Electronic device

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a panel, a protective substrate and a first shading structure, the panel is provided with an active area and a peripheral area adjacent to the active area. The protective substrate is arranged opposite to the panel, and the first shading structure is arranged on the surface of the protective substrate and corresponds to the peripheral area. A part of the first shading structure overlapped with the peripheral area is provided with at least one opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to an electronic device with a light shielding structure. Background Art

[0002] Electronic devices, including panels, have become an indispensable necessity in modern society, and consumers have high expectations for the viewing quality and functionality of these electronic devices.

[0003] However, these electronic products still do not meet expectations in all aspects. For example, the light shielding structure of the protective substrate and the active area are prone to produce a visual boundary due to the obvious difference in transmittance. Therefore, developing a structure that can improve the viewing quality or performance of electronic devices is still one of the topics that the industry is committed to researching. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, comprising a panel, a protective substrate, and a first light shielding structure. The panel has an active region and a peripheral region adjacent to the active region. The protective substrate is disposed relative to the panel, and the first light shielding structure is disposed on a surface of the protective substrate and corresponds to the peripheral region. A portion of the first light shielding structure overlapping the peripheral region has at least one opening.

[0005] In order to make the features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, some embodiments are given below with reference to the accompanying drawings for detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a top view of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0007] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 3 A partial top view of a first light shielding structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 4 A partial top view of a first light shielding structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 5 A partial top view of a first light shielding structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0012] Fig. 7AA partial top view of a third light shielding structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 7B A partial top view of a third light shielding structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0015] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C A schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of some components of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0017] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a partial top view of a first light shielding structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of symbols

[0019] 10: Electronic devices

[0020] 10A: Electronic devices

[0021] 10B: Electronic devices

[0022] 10C: Electronic devices

[0023] 100: Panel

[0024] 200: Protective substrate

[0025] 200s1:Surface

[0026] 200s2: Surface

[0027] 300: first light shielding structure

[0028] 300e: Inner edge

[0029] 300e1: Inner edge

[0030] 300P1: Part 1

[0031] 300P2: Part 2

[0032] 300t1:Thickness

[0033] 300t2:Thickness

[0034] 310: Second light shielding structure

[0035] 310e: Inner edge

[0036] 310e1: Outer edge

[0037] 320: The third shading structure

[0038] AA: Active Area

[0039] NAA: Surrounding Area

[0040] OP: Opening

[0041] OP-1: Opening

[0042] OP-2: Opening

[0043] OP-3: Opening

[0044] OP-4: Opening

[0045] PN: Pattern

[0046] Px1: first spacing

[0047] Px2: Second spacing

[0048] Px3: The third spacing

[0049] Pxn: nth spacing

[0050] Pxa: Spacing

[0051] Pxb: Spacing

[0052] Pxc: Spacing

[0053] R1: Region

[0054] SP1: First subsection

[0055] SP2: Second subsection

[0056] SP3: The third subsection

[0057] SPn:nth subpart

[0058] SPw1: Width

[0059] SPw2: Width

[0060] SPw3: Width

[0061] SPwn: width

[0062] S1: Zone 1

[0063] S2: Second Zone

[0064] TR: Translucent Area

[0065] TR-1: light-transmitting area

[0066] TR-2: light-transmitting area

[0067] W1: Width

[0068] Wa: Second width

[0069] Wb: First width DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0071] The present invention can be understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in order to facilitate the understanding of the readers and the simplicity of the drawings, the multiple drawings in the present invention only depict a portion of the electronic device, and the specific components in the drawings are not drawn according to the actual scale. In addition, the number and size of each component in the drawings are only for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0072] Certain words are used throughout the specification and the appended claims to refer to specific components. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that electronic device manufacturers may refer to the same components by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that have the same function but different names. In the following specification and claims, the words "include", "contain", "have" and the like are open-ended words, and therefore should be interpreted as "including but not limited to...". Therefore, when the terms "include", "contain" and / or "have" are used in the description of the present invention, they specify the existence of corresponding features, areas, steps, operations and / or components, but do not exclude the existence of one or more corresponding features, areas, steps, operations and / or components.

[0073] The directional terms mentioned herein, such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", etc., are only references to the directions of the drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustration and not for limiting the present invention. In the drawings, each figure illustrates the general characteristics of the methods, structures and / or materials used in a particular embodiment. However, these drawings should not be interpreted as defining or limiting the scope or nature covered by these embodiments. For example, for clarity, the relative size, thickness and position of each film layer, region and / or structure may be reduced or enlarged.

[0074] The structure (or layer, component, substrate) described in the present invention is located on / above another structure (or layer, component, substrate), which may refer to the two structures being adjacent and directly connected, or it may refer to the two structures being adjacent but not directly connected. Indirect connection means that there is at least one intermediate structure (or intermediate layer, intermediate component, intermediate substrate, intermediate interval) between the two structures, the lower surface of one structure is adjacent to or directly connected to the upper surface of the intermediate structure, and the upper surface of the other structure is adjacent to or directly connected to the lower surface of the intermediate structure. The intermediate structure can be composed of a single-layer or multi-layer physical structure or a non-physical structure, without limitation. In the present invention, when a certain structure is disposed "on" another structure, it may refer to that the certain structure is "directly" on the other structure, or that the certain structure is "indirectly" on the other structure, that is, at least one structure is sandwiched between the certain structure and the other structure.

[0075] The terms "equal to" or "same", "substantially" or "approximately" are generally interpreted as within 20% of a given value or range, or within 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1% or 0.5% of a given value or range.

[0076] The ordinal numbers used in the specification and claims, such as "first", "second", etc., are used to modify components. They do not imply or represent any previous ordinal numbers of the component (or components), nor do they represent the order of one component and another component, or the order of the manufacturing method. The use of these ordinal numbers is only used to make a component with a certain name clearly distinguishable from another component with the same name. The same words may not be used in the claims and the specification. Accordingly, the first component in the specification may be the second component in the claims.

[0077] It should be noted that the following embodiments may replace, reorganize, or mix features in several different embodiments to complete other embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Features between embodiments may be mixed and matched as long as they do not violate the spirit of the invention or conflict with each other.

[0078] The electrical connection or coupling described in the present invention may refer to direct connection or indirect connection. In the case of direct connection, the endpoints of the components on the two circuits are directly connected or connected to each other by a conductor segment, and in the case of indirect connection, there are switches, diodes, capacitors, inductors, other suitable components, or combinations of the above components between the endpoints of the components on the two circuits, but not limited to these.

[0079] In the present invention, the thickness, length, width and area can be measured by an optical microscope, and the thickness can be measured by a cross-sectional image in an electron microscope, but it is not limited to this. In addition, any two values ​​or directions used for comparison may have a certain error. If the first value is equal to the second value, it implies that there may be an error of about 10% between the first value and the second value; if the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, the angle between the first direction and the second direction may be between 80 degrees and 100 degrees; if the first direction is parallel to the second direction, the angle between the first direction and the second direction may be between 0 degrees and 10 degrees.

[0080] Furthermore, it should be understood that according to embodiments of the present invention, an optical microscope (OM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an α-step, an ellipsometer, or other suitable methods may be used to measure the depth, thickness, width, or height of each component, or the spacing or distance between components. According to some embodiments, a scanning electron microscope may be used to obtain a cross-sectional structural image including the components to be measured, and measure the depth, thickness, width, or height of each component, or the spacing or distance between components.

[0081] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device may include a display device, a splicing device, a touch electronic device, a sensing electronic device, a curved electronic device or a non-rectangular electronic device, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device may, for example, include a liquid crystal, a light-emitting diode, fluorescence, phosphorescence, other suitable display media, or a combination of the foregoing, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device may include passive components and active components, such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, diodes, transistors, etc. The diode may include a light-emitting diode (LED) or a photodiode. The light-emitting diode may, for example, include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode (mini LED), a micro LED or a quantum dot light-emitting diode (quantum dot LED), but is not limited thereto. The splicing device may, for example, be a display splicing device, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the electronic device may be any arrangement or combination of the foregoing, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the electronic device may be a bendable or flexible electronic device. In addition, the appearance of the electronic device can be rectangular, circular, polygonal, with curved edges or other suitable shapes. The electronic device can have peripheral systems such as a drive system, a control system, a light source system, a shelf system, etc. to support the display device or the splicing device. For the convenience of description, the following description will be based on the electronic device as a display device, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0082] When the electronic device is a display device, the display device may be a non-self-luminous display device or a self-luminous display device. The display device may include, for example, a diode, a liquid crystal, a light-emitting diode (LED), a quantum dot (QD), fluorescence, phosphor, other suitable display media, or a combination thereof. The light-emitting diode may include, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode (mini LED), a micro light-emitting diode (micro LED), or a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QDLED), but is not limited thereto.

[0083] The electronic device of the present embodiment may be applied to, for example, a digital gallery, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a public information display, and / or other electronic devices that can be used outdoors or in an environment with high-intensity ambient light. The electronic device may include a liquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting diode display panel, a micro-light emitting diode display panel, a reflective display panel, or other suitable display panels, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0084] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the background or context of the relevant technology and the present invention, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner unless specifically defined in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, which includes a specific shading structure design, which can reduce the color difference lines between the shading structure of the protective substrate and the active area, blur and soften the edge between the shading structure and the active area, thereby improving the display image quality.

[0086] Please refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a top view of an electronic device 10 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 In some embodiments of the present invention, the corresponding Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 10 in the region R1. It should be understood that for the sake of clarity, some components of the electronic device 10 may be omitted in the drawings, and only some components are schematically illustrated. According to some embodiments, additional features may be added to the electronic device 10 described below.

[0087] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the electronic device 10 may include a panel 100, a protective substrate 200 and a first light shielding structure 300. The panel 100 may have an active area AA and a peripheral area NAA adjacent to the active area AA. According to some embodiments, the peripheral area NAA may be adjacent to at least one side of the active area AA. According to some embodiments, the peripheral area NAA may be arranged around the active area AA. According to some embodiments, the active area AA may, for example, include a display area, a detection area, a touch area, other suitable application areas or a combination of the foregoing, and the peripheral area NAA may be other areas outside the active area AA. The peripheral area NAA may, for example, include a peripheral routing area, and the peripheral routing area includes an outer lead bonding (OLB) for bonding electronic components (not shown), such as chips, flexible circuit boards and other areas.

[0088] According to some embodiments, the panel 100 may include a display panel, a touch panel, a sensing or detecting device, or a combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the panel 100 may include a curved panel, a rollable panel, a foldable panel, a stretchable panel, or a non-rectangular panel, but is not limited thereto. The panel 100 may include a non-self-luminous panel, a self-luminous panel, a reflective panel, a semi-transmissive reflective panel, or a transparent panel, but is not limited thereto.

[0089] The protective substrate 200 may be disposed relative to the panel 100. The protective substrate 200 may have a surface 200s1 and a surface 200s2. The surface 200s1 is closer to the panel 100, and the surface 200s2 is farther away from the panel 100. The surface 200s2 is adjacent to the viewing surface of the user. Furthermore, the protective substrate 200 may be used to protect structures such as the first light shielding structure 300 and / or the panel 100 located thereunder. According to some embodiments, the protective substrate 200 may selectively provide a surface for touch, operation, or other functional surfaces, but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, other components, such as a touch component or a detection component, may be selectively inserted between the protective substrate 200 and the panel 100, but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, a functional layer (not shown) may be selectively disposed on the protective substrate 200, such as an anti-reflection layer, an anti-glare layer, an anti-fouling layer, an anti-scratch layer, an anti-UV layer, other suitable functional layers, or a combination thereof.

[0090] According to some embodiments, the protective substrate 200 may include a flexible substrate, a rigid substrate, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the material of the protective substrate 200 may include glass, quartz, sapphire, ceramic, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), other suitable materials, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the top view profile of the protective substrate 200 and / or the panel 100 may include any shape, such as a rectangle, a circle, a polygon, or an irregular shape. The surface 200s1 or the surface 200s2 of the protective substrate 200 is not limited to a flat surface, and may also selectively include a curved surface, a wavy surface, or other special shapes. The surface 200s1 and the surface 200s2 of the protective substrate 200 are not limited to extending in parallel, and one of the surface 200s1 and the surface 200s2 may include a curved surface and the other may include a flat surface, but is not limited thereto. The surface 200s1 and the surface 200s2 of the protection substrate 200 may have different curvatures.

[0091] According to some embodiments, the protective substrate 200 may include a first region S1 and a second region S2 adjacent to the first region S1, the first region S1 may overlap the active region AA, the first region S1 may selectively partially overlap the peripheral region NAA or may not overlap the peripheral region NAA. According to some embodiments, the second region S2 may overlap the peripheral region NAA.

[0092] According to some embodiments, the first light shading structure 300 may be disposed on the surface 200s1 of the protective substrate 200 and correspond to the second area S2, and the boundary between the first area S1 and the second area S2 may be defined, for example, by the inner edge 300e of the first light shading structure 300 adjacent to the active area AA. According to some embodiments, the first light shading structure 300 may be disposed on the surface 200s1 of the protective substrate 200 and correspond to the peripheral area NAA of the panel 100. In other embodiments (not shown), the first light shading structure 300 may be selectively disposed on the surface 200s2. According to some embodiments, the first light shading structure 300 corresponds to the peripheral area NAA of the panel 100, which means that, in the direction of looking down on the electronic device 10, the first light shading structure 300 overlaps the peripheral area NAA. When it is mentioned that component A overlaps component B in the direction of looking down on the electronic device 10, it means that component A at least partially overlaps component B. In other embodiments (not shown), the first light shading structure 300 may selectively partially overlap the active area AA. Figure 2 As shown, the portion of the first light shielding structure 300 overlapping the peripheral area NAA may have at least one opening OP. According to some embodiments, the first light shielding structure 300 may include a first portion 300P1 and a second portion 300P2 adjacent to or connected to the first portion 300P1, the first portion 300P1 is closer to the active area AA than the second portion 300P2, and the first portion 300P1 has at least one opening OP. The opening OP may not penetrate or penetrate the first portion 300P1. The opening OP does not penetrate the first portion 300P1, for example, in the normal direction (Z direction) of the protective substrate 200, the depth (for example, the maximum depth) of the opening OP is less than the thickness of the first portion 300P1. The opening OP penetrates the first portion 300P1, for example, in the normal direction (Z direction) of the protective substrate 200, the depth (for example, the maximum depth) of the opening OP is equal to the thickness of the first portion 300P1. According to some embodiments, a portion of the plurality of openings OP may not penetrate the first portion 300P1, while another portion of the plurality of openings OP may penetrate the first portion 300P1. It is worth noting that since the first portion 300P1 closer to the active area AA has the opening OP, the transmittance of the first light shielding structure 300 can be gradually reduced from the active area AA to the peripheral area NAA, and the color difference line between the first light shielding structure 300 and the active area AA can be reduced.

[0093] Furthermore, the first portion 300P1 has a thickness 300t1, the second portion 300P2 has a thickness 300t2, and the thickness 300t1 of the first portion 300P1 is less than the thickness 300t2 of the second portion 300P2. According to some embodiments, the thickness 300t1 of the first portion 300P1 may be between 100 micrometers (μm) and 8000 μm (i.e., 100 μm≤thickness 300t1≤8000 μm). According to some embodiments, the thickness 300t2 of the second portion 300P2 may be between 200 μm and 16000 μm (i.e., 200 μm≤thickness 300t2≤16000 μm). According to some embodiments, in a cross section, the thickness measured at any three locations of the first portion 300P1 in the normal direction (Z direction in the drawing) of the protective substrate 200 is averaged to obtain the aforementioned thickness 300t1. Similarly, in a cross section, the thickness 300t2 is obtained by averaging the thicknesses measured at any three locations of the second portion 300P2 in the normal direction (Z direction in the figure) of the protection substrate 200. According to some embodiments, the first portion 300P1 and / or the second portion 300P2 may have a gradient thickness.

[0094] According to some embodiments, the width W1 of the first portion 300P1 is at least greater than or equal to 1 millimeter (mm), for example, it may be greater than 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, but is not limited thereto. When the width W1 of the first portion 300P1 is at least greater than 1mm or the above-mentioned suitable numerical range, the first light-shielding structure 300 can have sufficient space to produce a gradual change in transmittance, thereby achieving an edge blurring effect. According to some embodiments, the aforementioned width W1 refers to the maximum width of the first portion 300P1 in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction of the protective substrate 200 (for example, the X direction in the accompanying drawings). It should be noted that Figure 2 For example Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the region R1 is shown in FIG. 1 , and the first light shielding structure 300 in the peripheral area NAA corresponding to the other side of the active area AA also has a similar design.

[0095] According to some embodiments, the material of the first light-shielding structure 300 may include photoresist (e.g., black photoresist or other suitable color photoresist), printing ink (e.g., black ink or other suitable color ink), resin (e.g., black resin or other suitable color resin), black metal, other suitable light-shielding materials, or a combination of the foregoing, but is not limited thereto.

[0096] According to some embodiments, the first light shielding structure 300 may be formed by a printing process such as a screen printing process or an inkjet printing process, a coating process, a deposition process, an evaporation process, a sputtering process, screen printing, other suitable processes, or a combination thereof. Then, the first light shielding structure 300 may be patterned by a laser process to form an opening OP in the first portion 300P1, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, by adjusting the parameters of the laser process, a hole having a specific shape, size (aperture, width, length or depth) or a spacing between the openings OP may be formed in the first portion 300P1.

[0097] According to some embodiments, the electronic device 10 may include a second light shielding structure 310, and the second light shielding structure 310 may be disposed in the peripheral area NAA of the panel 100, and a portion of the second light shielding structure 310 overlaps with the first light shielding structure 300 in the top-view direction (e.g., the Z direction) of the electronic device 10. According to some embodiments, a portion of the second light shielding structure 310 may overlap with the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 in the top-view direction (e.g., the Z direction) of the electronic device 10. According to some embodiments, a portion of the second light shielding structure 310 may overlap with the first portion 300P1 and at least a portion of the second portion 300P2 of the first light shielding structure 300 in the top-view direction of the electronic device 10. According to some embodiments, in the top-view direction of the electronic device 10, at least one opening OP of the first light shielding structure 300 overlaps with the second light shielding structure 310. According to some embodiments, the projection of at least one opening OP of the first light shielding structure 300 onto the surface 200s1 of the protective substrate 200 may be located within the projection of the second light shielding structure 310 onto the surface 200s1 of the protective substrate 200. According to some embodiments, the second light shielding structure 310 may be a light shielding structure in the panel 100, and the second light shielding structure 310 is, for example, disposed on one of the substrates (not shown) in the panel 100. According to some embodiments (not shown), the second light shielding structure 310 may be selectively the same material layer as the black photoresist layer disposed in the active area AA of the panel 100, or the second light shielding structure 310 may be selectively the same layer as the black photoresist layer disposed in the active area AA of the panel 100, but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments (not shown), the second light shielding structure 310 may be selectively a material layer different from the black photoresist layer disposed in the active area AA of the panel 100, or the second light shielding structure 310 may be selectively a layer different from the black photoresist layer disposed in the active area AA of the panel 100. According to some embodiments, in the top view direction of the electronic device 10, the contour of the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310 may be substantially corresponding to (e.g., having the same shape) or non-corresponding to (having different shapes) the contour of the inner edge 300e of the first light shielding structure 300. According to some embodiments, the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310 and the inner edge 300e of the first light shielding structure 300 having substantially corresponding contours means that the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310 and the inner edge 300e of the first light shielding structure 300 are substantially equidistant at different positions (e.g., peripheral areas NAA corresponding to different sides of the active area AA), but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the inner edge 310e of the second light shading structure 310 and the inner edge 300e of the first light shading structure 300 have non-corresponding contours, which means that the inner edge 310e of the second light shading structure 310 and the inner edge 300e of the first light shading structure 300 may have different distances at different positions (for example, the peripheral areas NAA corresponding to different sides of the active area AA).According to some embodiments, the inner edge 300e of the first light shielding structure 300 and the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310 may be, for example, not aligned or not aligned. According to some embodiments, in the top view direction of the electronic device 10, the inner edge 300e of the first light shielding structure 300 overlaps with the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310, which may represent that the inner edge 300e of the first light shielding structure 300 is aligned with the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310. Conversely, in the top view direction of the electronic device 10, the inner edge 300e of the first light shielding structure 300 and the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310 do not overlap, which may represent that the inner edge 300e of the first light shielding structure 300 and the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310 are not aligned.

[0098] According to some embodiments, the material of the second light-shielding structure 310 may include photoresist (e.g., black photoresist or other suitable color photoresist), printing ink (e.g., black ink or other suitable color ink), resin (e.g., black resin or other suitable color resin), black metal, other suitable light-shielding materials, or a combination of the foregoing, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] According to some embodiments, the second light shielding structure 310 may be formed by a printing process such as a screen printing process or an inkjet printing process, a coating process, a deposition process, an evaporation process, a sputtering process, other suitable processes, or a combination thereof.

[0100] Next, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 A partial top view of the first light shielding structure 300 of the electronic device 10 is shown according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 A schematic top view of the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 is shown.

[0101] like Figure 3As shown, according to some embodiments, the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 may have a plurality of openings OP, and the first portion 300P1 includes n sub-portions arranged in sequence (for example, the first sub-portion SP1, the second sub-portion SP2, the third sub-portion SP3 ... the nth sub-portion SPn), n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, the first sub-portion SP1 among the n sub-portions is, for example, closest to the active area AA, the second sub-portion SP2 among the n sub-portions is adjacent to the side of the first sub-portion SP1 away from the active area AA, the third sub-portion SP3 among the n sub-portions is adjacent to the side of the second sub-portion SP2 away from the first sub-portion SP1, and so on. In other words, the second sub-portion SP2 may be located between the first sub-portion SP1 and the third sub-portion SP3), and so on. The spacing between two adjacent openings OP in the first sub-portion SP1 is a first spacing Px1, the spacing between two adjacent openings OP in the second sub-portion SP2 among the n sub-portions is a second spacing Px2, and the first spacing Px1 is, for example, smaller than the second spacing Px2, but is not limited thereto. By analogy, the spacing between two adjacent openings OP in the n-1th sub-section SPn-1 among the n sub-sections is the n-1th spacing Pxn-1, and the spacing between two adjacent openings OP in the n-th sub-section SPn among the n sub-sections is the n-th spacing Pxn, and the n-th spacing Pxn is smaller than the n-1th spacing Pxn-1 and / or the second spacing Px2. In this embodiment, the dimensions (length, width or depth) of the plurality of openings OP are substantially the same, and the above-mentioned substantially the same may have an error range of 8%, for example, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the dimensions (length, width or depth) of the plurality of openings OP may be partially different.

[0102] In this configuration, the spacing of the openings OP in the active area AA relatively close to the panel 100 (e.g., the first spacing Px1) is smaller than the spacing of the openings OP relatively far from the active area AA (e.g., the second spacing Px2, and / or the nth spacing Pxn). Therefore, the density of the openings OP in the first light shielding structure 300 relatively close to the active area AA of the panel 100 is larger (or the total area of ​​the openings OP is larger), so the transmittance is larger, while the density of the openings OP in the first light shielding structure 300 relatively far from the active area AA is smaller (or the total area of ​​the openings OP is smaller), so the transmittance is smaller. The transmittance of the first light shielding structure 300 can be gradually reduced from the active area AA to the peripheral area NAA (e.g., the difference in the transmittance of the openings OP in adjacent sub-portions can be between 10% and 20%), thereby achieving a color gradient effect. It should be noted that the above-mentioned transmittance can be gradually reduced from the active area AA to the peripheral area NAA, which is not limited to an equal-proportional reduction, and can also include a non-equal-proportional reduction.

[0103] According to some embodiments, the aforementioned spacing refers to the distance between the same sides of two adjacent openings OP, or the aforementioned spacing may also refer to the distance between the centers of two adjacent openings OP, and the center of the opening OP may be a geometric center. For example, if the opening OP is circular, the center of the opening OP may be the center of the circle; if the opening OP has a rectangular or square shape, the center may be the intersection of two diagonal lines; if the opening OP is an irregular shape and the center cannot be defined in the aforementioned manner, a minimum circle that can surround the opening may be drawn, and the center of the minimum circle may be defined as the center of the opening OP.

[0104] As mentioned above, although the openings OP shown in the drawings are all circular, this is not limited to this. According to some embodiments, in the top view, the opening OP of the first light shielding structure 300 may have a circular, rectangular or triangular shape, but is not limited thereto. According to different embodiments, the opening OP may have any other suitable shape, for example, an ellipse, other polygons, irregular shapes, etc. According to some embodiments, the multiple openings OP of the first light shielding structure 300 may all have the same shape. According to other embodiments, the first light shielding structure 300 may have multiple openings OP with different shapes.

[0105] According to some embodiments, the difference between the second pitch Px2 and the first pitch Px1 is at least less than or equal to 20μm, 19μm, 18μm, 17μm, 16μm, 15μm, 14μm, 13μm, 12μm, 11μm or 10μm. According to some embodiments, in the arrangement direction of the first portion 300P1 and the second portion 300P2 (e.g., the X direction in the drawings), the widths of at least two of the n sub-portions are not equal, for example, the width SPw1 of the first sub-portion SP1 is different from the width SPw2 of the second sub-portion SP2, the width SPw2 of the second sub-portion SP2 is different from the width SPw3 of the third sub-portion SP3, and so on. According to some embodiments, the width SPw1 of the first sub-portion SP1 may be smaller than the width SPw2 of the second sub-portion SP2, the width SPw2 of the second sub-portion SP2 may be smaller than the width SPw3 of the third sub-portion SP3, and so on. According to some embodiments, the width SPw1 of the first sub-portion SP1, the width SPw2 of the second sub-portion SP2, the width SPw3 of the third sub-portion SP3 to the width SPwn of the nth sub-portion SPn may be gradually increased, but not limited thereto. It should be noted that the widths of the above sub-portions may be gradually increased, and may not be limited to an equal-proportional increase, and may also include a non-equal-proportional increase.

[0106] As mentioned above, according to some embodiments, the transmittance of the first sub-portion SP1 may be greater than the transmittance of the second sub-portion SP2 among the n sub-portions, and the difference between the transmittance of the first sub-portion SP1 and the transmittance of the second sub-portion SP2 is less than or equal to 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6% or 5%. According to some embodiments, the transmittance of the second sub-portion SP2 may be greater than the transmittance of the third sub-portion SP3, and the difference between the transmittance of the second sub-portion SP2 and the transmittance of the third sub-portion SP3 is less than or equal to 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6% or 5%. Similarly, the transmittance of the opening OP of the first light shielding structure 300 relatively close to the active area AA of the panel 100 is higher, and the transmittance of the opening OP of the first light shielding structure 300 relatively far from the active area AA is lower. The transmittance of the first light shielding structure 300 may be gradually reduced from the active area AA to the peripheral area NAA, thereby achieving a color gradient effect.

[0107] It should be noted that Figure 3 For example, only a partial cross-sectional view is illustrated, and the first light shielding structure 300 in the peripheral area NAA corresponding to other sides of the active area AA also has a similar design.

[0108] Next, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 A partial top view of the first light shielding structure 300 of the electronic device 10 is shown according to some other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 A schematic top view of the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 is shown.

[0109] like Figure 4 As shown, according to some embodiments, in the arrangement direction of the first portion 300P1 and the second portion 300P2 (e.g., the X direction in the figure), the widths of the n sub-portions are substantially equal, for example, the width SPw1 of the first sub-portion SP1 is substantially the same as the width SPw2 of the second sub-portion SP2, the width SPw2 of the second sub-portion SP2 is substantially the same as the width SPw3 of the third sub-portion SP3, and the width SPw of the third sub-portion SP3 is substantially the same as the width SPn of the nth sub-portion SPn. According to other embodiments, the widths of some sub-portions are the same, while the widths of other sub-portions are different.

[0110] It should be noted that Figure 4 For example, only a partial cross-sectional view is illustrated, and the first light shielding structure 300 in the peripheral area NAA corresponding to other sides of the active area AA also has a similar design.

[0111] It should be understood that although the interfaces between the n sub-sections of the first section 300P1 in the drawings are substantially straight lines, this is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments (not shown), the interfaces between the n sub-sections of the first section 300P1 may be wavy, curved, irregular, or other suitable shapes, but this is not limited thereto.

[0112] Next, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A partial top view of the first light shielding structure 300 of the electronic device 10 is shown according to some other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 A schematic top view of the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 is shown.

[0113] like Figure 5 As shown, according to some embodiments, the opening OP of the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 may have different sizes. According to some embodiments, in the top-view direction (e.g., Z direction) of the electronic device 10, the size of the opening OP (labeled as OP-1) closer to the active area AA among the multiple openings OP is larger than the size of the opening OP (labeled as OP-2) farther away from the active area AA among the multiple openings OP. In other words, the size of the opening OP (labeled as OP-1) relatively close to the active area AA is larger than the size of the opening OP (labeled as OP-2) relatively far away from the active area AA. The size of the opening OP (labeled as OP-2) relatively close to the active area AA is larger than the size of the opening OP (labeled as OP-3) relatively far away from the active area AA. The size of the opening OP (labeled as OP-3) relatively close to the active area AA is larger than the size of the opening OP (labeled as OP-4) relatively far away from the active area AA, and so on. In this embodiment, the spacing Pxa between the openings OP (e.g., the opening OP-1 and the opening OP-2) relatively close to the active area AA is substantially equal to the spacing Pxb between the openings OP (e.g., the opening OP-2 and the opening OP-3) relatively far from the active area AA, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The spacing Pxb between the openings OP (e.g., the opening OP-2 and the opening OP-3) relatively close to the active area AA is substantially equal to the spacing Pxc between the openings OP (e.g., the opening OP-3 and the opening OP-4) relatively far from the active area AA, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0114] In this configuration, the area of ​​the opening OP of the first light shading structure 300 relatively close to the active area AA of the panel 100 is larger (higher transmittance), while the area of ​​the opening OP of the first light shading structure 300 relatively far from the active area AA is smaller (lower transmittance). The transmittance of the first light shading structure 300 can be gradually reduced from the active area AA to the peripheral area NAA, thereby achieving a color gradient effect.

[0115] It should be noted that Figure 5For example, only a partial cross-sectional view is illustrated, and the first light shielding structure 300 in the peripheral area NAA corresponding to other sides of the active area AA also has a similar design.

[0116] In other embodiments (not shown), the design of the first light shading structure 300 not only complies with the requirement that the size of the openings OP relatively close to the active area AA is larger than the size of the openings OP relatively far from the active area AA, but also can complies with the requirement that the number of openings OP of the first light shading structure 300 relatively close to the active area AA of the panel 100 is larger or the density is higher (higher transmittance), while the number of openings OP of the first light shading structure 300 relatively far from the active area AA is smaller or the density is lower (lower transmittance), thereby achieving a color gradient effect.

[0117] Next, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic device 10A according to some other embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 In some embodiments of the present invention, the corresponding Figure 1 It should be understood that the same or similar components (or components) as those in the previous text will be represented by the same or similar reference numerals, and their materials, manufacturing methods and functions are the same or similar to those described in the previous text, so this part will not be repeated in the following text.

[0118] Figure 6 The electronic device 10A is substantially similar to the aforementioned electronic device 10, and the electronic device 10A may further include a third light shielding structure 320, and the third light shielding structure 320 is, for example, disposed between the first light shielding structure 300 and the protective substrate 200, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the transmittance of a portion of the third light shielding structure 320 that is closer to the active area AA is higher than the transmittance of another portion that is farther away from the active area AA, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, in the Z direction, the third light shielding structure 320 may be selectively disposed between the first light shielding structure 300 and the panel 100, or the third light shielding structure 320 may be selectively disposed on the surface 200s2 of the protective substrate 200. In some embodiments, the third light shielding structure 320 and the first light shielding structure 300 may be in contact with each other or another transparent material layer (not shown) may be disposed between the two.

[0119] According to some embodiments (not shown), the thickness of the third light shielding structure 320 can be adjusted so that the transmittance of the portion adjacent to the active area AA is higher than the transmittance of another portion away from the active area AA. For example, the portion of the third light shielding structure 320 adjacent to the active area AA has a thickness 320t1, and the portion of the third light shielding structure 320 away from the active area AA has a thickness 320t2, and the thickness 320t1 can be, for example, smaller than the thickness 320t2, thereby making the portion of the third light shielding structure 320 adjacent to the active area AA have a relatively high transmittance, achieving a gradual transmittance effect.

[0120] Alternatively, please refer to Fig. 7A According to some other embodiments, by adjusting the size of the light-transmitting region TR of the third light-shielding structure 320, for example, the portion of the third light-shielding structure 320 closer to the active area AA has a relatively larger light-transmitting region TR (labeled as TR1), and the portion of the third light-shielding structure 320 farther from the active area AA has a relatively smaller light-transmitting region TR (labeled as TR2), so that the portion of the third light-shielding structure 320 closer to the active area AA has a relatively higher transmittance, thereby achieving a gradual effect of transmittance, but is not limited to this.

[0121] Alternatively, please refer to Figure 7B According to some other embodiments, the transmittance of the third light shading structure 320 can be controlled by adjusting the distribution density of the pattern PN of the third light shading structure 320. For example, the distribution density of the pattern PN of the third light shading structure 320 closer to the active area AA is smaller, and the distribution density of the pattern PN of the third light shading structure 320 farther from the active area AA is larger. As a result, the portion of the third light shading structure 320 closer to the active area AA has a relatively high transmittance, thereby achieving a gradual effect of the transmittance, but is not limited to this.

[0122] In some embodiments, the third light shielding structure 320, the first light shielding structure 300 and / or the second light shielding structure 310 may be made of different or similar materials. For example, the material of the third light shielding structure 320 may refer to the description of the first light shielding structure 300. Similarly, the third light shielding structure 320 may be formed by a printing process such as a screen printing process or an inkjet printing process, a coating process, a deposition process, an evaporation process, a sputtering process, other suitable processes, or a combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the third light shielding structure 320 and the first light shielding structure 300 are formed by the same or different manufacturing processes, but are not limited thereto.

[0123] Next, please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic device 10B according to some other embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 8 In some embodiments of the present invention, the corresponding Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the electronic device 10B in the area R1.

[0124] Figure 8 The electronic device 10B is substantially similar to the aforementioned electronic device 10, but in the electronic device 10B, the inner edge 300e of the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 and the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310 may be aligned. In some embodiments, the inner edge 300e1 of the second portion 300P2 of the first light shielding structure 300 and the outer edge 310e1 of the second light shielding structure 310 may be aligned or not aligned.

[0125] Next, please refer to Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 A partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an electronic device 10C according to some other embodiments of the present invention is shown. Fig. 9 In some embodiments of the present invention, the corresponding Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the electronic device 10C in the area R1.

[0126] Fig. 9 The electronic device 10C is substantially similar to the aforementioned electronic device 10, but in the electronic device 10C, the thickness 300t1 of the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 and the thickness 300t2 of the second portion 300P2 are substantially the same. In this embodiment, the density of the openings OP of the first light shielding structure 300 relatively close to the active area AA of the panel 100 is higher (higher transmittance), while the density of the openings OP of the first light shielding structure 300 relatively far from the active area AA is lower (lower transmittance), and the transmittance of the first light shielding structure 300 can be gradually reduced from the active area AA to the peripheral area NAA, thereby achieving a color gradient effect. In this embodiment, the inner edge 300e of the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 and the inner edge 310e of the second light shielding structure 310 can be aligned or not aligned.

[0127] Next, please refer to FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C , FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C The cross-sectional structure diagram of some components of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Specifically, FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C A partial cross-sectional structural diagram of the protection substrate 200 and the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 of the electronic device is shown.

[0128] The first light shielding structure 300 is disposed on the surface 200s1 of the protective substrate 200. As mentioned above, an opening OP can be formed in the first portion 300P1 of the first light shielding structure 300 by a laser manufacturing process. The opening OP has, for example, a first width Wb and a second width Wa. The first width Wb is, for example, a width away from the surface 200s1 of the protective substrate 200, and the second width Wa is, for example, a width adjacent to the surface 200s1 of the protective substrate 200. Fig. 10A As shown, according to some embodiments, the first width Wb of the opening OP is substantially equal to the second width Wa, and the cross-sectional width (not marked) substantially corresponding to the middle region of the opening OP may also be substantially equal to the first width Wb or the second width Wa. Fig. 10B as well as Fig. 10C As shown, according to some embodiments, the first width Wb of the opening OP is different from the second width Wb. According to some embodiments, as Fig. 10B As shown, the first width Wb of the opening OP is smaller than the second width Wa, and the cross-sectional width (not shown) substantially corresponding to the middle region of the opening OP may be smaller than the second width Wa and larger than the first width Wb. Fig. 10C As shown, the first width Wb of the opening OP is greater than the second width Wa, and a cross-sectional width (not marked) substantially corresponding to a middle region of the opening OP may be greater than the second width Wa and less than the first width Wb.

[0129] Next, please refer to Fig.11 , Fig.11 A partial top view schematic diagram of the first light shielding structure 300 of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0130] As described above, the first light shielding structure 300 (first portion 300P1) may have a plurality of openings OP, and the spacing between two adjacent openings OP adjacent to the active area AA (e.g., the first spacing Px1) is smaller than the spacing between two adjacent openings OP relatively far from the active area AA (e.g., the second spacing Px2). Similarly, the spacing between two adjacent openings OP adjacent to the active area AA (e.g., the second spacing Px2) is smaller than the spacing between two adjacent openings OP relatively far from the active area AA (e.g., the third spacing Px3). In this embodiment, the spacing between the openings OP may vary continuously and progressively. Specifically, in the X direction, the spacing between any two adjacent openings OP may be different. As the distance from the active area AA increases, the spacing between any two adjacent openings OP also gradually increases. In some embodiments, the difference between the second spacing Px2 and the first spacing Px1 (i.e., Px2-Px1) is, for example, the same as or different from the difference between the second spacing Px2 and the third spacing Px3 (i.e., Px3-Px2). In some embodiments, the ratio of the second pitch Px2 to the first pitch Px1 (ie, Px2 / Px1) is the same as or different from the ratio of the second pitch Px2 to the third pitch Px3 (ie, Px3 / Px2). In this embodiment, the sizes of the plurality of openings OP are substantially the same.

[0131] In this configuration, the spacing of the openings OP relatively close to the active area AA (for example, the first spacing Px1) is smaller than the spacing of the openings OP relatively far from the active area AA (for example, the second spacing Px2, the third spacing Px3). Therefore, the density of the openings OP of the first light shading structure 300 relatively close to the active area AA is higher (higher transmittance), and the density of the openings OP of the first light shading structure 300 relatively far from the active area AA is lower (lower transmittance). Moreover, since the spacing between the openings OP decreases continuously and gradually, the change in transmittance also decreases continuously and gradually (for example, the difference in transmittance between adjacent openings OP may be between 1% and 10%, between 1% and 8%, between 1% and 7%, between 1% and 6%, or between 1% and 5%), thereby achieving a softer color gradient effect.

[0132] In summary, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the provided electronic device includes a specific shading structure design, which can reduce the color difference lines between the shading structure of the protective substrate and the active area, and blur and soften the edges between the shading structure and the active area, thereby enhancing the integrated black effect in the dark state and making the display image in the bright state have a sense of extension, thereby improving the performance of the electronic device.

[0133] Although the embodiments of the present invention and its advantages have been disclosed as above, it should be understood that any person skilled in the art can make changes, substitutions and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The features between the embodiments of the present invention can be mixed and matched as needed as long as they do not violate the spirit of the invention or conflict with each other. In addition, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the manufacturing process, machine, manufacturing, material composition, device, method and steps in the specific embodiment described in the specification. Any person skilled in the art can understand the current or future developed manufacturing process, machine, manufacturing, material composition, device, method and steps from the disclosure of the present invention. As long as the same functions can be implemented in the embodiments described herein or the same results can be obtained, they can be used according to the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention includes the above-mentioned manufacturing process, machine, manufacturing, material composition, device, method and steps. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the attached claims. Any embodiment or claim of the present invention does not need to achieve all the purposes, advantages and features disclosed in the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: A panel having an active area and a peripheral area adjacent to the active area; A protective substrate, disposed relative to the panel; as well as The first light shielding structure is disposed on the surface of the protection substrate and corresponds to the peripheral area, wherein a portion of the first light shielding structure overlapping the peripheral area has at least one opening.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first shading structure includes a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion, the thickness of the first portion is less than the thickness of the second portion, the first portion is closer to the active area than the second portion, the first portion has at least one opening, and the width of the first portion is at least greater than or equal to 1 mm.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The first part of the first shading structure has a plurality of openings, and the first part includes n sub-parts arranged in sequence, where n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, a first sub-part among the n sub-parts is closest to the active area, a second sub-part among the n sub-parts is adjacent to a side of the first sub-part away from the active area, a spacing between two adjacent openings in the first sub-part is a first spacing, a spacing between two adjacent openings in the second sub-part is a second spacing, and the first spacing is smaller than the second spacing.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The difference between the second spacing and the first spacing is less than or equal to 20 μm.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: In the arrangement direction of the first portion and the second portion, widths of at least two of the n sub-portions are unequal.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The first portion includes n sub-portions arranged in sequence, n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, the first sub-portion among the n sub-portions is closest to the active area, the second sub-portion among the n sub-portions is adjacent to a side of the first sub-portion away from the active area, the transmittance of the first sub-portion is greater than the transmittance of the second sub-portion, and the difference between the transmittance of the first sub-portion and the transmittance of the second sub-portion is less than or equal to 10%.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic device further comprises a second light shielding structure disposed in the peripheral area of ​​the panel, wherein a portion of the second light shielding structure overlaps the first light shielding structure in a top-view direction of the electronic device.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The at least one opening of the first light-shielding structure overlaps with the second light-shielding structure.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The first light shielding structure has a plurality of openings, wherein a size of a first opening closer to the active region among the plurality of openings is larger than a size of a second opening farther from the active region among the plurality of openings.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also comprises a third light shielding structure, which is arranged between the first light shielding structure and the protection substrate, wherein the transmittance of a portion of the third light shielding structure closer to the active region is higher than the transmittance of another portion farther from the active region.

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