Display panel and display device

Abstract

This application discloses a display panel and a display device. The display panel has multiple pixel island regions and a stretchable region located between two adjacent pixel island regions. The display panel includes a substrate, a pixel circuit layer, and a light-emitting layer stacked sequentially. Each pixel island region includes multiple pixel units disposed in the light-emitting layer and multiple pixel circuits disposed in the pixel circuit layer for driving the multiple pixel units. The stretchable region includes stretchable traces disposed in the pixel circuit layer and electrically connecting the pixel circuits in two adjacent pixel island regions. Each pixel island region includes a first sub-region, and the multiple pixel circuits disposed in the pixel island region are all disposed in the first sub-region. The stretchable region extends between two adjacent pixel units in the pixel island region. The solution of this application can improve the stretchability of the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the continuous development of display technology, many manufacturers have developed stretchable display panels in recent years. Stretchable display panels refer to panels whose length can be increased in one or more dimensions, and are currently a research hotspot. The applicant of this application has found that the stretchability of current stretchable display panels needs further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a display panel and a display device that can improve the stretchability of the display panel.

[0004] A first aspect of this application provides a display panel, the display panel having a plurality of pixel island regions and a stretchable region located between two adjacent pixel island regions. The display panel includes a substrate, a pixel circuit layer, and a light-emitting layer stacked sequentially. The pixel island regions include a plurality of pixel units disposed in the light-emitting layer and a plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the pixel circuit layer for driving the plurality of pixel units. The stretchable region includes stretchable traces disposed in the pixel circuit layer and electrically connecting the pixel circuits in two adjacent pixel island regions. The pixel island regions include a first sub-region, the plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the pixel island regions are all disposed in the first sub-region, and the stretchable region extends to the space between two adjacent pixel units in the pixel island regions.

[0005] A second aspect of this application provides a display device that includes the display panel described in any of the above embodiments.

[0006] The beneficial effect is that the multiple pixel circuits included in the pixel island area are set in the same sub-area, so that the stretchable area can be extended to the space between two adjacent pixel units in the pixel island area, thereby allocating more space to the stretchable area and improving the stretchability or PPI of the display panel. Attached Figure Description

[0007] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1This is a structural schematic diagram of the pixel island region and the stretchable region in one embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0009] Figure 2 This is a simplified cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the specific structure of the central pixel island region in one embodiment;

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the specific structure of the central pixel island region in another embodiment;

[0012] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the pixel island region and the stretchable region in another embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0013] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the pixel island region and the stretchable region in another embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0014] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the pixel island region and the stretchable region in a display panel in related technologies;

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the repeating unit in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0017] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" in this application are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0018] See Figure 1 In one embodiment of this application, the display panel 100 is provided with a plurality of pixel island regions 11 and a stretchable region 12 located between two adjacent pixel island regions 11. The pixel island regions 11 are rigid regions and are the effective display areas of the display panel 100. The stretchable region 12 connects two adjacent pixel island regions 11 and is a stretchable or bendable region. Because of the stretchable region 12, the display panel 100 is a stretchable display panel. The display panel 100 can be an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), or a Micro-LED (Micro Light-Emitting Diode). This application does not limit the specific type of the display panel 100.

[0019] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The display panel 100 also includes a substrate 110, a pixel circuit layer 120, and a light-emitting layer 130 stacked sequentially. The substrate 110 is a flexible substrate, ensuring that the display panel 100 can be stretched. In one application scenario, the material of the substrate 110 includes polyimide (PI). The pixel circuit layer 120 includes pixel circuits 121, which can be, for example, a 7T1C circuit structure. The light-emitting layer 130 includes pixel units 131, each including at least one sub-pixel 1311. For example, in one application scenario, the pixel unit 131 includes three sub-pixels 1311, namely a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel. In another application scenario, the pixel unit 131 includes four sub-pixels 1311, namely one red sub-pixel, one green sub-pixel, and two blue sub-pixels. This application does not limit the structure of the pixel units 131. Furthermore, the structures of different pixel units 131 can be the same or different. In this circuit, one pixel circuit 121 drives one sub-pixel 1311 to emit light, or one pixel circuit 121 can drive multiple sub-pixels 1311 to emit light simultaneously, for example, one pixel circuit 121 drives two sub-pixels 1311 to emit light simultaneously.

[0020] See Figure 2 as well as Figure 3The pixel island region 11 includes a plurality of pixel units 131 disposed in the light-emitting layer 130 and a plurality of pixel circuits 121 disposed in the pixel circuit layer 120 for driving the plurality of pixel units 131. That is, the pixel island region 11 includes a plurality of pixel units 131 and a plurality of pixel circuits 121 for driving the sub-pixels 1311 in the plurality of pixel units 131 to emit light. In one application scenario, when one pixel circuit 121 can only drive one sub-pixel 1311 to emit light, the sub-pixels 1311 and pixel circuits 121 included in the pixel island region 11 are electrically connected in a one-to-one correspondence, that is, the number of sub-pixels 1311 and pixel circuits 121 are equal. For example, if the pixel island region 11 includes 4 pixel units 131, and each pixel unit 131 includes a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel, then when the pixel island region 11 includes 12 sub-pixels 1311, the pixel island region 11 also includes 12 pixel circuits 121. In another application scenario, when one pixel circuit 121 can drive multiple sub-pixels 1311 to emit light simultaneously, the number of pixel circuits 121 included in the pixel island region 11 is less than the number of sub-pixels 1311 included. That is to say, one pixel circuit 121 in the pixel island region 11 can drive only one sub-pixel 1311, or one pixel circuit 121 can drive multiple sub-pixels 1311 simultaneously, depending on the actual needs.

[0021] Simultaneously combined Figure 1 The stretchable region 12 includes stretchable traces 1201 disposed in the pixel circuit layer 120 and electrically connected to the pixel circuits 121 in two adjacent pixel island regions 11. When the display panel 100 is not in a stretched state, the stretchable traces 1201 have a curved structure. The number of stretchable traces 1201 between two adjacent pixel island regions 11 can be one or more, and this application does not impose any limitation.

[0022] Combination Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 In this embodiment, the pixel island region 11 includes a first sub-region 111. Multiple pixel circuits 121 disposed in the pixel island region 11 are all disposed in the first sub-region 111. That is, the multiple pixel circuits 121 included in the pixel island region 11 are disposed in the same sub-region. Because multiple pixel circuits 121 are all disposed in the first sub-region 111, the stretchable region 12 can be extended to the space between two adjacent pixel units 131 in the pixel island region 11. This allows more space to be allocated to the stretchable region 12, thereby increasing the stretchability of the display panel 100 or a higher PPI (Pixels Per Inch).

[0023] Understandably, since the stretchable region 12 extends between two adjacent pixel units 131 in the pixel island region 11, the edge of the pixel island region 11 is not straight.

[0024] It is understandable that with the above settings, there may be a situation where the pixel unit 131 and the pixel circuit 121 that drives it are not in the same sub-region. In order to better connect the pixel unit 131 and the pixel circuit 121 and reduce the difficulty of wiring, this application also provides a connection layer (not shown) located between the pixel circuit layer 120 and the light-emitting layer 130. The pixel island region 11 includes connection traces (not shown) located in the connection layer. The connection traces electrically connect the pixel unit 131 and the pixel circuit 121.

[0025] Of course, in other embodiments, the pixel circuit 121 can also be electrically connected to the pixel unit 131 through the wiring in the same pixel circuit layer 120, depending on the design requirements.

[0026] See Figure 3 In one embodiment, the first sub-region 111 is centered within the pixel island region 11 to reduce wiring difficulty and ensure product yield. In other embodiments, the first sub-region 111 may also be non-centered within the pixel island region 11, depending on actual needs.

[0027] See Figure 3 In one embodiment, the second sub-region 112 where the pixel unit 131 is located is not centrally located in the pixel island region 11, freeing up space for the first sub-region 111, reducing the difficulty of wiring, and improving product yield.

[0028] Continue reading Figure 3 The second sub-regions 112 where the multiple pixel units 131 are located are distributed around the first sub-region 111 to facilitate the setting of wiring between the pixel units 131 and the pixel circuit 121.

[0029] In one embodiment, to ensure structural compactness, the second sub-region 112 where each of the multiple pixel units 131 is located overlaps with the first sub-region 111, thereby freeing up more space for the stretchable region 12 and further improving the stretchability of the display panel 100. In other embodiments, some of the second sub-regions 112 where the pixel units 131 are located may overlap with the first sub-region 111, while some of the second sub-regions 112 where the pixel units 131 are located may not overlap with the first sub-region 111.

[0030] See Figure 1In one embodiment, multiple pixel island regions 11 are arranged in an array to ensure neatness, facilitate internal wiring of the display panel 100, avoid short circuits, open circuits and other situations, and ensure display quality.

[0031] In one embodiment, each pixel island region 11 has the same structure to ensure display uniformity. For example, each pixel island region 11 includes the same number of pixel units 131 and the same number of pixel circuits 121. Of course, in other embodiments, the structures of different pixel island regions 11 can also be different. For example, one pixel island region 11 includes 4 pixel units 131, while another pixel island region 11 includes 3 pixel units 131. In short, the structure can be set according to actual needs, and this application does not limit it.

[0032] See Figure 1 The stretchable region 12 includes three types of regions: region a, region b, and region c. Region a does not have stretchable traces 1201, so its stretchability is limited only by the film material. Regions b and c have stretchable traces 1201, so their stretchability is limited by both the film material and the stretchable traces 1201. Also, since the extension direction of region b is consistent with the extension direction of the included stretchable traces 1201, while the extension direction of region c is inconsistent with the extension direction of the included stretchable traces 1201, the stretchability of region c is less than that of region b, and the stretchability of region b is less than that of region a.

[0033] See Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 In one embodiment, the multiple pixel units 131 in the pixel island region 11 are arranged in an array, which can ensure the neatness of the arrangement, facilitate the internal wiring of the display panel 100, avoid short circuits, open circuits and other situations, and ensure the uniformity of the display.

[0034] In an application scenario, such as Figure 3 As shown, the pixel island region 11 includes 4 pixel units 131, which are arranged in two rows and two columns.

[0035] exist Figure 3 In the application scenario, the first sub-region 111 is located between the second sub-region 112 where the first row of pixel units 131 is located and the second sub-region 112 where the second row of pixel units 131 is located, and is further located between the second sub-region 112 where the first column of pixel units 131 is located and the second sub-region 112 where the second column of pixel units 131 is located.

[0036] In another application scenario, such as Figure 4As shown, the pixel island region 11 includes 6 pixel units 131, which are arranged in three rows and two columns. In other application scenarios, the 6 pixel units 131 can also be arranged in two rows and three columns.

[0037] When the six pixel units 131 are arranged in three rows and two columns, the first sub-region 111 is located between the second sub-region 112 where the pixel unit 131 in the first column of the second row is located and the second sub-region 112 where the pixel unit 131 in the second row and second column is located.

[0038] When the six pixel units 131 are arranged in two rows and three columns, the first sub-region 111 is located between the second sub-region 112 where the pixel units 131 in the first row and second column are located and the second sub-region 112 where the pixel units 131 in the second row and second column are located. It should be noted that this application does not limit the number of pixel units 131 included in the pixel island region 11. For example, in other application scenarios, the pixel island region 11 may include 2, 3, 5, or other numbers of pixel units 131.

[0039] Combination Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 As can be seen, in the pixel island region 11, the pixel unit 131 can be moved to the edge of the pixel island region 11, thereby compressing the width of region a and increasing the width of region b, thereby increasing the length of the stretchable trace 1201 and further improving the stretchability of the display panel 100.

[0040] See Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 In one embodiment, the multiple pixel circuits 121 in the pixel island region 11 are arranged in an array, which will reduce the complexity of the wiring and ensure product yield.

[0041] In one application scenario, multiple pixel circuits 121 in the pixel island region 11 are arranged in multiple rows and columns, for example in... Figure 3 In the pixel island region 11, multiple pixel circuits 121 are arranged in two rows and six columns. Figure 4 In the pixel island region 11, multiple pixel circuits 121 are arranged in three rows and six columns.

[0042] In another application scenario, such as Figure 5 As shown, multiple pixel circuits 121 in pixel island region 11 are arranged in a row, and... Figure 3 , Figure 4 Compared to the application scenarios in the past, the height of region b can be increased (the height of region b refers to the length of region b in the second direction Y) to achieve the growth of the stretchable trace 1201, and ultimately achieve a higher stretching ratio and a higher PPI.

[0043] In other application scenarios, the multiple pixel circuits 121 in the pixel island region 11 can also be arranged in a row.

[0044] In one embodiment, see Figure 6 The corners of pixel island region 11 are rounded. Specifically, the stretching rates of regions a, b, and c are different, and the corners of pixel island region 11 are the boundaries between different regions. Therefore, in order to avoid abrupt changes in the stretching rate at the boundaries between different regions and to alleviate the pressure on the stretched film, the corners of pixel island region 11 are rounded (either circular or elliptical) to make them rounded.

[0045] Of course, in other embodiments, the corners of pixel island region 11 can also be right angles, such as... Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, no restrictions are imposed here.

[0046] Continue reading Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 In one embodiment, stretchable regions 12 are distributed between any two adjacent pixel units 131 along the circumference of the pixel island region 11. This ensures consistent stretchability around the pixel island region 11, guarantees uniform stretching, and improves the stretchability of the display panel 100. In other embodiments, stretchable regions 12 may be distributed between some adjacent pixel units 131, while stretchable regions 12 may not be provided between some adjacent pixel units 131. The specific choice can be made according to actual needs.

[0047] Continue reading Figure 1 Along the circumference of the pixel island region 11, stretchable traces 1201 are distributed between any two adjacent pixel units 131 to disperse the stretchable traces 1201 and reduce the difficulty of routing. In other embodiments, stretchable traces 1201 may be distributed between some adjacent pixel units 131, while stretchable traces 1201 may not be provided between some adjacent pixel units 131. The specific choice can be made according to actual needs.

[0048] At the same time from Figure 1 As can be seen, the display panel 100 can be stretched in the first direction X and also in the second direction Y, thus enabling the display panel 100 to be stretched in both directions.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first stretching ratio of the display panel 100 in the first direction X is equal to the second stretching ratio in the second direction Y; in another embodiment, the first stretching ratio of the display panel 100 in the first direction X is not equal to the second stretching ratio in the second direction Y, which can be set according to actual needs.

[0050] In other embodiments, the first direction X and the second direction Y described above may not be perpendicular to each other.

[0051] Combination Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 In related technologies, in the pixel island region 11, the pixel circuit 121 is located below the corresponding pixel unit 131. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 (Illustrated by pixel circuit 121, i.e., the sub-region occupied by pixel circuit 121 is located in the sub-region occupied by pixel unit 131). Simultaneously, the second sub-region 112 occupied by pixel unit 131 is surrounded by an annular encapsulation region 113, and the pixel island region 11 is typically rectangular. In related technologies, taking a display panel 100 PPI of 100 as an example, the size of the repeating unit P (there are multiple repeating units P, each including a pixel island region 11 and a stretchable region 12 located around the pixel island region 11) is 254µm × 254µm. The area occupied by pixel circuit 121 in the pixel island region 11 is 60 × 60µm, the area occupied by pixel unit 131 is 80 × 80µm, and the width H of the encapsulation region 113 is 50µm. Therefore, the width of the stretchable region 12 is calculated to be 74µm. When a semi-circular stretchable trace 1201 is set in the stretchable region 12, the length of a single semi-circular stretchable trace 1201 is πR. Therefore, the stretchability ratio of the stretchable trace 1201 is: πR / 2R = π / 2 ≈ 1.57. After stretching, the width of the stretchable region 12 can become 116µm (74 × 1.57 = 116µm), achieving a stretch length of 42µm (116µm - 74µm = 42µm), with a stretching rate of 16.5% (43 / 254 = 16.5%). (See also...) Figure 1 In one embodiment of this application, the height of region b can reach 288um. After stretching, the height of region b can reach 452um (288um × 1.57 = 452um), and a stretching length of 164um (452um - 288um = 164um) can be achieved. The stretching rate is 32%, which is twice that of related technologies.

[0052] Therefore, the solution of this application can increase the stretchability of the display panel 100, or increase the PPI of the display panel 100 while keeping the stretchability unchanged.

[0053] In addition, this application also protects a display device, which includes the display panel in any of the above embodiments. Its specific structure can be found in the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0054] The display device can be any device such as a mobile phone, computer, or television, and there are no restrictions.

[0055] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, The display panel is provided with multiple pixel island regions and a stretchable region located between two adjacent pixel island regions. The display panel includes a substrate, a pixel circuit layer and a light-emitting layer stacked in sequence. The pixel island region includes a plurality of pixel units disposed in the light-emitting layer and a plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the pixel circuit layer for driving the plurality of pixel units; The stretchable region includes stretchable traces disposed in the pixel circuit layer and electrically connected to the pixel circuits in two adjacent pixel island regions; The pixel island region includes a first sub-region, and the plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the pixel island region are all disposed in the first sub-region. The stretchable region extends to the area between two adjacent pixel units in the pixel island region, and the second sub-regions in which the plurality of pixel units are located are disposed on the periphery of the first sub-region.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sub-region may be centered or not centered within the pixel island region.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second sub-region where the pixel unit is located is not centered in the pixel island region.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pixel units in the pixel island region are arranged in an array.

5. The display panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pixel island region includes four pixel units, which are arranged in two rows and two columns.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first sub-region is located between the second sub-region where the pixel units in the first row are located and the second sub-region where the pixel units in the second row are located, and is further located between the second sub-region where the pixel units in the first column are located and the second sub-region where the pixel units in the second column are located.

7. The display panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pixel island region includes 6 pixel units, which are arranged in three rows and two columns or two rows and three columns.

8. The display panel according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the six pixel units are arranged in three rows and two columns, the first sub-region is located between the second sub-region where the pixel unit in the first column of the second row is located and the second sub-region where the pixel unit in the second column of the second row is located; when the six pixel units are arranged in two rows and three columns, the first sub-region is located between the second sub-region where the pixel unit in the second column of the first row is located and the second sub-region where the pixel unit in the second column of the second row is located.

9. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pixel circuits in the pixel island region are arranged in an array.

10. The display panel according to claim 9, characterized in that, The multiple pixel circuits in the pixel island region are arranged in multiple rows and columns, or the multiple pixel circuits in the pixel island region are arranged in one row or one column.

11. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The corners of the pixel island region are arc-shaped.

12. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the circumference of the pixel island region, the stretchable region is distributed between any two adjacent pixel units.

13. The display panel according to claim 12, characterized in that, Along the circumference of the pixel island region, stretchable traces are distributed between any two adjacent pixel units.

14. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel further includes a connection layer located between the pixel circuit layer and the light-emitting layer. The pixel island region includes connection traces located in the connection layer, and the connection traces electrically connect the pixel unit and the pixel circuit.

15. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first stretch ratio of the display panel in the first direction is equal to or unequal to the second stretch ratio in the second direction, and the second direction intersects the first direction.

16. The display panel according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

17. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of pixel units in the pixel island region include a plurality of sub-pixels, and one of the pixel circuits in the pixel island region drives one of the sub-pixels, or one of the pixel circuits drives a plurality of the sub-pixels simultaneously.

18. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple pixel island regions are arranged in an array.

19. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the pixel island regions has the same structure.

20. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the display panel as described in any one of claims 1 to 19.

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