Driving substrate, display panel, and method for manufacturing display panel

Abstract

The present application discloses a drive substrate, a display panel, and a method for manufacturing a display panel. The drive substrate includes a plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions and a plurality of first channel pixel regions, each of which is adjacent to at least one first channel pixel region. The drive substrate includes a first substrate, a drive circuit layer, and a first electrode layer, which are sequentially arranged. The first electrode layer includes a plurality of anode electrodes, each of which corresponds to a first light-emitting pixel region and a first channel pixel region. A surface of the drive circuit layer away from the first substrate is provided with a plurality of grooves at positions corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel regions, and no grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the first channel pixel regions. The anode electrodes cover the bottom walls of the grooves and extend to cover the surface of the drive circuit layer away from the first substrate located in the first channel pixel regions. The above-described arrangement can solve the problems of low film formation efficiency of the light-emitting device layer of the display panel and low display panel manufacturing efficiency in the related art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a driving substrate, a display panel, and a method for manufacturing a display panel. Background Art

[0002] Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) display panels have many advantages, including self-luminescence, low driving voltage, high luminous efficiency, short response time, high clarity and contrast, nearly 180° viewing angle, wide operating temperature range, and the ability to achieve flexible display and large-area full-color display. They are recognized by the industry as the display device with the most development potential.

[0003] The structure of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel generally includes a substrate, an anode disposed on the substrate, a cathode disposed on the anode, and a light-emitting device layer sandwiched between the anode and cathode. The light-emitting device layer is typically fabricated using either vacuum thermal evaporation or solution deposition.

[0004] In related technologies, solution film formation methods can be further categorized into inkjet printing, continuous printing, roller printing, and spin coating. These methods suffer from low film formation efficiency, resulting in low display panel production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application mainly provides a driving substrate, a display panel, and a method for manufacturing a display panel to solve the problems of low film forming efficiency of the light-emitting device layer of the display panel and low display panel manufacturing efficiency in related technologies.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present application adopts a technical solution: providing a driving substrate, the driving substrate comprising a plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions and a plurality of first channel pixel regions, each of the first light-emitting pixel regions being adjacent to at least one of the first channel pixel regions; the driving substrate comprising a first substrate, a driving circuit layer, and a first electrode layer, which are sequentially arranged; the first electrode layer comprising a plurality of anode electrodes, each of the anode electrodes corresponding to one of the first light-emitting pixel regions and one of the first channel pixel regions;

[0007] A surface of the driving circuit layer away from the first substrate is provided with a plurality of grooves at positions corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel area, and no grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the first channel pixel area; the anode electrode covers the bottom wall of the groove and extends to cover the surface of the driving circuit layer away from the first substrate located in the first channel pixel area.

[0008] Wherein, the driving circuit layer includes a plurality of driving circuit units and a first planar layer covering the plurality of driving circuit units;

[0009] The first planar layer is away from the surface of the first substrate, is provided with the groove at a position corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel area, and is a flat surface at a position corresponding to the first channel pixel area;

[0010] The anode electrode covers the bottom wall of the groove and extends to the surface of the first flat layer covering the first channel pixel region away from the first substrate; the surface of the first electrode layer in the first channel pixel region away from the first substrate is a plane.

[0011] Wherein, the driving circuit unit includes a plurality of first thin film transistors, and the first thin film transistors are arranged corresponding to the first channel pixel area;

[0012] The anode electrode is connected to the first thin film transistor through a via hole.

[0013] Among them, the multiple anode electrodes, the multiple first light-emitting pixel areas and the multiple first channel pixel areas are distributed in multiple rows, each row of the first light-emitting pixel areas is adjacent to at least one row of the first channel pixel areas, and each row of the first channel pixel areas forms a transport channel; the anode electrodes in the same row are arranged corresponding to an adjacent row of the first light-emitting pixel areas and a row of the first channel pixel areas.

[0014] Wherein, along the column direction, multiple rows of the first light-emitting pixel regions and multiple rows of the first channel pixel regions are alternately arranged.

[0015] To solve the above technical problems, another technical solution adopted in this application is to provide a display panel, comprising:

[0016] Any of the driving substrates described above; wherein a light-emitting device layer is provided in the groove;

[0017] a second electrode layer;

[0018] The encapsulation layer covers the second electrode layer.

[0019] To solve the above technical problems, another technical solution adopted in this application is to provide a method for preparing a display panel, comprising:

[0020] Providing a drive substrate; wherein the drive substrate is any one of the drive substrates described above;

[0021] A microfluidic substrate is provided, and the microfluidic substrate and the driving substrate are aligned and spaced apart to form a droplet transfer gap; wherein the microfluidic substrate includes a second substrate and a microfluidic functional layer, and the microfluidic functional layer is arranged toward the driving substrate; the microfluidic substrate includes a plurality of second light-emitting pixel regions and a plurality of second channel pixel regions, the plurality of second light-emitting pixel regions are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions, and the plurality of second channel pixel regions are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first channel pixel regions;

[0022] disposing a plurality of droplets in the droplet transfer gap between the microfluidic substrate and the driving substrate;

[0023] The liquid drop is driven to move into the first light-emitting pixel area and drop into the groove.

[0024] Wherein, the surface of the microfluidic substrate close to the driving substrate is a plane; and / or,

[0025] The microfluidic functional layer includes a second thin film transistor, a first insulating layer, a second flat layer, a microfluidic electrode layer, a second insulating layer and a hydrophobic layer sequentially arranged on one side of the second substrate; the microfluidic electrode layer is connected to the second thin film transistor via hole;

[0026] The step of driving the liquid droplet to move into the first light-emitting pixel area and drop into the groove includes:

[0027] The droplet is driven between the hydrophobic layer and the first electrode layer and contacts the hydrophobic layer and the anode electrode respectively, and moves through the first channel pixel area to the first light-emitting pixel area and drops into the groove; wherein the anode electrode is used to serve as the ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate in the process of driving the droplet to move.

[0028] The step of driving the liquid droplet to move into the first light-emitting pixel area and drop into the groove includes:

[0029] The plurality of liquid droplets are driven to move into the corresponding first channel pixel area, and the plurality of liquid droplets are controlled to drop synchronously into the groove of the corresponding first light-emitting pixel area.

[0030] Wherein, the droplets contain functional layer materials, and the functional layer materials are used to prepare the light-emitting device layer;

[0031] After the step of driving the liquid droplet to move into the first light-emitting pixel area and drop into the groove, the method further includes:

[0032] removing the solvent from the droplet to form a functional layer in the groove;

[0033] The microfluidic substrate is removed.

[0034] The beneficial effects of the present application are: different from the prior art, the present application discloses a driving substrate, a display panel, and a method for preparing a display panel, wherein the driving substrate includes a plurality of first light-emitting pixel areas and a plurality of first channel pixel areas, and each first light-emitting pixel area is arranged adjacent to at least one first channel pixel area; the driving substrate includes a first substrate, a driving circuit layer, and a first electrode layer arranged in sequence, and the first electrode layer includes a plurality of anode electrodes, and each anode electrode corresponds to a first light-emitting pixel area and a first channel pixel area; a surface of the driving circuit layer away from the first substrate is provided with a plurality of grooves at positions corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel areas, and no grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the first channel pixel areas, and the anode electrodes cover the bottom walls of the grooves and extend to cover the surface of the driving circuit layer away from the first substrate located in the first channel pixel area. Through the above-mentioned arrangement, in the process of preparing a display panel using a driving substrate, an independent microfluidic substrate can be used, and the microfluidic substrate can be spaced apart and arranged on the side of the driving circuit layer of the driving substrate away from the first substrate. By arranging droplets containing functional layer materials on the surface of the driving circuit layer away from the first substrate, the droplets are respectively in contact with the microfluidic substrate and the driving substrate, so as to facilitate the driving of the droplets to directly transport the droplets to the grooves of the first light-emitting pixel area through the first channel pixel area of ​​the driving substrate. After the droplets are cured and other treatments are performed, the functional layer is directly formed in the grooves of the first light-emitting pixel area of ​​the driving substrate, and finally the light-emitting device layer is formed, so as to facilitate the preparation of the light-emitting unit, which is beneficial to improving the film-forming efficiency of the light-emitting device layer, and thus improving the preparation efficiency of the display panel, and solving the problems of low film-forming efficiency of the light-emitting device layer of the display panel and low display panel preparation efficiency in related technologies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive work, among which:

[0036] Figure 1 1 is a schematic top view of a driving substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the distribution of the first light-emitting pixel area and the first channel pixel area of ​​the provided driving substrate;

[0038] Figure 3 1 is a schematic top view of another embodiment of the driving substrate provided in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the distribution of the first light-emitting pixel area and the first channel pixel area of ​​the provided driving substrate;

[0040] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic AA cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a driving substrate is provided;

[0041] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an implementation manner of a display panel provided in the second embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the display panel provided in the second embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 8 1 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a display panel according to a third embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a microfluidic substrate provided in step S2 of the provided method for preparing a display panel;

[0045] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram corresponding to an embodiment of step S2 in the method for manufacturing a display panel provided;

[0046] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram corresponding to an embodiment of step S3 in the method for manufacturing a display panel provided;

[0047] Figure 12 yes Figure 8 A structural schematic diagram corresponding to an embodiment of step S4 in a method for manufacturing a display panel is provided.

[0048] Figure Number:

[0049] 100, display panel; 1, driving substrate; 11, first substrate; 12, driving circuit layer; 121, driving circuit unit; 122, first planar layer; 13, first electrode layer; 131, anode electrode; 14, first light-emitting pixel region; 141, groove; 15, first channel pixel region; 2, microfluidic substrate; 20, microfluidic functional layer; 21, second substrate; 22, second thin film transistor; 23, first insulating layer; 24, second planar layer; 25, microfluidic circuit Polar layer; 26, second insulating layer; 27, hydrophobic layer; 28, second light-emitting pixel area; 29, second channel pixel area; 3, light-emitting unit; 4, light-emitting device layer; 41, hole injection layer; 42, hole transport layer; 43, organic light-emitting layer; 44, electron transport layer; 45, electron injection layer; 5, second electrode layer; 6, encapsulation layer; 7, droplet transfer gap; 8, droplet; 9, support member; 10, third insulating layer; X, display area; F, non-display area; K, blank area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] The terms "first", "second" and "third" in the embodiments of the present application are only used for descriptive purposes and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first", "second" and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally also include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally also include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0052] References to "embodiments" herein mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0053] See Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 1 is a schematic top view of a driving substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the distribution of the first light-emitting pixel area and the first channel pixel area of ​​the driving substrate is provided, Figure 3 1 is a schematic top view of another embodiment of the driving substrate provided in the first embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the distribution of the first light-emitting pixel area and the first channel pixel area of ​​the driving substrate is provided, Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic AA cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a driving substrate is provided.

[0054] See also Figures 1 to 5 The first embodiment of the present application provides a driving substrate 1. Specifically, the driving substrate 1 includes a plurality of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 and a plurality of first channel pixel areas 15. Each first light-emitting pixel area 14 is arranged adjacent to at least one first channel pixel area 15.

[0055] See also Figure 5 The driving substrate 1 includes a first substrate 11, a driving circuit layer 12 and a first electrode layer 13 arranged in sequence. The driving circuit layer 12 is electrically connected to the first electrode layer 13 so as to drive and control the first electrode layer 13 through the driving circuit layer 12. The first electrode layer 13 includes a plurality of anode electrodes 131, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, each anode electrode 131 corresponds to a first light-emitting pixel region 14 and a first channel pixel region 15 .

[0056] See also Figure 5 The surface of the driving circuit layer 12 away from the first substrate 11 is provided with a plurality of grooves 141 at locations corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel region 14, and no grooves 141 are provided at locations corresponding to the first channel pixel region 15. The anode electrode 131 covers the bottom walls of the grooves 141 and extends to cover the surface of the driving substrate 1 located in the first channel pixel region 15.

[0057] It can be understood that by setting the driving substrate 1 to include a plurality of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 and a plurality of first channel pixel areas 15, and each first light-emitting pixel area 14 is arranged adjacent to at least one first channel pixel area 15, a groove 141 is provided on the surface of the driving circuit layer 12 of the driving substrate 1 away from the first substrate 11 at a position corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel area 14, and the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 covers the bottom wall of the groove 141, in the process of preparing a display panel using the driving substrate 1, an independent microfluidic substrate can be used, and the microfluidic substrate can be spaced apart and arranged on the surface of the driving circuit layer 12 of the driving substrate 1 away from the first substrate 11. On one side, droplets containing functional layer materials are disposed on the surface of the drive circuit layer 12 of the drive substrate 1 away from the first substrate 11, so that the droplets contact the microfluidic substrate and the drive substrate 1 respectively. This facilitates driving the droplets to be directly transported through the first channel pixel region 15 of the drive substrate 1 to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14. After the droplets are solidified and subjected to other treatments, the functional layer is directly formed in the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14 of the drive substrate 1. Finally, a light-emitting device layer is formed in the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14 of the drive substrate 1, thereby facilitating the preparation of light-emitting units and, in turn, more easily preparing a display panel. Specifically, the light-emitting unit prepared in the groove 141 can be an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), and the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 of the drive substrate 1 can directly serve as the anode of the light-emitting unit.

[0058] By setting the driving substrate 1 to the above-mentioned structure, there is no need to use FMM (Fine Metal Mask) to deposit the light-emitting device layer. An independent microfluidic substrate can be used to directly transport droplets into the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1 to form the light-emitting device layer, which is beneficial to improving the preparation efficiency of the display panel and saving process flow. The microfluidic substrate can be reused many times and is not used as part of the prepared display panel, which is beneficial to further save costs and facilitates thinning the thickness of the prepared display panel to meet more usage requirements. At the same time, there will be no problem of pixel opening position offset and low pixel deposition accuracy due to deformation or offset of the FMM when the light-emitting device layer is deposited using the FMM, which is beneficial to improving the display performance and display effect of the prepared display panel.

[0059] For details, see Figure 5 In some embodiments, the driving circuit layer 12 includes a plurality of driving circuit units 121 and a first planar layer 122 . Specifically, the first planar layer 122 is disposed on a side of the driving circuit unit 121 away from the first substrate 11 and covers the plurality of driving circuit units 121 .

[0060] See also Figure 5 In some embodiments, a surface of the first flat layer 122 away from the first substrate 11 is provided with a groove 141 at a position corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel region 14. That is, the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14 of the driving substrate 1 is provided in the first flat layer 122. The first flat layer 122 is flat at a position corresponding to the first channel pixel region 15. That is, the first channel pixel region 15 is not provided with the groove 141. Specifically, in some embodiments, the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 covers the bottom wall and side walls of the groove 141 and extends to cover the surface of the first flat layer 122 away from the first substrate 11 of the first channel pixel region 15. The surface of the first electrode layer 13 of the first channel pixel region 15 away from the first substrate 11 is flat.

[0061] It can be understood that by setting the first flat layer 122 in the driving circuit layer 12, setting the groove 141 on the surface of the first flat layer 122 away from the first substrate 11, and setting the position of the first flat layer 122 corresponding to the first channel pixel area 15 to be a plane, and then setting the surface of the first electrode layer 13 of the first channel pixel area 15 away from the first substrate 11 to be a plane, in the process of using the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate to transport droplets into the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1 to prepare a display panel, it can be more convenient for the droplets located between the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate to move smoothly on the surface of the first channel pixel area 15, so as to more efficiently transport the droplets to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 of the driving substrate 1, thereby ensuring that the droplets can be transported to the right place and improving the droplet transportation efficiency. , thereby facilitating the improvement of the production efficiency of the display panel; at the same time, the anode electrode 131 covers the bottom wall and side walls of the groove 141 and extends to the surface of the first flat layer 122 covering the first channel pixel area 15 away from the first substrate 11. The anode electrode 131 in the groove 141 can be used as the anode of the light-emitting unit formed in the groove 141, so as to drive the light-emitting unit to realize the light-emitting function. At the same time, in the process of using the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate to transport droplets into the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1, part of the anode electrode 131 covering the surface of the first flat layer 122 of the first channel pixel area 15 away from the first substrate 11 can also be used as the ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate, so that the microfluidic substrate can more stably and efficiently drive the droplets to move into the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1.

[0062] Specifically, in the process of preparing a display panel by using a microfluidic substrate spaced apart on one side of the driving substrate 1, the microfluidic substrate drives the droplets to move under the action of the electric field. By extending the anode electrode 131 to the first flat layer 122 covering the first channel pixel area 15 away from the surface of the first substrate 11, the droplets can contact the anode electrode 131. The anode electrode 131 can serve as the ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate, so that the droplets can be charged. Only a small voltage needs to be applied to drive the droplets to move smoothly. The above arrangement makes it easier for the microfluidic substrate to drive the droplets to move, which is beneficial to improving the droplet transportation efficiency, and thus facilitates improving the preparation efficiency of the display panel.

[0063] In other embodiments, the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 may also only cover the bottom wall and side walls of the groove 141, and not cover the surface of the first flat layer 122 of the first channel pixel region 15 away from the first substrate 11. Alternatively, the surface of the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 of the first channel pixel region 15 away from the first substrate 11 may not be set as a flat surface, for example, it may be set as a curved surface, as long as it can be ensured that the drive substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate can be used to transport droplets into the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14 of the drive substrate 1, thereby facilitating the formation of a light-emitting device layer in the groove 141. This application is not limited to this, and specific designs can be made as needed.

[0064] In some embodiments, the driving circuit unit 121 of the driving circuit layer 12 includes a plurality of first thin-film transistors (TFTs), which are arranged corresponding to the first-channel pixel regions 15. In a specific embodiment, each driving circuit unit 121 may include a plurality of first thin-film transistors. For example, each driving circuit unit 121 may include three first thin-film transistors and one capacitor (C), forming a 3T1C circuit to improve the stability of the driving circuit unit 121, thereby facilitating an improvement in the image display effect of the fabricated display panel, extending the service life of the display panel, and enhancing the user experience.

[0065] In some embodiments, the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 is connected to the first thin film transistor through a via hole, specifically, as shown in FIG. Figure 5As shown, a via is provided in the first planar layer 122 of the driving circuit layer 12. The via is provided corresponding to the first channel pixel region 15, penetrates the first planar layer 122, and exposes a portion of the first thin-film transistor. The anode electrode 131 extends to the sidewall of the via and is electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor. This facilitates the thin-film transistor of the driving circuit unit 121 to drive and control the anode electrode 131, thereby controlling the fabricated light-emitting unit to achieve light-emitting function. Specifically, when using the driving substrate 1 to manufacture a display panel, when driving droplets to move in the first channel pixel region 15, the via can be avoided to ensure that the droplets can move smoothly on the surface of the anode electrode 131 away from the first substrate 11, thereby smoothly transporting the droplets to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14.

[0066] See also Figures 1 to 4 In some embodiments, the plurality of anode electrodes 131, the plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions 14, and the plurality of first channel pixel regions 15 of the driving substrate 1 are arranged in multiple rows. Each row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 is adjacent to at least one row of first channel pixel regions 15, and each row of first channel pixel regions 15 forms a delivery channel. That is, each row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 may be adjacent to only one row of first channel pixel regions 15. For example, along the column direction, a row of first channel pixel regions 15 may be disposed on one side of a row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14. Alternatively, each row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 may be adjacent to multiple rows of first channel pixel regions 15. For example, a row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 may be adjacent to two rows of first channel pixel regions 15, with the two rows of first channel pixel regions 15 corresponding to opposite sides of the first light-emitting pixel regions 14. Each row of first channel pixel regions 15 forms a delivery channel, facilitating the delivery of liquid droplets into the grooves 141 of the corresponding first light-emitting pixel regions 14 via the delivery channel, thereby facilitating the formation of the light-emitting device layer within the grooves 141 of the driving substrate 1. Specifically, the droplets may enter the delivery channel from the port of the delivery channel, so as to be delivered to the corresponding groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 through the delivery channel.

[0067] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment, multiple rows of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and multiple rows of first channel pixel regions 15 are alternately arranged along the column direction. The number of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and the number of first channel pixel regions 15 can be equal. During the process of manufacturing the display panel, droplets can be transported to the grooves 141 of the corresponding first light-emitting pixel region 14 via the row of first channel pixel regions 15 adjacent to each row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14, so as to form a functional layer in the grooves 141, and then form a light-emitting device layer. Each first light-emitting pixel region 14 has a corresponding first channel pixel region 15 to transport droplets to its groove 141. Multiple rows of first channel pixel regions 15 can simultaneously transport droplets to the corresponding multiple rows of first light-emitting pixel regions 14, which is beneficial to improving the droplet transportation efficiency and thus improving the efficiency of display panel manufacturing.

[0068] In another embodiment, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, two rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 may be disposed between two adjacent rows of first channel pixel areas 15, that is, each row of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 may be disposed adjacent to a row of first channel pixel areas 15. During the manufacturing process of the display panel, droplets may be transported into the grooves 141 of the two adjacent rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 via the same row of first channel pixel areas 15. Specifically, a row of first channel pixel areas 15 may first transport droplets into the grooves 141 of one adjacent row of first light-emitting pixel areas 14, and after transporting droplets into the grooves 141 of the first row of first light-emitting pixel areas 14, the row of first channel pixel areas 15 may then transport droplets into the grooves 141 of the other adjacent row of first light-emitting pixel areas 14. That is, the timing of transporting droplets into the grooves 141 of the two adjacent rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 to the first row of first channel pixel areas 15 is different. It can be understood that by setting two rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 between two adjacent rows of first channel pixel areas 15, the two rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 located on both sides of the same row of first channel pixel areas 15 can share the row of first channel pixel areas 15 as a transmission channel, which is beneficial to reducing the number of rows of first channel pixel areas 15, thereby improving the distribution rate of the first light-emitting pixel areas 14 of the prepared display panel, and further beneficial to improving the pixel aperture ratio of the display panel and improving the display performance of the display panel.

[0069] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3Each row of anode electrodes 131 corresponds to a row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and a row of first channel pixel regions 15. Specifically, the same row of anode electrodes 131 corresponds to an adjacent row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and a row of first channel pixel regions 15. The portion of the anode electrodes 131 corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel regions 14 can serve as the anode of the light-emitting unit of the display panel to be formed, thereby driving the light-emitting unit to achieve a light-emitting function. The portion of the anode electrodes 131 corresponding to the first channel pixel regions 15 can serve as the ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate when an independent microfluidic substrate is spaced apart and disposed on one side of the driving substrate 1 to facilitate the transport of droplets into the grooves 141 of the first light-emitting pixel regions 14 of the driving substrate 1. The droplets are charged by contact with the anode electrodes 131, thereby only requiring a small voltage to drive the droplets to move smoothly, ensuring that the droplets can be efficiently transported from the first channel pixel regions 15 to the grooves 141.

[0070] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one specific embodiment, multiple rows of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and multiple rows of first channel pixel regions 15 are alternately arranged along the column direction, and each row of anode electrodes 131 corresponds to an adjacent row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and a row of first channel pixel regions 15. Specifically, multiple rows of anode electrodes 131 are adjacent to each other, and each row of anode electrodes 131 corresponds to an independent row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and a row of first channel pixel regions 15. No two adjacent anode electrodes 131 share a first light-emitting pixel region 14 and a first channel pixel region 15. For example, the drive substrate 1 includes three rows of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and three rows of first channel pixel regions 15, the first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and the first channel pixel regions 15 being alternately arranged, and three rows of anode electrodes 131 are correspondingly arranged, and each row of anode electrodes 131 corresponds to an adjacent row of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 and a row of first channel pixel regions 15. Through the above-mentioned setting, in the process of preparing a display panel using a microfluidic substrate, it is easy to improve the transportation efficiency of droplets in the first channel pixel area 15, improve the preparation efficiency of the display panel, ensure the performance stability of the anode electrode 131, and thus improve the performance of the prepared display panel.

[0071] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4In another specific embodiment, along the column direction, two rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 are arranged between two adjacent rows of first channel pixel areas 15, and each row of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 is arranged adjacent to a row of first channel pixel areas 15. The two rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 located on both sides of the same row of first channel pixel areas 15 share the row of first channel pixel areas 15. Each row of anode electrodes 131 corresponds to an adjacent row of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 and a row of first channel pixel areas 15. Specifically, two rows of anode electrodes 131 are correspondingly arranged in a row of first channel pixel areas 15 and the two rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 located on both sides thereof. The two rows of anode electrodes 131 are adjacently arranged, and the two rows of anode electrodes 131 correspond to two independent rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14, but correspond to the same row of first channel pixel areas 15. Specifically, the two rows of anode electrodes 131 are spaced apart from each other corresponding to portions within the same row of first channel pixel areas 15, so that there is no electrical connection between the two adjacent anode electrodes 131. It can be understood that by correspondingly arranging two rows of anode electrodes 131 in a row of first channel pixel areas 15 and the two rows of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 located on both sides thereof, the two rows of anode electrodes 131 correspond to the same row of first channel pixel areas 15, which is beneficial to improving the pixel aperture ratio and saving costs.

[0072] Specifically, the two rows of anode electrodes 131 are spaced apart from each other in portions corresponding to the first channel pixel region 15 in the same row, and the spacing distance is less than the equivalent diameter of a droplet transported through the first channel pixel region 15 to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14 during the display panel manufacturing process. It can be understood that by setting the spacing distance between the two rows of anode electrodes 131 in portions corresponding to the first channel pixel region 15 in the same row to be less than the equivalent diameter of a droplet, during the display panel manufacturing process using the microfluidic substrate spaced apart on one side of the drive substrate 1, the droplet can be ensured to always contact the anode electrodes 131 in the first channel pixel region 15 as it moves on the surface of the first channel pixel region 15 away from the first substrate 11. The anode electrodes 131 serve as the ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate, thereby imparting a charge to the droplet, facilitating more efficient transport of the droplet to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14.

[0073] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment, the shapes of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 and the first channel pixel area 15 are both rectangular. In other embodiments, the shapes of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 and the first channel pixel area 15 can be any shape such as a rectangle, a rhombus, a square, a regular hexagon, etc. The first light-emitting pixel area 14 and the first channel pixel area 15 may not be distributed in multiple rows and can be designed as needed, as long as it is ensured that the microfluidic substrate can be used to transport the droplets through the first channel pixel area 15 to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14.

[0074] See also Figures 1 to 4 In some embodiments, the driving substrate 1 includes a display area X and a non-display area F, the non-display area F is arranged outside the display area X, and the multiple first light-emitting pixel areas 14 and the multiple first channel pixel areas 15 are all arranged in the display area X.

[0075] In some embodiments, the driving substrate 1 further includes a blank area K, which is disposed outside the non-display area F. During the process of preparing the display panel, the blank area K is used to carry droplets disposed between the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate. Droplets can be injected into the blank area K of the driving substrate 1 so that the droplets can be transported to the display area X via the blank area K, and then transported to the grooves 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 via the first channel pixel area 15. Specifically, multiple droplets are injected into the blank area K. The multiple droplets in the blank area K enter the delivery channels from the ports of the multiple rows of delivery channels (the ends of the delivery channels close to the blank area K) and are respectively transported to the grooves 141 of the multiple first light-emitting pixel areas 14 via the delivery channels.

[0076] It is understood that after the liquid droplets are transferred into the grooves 141 of all first light-emitting pixel regions 14 of the driver substrate 1 to form multiple light-emitting device layers, the blank area K surrounding the non-display area F of the driver substrate 1 can be removed, leaving only the display area X and the non-display area F, to facilitate the preparation of the display panel. In other words, the blank area K only exists during the preparation of the display panel; the driver substrate 1 of the prepared display panel does not include the blank area K.

[0077] In other embodiments, the driving substrate 1 may also not include the blank area K. In the process of preparing the display panel, other methods can be used to set droplets between the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate. For example, other structural parts can be used to directly inject droplets into the non-display area F between the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate or the first channel pixel area 15 to directly transport the droplets through the first channel pixel area 15 to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14. The specific design can be based on needs.

[0078] See Figures 6 and 7 , Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an implementation of a display panel provided in the second embodiment of the present application, Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another implementation of the display panel provided in the second embodiment of the present application.

[0079] See also Figure 6 and Figure 7 A second embodiment of the present application provides a display panel 100 . Specifically, the display panel 100 includes a driving substrate 1 , a light-emitting device layer 4 , a second electrode layer 5 and an encapsulation layer 6 .

[0080] For details, see Figures 1 to 7 The drive substrate 1 may be any of the drive substrates 1 described above. The drive substrate 1 of the display panel 100 does not include a blank area K, that is, the blank area K has been removed. The specific structure of the drive substrate 1 can refer to the mutual description of the drive substrate 1 provided in the first embodiment of the present application, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] See also Figure 6 and Figure 7 The light-emitting device layer 4 is disposed in the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1. Specifically, in some embodiments, the light-emitting device layer 4 may include a hole injection layer 41, a hole transport layer 42, an organic light-emitting layer 43, an electron transport layer 44, and an electron injection layer 45, which are stacked in sequence. The multiple functional layers of the light-emitting device layer 4 can be formed by sequentially delivering droplets containing different functional layer materials into the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1 using a microfluidic substrate, curing the droplets, and removing the solvent from the droplets.

[0082] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some embodiments, the first light-emitting pixel area 14 of the driving substrate 1 may include three first light-emitting pixel areas 14 of different colors. Specifically, in each row of first light-emitting pixel areas 14, each adjacent three first light-emitting pixel areas 14 may be the first color, the second color, and the third color, respectively. The color of the light-emitting device layer 4 in the groove 141 of each adjacent three first light-emitting pixel areas 14 is different. Specifically, the color of the organic light-emitting layer 43 of the light-emitting device layer 4 in each three adjacent grooves 141 is the first color, the second color, and the third color, respectively, so that the light-emitting device layer 4 in the groove 141 can be driven to emit light of different colors, thereby facilitating the display panel 100 to achieve full-color display.

[0083] In one embodiment, the first color, the second color and the third color may be red, green and blue respectively. In other embodiments, the light emitting device layer 4 in the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1 of the display panel 100 may also be set to other colors, which can be designed as needed.

[0084] See also Figure 6 and Figure 7 The second electrode layer 5 is arranged on one side of the driving substrate 1 . Specifically, the second electrode layer 5 is arranged on a side of the first electrode layer 13 of the driving substrate 1 away from the first substrate 11 . The second electrode layer 5 serves as the cathode of the light emitting unit 3 .

[0085] See also Figure 6In one specific embodiment, the second electrode layer 5 includes a plurality of cathode electrodes spaced apart from each other. The plurality of cathode electrodes are positioned corresponding to the grooves 141 of the plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions 14. Specifically, the cathode electrode covers the light-emitting device layer 4 within the groove 141 and is away from the surface of the first substrate 11 to electrically connect to the light-emitting device layer 4 within the groove 141. The cathode electrode of the second electrode layer 5, the light-emitting device layer 4, and the anode electrode 131 collectively form a light-emitting unit 3. The second electrode layer 5 serves as the cathode of the light-emitting unit 3, thereby facilitating the cathode electrode of the second electrode layer 5 and the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 to jointly drive and control the light-emitting device layer 4 to achieve a light-emitting function. The second electrode layer 5 is spaced apart and insulated from the anode electrode 131 to prevent the cathode and anode of the light-emitting unit 3 from being electrically connected and affecting the performance of the light-emitting unit 3.

[0086] In another embodiment, see Figure 7 The display panel 100 further includes a third insulating layer 10, which is disposed on the side of the first electrode layer 13 away from the first substrate 11. Specifically, the third insulating layer 10 entirely covers the surface of the first electrode layer 13 away from the first substrate 11. An opening is provided in the third insulating layer 10 corresponding to the position of the light-emitting device layer 4, exposing the surface of the light-emitting device layer 4 away from the first substrate 11. The second electrode layer 5 entirely covers the side of the third insulating layer 10 away from the first substrate 11 and contacts the surface of the light-emitting device layer 4 away from the first substrate 11 through the opening in the third insulating layer 10, thereby electrically connecting the light-emitting device layer 4. The second electrode layer 5, the light-emitting device layer 4, and the anode electrode 131 collectively form a light-emitting unit 3. The second electrode layer 5 serves as the cathode of the light-emitting unit 3, thereby facilitating the second electrode layer 5 and the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 to jointly drive and control the light-emitting device layer 4 to achieve light emission. That is, in this embodiment, the second electrode layer 5 entirely covers the side of the third insulating layer 10 away from the first substrate 11, and the cathodes of multiple light-emitting units 3 are interconnected to form a full-surface cathode structure.

[0087] It can be understood that by setting the third insulating layer 10 on the surface of the first electrode layer 13 away from the first substrate 11, and then depositing the second electrode layer 5 on the entire surface of the side of the third insulating layer 10 away from the first substrate 11, the second electrode layer 5 can be insulated from the first electrode layer 13 by the third insulating layer 10, thereby avoiding the cathode and anode of the light-emitting unit 3 being electrically connected and affecting the performance of the light-emitting unit 3; at the same time, by setting the third insulating layer 10, it is also convenient to deposit the second electrode layer 5 on the entire surface, reducing the difficulty of preparing the second electrode layer 5, realizing the interconnection of the cathodes of multiple light-emitting units 3, and making it easier to drive and control multiple light-emitting units 3 to realize the light-emitting function.

[0088] The encapsulation layer 6 is disposed on a side of the second electrode layer 5 away from the first substrate 11 and covers the second electrode layer 5. In one embodiment, Figure 6As shown, the second electrode layer 5 includes a plurality of cathode electrodes, which are arranged corresponding to the positions of the light-emitting device layer 4. The encapsulation layer 6 covers the surface of the second electrode layer 5 away from the first substrate 11, and covers the portion of the first electrode layer 13 not covered by the light-emitting device layer 4 away from the first substrate 11. In another specific embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown, the second electrode layer 5 entirely covers the side of the third insulating layer 10 away from the first substrate 11, and the encapsulation layer 6 entirely covers the surface of the second electrode layer 5 away from the first substrate 11. The encapsulation layer 6 can be used to encapsulate and protect the display panel 100, effectively blocking external substances such as moisture and oxygen from penetrating into the interior of the display panel 100, protecting the organic light-emitting material from the intrusion of external water and oxygen substances, ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of the display panel 100, helping to extend the service life of the display panel 100 and maintain its brightness and color performance. At the same time, the encapsulation layer 6 can also provide a certain degree of mechanical protection for the display panel 100, preventing physical damage and scratches, enhancing the structural strength of the display panel 100, and improving the performance of the display panel 100.

[0089] See Figures 8 to 12 , Figure 8 1 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a display panel provided in the third embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a microfluidic substrate provided in step S2 of the method for preparing a display panel is provided. Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A structural schematic diagram corresponding to an embodiment of step S2 in the method for manufacturing a display panel is provided, Figure 11 yes Figure 8 A structural schematic diagram corresponding to an embodiment of step S3 in the method for manufacturing a display panel is provided, Figure 12 yes Figure 8 A structural schematic diagram corresponding to an embodiment of step S4 in a method for manufacturing a display panel is provided.

[0090] See also Figures 8 to 12 The third embodiment of the present application provides a method for preparing a display panel 100, which is used to prepare any of the display panels 100 described above. Specifically, the method for preparing the display panel 100 includes:

[0091] S1: Provide a driving substrate 1.

[0092] Specifically, first, provide a drive substrate 1, see Figures 1 to 5 The driving substrate 1 can be any one of the driving substrates 1 provided in the first embodiment of the present application. The specific structure and configuration of the driving substrate 1 can refer to the mutual description of the driving substrate 1 provided in the first embodiment of the present application, and will not be repeated here.

[0093] S2: providing a microfluidic substrate 2, and aligning and spacing the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1 to form a droplet transfer gap 7.

[0094] Specifically, a microfluidic substrate 2 is provided, and the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1 are aligned and spaced apart to form a droplet transfer gap 7. Figure 9 As shown, the microfluidic substrate 2 includes a second substrate 21 and a microfluidic functional layer 20 stacked together. Figure 10 As shown, the microfluidic functional layer 20 of the microfluidic substrate 2 is arranged toward the driving substrate 1, that is, the microfluidic functional layer 20 is arranged on the side of the second substrate 21 of the microfluidic substrate 2 close to the driving substrate 1, and the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1 are arranged spaced apart from each other, forming a droplet transfer gap 7 between the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1. In a specific embodiment, as Figure 10 As shown, a droplet transfer gap 7 is formed between the surface of the microfluidic functional layer 20 of the microfluidic substrate 2 away from the second substrate 21 and the surface of the first electrode layer 13 of the driving substrate 1 away from the first substrate 11 .

[0095] For details, see Figure 9 and Figure 10 The microfluidic substrate 2 includes a plurality of second light-emitting pixel regions 28 and a plurality of second channel pixel regions 29. The plurality of second light-emitting pixel regions 28 of the microfluidic substrate 2 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 of the drive substrate 1, and the plurality of second channel pixel regions 29 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first channel pixel regions 15. That is, the number of second light-emitting pixel regions 28 is equal to the number of first light-emitting pixel regions 14, and the number of second channel pixel regions 29 is equal to the number of first channel pixel regions 15.

[0096] It can be understood that by aligning the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1 and setting them apart, and setting the second light-emitting pixel area 28 to correspond to the first light-emitting pixel area 14, and setting the second channel pixel area 29 to correspond to the first channel pixel area 15, and forming a droplet transfer gap 7 between the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1, it is convenient to refer to the following process. Figures 11 to 12 , using the droplet transfer gap 7 between the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1, the droplet 8 is transported from the position corresponding to the second channel pixel area 29 and the first channel pixel area 15 to the position corresponding to the second light-emitting pixel area 28 and the first light-emitting pixel area 14, and finally transported to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 of the driving substrate 1, so as to form a functional layer in the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1, thereby facilitating the preparation of the light-emitting device layer 4 (see Figure 6The above arrangement can reduce the difficulty of preparing the light-emitting device layer 4 of the display panel 100, improve the preparation efficiency of the light-emitting device layer 4, and thus improve the preparation efficiency of the display panel 100. At the same time, there is no need to use FMM to deposit the light-emitting device layer 4, which is beneficial to saving costs and avoiding the problems of pixel opening offset and low pixel deposition accuracy of the prepared display panel 100. It is also beneficial to reduce the thickness of the prepared display panel 100 to meet more usage requirements.

[0097] In some embodiments, the surface of the microfluidic substrate 2 close to the driving substrate 1 is a plane, that is, the surface of the microfluidic substrate 2 close to the driving substrate 1 is not provided with grooves or holes corresponding to the second light-emitting pixel area 28 and the second channel pixel area 29. It can be understood that by setting the surface of the microfluidic substrate 2 close to the driving substrate 1 to be a plane, in the process of transporting the droplet 8 into the groove 141 of the driving substrate 1 by utilizing the droplet transfer gap 7 between the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2 in the subsequent process, it can be ensured that the droplet 8 can always be in contact with the opposing surfaces of the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1, which is more convenient to drive the smooth movement of the droplet 8 located between the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2, so as to more efficiently transport the droplet 8 to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 of the driving substrate 1, ensure that the droplet 8 can be transported to the right place, improve the transport efficiency of the droplet 8, and thus facilitate improving the production efficiency of the display panel 100.

[0098] For details, see Figure 9 In some embodiments, the microfluidic functional layer 20 includes a second thin film transistor 22, a first insulating layer 23, a second flat layer 24, a microfluidic electrode layer 25, a second insulating layer 26 and a hydrophobic layer 27, which are sequentially arranged on one side of the second substrate 21.

[0099] By setting a second flat layer 24 on the surface of the first insulating layer 23 away from the second substrate 21, the surfaces of the second flat layer 24, the microfluidic electrode layer 25, the second insulating layer 26 and the hydrophobic layer 27 away from the second substrate 21 are all flat, which can ensure that the surface of the microfluidic substrate 2 close to the driving substrate 1 is flat, and further ensure that in the subsequent process, the droplets 8 can always be in contact with the opposite surfaces of the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1, so as to improve the transportation efficiency of the droplets 8, thereby facilitating the improvement of the preparation efficiency of the display panel 100.

[0100] In one embodiment, the microfluidic electrode layer 25 is connected to the second thin-film transistor 22 via a via. Specifically, the second planar layer 24 is provided with a via that penetrates the second planar layer 24 and the first insulating layer 23 and exposes a portion of the second thin-film transistor 22. The microfluidic electrode layer 25 covers the surface of the second planar layer 24 away from the second substrate 21 and extends to the sidewall of the via to be electrically connected to the second thin-film transistor 22. The microfluidic electrode layer 25 can be a transparent electrode, such as ITO (indium tin oxide).

[0101] In a specific embodiment, the hydrophobic layer 27 is arranged on the surface of the second insulating layer 26 away from the second substrate 21. By setting the hydrophobic layer 27, in the subsequent process, the droplet 8 is transported to the first light-emitting pixel area 14 by utilizing the droplet transfer gap 7 between the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1. It can be convenient to improve the transportation efficiency of the droplet 8 at the corresponding positions of the first channel pixel area 15 and the second channel pixel area 29, ensure that the droplet 8 can be transported to the right position, improve the preparation efficiency of the light-emitting device layer 4, and thus help improve the preparation efficiency of the display panel 100.

[0102] Specifically, in some embodiments, see Figures 10 to 12 A support member 9 is provided between the drive substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2. The two ends of the support member 9 are in contact with the opposing surfaces of the drive substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2, respectively. This supports and secures the microfluidic substrate 2 to one side of the drive substrate 1, spacing the microfluidic substrate 2 from the drive substrate 1 and forming a droplet transfer gap 7. This facilitates driving droplets 8 within the droplet transfer gap 7 during subsequent manufacturing processes. The height of the support member 9 must ensure that the opposing ends of the droplet 8 can stably contact the opposing surfaces of the drive substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2, respectively, thereby ensuring that the microfluidic substrate 2 can stably and efficiently drive the droplet 8 into the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14 during subsequent manufacturing processes.

[0103] Specifically, in some embodiments, the support member 9 can be an integral structure with the microfluidic substrate 2. For example, the support member 9 can be a bump provided on the surface of the hydrophobic layer 27 of the microfluidic substrate 2 away from the second substrate 21. The support member 9 is fixedly connected to the microfluidic substrate 2, or the support member 9 can be directly integrally formed on the surface of the hydrophobic layer 27 away from the second substrate 21. The support member 9 and the microfluidic substrate 2 are provided as an integral structure. When the display panel 100 is prepared using the microfluidic substrate 2, the support member 9 can be reused multiple times along with the microfluidic substrate 2, eliminating the need to provide a separate support member 9 to support the microfluidic substrate 2 during each transfer of the droplets 8, thereby saving costs.

[0104] In other embodiments, the support member 9 can be an integral structure with the driving substrate 1. For example, the support member 9 can be a bump arranged on the surface of the first electrode layer 13 of the driving substrate 1 away from the first substrate 11, and the support member 9 is fixedly connected to the driving substrate 1, or the support member 9 can be directly integrally formed on the surface of the first electrode layer 13 away from the first substrate 11. In this embodiment, in the subsequent process, after the droplets 8 are transported and the light-emitting device layer 4 is formed, the support member 9 on the driving substrate 1 can be removed to facilitate the preparation of the display panel 100.

[0105] In other embodiments, the support member 9 may also be a separate structural member independent of the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2, and is only used to support the microfluidic substrate 2 to form the droplet transfer gap 7 when the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1 are aligned and spaced apart. The support member 9 can be repeatedly used in the preparation process of multiple display panels 100.

[0106] S3 : a plurality of droplets 8 are arranged in the droplet transfer gap 7 between the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1 .

[0107] For details, see Figure 11 , a plurality of droplets 8 are arranged in the droplet transfer gap 7 between the microfluidic substrate 2 and the driving substrate 1. In some embodiments, the droplets 8 contain a functional layer material, which is used to prepare the light emitting device layer 4 (see Figure 6 For example, the functional layer material may include an organic light-emitting material for preparing the organic light-emitting layer 43; or may include functional layer materials for preparing functional layers such as the hole injection layer 41, the hole transport layer 42, the electron transport layer 44, and the electron injection layer 45.

[0108] For details, see Figures 1 to 4 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 In some embodiments, the driving substrate 1 may include a display area X, a non-display area F, and a blank area K. The non-display area F is disposed peripherally of the display area X, and the plurality of first light-emitting pixel areas 14 and the plurality of first channel pixel areas 15 are disposed within the display area X. The blank area K is disposed peripherally of the non-display area F. Droplets 8 may be disposed at positions corresponding to the blank area K of the driving substrate 1. By injecting droplets 8 into the blank area K of the driving substrate 1, the droplets 8 can be transported from the blank area K through the droplet transfer gap 7 between the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2 to the grooves 141 of the first light-emitting pixel areas 14 of the driving substrate 1. Specifically, multiple droplets are injected into the blank area K. The multiple droplets in the blank area K enter the delivery channels from ports of the multiple rows of delivery channels (ends of the delivery channels near the blank area K) and are transported through the delivery channels to the grooves 141 of the multiple first light-emitting pixel areas 14.

[0109] S4 : driving the liquid droplet 8 to move into the first light-emitting pixel area 14 and drop into the groove 141 .

[0110] For details, see Figure 12 The second thin film transistor 22 of the microfluidic substrate 2 drives and controls the microfluidic electrode layer 25, and then the microfluidic electrode layer 25 drives the droplet 8 in the droplet transfer gap 7 between the driving substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2 to move toward the first light-emitting pixel area 14 of the driving substrate 1 and drop into the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14.

[0111] In some embodiments, the step of driving the liquid droplet 8 to move into the first light-emitting pixel area 14 and drop into the groove 141 in step S4 includes:

[0112] The driven droplet 8 is between the hydrophobic layer 27 and the first electrode layer 13 and contacts the hydrophobic layer 27 and the anode electrode 131 respectively. The droplet 8 moves through the first channel pixel region 15 to the first light-emitting pixel region 14 and drops into the groove 141 .

[0113] Specifically, the hydrophobic layer 27 of the microfluidic substrate 2 is positioned adjacent to the first electrode layer 13 of the drive substrate 1. The ends of a droplet 8 within the droplet transfer gap 7 between the drive substrate 1 and the microfluidic substrate 2 contact the hydrophobic layer 27 of the microfluidic substrate 2 and the anode electrode 131 of the first electrode layer 13 of the drive substrate 1, respectively. The droplet 8 is driven to move through the first channel pixel region 15 into the first light-emitting pixel region 14 and drip into the groove 141, thereby forming a functional layer within the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14 and, in turn, forming the light-emitting device layer 4. The anode electrode 131 serves as the ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate 2 during the process of driving the droplet 8 to move, ensuring that the droplet 8 can be stably transported from the first channel pixel region 15 to the groove 141.

[0114] Specifically, the anode electrode 131 extends to the first flat layer 122 covering the first channel pixel area 15, away from the surface of the first substrate 11. The microfluidic substrate 2 drives the droplet 8 to move under the action of the electric field. The droplet 8 contacts the anode electrode 131, and the anode electrode 131 serves as the ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate 2, so that the droplet 8 is charged. Only a small voltage needs to be applied to drive the droplet 8 to move smoothly. The above setting makes it easier for the microfluidic substrate 2 to drive the droplet 8 to move, reduces the difficulty of transporting the droplet 8, and is conducive to improving the transport efficiency of the droplet 8, thereby facilitating the improvement of the preparation efficiency of the display panel 100.

[0115] In some embodiments, a via is provided in the first planar layer 122 of the driver circuit layer 12 of the driver substrate. The via is provided corresponding to the first channel pixel region 15, penetrates the first planar layer 122, and exposes a portion of the first thin-film transistor. The anode electrode 131 extends to the sidewall of the via and is electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor. When the microfluidic substrate 2 drives the droplet 8 to move in the first channel pixel region 15, it can avoid the via position, ensuring that the droplet 8 can move smoothly on the surface of the anode electrode 131 away from the first substrate 11, thereby smoothly transporting the droplet 8 to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14.

[0116] In some embodiments, see Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figures 10 to 12 Along the column direction, two rows of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 are disposed between two adjacent rows of first channel pixel regions 15. The two rows of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 on either side of the same row of first channel pixel regions 15 share the same row of first channel pixel regions 15. Two rows of anode electrodes 131 are disposed correspondingly within a row of first channel pixel regions 15 and the two rows of first light-emitting pixel regions 14 on either side thereof. The two rows of anode electrodes 131 correspond to the same row of first channel pixel regions 15. Specifically, the two rows of anode electrodes 131 are spaced apart from each other in portions corresponding to the same row of first channel pixel regions 15, and the spacing is less than the equivalent diameter of the droplet 8 transported into the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel region 14.

[0117] It can be understood that setting the spacing distance between the parts of the two rows of anode electrodes 131 corresponding to the same row of the first channel pixel area 15 to be smaller than the equivalent diameter of the droplet 8 can ensure that when the droplet 8 is driven to move on the surface of the first channel pixel area 15 away from the first substrate 11, the droplet 8 can always be in contact with the anode electrode 131 in the first channel pixel area 15. The anode electrode 131 serves as the ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate 2, so that the droplet 8 is charged, which facilitates more efficient delivery of the droplet 8 to the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14.

[0118] In some embodiments, the step of driving the liquid droplet 8 to move into the first light-emitting pixel area 14 and drop into the groove 141 in step S4 includes:

[0119] The plurality of liquid droplets 8 are driven to move into the corresponding first channel pixel area 15 , and the plurality of liquid droplets 8 are controlled to drop into the corresponding groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 synchronously.

[0120] Specifically, the driving substrate 1 includes multiple first channel pixel areas 15 and multiple first light-emitting pixel areas 14, and can drive and control multiple droplets 8 to move into the first channel pixel areas 15 corresponding to the multiple first light-emitting pixel areas 14, so that after a droplet 8 is transported into the first channel pixel area 15 corresponding to each first light-emitting pixel area 14, the droplets 8 in the multiple first channel pixel areas 15 are synchronously driven and controlled to synchronously drip into the grooves 141 of the corresponding first light-emitting pixel areas 14, which is beneficial to improving the transportation efficiency of the droplets 8 and improving the preparation efficiency of the display panel 100, avoiding the problem that no droplets 8 are dripped into the grooves 141 of some first light-emitting pixel areas 14 during the droplet 8 transportation process, or multiple droplets 8 are dripped into the grooves 141 of some first light-emitting pixel areas 14, thereby improving the yield of the prepared display panel 100.

[0121] In other embodiments, instead of driving the multiple droplets 8 to move into the corresponding first channel pixel area 15 , the multiple droplets 8 may be controlled to synchronously drop into the groove 141 of the corresponding first light-emitting pixel area 14 , which can be designed as needed.

[0122] In some embodiments, after the step of driving the liquid droplet 8 to move into the first light-emitting pixel area 14 and drop into the groove 141 in step S4, the method further includes:

[0123] The solvent of the droplet 8 is removed, and a functional layer is formed in the groove 141 .

[0124] Specifically, after the liquid droplet 8 is driven to move into the first light-emitting pixel area 14 and drip into the groove 141, the liquid droplet 8 containing the functional layer material in the groove 141 is solidified and other treatments are performed to remove the solvent of the liquid droplet 8, so as to form a functional layer in the groove 141. Specifically, in one embodiment, see Figure 6 The light-emitting device layer 4 includes multiple functional layers such as a hole injection layer 41, a hole transport layer 42, an organic light-emitting layer 43, an electron transport layer 44 and an electron injection layer 45. It is necessary to sequentially transport droplets 8 containing multiple functional layer materials into the first light-emitting pixel area 14, and after each droplet 8 is transported, remove the solvent in the droplet 8 to sequentially form a stacked hole injection layer 41, a hole transport layer 42, an organic light-emitting layer 43, an electron transport layer 44 and an electron injection layer 45 in the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14.

[0125] In some embodiments, after removing the solvent from the droplet 8 and forming the functional layer in the groove 141 , the method further includes:

[0126] Remove the microfluidic substrate 2.

[0127] Specifically, after the droplets 8 are transported into the grooves 141 of all first light-emitting pixel regions 14 of the drive substrate 1 and the solvent in the droplets 8 is removed to form multiple functional layers within the grooves 141, thereby forming the light-emitting device layer 4, the microfluidic substrate 2 can be removed, leaving only the drive substrate 1. The removed microfluidic substrate 2 can be used in the preparation of other display panels 100. The microfluidic substrate 2 can be reused multiple times, which helps save the production cost of the display panels 100.

[0128] In some embodiments, the driving substrate 1 includes a blank area K, and after the step of removing the microfluidic substrate 2, the following steps are further included:

[0129] A blank area K of the drive substrate 1 is cut away.

[0130] Specifically, after removing the microfluidic substrate 2 and leaving only the driving substrate 1, the blank area K around the non-display area F of the driving substrate 1 can be cut off, leaving only the display area X and the non-display area F (see Figures 1 to 4 ), in order to prepare the Figure 6 That is, the blank area K only exists during the manufacturing process of the display panel 100 , and the manufactured display panel 100 does not include the blank area K, so as to improve the performance of the display panel 100 .

[0131] In some embodiments, the method for preparing the display panel 100 further includes: sequentially preparing the second electrode layer 5 and the encapsulation layer 6 .

[0132] For details, see Figure 6 and Figure 7 After forming the light-emitting device layer 4 in the groove 141 of the first light-emitting pixel area 14 of the driving substrate 1, the second electrode layer 5 and the encapsulation layer 6 are sequentially prepared on the side of the first electrode layer 13 of the driving substrate 1 away from the first substrate 11.

[0133] The second electrode layer 5 is disposed on one side of the driving substrate 1 . Specifically, the second electrode layer 5 is disposed on a side of the driving substrate 1 that is away from the first substrate 11 and the first electrode layer 13 .

[0134] In one embodiment, Figure 6As shown, the second electrode layer 5 includes a plurality of spaced-apart cathode electrodes, which are positioned corresponding to the grooves 141 of the plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions 14. Specifically, the cathode electrodes of the second electrode layer 5 cover the surface of the light-emitting device layer 4 in the grooves 141, which is away from the surface of the first substrate 11, and are electrically connected to the light-emitting device layer 4 in the grooves 141. The cathode electrodes of the second electrode layer 5, the light-emitting device layer 4, and the anode electrodes 131 collectively form a light-emitting unit 3. The second electrode layer 5 serves as the cathode of the light-emitting unit 3, thereby facilitating the cathode electrodes of the second electrode layer 5 and the anode electrodes 131 of the first electrode layer 13 to jointly drive and control the light-emitting device layer 4 to achieve light emission. Specifically, after depositing a metal layer on the entire surface of the light-emitting device layer 4 away from the first substrate 11, the metal layer can be patterned to form the second electrode layer 5 including a plurality of spaced-apart cathode electrodes. The cathode electrodes are positioned corresponding to the grooves 141 of the first light-emitting pixel regions 14. Specifically, the cathode electrodes cover the surface of the light-emitting device layer 4 in the grooves 141, which is away from the first substrate 11, and are electrically connected to the light-emitting device layer 4 in the grooves 141. Specifically, the second electrode layer 5 and the anode electrode 131 are spaced apart and insulated from each other to avoid the cathode and anode of the prepared light-emitting unit 3 being electrically connected to each other and thus affecting the performance of the light-emitting unit 3 .

[0135] The encapsulation layer 6 is disposed on a side of the second electrode layer 5 away from the first substrate 11 and covers the second electrode layer 5. In one embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the second electrode layer 5 includes a plurality of cathode electrodes, which are arranged corresponding to the positions of the light-emitting device layer 4 and cover the surface of the light-emitting device layer 4 away from the first substrate 11. The encapsulation layer 6 covers the surface of the second electrode layer 5 away from the first substrate 11, and covers the part of the first electrode layer 13 not covered by the light-emitting device layer 4 away from the surface of the first substrate 11.

[0136] The encapsulation layer 6 can be used to encapsulate and protect the prepared display panel 100, and can effectively block external substances such as moisture and oxygen to prevent them from penetrating into the interior of the display panel 100, protect the organic light-emitting material from the invasion of external water and oxygen substances, ensure the long-term stability and reliability of the prepared display panel 100, help to extend the service life of the prepared display panel 100, maintain its brightness and color performance. At the same time, the encapsulation layer 6 can also provide certain mechanical protection for the prepared display panel 100, prevent physical damage and scratches, enhance the structural strength of the display panel 100, and improve the performance of the display panel 100.

[0137] In another embodiment, before the steps of preparing the second electrode layer 5 and the encapsulation layer 6 , the process further includes: preparing a third insulating layer 10 .

[0138] For details, see Figure 7After the droplet 8 is transported in the groove 141 and the light-emitting device layer 4 is prepared, a third insulating layer 10 can be deposited on the first electrode layer 13 away from the first substrate 11. Specifically, the third insulating layer 10 covers the entire surface of the first electrode layer 13 away from the first substrate 11 and covers the light-emitting device layer 4; then, the third insulating layer 10 is patterned so that an opening is formed in the third insulating layer 10 at a position corresponding to the light-emitting device layer 4 to expose the surface of the light-emitting device layer 4 away from the first substrate 11; then, a second electrode layer 5 is prepared so that the second electrode layer 5 covers the entire surface of the third insulating layer 10 away from the first substrate 11, and contacts the surface of the light-emitting device layer 4 away from the first substrate 11 through the opening of the third insulating layer 10 to be electrically connected to the light-emitting device layer 4, and the light-emitting unit 3 is formed by the second electrode layer 5, the light-emitting device layer 4 and the anode electrode 131; then, an encapsulation layer 6 is prepared, and the encapsulation layer 6 covers the entire surface of the second electrode layer 5 away from the first substrate 11 to encapsulate and protect the display panel 100.

[0139] It can be understood that by preparing the third insulating layer 10, the second electrode layer 5 is insulated from the first electrode layer 13 by the third insulating layer 10, thereby avoiding the cathode and anode of the light-emitting unit 3 being electrically connected to each other and affecting the performance of the light-emitting unit 3, and the second electrode layer 5 is deposited on the entire surface, which is beneficial to reducing the difficulty of preparing the second electrode layer 5, saving process flow, and realizing the interconnection of the cathodes of multiple light-emitting units 3, which is more convenient for driving and controlling multiple light-emitting units 3 to realize the light-emitting function.

[0140] By using the manufacturing method of the display panel 100 provided in the third embodiment of the present application, the following can be finally manufactured: Figure 6 or Figure 7 The display panel 100 is shown.

[0141] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present application and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present application specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a display panel, characterized in that: include: A driving substrate is provided; wherein the driving substrate includes a plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions and a plurality of first channel pixel regions, each of the first light-emitting pixel regions being adjacent to at least one first channel pixel region; the driving substrate includes a first substrate, a driving circuit layer, and a first electrode layer, which are sequentially arranged; the first electrode layer includes a plurality of anode electrodes, each of the anode electrodes corresponding to one of the first light-emitting pixel regions and one of the first channel pixel regions; a surface of the driving circuit layer remote from the first substrate is provided with a plurality of grooves at positions corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel regions, and no grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the first channel pixel regions; the anode electrodes cover bottom walls of the grooves and extend to cover the surface of the driving circuit layer remote from the first substrate located in the first channel pixel regions; A microfluidic substrate is provided, and the microfluidic substrate and the driving substrate are aligned and spaced apart to form a droplet transfer gap; wherein the microfluidic substrate includes a second substrate and a microfluidic functional layer, and the microfluidic functional layer is arranged toward the driving substrate; the microfluidic substrate includes a plurality of second light-emitting pixel regions and a plurality of second channel pixel regions, the plurality of second light-emitting pixel regions are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first light-emitting pixel regions, and the plurality of second channel pixel regions are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first channel pixel regions; and a surface of the microfluidic substrate close to the driving substrate is not provided with grooves or holes corresponding to the second light-emitting pixel regions and the second channel pixel regions; A plurality of droplets are arranged in the droplet transfer gap between the microfluidic substrate and the driving substrate; wherein the droplets are arranged at positions corresponding to the second channel pixel area and the first channel pixel area; The liquid droplet is driven to move into the first light-emitting pixel area and drop into the groove; wherein the anode electrode is used as a ground electrode of the microfluidic substrate during the process of driving the liquid droplet to move.

2. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The surface of the microfluidic substrate close to the driving substrate is flat; and / or, The microfluidic functional layer includes a second thin film transistor, a first insulating layer, a second flat layer, a microfluidic electrode layer, a second insulating layer and a hydrophobic layer sequentially arranged on one side of the second substrate; the microfluidic electrode layer is connected to the second thin film transistor via hole; The step of driving the liquid droplet to move into the first light-emitting pixel area and drop into the groove includes: The liquid droplet is driven between the hydrophobic layer and the first electrode layer and contacts the hydrophobic layer and the anode electrode respectively, moves through the first channel pixel area to the first light-emitting pixel area, and drops into the groove.

3. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The step of driving the liquid droplet to move into the first light-emitting pixel area and drop into the groove includes: The plurality of liquid droplets are driven to move into the corresponding first channel pixel area, and the plurality of liquid droplets are controlled to drop synchronously into the groove of the corresponding first light-emitting pixel area.

4. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The droplets contain functional layer materials, and the functional layer materials are used to prepare light-emitting device layers; After the step of driving the liquid droplet to move into the first light-emitting pixel area and drop into the groove, the method further includes: removing the solvent from the droplet to form a functional layer in the groove; The microfluidic substrate is removed.

5. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The driving circuit layer includes a plurality of driving circuit units and a first planar layer covering the plurality of driving circuit units; The first planar layer is away from the surface of the first substrate, is provided with the groove at a position corresponding to the first light-emitting pixel area, and is a flat surface at a position corresponding to the first channel pixel area; The anode electrode covers the bottom wall of the groove and extends to the surface of the first flat layer covering the first channel pixel region away from the first substrate; the surface of the first electrode layer in the first channel pixel region away from the first substrate is a plane.

6. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 5, wherein: The driving circuit unit includes a plurality of first thin film transistors, and the first thin film transistors are arranged corresponding to the first channel pixel area; The anode electrode is connected to the first thin film transistor through a via hole.

7. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of anode electrodes, the plurality of first light-emitting pixel areas and the plurality of first channel pixel areas are distributed in multiple rows, each row of the first light-emitting pixel areas is adjacent to at least one row of the first channel pixel areas, and each row of the first channel pixel areas forms a transport channel; the anode electrodes in the same row are arranged corresponding to an adjacent row of the first light-emitting pixel areas and a row of the first channel pixel areas.

8. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 7, wherein: Along the column direction, multiple rows of the first light-emitting pixel regions and multiple rows of the first channel pixel regions are alternately arranged.

9. A display panel, characterized in that: The display panel is manufactured by the method for manufacturing a display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein: The display panel includes: The driving substrate; wherein a light emitting device layer is provided in the groove, and the light emitting device layer is only provided in the groove; A second electrode layer is provided on one side of the driving substrate; The encapsulation layer covers the second electrode layer.

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