer, an organic packaging layer, and a second inorganic packaging layer stacked in sequence in a direction away from the substrate 11.

[0053] In one embodiment, the display panel further includes a dam 18, the dam 18 surrounds the display area AA, and the orthographic projection of the dam 18 on the substrate 11 is located on the side of the orthographic projection of the groove G on the substrate 11 close to the display area AA. The first inorganic encapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer both cover the dam 18, and the organic encapsulation layer terminates on the side of the dam 18 close to the display area AA.

[0054] In one embodiment, at least one groove G includes a near display area groove, that is, a groove closest to the display area AA. The distance D between the dam 18 and the near display area groove is 100 microns to 200 microns. For example, the distance D between the dam 18 and the near display area groove is 100 microns, 150 microns or 200 microns, etc. The distance D between the dam 18 and the near display area groove can be measured by the horizontal distance between the lower edge of the dam 18 close to the near display area groove and the upper edge of the near display area groove close to the dam 18. The horizontal distance mentioned here refers to the distance in the direction parallel to the substrate 11.

[0055] Exemplarily, the cross-sectional shape of the groove G in the thickness direction of the substrate 11 includes an inverted trapezoid.

[0056] According to the display panel provided in the present embodiment, by setting a groove G in the first optical layer 13 of the frame area NA, when the second optical layer 14 is subsequently prepared on the first optical layer 13, the groove G can be used to accommodate the overflowed second optical material, and the second optical material can be blocked in the groove G to prevent the second optical material from overflowing to the area of ​​the frame area NA that is farther away from the display area AA, thereby ensuring that the thickness of the area farther away from the display area AA will not be affected by the second optical material, thereby improving the uniformity of the thickness of the frame area NA, and reducing the probability of problems such as printing pits, white spots on the appearance, and jagged defects. At the same time, since the groove G does not penetrate the first optical layer 13, the first optical layer 13 can provide protection for the touch wiring 120 under the groove G to prevent the touch wiring 120 from being damaged by etching. Combining the above two aspects, it can be seen that the display panel provided by the embodiment of the present application improves the yield of the frame area of ​​the display panel.

[0057] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the top view structure of the display panel provided in the second embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A magnified view of a local area Q. Figure 5 For along Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the N3N4 line. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The display panel shown is Figure 1 and Figure 2 The difference of the display panel shown is that, in the present embodiment, the at least one groove G includes a plurality of grooves G, and the plurality of grooves G are arranged in a direction surrounding the display area AA.

[0058] Exemplarily, the multiple grooves G are randomly arranged in the direction surrounding the display area AA; or, the multiple grooves G are arranged at equal intervals in the direction surrounding the display area AA; or, the multiple grooves G are divided into multiple groove groups, the multiple groove groups include a first groove group and a second groove group, the multiple grooves G in the first groove group surround the display area AA, and the multiple grooves G in the second groove group surround the first groove group.

[0059] In one embodiment, the orthographic projections of the plurality of grooves G on the substrate 11 overlap with the orthographic projections of the touch wiring 120 on the substrate 11. That is, for any groove G, the orthographic projection of the groove G on the substrate 11 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the touch wiring 120 on the substrate 11. The overlap mentioned here may be a partial overlap; or, the orthographic projection of the groove G is within the orthographic projection range of the touch wiring 120.

[0060] In another embodiment, at least a portion of the orthographic projections of the grooves G on the substrate 11 are located between the orthographic projections of adjacent touch traces 120 on the substrate 11 .

[0061] In one embodiment, the orthographic projections of the plurality of grooves G on the substrate 11 overlap with the orthographic projection of the same touch trace 120 on the substrate 11 .

[0062] In this embodiment, the orthographic projection shape of the groove G on the substrate 11 is a polygon, for example, a rectangle. In the thickness direction of the substrate 11, the cross-sectional shape of the groove G is an inverted trapezoid.

[0063] Figure 6a This is a partial enlarged view of the display panel provided in the third embodiment of the present application. Figure 6b For along Figure 6a Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the N5N6 line. Figure 6a and Figure 6b The display panel and Figure 4 The difference of the display panel shown is that, in this embodiment, the orthographic projection of the groove G on the substrate 11 is circular or elliptical.

[0064] Exemplarily, in the thickness direction of the substrate 11 , the cross-sectional shape of the groove G is an ellipse.

[0065] It should be noted that the cross-sectional shape of the groove G provided in the embodiment of the present application is only exemplary. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the groove G in the thickness direction of the substrate 11 may also be a semicircle, etc.

[0066] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a display panel provided in the fourth embodiment of the present application. Figure 7The difference between the display panel shown and the display panel provided by any of the above embodiments is that, in this embodiment, the first optical layer 13 further includes at least one through hole H, and the through hole H and the groove G are arranged in a direction surrounding the display area AA. The orthographic projection of the through hole H on the substrate 11 and the orthographic projection of the touch wiring 120 on the substrate 11 do not overlap. The edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer 14 on the substrate 11 does not exceed the orthographic projection of the through hole H on the substrate 11.

[0067] Exemplarily, the frame area NA includes a lower frame area and other frame areas except the lower frame area, and the touch line 120 is located in the lower frame area. The orthographic projection of the through hole H on the substrate 11 is located between adjacent touch lines 120, or the orthographic projection of the through hole H on the substrate 11 is located in other frame areas. That is, in the direction in which the frame area NA surrounds the display area AA, the groove G is arranged above the corresponding touch line 120, and the through hole H is arranged above the non-corresponding touch line 120.

[0068] The orthographic projection shapes of the through hole H and the groove G on the substrate 11 are the same or different.

[0069] In this case, since the depth of the through hole H is deeper than the depth of the groove G, when preparing the second optical layer 15, the through hole H can accommodate more second optical material, thereby better blocking the second optical material from overflowing to the frame area NA farther from the display area AA, and the blocking effect is better.

[0070] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of a display panel provided in the fifth embodiment of the present application. The cross-sectional structure may correspond to Figure 6a The cross-section line N7N8 in the diagram has Figure 8 The top view of the display panel with the cross-sectional structure shown is not limited to Figure 6a .like Figure 8 The display panel and Figure 7 The difference of the display panel shown is that, in this embodiment, at least part of the through holes H are connected to the grooves G. Exemplarily, the orthographic projection shape of the through holes H and the grooves G as a whole on the substrate 11 is a polygon, a circle, an ellipse or the like.

[0071] In this case, the display panel may include an independent through hole H, an independent groove G, and a connected through hole H and groove G. Among them, the orthographic projection of the independent through hole H on the substrate 11 and the orthographic projection of the touch wiring 120 on the substrate 11 do not overlap. The orthographic projection of the independent groove G on the substrate 11 and the orthographic projection of the touch wiring 120 on the substrate 11 may overlap or not overlap. In the connected through hole H and groove G, the orthographic projection of the through hole H on the substrate 11 and the orthographic projection of the touch wiring 120 on the substrate 11 do not overlap, and the orthographic projection of the groove G on the substrate 11 and the orthographic projection of the touch wiring 120 on the substrate 11 may overlap or not overlap.

[0072] A second aspect of the present application provides a mask plate. Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the top view structure of the first mask plate provided in the present application. Fig.10 The schematic diagram of the top view of the second mask plate provided in this application. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the mask plate includes: a transparent substrate 21 and at least one pattern structure 22. The transparent substrate 21 includes a central area A and an edge area S surrounding the central area A. The at least one pattern structure 22 is located on one side of the transparent substrate 21 and in the edge area S.

[0073] For example, Fig. 9 As shown, the mask plate includes a pattern structure 22, and the pattern structure 22 surrounds the central area A. For another example, Fig.10 As shown, the mask plate includes a plurality of pattern structures 22 , and the plurality of pattern structures 22 are arranged along a direction surrounding the central area A.

[0074] The pattern structure 22 is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig.11 The first embodiment of the present application provides Fig.10 A magnified view of the local area N in FIG. Fig.12 The second embodiment of the present application provides Fig.10 A magnified view of the local area N in FIG. Fig.13 The third embodiment of the present application provides Fig.10 The enlarged view of the local area N in . Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, the pattern structure 22 includes a semi-transparent portion 221 . The light transmittance of the semi-transparent portion 221 is lower than that of the transparent substrate 21 .

[0075] For example, Fig.11 and Fig.13 As shown, the semi-permeable portion 221 includes a semi-permeable film. The shape of the orthographic projection of the semi-permeable portion 221 on the transparent substrate 21 can be as follows: Fig.11 The rectangle shown can also be Fig.13The circle shown may also be an ellipse, a trapezoid, a polygon, etc. Exemplarily, the shape of the orthographic projection of the semi-transparent portion 221 on the transparent substrate 21 is a circle, and the diameter of the circle is greater than or equal to 0.5 microns and less than or equal to 2 microns. For example, the diameter of the circle is 1 micron or 1.5 microns. In this case, the mask plate can be called a micro-hole mask plate. When the mask plate is used to pattern the negative photoresist layer, the negative photoresist portion corresponding to the semi-transparent film can be retained, and the negative photoresist corresponding to the transparent substrate 21 can be completely retained.

[0076] For example, Fig.12 As shown, the semi-transparent portion 221 includes a plurality of light shielding strips arranged at intervals. In this case, the mask plate can be a gray tone mask (GTM).

[0077] In one embodiment, Fig.11 As shown, the pattern structure 22 further includes a light shielding portion 222, which contacts the semi-transparent portion 221. In this case, the mask plate can be a half tone mask (Half Tone Mask, HTM).

[0078] In comparison, the cost of a micro-hole mask is lower than that of a GTM, and the cost of a GTM is lower than that of an HTM.

[0079] According to any embodiment of the present application, the display panel provided has a transparent substrate 21 and a pattern structure 22 located on the transparent substrate 21, and the pattern structure 22 includes a semi-transparent portion 221. In this case, the transparent substrate 21 corresponds to the full exposure area, and the semi-transparent portion 221 corresponds to the half exposure area, thereby forming a mask plate with a combination structure of full exposure and half exposure. In this way, when the mask plate is subsequently used to pattern the negative photoresist layer, a groove that does not completely penetrate the negative photoresist layer can be formed on the negative photoresist layer.

[0080] A third aspect of the present application provides a method for preparing a display panel. Fig.14 Flow chart of a method for preparing a display panel provided in one embodiment of the present application. Fig.14 As shown, the preparation method comprises:

[0081] Step S1410, see Figure 2 , a touch metal layer 12 is prepared on the substrate 11.

[0082] The touch metal layer 12 includes a touch wiring 120 . The touch wiring 120 extends from the display area AA to the frame area NA.

[0083] Step S1420, continue to refer to Figure 2 , a first optical material layer is prepared on the side of the touch metal layer 12 facing away from the substrate 11 .

[0084] Step S1430, continue to refer to Figure 2 , the first optical material layer is patterned using any mask provided in the present application to form a low-fold layer 13. The low-fold layer 13 includes at least one groove G, the groove G is located in the frame area NA, and at least part of the groove G is overlapped on the substrate 11 by the orthographic projection of the touch line 120 on the substrate 11. For example, the groove G can be obtained by partially etching the second optical layer 14. For example, when the second optical layer 14 is a negative photoresist, the second optical layer 14 can be exposed by a half-exposure plus full-exposure method, and the groove G is formed in the half-exposure area.

[0085] Specifically, the central area A of the mask plate corresponds to the display area AA of the display panel, and the edge area S of the mask plate corresponds to the frame area NA of the display panel.

[0086] For example, using Fig.11 The mask plate of the pattern structure 22 shown can obtain Figure 8 The groove G structure shown.

[0087] For example, using Fig.12 and Fig.13 The mask plate of the pattern structure 22 shown can obtain Figure 5 The groove structure shown.

[0088] Step S1440, continue to refer to Figure 2 A second optical layer 14 is prepared on the side of the first optical layer 13 away from the substrate 11 , and the second optical layer 14 at least partially fills the groove G. An edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer 14 on the substrate 11 does not exceed the orthographic projection of at least one groove G on the substrate 11 .

[0089] According to the method for preparing the display panel provided in the present embodiment, a groove G can be formed in the first optical layer 13 instead of a through hole by using the mask plate provided in any embodiment of the present application. On the one hand, when the second optical layer 14 is subsequently prepared on the first optical layer 13, the groove G can be used to accommodate the overflowed second optical material, and the second optical material can be blocked in the groove G to prevent the second optical material from overflowing to the area of ​​the frame area NA that is farther away from the display area AA, thereby ensuring that the thickness of the area farther away from the display area AA will not be affected by the second optical material, thereby improving the uniformity of the thickness of the frame area NA, and reducing the probability of problems such as printing pits, white spots on the appearance, and jagged defects. On the other hand, since the groove G does not penetrate the first optical layer 13, the first optical layer 13 can provide protection for the touch wiring 120 under the groove G to prevent the touch wiring 120 from being damaged by etching. Combining the above two aspects, it can be seen that the display panel provided by the embodiment of the present application improves the yield of the frame area of ​​the display panel.

[0090] The basic principles of the present application are described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, strengths, effects, etc. mentioned in the present application are only examples and not limitations, and it cannot be considered that these advantages, strengths, effects, etc. are required by each embodiment of the present application. In addition, the specific details disclosed above are only for the purpose of illustration and ease of understanding, not for limitation, and the above details do not limit the present application to being implemented by adopting the above specific details.

[0091] The block diagrams of the devices, apparatuses, equipment, and systems involved in this application are only illustrative examples, and are not intended to require or imply that they must be connected, arranged, and configured in the manner shown in the block diagrams. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these devices, apparatuses, equipment, and systems can be connected, arranged, and configured in any manner. Words such as "including", "comprising", "having", etc. are open words, referring to "including but not limited to", and can be used interchangeably with them. The words "or" and "and" used here refer to the words "and / or" and can be used interchangeably with them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The word "for example" used here refers to the phrase "for example but not limited to", and can be used interchangeably with it.

[0092] It should also be noted that, in the present application, each component or each step can be decomposed and / or recombined. These decompositions and / or recombinations should be regarded as equivalent solutions of the present application. Although multiple exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize some variations, modifications, changes, additions and sub-combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that: The display panel comprises a display area and a frame area, wherein the frame area is located outside the display area, and the display panel further comprises: substrate; A touch metal layer, located on one side of the substrate, the touch metal layer includes touch wiring, and the touch wiring extends from the display area to the frame area; A first optical layer is located on a side of the touch metal layer away from the substrate, the first optical layer comprises at least one groove, the groove is located in the frame area, and at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the groove on the substrate overlaps with the orthographic projection of the touch trace on the substrate; and The second optical layer, at least part of which is located on the side of the first optical layer away from the substrate, at least part of which fills the groove, and an edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer on the substrate does not exceed the orthographic projection of at least one groove on the substrate.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves, and the plurality of grooves are arranged in a direction surrounding the display area; Preferably, the orthographic projections of the plurality of grooves on the substrate overlap with the orthographic projections of the touch lines on the substrate, or the orthographic projections of at least some of the grooves on the substrate are located between the orthographic projections of adjacent touch lines on the substrate; Preferably, the orthographic projections of the plurality of grooves on the substrate overlap with the orthographic projection of the same touch line on the substrate; Preferably, the orthographic projection shape of the groove on the substrate includes any one of a polygon, a circle, and an ellipse; Preferably, in the thickness direction of the substrate, the cross-sectional shape of the groove includes at least one of an inverted trapezoid, a semicircle, and an ellipse.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first optical layer further comprises at least one through hole, wherein the through hole and the groove are arranged in a direction surrounding the display area; the orthographic projection of the through hole on the substrate and the orthographic projection of the touch line on the substrate do not overlap; the edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer on the substrate does not exceed the orthographic projection of the at least one through hole on the substrate; Preferably, at least part of the through holes are connected to the grooves.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a dam, the dam surrounds the display area, and the orthographic projection of the dam on the substrate is located on a side of the orthographic projection of the groove on the substrate close to the display area; Preferably, the at least one groove comprises a near-display-area groove, and a distance between the dam and the near-display-area groove is 100 micrometers to 200 micrometers.

5. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a plurality of light emitting devices on the substrate; the first optical layer includes a plurality of micro lenses, and the orthographic projections of the micro lenses on the substrate overlap with the orthographic projections of the light emitting devices on the substrate; Preferably, part of the second optical layer fills the space between adjacent microlenses; Preferably, the refractive index of the first optical layer is smaller than the refractive index of the second optical layer; Preferably, the substrate further includes a packaging structure located between the light emitting device and the touch metal layer.

6. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first optical layer includes a touch protection layer, and the touch protection layer is in contact with the touch metal layer; Preferably, the material of the first optical layer includes photoresist.

7. A mask plate, characterized in that: include: A transparent substrate comprising a central region and an edge region surrounding the central region; At least one pattern structure, the pattern structure is located on one side of the transparent substrate and in the edge area; the pattern structure includes a semi-transparent portion.

8. The mask plate according to claim 7, characterized in that: The semi-permeable portion includes a semi-permeable membrane, or the semi-permeable portion includes a plurality of light-shielding strips arranged at intervals; Preferably, the at least one pattern structure comprises a plurality of pattern structures, and the plurality of pattern structures are arranged at intervals around the central area; Preferably, the orthographic projection shape of the semi-transparent portion on the transparent substrate includes any one of a rectangle, a circle and an ellipse.

9. The mask plate according to claim 7, characterized in that: The pattern structure further includes a light shielding portion contacting the semi-transmissive portion.

10. A method for preparing a display panel, characterized in that: The display panel includes a display area and a frame area, wherein the frame area is located outside the display area, and the preparation method includes: A touch metal layer is prepared on the substrate, wherein the touch metal layer includes touch wiring, and the touch wiring extends from the display area to the frame area; Preparing a first optical material layer on a side of the touch metal layer away from the substrate; The first optical material layer is patterned using the mask plate described in any one of claims 7 to 9 to form a first optical layer, wherein the first optical layer comprises at least one groove, the groove is located in the frame area, and at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the groove on the substrate overlaps with the orthographic projection of the touch line on the substrate; A second optical layer is prepared on the side of the first optical layer away from the substrate, the second optical layer at least partially fills the groove, and an edge line of the orthographic projection of the second optical layer on the substrate does not exceed the orthographic projection of the at least one groove on the substrate.

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