Display panel and display device

Abstract

The present application discloses a display panel and a display device. The display panel includes a pixel matrix, a first retaining wall, a second retaining wall, and a first film layer. The pixel matrix, composed of a plurality of pixels, is located in a display area and a first virtual area. Adjacent subpixels of any two adjacent pixels arranged along a first direction have the same color, and any two adjacent subpixels arranged along a second direction have different colors. The geometric centers of the two subpixels constituting the same pixel are arranged along a third direction. The first retaining wall is located in the first virtual area and surrounds the periphery of the pixel matrix. The second retaining wall is located in the second virtual area and surrounds the first retaining wall. The first film layer is located in the second virtual area and is located between the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall. The present application can reduce the bezel size of the display panel while ensuring uniform film formation in the display area of ​​the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In traditional display panels, when using inkjet printing (IJP) technology to prepare organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panels, during the drying and film-forming process of the inkjet-printed solution, solvent vapor evaporates primarily from the droplet's edge regions, while the solution volume changes primarily in the droplet's center. This causes a solution flow from the center to the edge of the droplet. This flow drives solute migration toward the droplet's edge, ultimately depositing at the edge. This results in a thicker-at-the-edges, thinner-at-the-center deposition morphology of the light-emitting functional layer of the traditional display panel, creating a coffee ring effect. This effect occurs because the saturated vapor pressures of pixels at the edge of the display area differ from those in the center, leading to different drying atmospheres. This causes the edge pixels to dry too quickly, resulting in an uneven film thickness in the display area. Traditional display panels employ a larger number of dummy pixels in the non-display area, so that the uneven film thickness regions are formed on the dummy pixels in the non-display area. This ensures a consistent drying atmosphere between the center and edge of the display area during the drying and film-forming process.

[0003] However, since a large number of virtual pixels are provided in the non-display area, it is difficult to reduce the size of the non-display area, which is not conducive to achieving the narrow-frame design requirement of the display panel.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new technical solution to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a display panel and a display device, which can reduce the frame size of the display panel while ensuring uniform film formation in the display area of ​​the display panel.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the technical solutions of this application are as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a display panel, comprising a display area, a first virtual area disposed around the display area, and a second virtual area disposed around the first virtual area;

[0008] The display panel includes:

[0009] a pixel matrix composed of a plurality of pixels, located in the display area and the first virtual area, each pixel including two sub-pixels having different colors, the pixel matrix including a first direction and a second direction; wherein, adjacent sub-pixels of any two adjacent pixels arranged along the first direction have the same color, and any two adjacent sub-pixels arranged along the second direction have different colors, and the geometric centers of the two sub-pixels constituting the same pixel are arranged along a third direction, the third direction being located on a plane formed by the first and second directions, and the third direction being non-parallel to either the first or second directions;

[0010] a first retaining wall, located in the first virtual area and surrounding the periphery of the pixel matrix;

[0011] a second retaining wall, located in the second virtual area and disposed around the first retaining wall; and

[0012] The first film layer is located in the second virtual area, and the first film layer is located between the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present application, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, a first angle is formed between the third direction and the first direction, a second angle is formed between the third direction and the second direction, and the sum of the first angle and the second angle is equal to 90 degrees;

[0014] The sub-pixels include light-emitting sub-pixels and virtual sub-pixels, the light-emitting sub-pixels are located in the display area, and the virtual sub-pixels are located in the first virtual area;

[0015] The virtual sub-pixel and the light-emitting sub-pixel adjacent to each other in the first direction have different colors.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present application, the colors of two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction are different.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present application, the colors of the three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction are different.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present application, two adjacent virtual sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the first direction are spaced apart by two virtual sub-pixels.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present application, the colors of two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction are different.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present application, the colors of the three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction are different.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present application, two adjacent virtual sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the second direction are spaced apart by two virtual sub-pixels.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present application, the virtual sub-pixel and the light-emitting sub-pixel adjacent to the second direction have different colors.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present application, a plurality of light-emitting sub-pixels and dummy sub-pixels having the same color are arranged in a row along a fourth direction, and the geometric centers of the plurality of light-emitting sub-pixels and dummy sub-pixels in the same row are located on the same straight line;

[0024] The fourth direction is perpendicular to the third direction.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present application, the display panel includes:

[0026] substrate;

[0027] A plurality of anodes are provided on the substrate and located in the display area;

[0028] a first pixel defining layer disposed on the substrate and located in the display area and the first dummy area; a portion of the first pixel defining layer located in the display area is provided with a plurality of first openings, each of the first openings exposing one of the anodes; a portion of the first pixel defining layer located in the first dummy area is provided with a plurality of second openings, each of the second openings exposing a portion of the substrate;

[0029] a first light-emitting functional layer, disposed on the first pixel defining layer and covering the plurality of first openings and the second openings, wherein the first light-emitting functional layer located within the first openings forms the light-emitting sub-pixels, and the first light-emitting functional layer located within the second openings forms the virtual sub-pixels;

[0030] a second pixel defining layer, disposed on the substrate, the second pixel defining layer comprising the first barrier wall and the second barrier wall, the thickness of the first pixel defining layer being smaller than the thickness of the second pixel defining layer;

[0031] The first film layer is provided on the substrate, and an average thickness of the first film layer is greater than an average thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present application, the material of the first film layer is the same as the material of the first light-emitting functional layer.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present application, the first retaining wall comprises:

[0034] two first sub-segments, disposed on the substrate, the first sub-segments extending along the first direction, the two first sub-segments spaced apart along the second direction, the first sub-segments located in the first dummy area, and the thickness of the first sub-segments being greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining layer; and

[0035] two second sub-segments, disposed on the substrate, the second sub-segments extending along the second direction, the two second sub-segments spaced apart along the first direction, the second sub-segments located in the first dummy area, and the thickness of the second sub-segments being greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining layer;

[0036] The first pixel defining layer is located between the two first sub-segments, the first pixel defining layer is located between the two second sub-segments, a portion of the first film layer is located between the first sub-segment and the second retaining wall, and another portion of the first film layer is located between the second sub-segment and the second retaining wall.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present application, at least part of the pattern of the first sub-segment and at least part of the pattern of the second sub-segment are in one of the following shapes: a straight line shape, a broken line shape, and a curved line shape.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present application, the second pixel defining layer further includes:

[0039] a third retaining wall, provided on the substrate and located in the second virtual area, the third retaining wall being located between the first sub-segment and the second retaining wall, and the third retaining wall connecting the first sub-segment and the second retaining wall; and

[0040] a fourth retaining wall, provided on the substrate and located in the second virtual area, the fourth retaining wall being located between the second sub-segment and the second retaining wall, and the fourth retaining wall connecting the second sub-segment and the second retaining wall;

[0041] The adjacent third retaining wall and the adjacent fourth retaining wall form a corner area in the second virtual area, and the average thickness of the first film layer in the corner area is greater than the average thickness of the first film layer outside the corner area.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present application, the first pixel defining layer includes a plurality of first pixel defining portions, the first pixel defining portions extending along a fourth direction, the first pixel defining portions being located in the display area and the first dummy area, a portion of the first pixel defining portion located in the display area being provided with a plurality of first openings, a portion of the first pixel defining portion located in the first dummy area being provided with a plurality of second openings, and the first retaining wall being provided around the periphery of the plurality of first pixel defining portions;

[0043] The second pixel defining layer further includes a plurality of fifth retaining walls, the fifth retaining walls being provided on the substrate and extending along the fourth direction, the fifth retaining walls being located between the display area and the first dummy area, and the ends of the fifth retaining walls being connected to the first retaining walls respectively;

[0044] The first light-emitting functional layer includes a plurality of first sublayers, the first sublayers extending along the fourth direction, the first sublayers being disposed on the first pixel defining portion and covering the plurality of first openings and the second openings, the first sublayers located within the first openings forming the light-emitting subpixels, and the first sublayers located within the second openings forming the dummy subpixels;

[0045] The first pixel defining portions and the fifth blocking walls are alternately arranged along the third direction.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present application, the colors of three adjacent first sub-layers in the third direction are different.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present application, the first pixel defining layer includes a plurality of first pixel defining portions, the first pixel defining portions extending along the third direction, and the first pixel defining portions being located in the display area and the first dummy area;

[0048] The second pixel defining layer further includes a plurality of fifth retaining walls, the fifth retaining walls being provided on the first pixel defining layer and extending along the fourth direction, the fifth retaining walls being located in the display area and the first dummy area, the ends of the fifth retaining walls being connected to the first retaining walls respectively, the plurality of first pixel defining portions and the plurality of fifth retaining walls intersecting to form a plurality of opening patterns, the opening pattern located in the display area being a first opening, and the opening pattern located in the first dummy area being a second opening;

[0049] The first light-emitting functional layer includes a plurality of first sublayers, the first sublayers extending along the fourth direction and being located between two adjacent fifth blocking walls, the first sublayers covering the plurality of first openings and the second openings, the first sublayers located within the first openings forming the light-emitting subpixels, and the first sublayers located within the second openings forming the virtual subpixels;

[0050] The first retaining walls and the first sub-layers are alternately arranged along the third direction.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present application, two first sub-layers adjacent to each other in the third direction have different colors.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present application, the material of the first pixel defining layer includes a lyophilic material, and the material of the second pixel defining layer includes a lyophobic material.

[0053] In a second aspect, the present application proposes a display device, comprising a display panel, the display panel comprising a display area, a first virtual area arranged around the display area, and a second virtual area arranged around the first virtual area; the display panel comprising a pixel matrix, a first retaining wall, a second retaining wall, and a first film layer, wherein a pixel matrix composed of a plurality of pixel points is located in the display area and the first virtual area, each of the pixel points comprises two sub-pixels with different colors, and the pixel matrix comprises a first direction and a second direction; wherein, the adjacent two sub-pixels of any two adjacent pixel points arranged along the first direction have the same color, and the adjacent two sub-pixels arranged along the second direction have different colors, and the geometric centers of the two sub-pixels constituting the same pixel point are arranged along a third direction, the third direction is located on a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, and the third direction is not parallel to the first direction and the second direction; the first retaining wall is located in the first virtual area and is arranged around the periphery of the pixel matrix; the second retaining wall is located in the second virtual area and is arranged around the first retaining wall; the first film layer is provided on the substrate and is located in the second virtual area, and the first film layer is located between the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall.

[0054] In the present application, on the one hand, by adjusting the arrangement mode, arrangement position and relative angle of sub-pixels, sub-pixels of the same color are arranged in rows along the same direction, so that the sub-pixel array can be printed obliquely row by row using line bank technology. The OLED display panel of the present application is compatible with Pentile technology and line bank printing technology, which effectively reduces the process difficulty of the OLED display panel compared to the existing technology. On the other hand, when the display panel is prepared using inkjet printing technology, ink containing the first light-emitting functional layer material is printed in the display area and the first virtual area, and ink containing the first film layer material is printed in the second virtual area. After the ink is printed, it needs to be dried to form a film. In the process of drying and forming the film, the solvent in the ink containing the first light-emitting functional layer material in the display area and the first virtual area and the solvent in the ink containing the first film layer material in the second virtual area are dried and volatilized at the same time, forming the first light-emitting functional layer in the display area and the first virtual area, and forming the first film layer in the second virtual area. During the drying process, the second virtual area is arranged around the display area and forms a first dry atmosphere, so that the saturated vapor pressure at the center of the display area and the edge of the display area is the same, and the second dry atmosphere at the center of the display area is the same as the third dry atmosphere at the edge of the display area. Therefore, the uniformity of the film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer at the center and the edge of the display area can be ensured. In the present application, since the pixel definition layer structure between multiple virtual pixels in a traditional display panel is omitted above the substrate of the second virtual area, the unit area of ​​the second virtual area of ​​the present application can accommodate more ink containing the first film layer material compared to the non-display area of ​​the traditional display panel during inkjet printing. That is, for the minimum amount of ink required to form the first dry atmosphere, the structure of the first film layer used in the present application can reduce the number of virtual pixels in the first virtual area compared to the structure of multiple virtual pixels used in traditional display panels. Therefore, the area of ​​the non-display area formed by the first virtual area and the second virtual area can be set smaller. Under the premise of ensuring uniform film formation in the display area of ​​the display panel, the frame size of the display panel can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional display panel;

[0056] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a conventional display panel taken along line BB' is shown;

[0057] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a display panel of the present application;

[0058] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of pixel arrangement at position E of the display panel shown;

[0059] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of sub-pixel arrangement of the display panel shown;

[0060] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along line FF';

[0061] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of position G of the display panel shown;

[0062] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the sub-pixel arrangement at position E of the display panel shown;

[0063] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged view of the display panel at H is shown;

[0064] Figure 10 yes Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the sub-pixel arrangement at position E of the display panel shown;

[0065] Figure 11 yes Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the sub-pixel arrangement at position E of the display panel shown;

[0066] Figure 12 yes Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the sub-pixel arrangement at E of the display panel is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The meanings of the terms used in this specification and claims correspond to those commonly understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification and claims are intended solely to facilitate the description and understanding of this application and are not intended to limit this application to the narrow interpretations of the specific terms used in the specification and claims.

[0068] See also Figure 1 The conventional display panel 100a includes a display area AA and a non-display area NA surrounding the display area AA. The conventional display panel 100a includes a conventional light-emitting functional layer. The portion of the conventional light-emitting functional layer located in the display area forms a plurality of light-emitting pixels P1, while the portion of the conventional light-emitting functional layer located in the non-display area forms a plurality of dummy pixels P2.

[0069] See also Figure 2In a conventional display panel 100a, when an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel is prepared using inkjet printing technology (IJP), during the drying and film-forming process of the inkjet-printed solution, solvent vapor evaporates mainly from the edge region of the droplet, while the solution volume change mainly occurs in the center region of the droplet. This causes a solution flow from the center to the edge of the droplet. This flow drives the solute to migrate toward the edge of the droplet and eventually deposit at the edge, resulting in a deposition morphology in which the light-emitting functional layer 12a of the conventional display panel 100a is thick at the edge and thin at the center, producing a coffee ring effect. That is, since the saturated vapor pressure of the edge pixels of the display area AA and the middle pixels of the display area AA are different, the drying atmosphere is different, which causes the edge pixels of the display area AA to dry too quickly, resulting in uneven film thickness in the display area. The traditional display panel 100a sets more virtual pixels P2 in the non-display area NA, so that the area with uneven film thickness is formed on the virtual pixels P2 in the non-display area, so as to ensure the consistency of the drying atmosphere in the center of the display area AA and the edge NA of the display area during the drying and film forming process of the traditional display panel 100a.

[0070] However, since the conventional display panel 100 a has a large number of virtual pixels P2 disposed in the non-display area NA, it is difficult to reduce the size of the non-display area NA, which is not conducive to achieving the narrow-frame design requirement of the display panel.

[0071] This application proposes a display device, which can be a tablet computer, an e-reader, an electronic display screen, a laptop computer, a mobile phone, an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) device, a media player, a wearable device, a digital camera, an in-car navigation system, etc. The display device includes a display panel 100.

[0072] The present application proposes a display panel 100 , which is an organic light emitting diode display panel 100 .

[0073] In the first embodiment of the present application:

[0074] See also Figure 3 , the display panel 100 includes a display area AA, a first virtual area NA1 disposed around the display area AA, and a second virtual area NA2 disposed around the first virtual area NA1.

[0075] See also Figure 4The display panel also includes a pixel matrix consisting of a plurality of pixels W, located in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1. Each pixel W includes two sub-pixels having different colors. The pixel matrix includes a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. The adjacent sub-pixels of any two adjacent pixels W arranged along the first direction D1 have the same color. Any two adjacent sub-pixels arranged along the second direction D2 have different colors.

[0076] See also Figure 4 In a pixel matrix composed of a plurality of pixel points W, each pixel point W includes two sub-pixels of different colors. The plurality of sub-pixels constituting the pixel matrix include a red sub-pixel 110, a green sub-pixel 120, and a blue sub-pixel 130. Two sub-pixels of different colors constitute a pixel point W. In this embodiment, a repeating unit A has 3*3 pixel points W, where the sub-pixels in each row are arranged in the following order:

[0077] 110 / 120 / 120 / 130 / 130 / 110&130 / 110 / 110 / 120 / 120 / 130&120 / 130 / 130 / 110 / 110 / 120.

[0078] The arrangement order of the sub-pixels can be flexibly adjusted according to the needs. The arrangement of the sub-pixels is not limited to the arrangement of the above embodiment, and can be adjusted according to the needs in practice.

[0079] In this embodiment, the pixel matrix includes a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. Generally, for a rectangular display panel, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are the directions in which two sets of parallel side edges of the display panel extend. The adjacent two sub-pixels of any two adjacent pixel points W arranged along the first direction D1 have the same color, and the adjacent two sub-pixels arranged along the second direction D2 have different colors. Figure 4 As shown, the two sub-pixels in each pixel are arranged along a first direction D1. Pixel W includes a red sub-pixel 110 and a green sub-pixel 120. Pixel W1, located to the right of pixel W, includes a green sub-pixel 120 and a blue sub-pixel 130, where green sub-pixel 120 is adjacent to green sub-pixel 120 of pixel B. Pixel W2, located below pixel W, includes a blue sub-pixel 130 and a red sub-pixel 110. The blue sub-pixel 130 of pixel W2 is located below the red sub-pixel 110 of pixel W, and the red sub-pixel 110 of pixel W2 is located below the green sub-pixel 120 of pixel W. This arrangement ensures that each sub-pixel W can borrow a third color from its adjacent pixel, resulting in a Pentile arrangement of multiple pixels in the display panel.

[0080] See also Figure 5 , the geometric centers of the two sub-pixels that constitute the same pixel are arranged along a third direction D3. The third direction D3 lies on a plane defined by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and is non-parallel to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. This arrangement allows multiple sub-pixels of the same color to be arranged in a row along a fourth direction D4, with the geometric centers of the multiple sub-pixels in the same row lying on the same straight line. The fourth direction D4 lies on a plane defined by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and is perpendicular to the third direction D3.

[0081] In this embodiment, by adjusting the arrangement mode, arrangement position and relative angle of the sub-pixels, the sub-pixels of the same color are arranged in rows along the same direction, so that the sub-pixel array can be printed obliquely row by row using the line bank technology. The OLED display panel of the present application is compatible with the Pentile technology and the line bank printing technology, which effectively reduces the process difficulty of the OLED display panel compared to the existing technology.

[0082] See also Figure 5 Due to the oblique printing design, the sub-pixel arrangement of the first virtual area NA1 is the same as that of the display area AA. Moreover, the color of the sub-pixel in the first virtual area NA1 is different from the color of the adjacent sub-pixel in the display area AA.

[0083] The display panel also includes a first retaining wall 30, a second retaining wall 40, and a first film layer 50. The first retaining wall 30 is located in the first virtual area NA1 and surrounds the pixel matrix. The second retaining wall 40 is located in the second virtual area NA2 and surrounds the first retaining wall 30. The first film layer 50 is provided on the substrate 10 and located in the second virtual area NA2. The first film layer 50 is located between the first retaining wall 30 and the second retaining wall 40.

[0084] When using inkjet printing technology to manufacture the display panel 100, ink containing the material of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 is printed in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 is printed in the second virtual area NA2. After the ink is printed, it is dried to form a film. During the drying process, the solvent in the ink containing the material of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and the solvent in the ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 in the second virtual area NA2, simultaneously dry and evaporate, forming the first light-emitting functional layer 12 in the display area and the first virtual area NA1, and the first film layer 50 in the second virtual area NA2. Because the second virtual area NA2 surrounds the display area during the drying process and forms a first dry atmosphere, the saturated vapor pressure at the center and edge of the display area is the same, and the second dry atmosphere at the center of the display area is the same as the third dry atmosphere at the edge of the display area. This ensures uniform film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the center and edge of the display area. In the present application, because the pixel-defining layer structure between multiple virtual pixels in a conventional display panel is omitted above the substrate 10 in the second virtual area NA2, during inkjet printing, the unit area of ​​the second virtual area NA2 of the present application can accommodate more ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 than the non-display area of ​​a conventional display panel. That is, for the minimum amount of ink required to form the first dry atmosphere, the structure of the first film layer 50 employed in the present application can reduce the number of virtual pixels in the first virtual area NA1 compared to the structure of multiple virtual pixels employed in conventional display panels. This allows the non-display area formed by the first and second virtual areas NA1 and NA2 to be smaller, thereby reducing the bezel size of the display panel while ensuring uniform film formation in the display area of ​​the display panel.

[0085] Optionally, the first direction D1 is perpendicular to the second direction D2. The third direction D3 forms a first angle with the first direction D1. The third direction D3 forms a second angle with the second direction D2. The sum of the first angle and the second angle is equal to 90 degrees. The subpixels include light-emitting subpixels and dummy subpixels. The light-emitting subpixels are located in the display area, and the dummy subpixels are located in the first dummy area NA1. The dummy subpixels have different colors from the light-emitting subpixels adjacent to them in the first direction D1.

[0086] In this embodiment, the first angle and the second angle are both acute angles. Since the present application uses line bank technology to print the sub-pixel array row by row at an angle, the virtual sub-pixels in the virtual pixel area are inconsistent in color with the luminous sub-pixels in the display area adjacent to the first direction D1.

[0087] In a conventional display panel, the dummy sub-pixel usually has the same color as the light-emitting sub-pixel in the adjacent display area in the first direction D1.

[0088] Optionally, the virtual sub-pixels have different colors from the luminous sub-pixels adjacent to them in the second direction D2. Since the present application uses line bank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, the virtual sub-pixels in the virtual pixel area and the luminous sub-pixels in the display area adjacent to them in the second direction D2 have different colors.

[0089] In a conventional display panel, the dummy sub-pixel usually has the same color as the light-emitting sub-pixel in the adjacent display area in the second direction D2.

[0090] Optionally, multiple luminous sub-pixels and dummy sub-pixels having the same color are arranged in a row along a fourth direction D4. The geometric centers of the luminous sub-pixels and dummy sub-pixels in the same row lie on the same straight line. The fourth direction D4 is perpendicular to the third direction D3. This arrangement allows multiple sub-pixels having the same color to be arranged in a row along the fourth direction D4, with the geometric centers of the sub-pixels in the same row lying on the same straight line.

[0091] In the prior art, the arrangement direction of sub-pixels in a Pentile pixel matrix usually coincides with the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 , so that sub-pixels with the same color cannot be located in the same row, and thus the line bank printing technology cannot be applied. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The arrangement shown in FIG is equivalent to rotating the pixel matrix so that the two arrangement directions of the pixel matrix do not coincide with the boundary of the display panel, thereby enabling sub-pixels with the same color to be arranged in a row along the fourth direction D4 for line bank printing.

[0092] Optionally, the first direction D1 is perpendicular to the second direction D2, the first direction D1 is the short side direction of the display panel, the second direction D2 is the long side direction of the display panel, the third direction D3 is perpendicular to the fourth direction D4, and the angle between the third direction D3 and the first direction D1 is in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0093] The angle between the third direction D3 and the first direction D1 is 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 degrees. A value of 45 degrees between the third direction D3 and the first direction D1 provides better display effects and film thickness uniformity.

[0094] See also Figure 5 Optionally, the colors of two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction D1 are different. Since the present application uses the line bank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, the colors of two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction D1 are different.

[0095] In a conventional display panel, two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction D1 have the same color.

[0096] See also Figure 5 Optionally, the colors of the three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction D1 are different. Since the present application uses the line bank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, the colors of the three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction D1 are different.

[0097] In a conventional display panel, three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction D1 have the same color.

[0098] See also Figure 5 Optionally, two virtual sub-pixels are spaced apart between two adjacent virtual sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the first direction D1. Because the present application uses line bank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, two virtual sub-pixels are spaced apart between two adjacent virtual sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the first direction D1.

[0099] In a conventional display panel, no dummy sub-pixel of another color is disposed between two adjacent dummy sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the first direction D1.

[0100] See also Figure 5 Optionally, the colors of two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction D2 are different. Since the present application uses line bank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, the colors of two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction D2 are different.

[0101] In a conventional display panel, two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction D2 have the same color.

[0102] See also Figure 5 Optionally, the colors of the three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction D2 are different. Since the present application uses the line bank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, the colors of the three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction D2 are different.

[0103] In a conventional display panel, three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction D2 have the same color.

[0104] See also Figure 5Optionally, two virtual sub-pixels are spaced apart between two adjacent virtual sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the second direction D2. Because the present application uses line bank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, two virtual sub-pixels are spaced apart between two adjacent virtual sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the second direction D2.

[0105] In a conventional display panel, no dummy sub-pixel of another color is disposed between two adjacent dummy sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the second direction D2.

[0106] See also Figure 6 The display panel 100 includes a substrate 10 , a plurality of anodes 11 , a first pixel defining layer 20 , a first light emitting functional layer 12 , a cathode layer 13 and a second pixel defining layer 60 .

[0107] See also Figure 6 Multiple anodes 11 are provided on the substrate 10 and located in the display area AA. A first pixel defining layer 20 is provided on the substrate 10. The first pixel defining layer 20 is located in the display area AA and the first dummy area NA1. The portion of the first pixel defining layer 20 located in the display area AA is provided with multiple first openings 21. Each first opening 21 exposes one anode 11. The portion of the first pixel defining layer located in the first dummy area NA1 is provided with multiple second openings 22, each of which exposes a portion of the substrate 10. A first light-emitting functional layer 12 is provided on the first pixel defining layer 20 and covers the multiple first openings 21 and second openings 22. The first light-emitting functional layer 12 located within the first openings 21 forms a light-emitting sub-pixel. The first light-emitting functional layer 12 located within the second openings 22 forms a dummy sub-pixel. A cathode layer 13 is provided on the first light-emitting functional layer 12. A second pixel defining layer 60 is provided on the substrate 10. The second pixel defining layer 60 includes a first retaining wall 30 and a second retaining wall 40. The thickness L3 of the first pixel defining layer 20 is less than the thickness of the second pixel defining layer 60. The average thickness L1 of the first film layer 50 is greater than the average thickness L2 of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 .

[0108] In this embodiment, the thickness L3 of the first pixel defining layer 20 is smaller than the thickness L4 of the first blocking wall 30 and the thickness L5 of the second blocking wall 40 .

[0109] In the present application, when the display panel 100 is manufactured using inkjet printing technology, ink containing the material of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 is printed in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 is printed in the second virtual area NA2. After the ink is printed, it is dried to form a film. During the drying process, the solvent in the ink containing the material of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1 and the solvent in the ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 in the second virtual area NA2 simultaneously dry and evaporate, forming the first light-emitting functional layer 12 in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and the first film layer 50 in the second virtual area NA2. Because the second virtual area NA2 surrounds the display area AA during the drying process and forms a first dry atmosphere, the saturated vapor pressure at the center of the display area AA and the edge of the display area AA is the same, and the second dry atmosphere at the center of the display area AA is the same as the third dry atmosphere at the edge of the display area AA. This ensures uniform film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the center and edge of the display area AA. In the present application, because the pixel-defining layer structure between multiple virtual pixels in a conventional display panel 100a is omitted above the substrate 10 in the second virtual area NA2, during inkjet printing, the unit area of ​​the second virtual area NA2 of the present application can accommodate more ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 than the non-display area NA of the conventional display panel 100a. That is, for the minimum amount of ink required to form the first dry atmosphere, the structure of the first film layer 50 employed in the present application can reduce the number of virtual pixels in the first virtual area NA1 compared to the structure of multiple virtual pixels employed in the conventional display panel 100a. This allows the non-display area formed by the first and second virtual areas NA1 and NA2 to be smaller. This allows the bezel size of the display panel 100 to be reduced while ensuring uniform film formation in the display area AA of the display panel 100.

[0110] See also Figure 6 During inkjet printing, compared to the display area AA, the second virtual area NA2 lacks the first pixel defining layer 20 on the substrate 10. Therefore, the second virtual area NA2 can hold a larger amount of ink per unit area, allowing for a larger amount of ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 to be placed within the second virtual area NA2 per unit area. After drying, the average thickness L1 of the first film layer 50 formed in the second virtual area NA2, which contains a larger amount of ink per unit area, is greater than the average thickness L2 of the first light-emitting functional layer 12.

[0111] Because the thickness L5 of the second retaining wall 40 and the thickness L4 of the first retaining wall 30 are both greater than the thickness L3 of the first pixel defining layer 20, more ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 can be disposed on the substrate 10 in the second virtual area NA2 between the second retaining wall 40 and the first retaining wall 30. The amount of ink disposed is positively correlated with the thickness L5 of the second retaining wall 40 and the thickness L4 of the first retaining wall 30.

[0112] In this embodiment, by forming a first film layer 50 with a certain thickness L1 between the second retaining wall 40 and the first retaining wall 30, a large step difference can be avoided between the second retaining wall 40 and the substrate 10 of the second virtual area NA2, and a large step difference can be avoided between the first retaining wall 30 and the substrate 10 of the second virtual area NA2, thereby preventing the second virtual area NA2 of the display panel 100 from subsequently being significantly deformed due to the pressure of other film layers, thereby improving the structural stability of the display panel 100 located in the second virtual area NA2 of the present application.

[0113] Optionally, the sum L6 of the thickness of the first pixel defining layer 20 and the thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 is less than the average thickness L1 of the first film layer 50 .

[0114] In this embodiment, during inkjet printing, ink containing the material of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 is dripped into the display area AA, and ink containing the material of the first film layer 50 is dripped into the second virtual area NA2. After the ink is dripped, the ink plane of the second virtual area NA2 is higher than the ink plane of the display area AA. In the subsequent drying and film-forming process, although the ink in the second virtual area NA2 evaporates faster, because the ink per unit area of ​​the second virtual area NA2 is greater than the ink per unit area of ​​the display area AA, it is possible to ensure that the first film layer 50 of the second virtual area NA2 is fully formed after the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the center and edge of the display area AA is fully formed. This ensures that before the first light-emitting functional layer 12 in the display area AA is fully formed, the second virtual area NA2 always maintains the first dry atmosphere, thereby ensuring the uniformity of the film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 located in the display area AA.

[0115] In this embodiment, a first pixel defining layer 20 and a first light-emitting functional layer 12 are provided on the first virtual area NA1. However, since no anode 11 is provided on the first virtual area NA1, the first light-emitting functional layer 12 on the first virtual area NA1 does not emit light, and the portion of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 on the first virtual area NA1 corresponding to the second opening 22 forms a virtual pixel. In this embodiment, the first virtual area NA1 is provided between the display area AA and the second virtual area NA2, and a small number of virtual pixels are formed in the first virtual area NA1. The provision of a small number of virtual pixels in the first virtual area NA1, on the one hand, retains a certain ability to tolerate the thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the edge of the display area AA. On the other hand, compared to the design of the non-display area NA of the conventional display panel 100a, which requires a large number of virtual pixels to prevent the first light-emitting functional layer 12 in the display area AA from having an uneven thickness, the first virtual area NA1 of this embodiment only needs to be provided with a small number of virtual pixels. Therefore, the size of the first virtual area NA1 of this embodiment is significantly reduced compared to the size of the non-display area NA of the conventional display panel 100a. Meanwhile, after reducing the size of the first virtual area NA1 , this embodiment sets a second virtual area NA2 around the first virtual area NA1 to further improve the film formation uniformity of the first light emitting functional layer 12 in the display area AA.

[0116] by Figure 2 For example, in the conventional display panel 100a, at least 10 virtual pixels P2 need to be arranged in the non-display area NA in a direction away from the display area AA to ensure that the thickness of the light-emitting functional layer 12a in the display area AA is uniform.

[0117] by Figure 6 For example, in the display panel 100 of the present embodiment, it is only necessary to set two virtual pixels in the first virtual area NA1 in a direction away from the display area AA, set a second virtual area NA2 on the periphery of the first virtual area NA1, and set a first film layer 50 on the second virtual area NA2. Under the premise of ensuring uniform film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 located in the display area AA, the frame size of the display panel 100 can be reduced relative to the traditional display panel 100a.

[0118] See also Figure 6, the architecture of the traditional display panel 100a located in the non-display area NA is similar to the architecture of the display panel 100 of this embodiment located in the first virtual area NA1. Since the first pixel defining layer 20 is provided on the substrate 10 of the first virtual area NA1 of the present application, and the first pixel defining layer 20 is not provided on the substrate 10 of the second virtual area NA2 of the present application, the ink holding capacity per unit area of ​​the second virtual area NA2 of the present application is greater than the ink holding capacity per unit area of ​​the first virtual area NA1. Therefore, under the premise that the ink holding capacity outside the display area AA is the same, the sum of the sizes of the second virtual area NA2 and the first virtual area NA1 of the present application is still smaller than the size of the non-display area NA of the traditional display panel 100a. That is, compared with the traditional display panel 100a, the present application can reduce the border size of the display panel 100 and realize a narrow border design.

[0119] Optionally, the material of the first film layer 50 is the same as that of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 .

[0120] In the inkjet printing process, after completing the ink printing of the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, there is no need to replace the ink, and the same ink can continue to be used to print in the second virtual area NA2, reducing the step of replacing the ink process, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0121] On the other hand, since the same ink is used to print the display area AA and the second virtual area NA2, in the inkjet printing process, the ink plane of the second virtual area NA2 can be set higher than the ink plane of the display area AA, so as to ensure that in the subsequent drying and film-forming process, the time point when the first film layer 50 is completely formed is later than the time point when the first light-emitting functional layer 12 is completely formed. In this way, the second virtual area NA2 can maintain the first drying atmosphere during the entire drying and film-forming process of the first light-emitting functional layer 12, thereby ensuring that the thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the edge of the display area AA is the same as the thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the center of the display area AA, thereby improving the uniformity of the film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12.

[0122] Optionally, the first light-emitting functional layer 12 includes a first hole injection layer, a first hole transport layer and a first organic light-emitting layer. The first hole injection layer is provided on the first pixel defining layer 20 and is located in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1. The portion of the first hole injection layer located in the display area AA is connected to the multiple anodes 11 respectively through multiple first openings 21. The portion of the first hole injection layer located in the first virtual area NA1 covers the multiple second openings 22. The first hole transport layer is provided on the first hole injection layer and is located in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1. The first organic light-emitting layer is provided on the first hole transport layer and is located in the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1. The cathode layer 13 is provided on the portion of the first organic light-emitting layer located in the display area AA.

[0123] Optionally, the first film layer 50 includes a second hole injection layer, a second hole transport layer, and a second organic light-emitting layer. The second hole injection layer is provided on the substrate 10 and is located in the second virtual area NA2. The second hole injection layer is located between the second retaining wall 40 and the first retaining wall 30. The material of the second hole injection layer is the same as that of the first hole injection layer. The second hole transport layer is provided on the second hole injection layer. The second hole transport layer is located between the second retaining wall 40 and the first retaining wall 30. The material of the second hole transport layer is the same as that of the first hole transport layer. The second organic light-emitting layer is provided on the second hole transport layer and is located between the second retaining wall 40 and the first retaining wall 30. The material of the second organic light-emitting layer is the same as that of the first organic light-emitting layer.

[0124] In this embodiment, in the organic light-emitting diode display panel 100, the light-emitting device is generally formed by an anode 11, a light-emitting functional layer, and a cathode layer 13. The light-emitting functional layer includes a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an electron transport layer. In the light-emitting functional layer, the hole injection layer, the hole transport layer, and the organic light-emitting layer can all be formed by inkjet printing, and the electron transport layer can be formed by evaporation.

[0125] In this embodiment, since the first film layer 50 is made of the same material as the first light-emitting functional layer 12. Therefore, in the process of forming the first hole injection layer, ink containing the first hole injection layer material will be used for printing. Among them, the ink containing the first hole injection layer material will be printed on the first pixel defining layer 20 of the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and the ink containing the first hole injection layer material will be printed on the substrate 10 of the second virtual area NA2. Since the first pixel defining layer 20 is not provided on the substrate 10 of the second virtual area NA2, a larger volume of ink containing the first hole injection layer material can be printed per unit area of ​​the second virtual area NA2. During the drying and film-forming stage, the solvent in the ink containing the first hole injection layer material in the display area AA and the solvent in the ink containing the first hole injection layer material in the second virtual area NA2 are dried and volatilized at the same time, forming a first hole injection layer in the display area AA and a second hole injection layer in the second virtual area NA2. During the drying process, the second virtual area NA2 is arranged around the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and a first dry atmosphere is formed, so that the saturated vapor pressure at the center of the display area AA and the edge of the display area AA are the same, and the second dry atmosphere at the center of the display area AA and the third dry atmosphere at the edge of the display area AA are the same, thereby ensuring the uniformity of film formation of the first hole injection layer at the center of the display area AA and the edge of the display area AA.

[0126] Optionally, the thickness of the second hole injection layer is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first hole injection layer.

[0127] During inkjet printing, when the volume of ink containing the first hole injection layer material within the second virtual area NA2 per unit area is the same as the volume of ink containing the first hole injection layer material within the display area AA per unit area, the thickness of the second hole injection layer is equal to the thickness of the first hole injection layer. When the volume of ink containing the first hole injection layer material within the second virtual area NA2 per unit area is greater than the volume of ink containing the first hole injection layer material within the display area AA per unit area, the thickness of the second hole injection layer is greater than the thickness of the first hole injection layer.

[0128] In this embodiment, since the first film layer 50 is made of the same material as the first light-emitting functional layer 12. Therefore, in the process of forming the first hole transport layer, ink containing the first hole transport layer material will be used for printing. Among them, the ink containing the first hole transport layer material will be printed on the first hole injection layer of the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and the ink containing the first hole transport layer material will be printed on the second hole injection layer of the second virtual area NA2. Since the first pixel defining layer 20 is not provided on the substrate 10 of the second virtual area NA2, a larger volume of ink containing the first hole transport layer material can be printed per unit area of ​​the second virtual area NA2. During the drying and film-forming stage, the solvent in the ink containing the first hole transport layer material in the display area AA and the solvent in the ink containing the first hole transport layer material in the second virtual area NA2 are dried and volatilized at the same time, forming a first hole transport layer in the display area AA and a second hole transport layer in the second virtual area NA2. During the drying process, the second virtual area NA2 is arranged around the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and a first dry atmosphere is formed, so that the saturated vapor pressure at the center of the display area AA and the edge of the display area AA is the same, and the second dry atmosphere at the center of the display area AA is the same as the third dry atmosphere at the edge of the display area AA, thereby ensuring the uniformity of film formation of the first hole transport layer at the center of the display area AA and the edge of the display area AA.

[0129] Optionally, the thickness of the second hole transport layer is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first hole transport layer.

[0130] During inkjet printing, when the volume of ink containing the first hole transport layer material per unit area within the second virtual area NA2 is the same as the volume of ink containing the first hole transport layer material per unit area within the display area AA, the thickness of the second hole transport layer is equal to the thickness of the first hole transport layer. When the volume of ink containing the first hole transport layer material per unit area within the second virtual area NA2 is greater than the volume of ink containing the first hole transport layer material per unit area within the display area AA, the thickness of the second hole transport layer is greater than the thickness of the first hole transport layer.

[0131] In this embodiment, since the first film layer 50 is made of the same material as the first light-emitting functional layer 12. Therefore, in the process of forming the first hole transport layer, ink containing the first hole transport layer material will be used for printing. Among them, the ink containing the first hole transport layer material will be printed on the first hole injection layer of the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and the ink containing the first hole transport layer material will be printed on the second hole injection layer of the second virtual area NA2. Since the first pixel defining layer 20 is not provided on the substrate 10 of the second virtual area NA2, a larger volume of ink containing the first hole transport layer material can be printed per unit area of ​​the second virtual area NA2. During the drying and film-forming stage, the solvent in the ink containing the first hole transport layer material in the display area AA and the solvent in the ink containing the first hole transport layer material in the second virtual area NA2 are dried and volatilized at the same time, forming a first hole transport layer in the display area AA and a second hole transport layer in the second virtual area NA2. During the drying process, the second virtual area NA2 is arranged around the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1, and a first dry atmosphere is formed, so that the saturated vapor pressure at the center of the display area AA and the edge of the display area AA is the same, and the second dry atmosphere at the center of the display area AA is the same as the third dry atmosphere at the edge of the display area AA, thereby ensuring the uniformity of film formation of the first hole transport layer at the center of the display area AA and the edge of the display area AA.

[0132] Optionally, the thickness of the second organic light-emitting layer is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first organic light-emitting layer.

[0133] During inkjet printing, when the volume of ink containing the first organic light-emitting layer material per unit area within the second virtual area NA2 is the same as the volume of ink containing the first organic light-emitting layer material per unit area within the display area AA, the thickness of the second organic light-emitting layer is equal to the thickness of the first organic light-emitting layer. When the volume of ink containing the first organic light-emitting layer material per unit area within the second virtual area NA2 is greater than the volume of ink containing the first organic light-emitting layer material per unit area within the display area AA, the thickness of the second organic light-emitting layer is greater than the thickness of the first organic light-emitting layer.

[0134] In the first light-emitting functional layer 12 , since the first organic light-emitting layer is thicker, in order to ensure uniform film formation in the display area AA, the thickness of the second organic light-emitting layer may be set to be greater than that of the first organic light-emitting layer.

[0135] Optionally, the first retaining wall 30 includes two first sub-segments 31 and two second sub-segments 32 .

[0136] See also Figure 5Two first sub-segments 31 are provided on the substrate 10. The first sub-segments 31 extend along the first direction D1. The two first sub-segments 31 are spaced apart along the second direction D2. The first sub-segments 31 are located in the first dummy area NA1. The thickness of the first sub-segments 31 is greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining layer 20.

[0137] Two second sub-segments 32 are disposed on the substrate 10. The second sub-segments 32 extend along the second direction D2. The two second sub-segments 32 are spaced apart along the first direction D1. The second sub-segments 32 are located in the first dummy area NA1. The thickness of the second sub-segments 32 is greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining layer 20.

[0138] In a plan view of the display panel 100, the first pixel defining layer 20 is located between the two first sub-segments 31, and the first pixel defining layer 20 is located between the two second sub-segments 32. A portion of the first film layer 50 is located between the first sub-segment 31 and the second retaining wall 40, and another portion of the first film layer 50 is located between the second sub-segment 32 and the second retaining wall 40.

[0139] In this embodiment, the first sub-segment 31 and the second sub-segment 32 are used to separate the ink located in the second virtual area NA2 and the first virtual area NA1 during the inkjet printing process, thereby forming a first film layer 50 with a larger thickness and a first light-emitting functional layer 12 with a smaller thickness.

[0140] Optional, see Figure 5 In a plan view of the display panel 100 , the pattern of the first sub-segment 31 and the pattern of the second sub-segment 32 are straight line shapes.

[0141] When the patterns of the first sub-segment 31 and the second sub-segment 32 are straight lines, please refer to Figure 7 The distances from different edges of the second opening 22 inside the first subsegment 31 to the first subsegment 31 are different. The distance S1 from one edge of the second opening 22 to the first subsegment 31 is smaller than the distance S2 from the other edge of the second opening 22 to the first subsegment 31. This results in uneven film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 on the second opening 22 at the edges of the opening.

[0142] Optional, see Figure 8 In a plan view of the display panel 100 , the pattern of the first sub-segment 31 and the pattern of the second sub-segment 32 are curved.

[0143] When the patterns of the first sub-segment 31 and the second sub-segment 32 are curved, please refer to Figure 9, the distances from different edges of the second opening 22 inside the first subsegment 31 to the first subsegment 31 are similar. Specifically, the distance S3 from one edge of the second opening 22 to the first subsegment 31 is similar to the distance S4 from the other edge of the second opening 22 to the first subsegment 31. That is, the absolute value of the difference between S3 and S4 is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between S1 and S2, resulting in uniform film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 on the second opening 22 at the edges of the opening. Compared to the embodiment in which the patterns of the first subsegment 31 and the second subsegment 32 are linear, the embodiment in which the patterns of the first subsegment 31 and the second subsegment 32 are curved results in more uniform film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12.

[0144] See also Figure 10 Optionally, in the plan view of the display panel 100 , the pattern of the first sub-segment 31 and the pattern of the second sub-segment 32 are in the shape of a broken line.

[0145] Similar to the embodiment in which the patterns of the first subsegment 31 and the second subsegment 32 are curved, when the patterns of the first subsegment 31 and the second subsegment 32 are in the shape of a zigzag line, the distances from different edges of the second opening 22 inside the first subsegment 31 to the first subsegment 31 are similar. Compared to the embodiment in which the patterns of the first subsegment 31 and the second subsegment 32 are in the shape of a straight line, the embodiment in which the patterns of the first subsegment 31 and the second subsegment 32 are in the shape of a zigzag line results in more uniform film formation of the first light-emitting functional layer 12.

[0146] Optional, see Figure 11 The second pixel defining layer 60 further includes a third barrier wall 41 and a fourth barrier wall 42 .

[0147] The third retaining wall 41 is disposed on the substrate 10 and located in the second virtual area NA2. The third retaining wall 41 is located between the first subsection 31 and the second retaining wall 40. The third retaining wall 41 connects the first subsection 31 and the second retaining wall 40. The thickness of the third retaining wall 41 is greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining layer 20.

[0148] The fourth barrier wall 42 is disposed on the substrate 10 and located in the second virtual area NA2. The fourth barrier wall 42 is located between the second sub-segment 32 and the second barrier wall 40. The fourth barrier wall 42 connects the second sub-segment 32 and the second barrier wall 40. The thickness of the fourth barrier wall 42 is greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining layer 20.

[0149] The adjacent third barrier ribs 41 and fourth barrier ribs 42 form a corner area NA3 in the second virtual area NA2. The average thickness of the first film layer 50 in the corner area NA3 is greater than the average thickness of the first film layer 50 outside the corner area NA3.

[0150] In the second virtual area NA2, since the solvent evaporation rate in the corner area NA3 is faster than the solvent evaporation rate outside the corner area NA3, the corner area NA3 is enclosed by the third retaining wall 41 and the fourth retaining wall 42, and the ink drop amount or drop density in the corner area NA3 is increased during the inkjet printing stage, so that the volume of ink in the corner area NA3 per unit area is greater than the volume of ink outside the corner area NA3 per unit area. In the drying and film forming stage, the film forming time of the corner area NA3 can be increased to avoid premature film formation in the corner area NA3 of the second virtual area NA2, resulting in the inability to provide a drying atmosphere, thereby improving the uniformity of the film thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the corner of the display area AA.

[0151] Optional, see Figure 12 The first pixel defining layer 20 includes a plurality of first pixel defining portions 23. The first pixel defining portions 23 extend along the fourth direction D4. The first pixel defining portions 23 are located in the display area AA and the first dummy area NA1. A plurality of first openings 21 are defined in the portion of the first pixel defining portion 23 located in the display area AA. A plurality of second openings 22 are defined in the portion of the first pixel defining portion 23 located in the first dummy area NA1. A first barrier wall 30 is disposed around the periphery of the plurality of first pixel defining portions 23.

[0152] The second pixel defining layer 60 further includes a plurality of fifth retaining walls 43. The fifth retaining walls 43 are disposed on the substrate 10 and extend along the fourth direction D4. The fifth retaining walls 43 are located between the display area AA and the first dummy area NA1. Both ends of the fifth retaining walls 43 are connected to the first retaining walls 30.

[0153] The first light-emitting functional layer 12 includes multiple first sublayers. The first sublayers extend along the fourth direction D4. The first sublayers are disposed on the first pixel delimiting portion 23 and cover the multiple first openings 21 and the multiple second openings 22. The first sublayers within the first openings 21 form light-emitting subpixels. The first sublayers within the second openings 22 form dummy subpixels.

[0154] In a plan view of the display panel 100 , the first pixel defining parts 23 and the fifth barrier walls 43 are alternately arranged along the third direction D3 .

[0155] The manufacturing method of the display panel 100 of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0156] A plurality of anodes 11 are formed on a portion of the substrate 10 located in the display area AA.

[0157] A first pixel defining layer 20 is formed on the substrate 10 , and the first pixel defining layer 20 covers the plurality of anodes 11 .

[0158] The first pixel defining layer 20 is exposed and developed to form a plurality of first pixel defining portions 23 in the display area AA and the first dummy area NA1. The first pixel defining portions 23 extend along the fourth direction D4. A plurality of first openings 21 are formed in the portion of the first pixel defining portion 23 located in the display area AA, with each first opening 21 exposing one anode 11. A plurality of second openings 22 are formed in the portion of the first pixel defining portion 23 located in the first dummy area NA1. The plurality of first pixel defining portions 23 are spaced apart along the third direction D3.

[0159] A second pixel defining layer 60 is formed on the substrate 10. The second pixel defining layer 60 includes first retaining walls 30, second retaining walls 40, and a plurality of fifth retaining walls 43. The first retaining walls 30 are disposed around the periphery of the plurality of first pixel defining portions 23. The second retaining walls 40 are disposed in the second virtual area NA2 and surround the first retaining walls 30. The fifth retaining walls 43 are located between two adjacent first pixel defining portions 23. In a plan view of the display panel 100, the first pixel defining portions 23 and the fifth retaining walls 43 are alternately arranged along the third direction D3.

[0160] A first light-emitting functional layer 12 is formed on the first pixel defining layer 20. The first light-emitting functional layer 12 includes multiple first sublayers. The first sublayers extend along the fourth direction D4. One first sublayer is disposed on each first pixel defining portion 23 and covers the multiple first openings 21 and second openings 22. Each first sublayer includes a first hole injection layer, a first hole transport layer, and a first light-emitting material layer.

[0161] A first film layer 50 is formed on the substrate 10 in the second virtual area NA2 surrounded by the first retaining wall 30 and the second retaining wall 40 . The thickness of the first film layer 50 is greater than that of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 .

[0162] The cathode layer 13 is formed on the first light-emitting functional layer 12 .

[0163] In the present application, by setting the first pixel defining portion 23, compared with the traditional display panel 100a, a whole layer of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 can be printed directly on the first pixel defining portion 23, without the need to print the light-emitting functional layer only in the first opening 21, which simplifies the printing process, improves production efficiency, reduces production costs, and can achieve large-area coating. Combined with the design of the first film layer 50 on the second virtual area NA2, the defect of uneven thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 in the display area AA can be solved, thereby improving product yield and display effect.

[0164] Optional, see Figure 12 In one first pixel defining portion 23 , the number of the second openings 22 located in the first dummy area NA1 is not less than two.

[0165] In the present application, the portion of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 located at the second opening 22 forms a virtual pixel. The provision of a small number of virtual pixels in the first virtual area NA1 retains a certain ability to tolerate the thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the edge of the display area AA, thereby improving the uniformity of the film thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the center of the display area AA and the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the edge of the display area AA.

[0166] Optionally, the colors of the three adjacent first sub-layers in the third direction D3 are all different. Since the present application uses the line bank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, the colors of the three adjacent first sub-layers in the third direction D3 are all different.

[0167] Optionally, the material of the first pixel defining layer includes a lyophilic material, and the material of the second pixel defining layer 60 includes a lyophobic material.

[0168] In this application, the primary material of the first pixel defining portion 23 and the second pixel defining layer 60 is a photoresist material, which facilitates patterning through exposure and development during the manufacturing process. A lyophilic material can be formed on the surface of the first pixel defining portion 23 or incorporated into the photoresist material, and is not limited to these materials herein. A lyophobic material can be formed on the surface of the second pixel defining layer 60 or incorporated into the photoresist material, and is not limited to these materials herein.

[0169] During inkjet printing, the lyophilic material of the first pixel defining portion 23 allows the ink containing the material of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 to spread evenly across the surface of the first pixel defining portion 23, thereby forming a highly uniform, smooth liquid surface at the center and edges of display area AA. The lyophobic material of the second pixel defining layer 60 can reduce the flow of ink from the center of display area AA toward the second pixel defining layer 60 during the drying and film-forming phase, thereby improving the thickness uniformity of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 at the center and edges of display area AA. The fifth retaining wall 43 is made of a lyophobic material, which improves the thickness uniformity of the first sublayer near the fifth retaining wall 43 and at the center of the first sublayer.

[0170] Optionally, the lyophobic material may be a flexible polymer, and the lyophobic material may be one or more of fluorinated polyolefin, fluorinated polyethylene oxide, and polysiloxane.

[0171] Optionally, the lyophilic material may be a rigid polymer, and the lyophilic material may be one or more of a polymer containing an alkyl group and a polymer having a cyclic rigid structure in the main chain.

[0172] Optionally, a ratio of the thickness of the first barrier wall 30 to the thickness of the first pixel defining portion 23 is within a range of 1.5 to 3. A ratio of the thickness of the second barrier wall 40 to the thickness of the first pixel defining portion 23 is within a range of 1.5 to 3. A ratio of the thickness of the fifth barrier wall 43 to the thickness of the first pixel defining portion 23 is within a range of 1.5 to 3.

[0173] In this embodiment, the thickness of the first retaining wall 30 and the thickness of the second retaining wall 40 are greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining portion 23, which can prevent the first light-emitting functional layer 12 of the display area AA and the first virtual area NA1 from overflowing into the second virtual area NA2. At the same time, the volume of ink per unit area of ​​the second virtual area NA2 can be increased during the inkjet printing process, thereby improving the uniformity of the film thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer 12 of the display area AA and reducing the frame size of the display panel 100.

[0174] Optionally, the ratio of the thickness of the first retaining wall 30 to the thickness of the first pixel defining portion 23 is 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, or 3.0.

[0175] Optionally, the ratio of the thickness of the second retaining wall 40 to the thickness of the first pixel defining portion 23 is 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, or 3.0.

[0176] Optionally, the ratio of the thickness of the fifth barrier rib 43 to the thickness of the first pixel defining portion 23 is 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, or 3.0.

[0177] Optionally, among three adjacent first pixel defining portions 23, the first sublayer of the first first pixel defining portion 23 emits the first color, the first sublayer of the second first pixel defining portion 23 emits the second color, and the first sublayer of the third first pixel defining portion 23 emits the third color.

[0178] The first color, the second color and the third color are all different.

[0179] In this embodiment, the first color may be red, the second color may be green, and the third color may be blue. This embodiment can reduce the number of light-emitting pixels and increase the pixel density of the display panel 100 by borrowing colors from the adjacent first pixel delimiting portion 23, thereby improving the display effect.

[0180] In the second embodiment of the present application:

[0181] In order to avoid redundancy, the second embodiment of the present application will describe parts that are different from the first embodiment of the present application.

[0182] Optionally, the first pixel defining layer includes a plurality of first pixel defining portions, the first pixel defining portions extend along the third direction, and the first pixel defining portions are located in the display area and the first dummy area.

[0183] The second pixel defining layer further includes a plurality of fifth retaining walls, which are disposed on the first pixel defining layer and extend along the fourth direction. The fifth retaining walls are located in the display area and the first dummy area, with both ends of the fifth retaining walls connected to the first retaining walls. The plurality of first pixel defining portions and the plurality of fifth retaining walls intersect to form a plurality of opening patterns. The opening pattern located in the display area is designated as a first opening, while the opening pattern located in the first dummy area is designated as a second opening.

[0184] The first light-emitting functional layer includes multiple first sublayers, the first sublayer extends along the fourth direction and is located between two adjacent fifth blocking walls, the first sublayer covers multiple first openings and second openings, the first sublayer located in the first opening forms a light-emitting sub-pixel, and the first sublayer located in the second opening forms a virtual sub-pixel.

[0185] The first retaining walls and the first sub-layers are alternately arranged along the third direction.

[0186] Compared with the first embodiment, the first opening and the second opening of the second embodiment are formed by the intersection of a plurality of first pixel defining portions and a plurality of fifth blocking walls. The second embodiment provides another method for forming a display panel and another structure of a display panel.

[0187] Optionally, the colors of two adjacent first sub-layers in the third direction are different. Since the present application uses the linebank technology to obliquely print the sub-pixel array row by row, the colors of three adjacent first sub-layers in the third direction D3 are all different.

[0188] The above describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present application. The above embodiments disclosed in this application are merely preferred embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present application. These variations and improvements fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that: The display panel includes a display area, a first virtual area arranged around the display area, and a second virtual area arranged around the first virtual area; The display panel includes: A pixel matrix composed of a plurality of pixels, located in the display area and the first virtual area, each pixel including two sub-pixels having different colors, the pixel matrix including a first direction and a second direction; wherein the plurality of sub-pixels having the same color are arranged in a row along a fourth direction, wherein the fourth direction is perpendicular to the third direction, any two adjacent sub-pixels arranged along the second direction have different colors, the geometric centers of two sub-pixels constituting the same pixel are arranged along the third direction, the third direction being located on a plane formed by the first and second directions, and the third direction being non-parallel to either the first or second directions; a first retaining wall, located in the first virtual area and surrounding the periphery of the pixel matrix, the first retaining wall comprising a first sub-segment and a second sub-segment, the first sub-segment extending along the first direction, and the second sub-segment extending along the second direction; a second retaining wall, located in the second virtual area and arranged around the first retaining wall; and a third retaining wall, located in the second virtual area, the third retaining wall being located between the first subsection and the second retaining wall, and the third retaining wall connecting the first subsection and the second retaining wall; a fourth retaining wall located in the second virtual area, the fourth retaining wall being located between the second sub-segment and the second retaining wall, the fourth retaining wall connecting the second sub-segment and the second retaining wall, and the adjacent third retaining wall and the fourth retaining wall forming a corner area in the second virtual area; The first film layer is located in the second virtual area, the first film layer is located between the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall, and the average thickness of the first film layer in the corner area is greater than the average thickness of the first film layer outside the corner area.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, a first angle is formed between the third direction and the first direction, a second angle is formed between the third direction and the second direction, and the sum of the first angle and the second angle is equal to 90 degrees; The sub-pixels include light-emitting sub-pixels and virtual sub-pixels, the light-emitting sub-pixels are located in the display area, and the virtual sub-pixels are located in the first virtual area; The virtual sub-pixel and the light-emitting sub-pixel adjacent to each other in the first direction have different colors.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The colors of two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction are different.

4. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein: The colors of the three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the first direction are all different.

5. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein: Two adjacent virtual sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the first direction are spaced apart by two virtual sub-pixels.

6. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The colors of the two adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction are different.

7. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The colors of the three adjacent virtual sub-pixels in the second direction are all different.

8. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein: Two adjacent virtual sub-pixels of the same color arranged along the second direction are spaced apart by two virtual sub-pixels.

9. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The dummy sub-pixel has a different color from the light-emitting sub-pixel adjacent to the light-emitting sub-pixel in the second direction.

10. The display panel according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein: A plurality of luminous sub-pixels and dummy sub-pixels having the same color are arranged in a row along the fourth direction, and the geometric centers of the luminous sub-pixels and dummy sub-pixels in the same row are located on the same straight line.

11. The display panel according to claim 10, wherein: The display panel includes: substrate; A plurality of anodes are provided on the substrate and located in the display area; a first pixel defining layer disposed on the substrate and located in the display area and the first dummy area; a portion of the first pixel defining layer located in the display area is provided with a plurality of first openings, each of the first openings exposing one of the anodes; a portion of the first pixel defining layer located in the first dummy area is provided with a plurality of second openings, each of the second openings exposing a portion of the substrate; a first light-emitting functional layer, disposed on the first pixel defining layer and covering the plurality of first openings and the second openings, wherein the first light-emitting functional layer located within the first openings forms the light-emitting sub-pixels, and the first light-emitting functional layer located within the second openings forms the virtual sub-pixels; a second pixel defining layer, disposed on the substrate, the second pixel defining layer comprising the first barrier wall and the second barrier wall, the thickness of the first pixel defining layer being smaller than the thickness of the second pixel defining layer; The first film layer is provided on the substrate, and an average thickness of the first film layer is greater than an average thickness of the first light-emitting functional layer.

12. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein: The material of the first film layer is the same as that of the first light-emitting functional layer.

13. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein: The first retaining wall comprises: two first sub-segments, disposed on the substrate, the two first sub-segments being spaced apart along the second direction, the first sub-segments being located in the first dummy area, and the thickness of the first sub-segments being greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining layer; and two second sub-segments, provided on the substrate, the two second sub-segments being spaced apart along the first direction, the second sub-segments being located in the first dummy area, and the thickness of the second sub-segments being greater than the thickness of the first pixel defining layer; The first pixel defining layer is located between the two first sub-segments, the first pixel defining layer is located between the two second sub-segments, a portion of the first film layer is located between the first sub-segment and the second retaining wall, and another portion of the first film layer is located between the second sub-segment and the second retaining wall.

14. The display panel according to claim 13, wherein: At least part of the pattern of the first sub-segment and at least part of the pattern of the second sub-segment are in one of a straight line shape, a broken line shape, and a curved line shape.

15. The display panel according to claim 13, wherein: The second pixel defining layer further includes the third blocking wall and the fourth blocking wall: The third retaining wall is provided on the base plate; The fourth blocking wall is arranged on the base plate.

16. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein: The first pixel defining layer includes a plurality of first pixel defining portions, the first pixel defining portions extending along a fourth direction, the first pixel defining portions being located in the display area and the first dummy area, a plurality of first openings being defined in a portion of the first pixel defining portion located in the display area, a plurality of second openings being defined in a portion of the first pixel defining portion located in the first dummy area, and the first retaining wall being disposed around the periphery of the plurality of first pixel defining portions; The second pixel defining layer further includes a plurality of fifth retaining walls, the fifth retaining walls being provided on the substrate and extending along the fourth direction, the fifth retaining walls being located between the display area and the first dummy area, and the ends of the fifth retaining walls being connected to the first retaining walls respectively; The first light-emitting functional layer includes a plurality of first sublayers, the first sublayers extending along the fourth direction, the first sublayers being disposed on the first pixel defining portion and covering the plurality of first openings and the second openings, the first sublayers located within the first openings forming the light-emitting subpixels, and the first sublayers located within the second openings forming the dummy subpixels; The first pixel defining portions and the fifth blocking walls are alternately arranged along the third direction.

17. The display panel according to claim 16, wherein: The colors of three adjacent first sub-layers in the third direction are all different.

18. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein: The first pixel defining layer includes a plurality of first pixel defining portions, the first pixel defining portions extending along the third direction, and the first pixel defining portions being located in the display area and the first dummy area; The second pixel defining layer further includes a plurality of fifth retaining walls, the fifth retaining walls being provided on the first pixel defining layer and extending along the fourth direction, the fifth retaining walls being located in the display area and the first dummy area, the ends of the fifth retaining walls being connected to the first retaining walls respectively, the plurality of first pixel defining portions and the plurality of fifth retaining walls intersecting to form a plurality of opening patterns, the opening pattern located in the display area being a first opening, and the opening pattern located in the first dummy area being a second opening; The first light-emitting functional layer includes a plurality of first sublayers, the first sublayers extending along the fourth direction and being located between two adjacent fifth blocking walls, the first sublayers covering the plurality of first openings and the second openings, the first sublayers located within the first openings forming the light-emitting subpixels, and the first sublayers located within the second openings forming the virtual subpixels; The first retaining walls and the first sub-layers are alternately arranged along the third direction.

19. The display panel according to claim 18, wherein: The colors of two adjacent first sub-layers in the third direction are different.

20. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein The material of the first pixel defining layer includes a lyophilic material, and the material of the second pixel defining layer includes a lyophobic material.

21. A display device, characterized in that: The device comprises a display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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