Electronic device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic device including a flexible substrate having a curved surface region where a Gaussian curvature K1 of the curved surface region is not equal to zero, the curved surface region being bent toward at least two different directions, a buffer layer disposed on the flexible substrate and including a first opening, and a second opening disposed on the buffer layer. Wherein the first opening corresponds to the curved surface region, a plurality of thin film transistors disposed on the flexible substrate, one of the plurality of thin film transistors including a gate and a semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer disposed between the gate and the semiconductor layer and including a second opening, and a second insulating layer disposed between the gate and the semiconductor layer and including a second opening corresponding to the second opening. Wherein the second opening overlaps the first opening, and a plurality of electronic units disposed on the flexible substrate and driven by the plurality of thin film transistors, in which a width of the second opening is greater than a width of the first opening in a cross section.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of October 28, 2020, application number 202011173191.3, and invention name “Display Panel”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a flexible display panel having an opening for being attached to a curved surface. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, display panels have become increasingly important in order to be used in a variety of applications such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and e-readers, as well as in wearable devices such as smart watches, and manufacturers continue to develop new types of display panels. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an electronic device, including a flexible substrate having a curved surface area, wherein a Gaussian curvature K1 of the curved surface area is not equal to zero, and the curved surface area is bent in at least two different directions, a buffer layer is arranged on the flexible substrate and includes a first opening, wherein the first opening corresponds to the curved surface area, a plurality of thin film transistors are arranged on the flexible substrate, wherein one of the plurality of thin film transistors includes a gate and a semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer is arranged between the gate and the semiconductor layer and includes a second opening, wherein the second opening overlaps the first opening, and a plurality of electronic units are arranged on the flexible substrate and driven by the plurality of thin film transistors, wherein in a cross section, the width of the second opening is greater than the width of the first opening.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a display panel that can be attached to a target object. The display panel has a partial area corresponding to a curved surface with a Gaussian curvature that is not zero, and an opening is formed in the partial area of ​​the display panel. After the opening is formed, it helps to improve the bendability of the display panel, and when the display panel is covered on the curved surface with a Gaussian curvature that is not zero, it is less likely to produce creases, thereby improving the display effect of the display panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The above and other objects of the present disclosure will undoubtedly become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the various figures and drawings.

[0007] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating regions of a curved surface having different Gaussian curvatures in the present disclosure is shown.

[0008] Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a surface with a positive Gaussian curvature is shown.

[0009] Figure 2B A schematic diagram of a surface with a negative Gaussian curvature is shown.

[0010] Figure 2C A schematic diagram of a plane with a Gaussian curvature of 0 is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel in a first area.

[0012] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A schematic diagram is shown showing the effect of a display panel being attached to a target object according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 A schematic plan view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 7 A schematic plan view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the disclosure is shown.

[0016] Fig. 8A A partial top view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 8B Draw along Fig. 8A The cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along the section line AA′ is shown.

[0018] Fig. 9 A partial top view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] Fig.10 Draw Fig. 9 A schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel in a transition zone.

[0020] Fig.11 A partial top view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Fig.12 Draw Fig.11 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel in a second area.

[0022] Fig.13A Draw Fig. 8A Schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along the section line BB'.

[0023] Fig. 13B Draw Fig. 8ASchematic diagram of a cross-section of the display panel taken along the section line CC'.

[0024] Fig.14 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0025] Fig.15 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Description of reference numerals: 100 ~ display panel; 101 ~ opening region; 102 ~ substrate; 102-1 ~ substrate; 102-1A ~ surface; 102-2 ~ substrate; 102-3 ~ oxide layer; 103 ~ buffer layer; 103-1 ~ oxide layer; 103-2 ~ dielectric layer; 103-3 ~ dielectric layer; 104 ~ circuit layer; 106 ~ functional layer; 110 ~ pixel definition layer; 112 ~ protective layer; 120 ~ opening; 144 ~ conductive layer; 145 ~ circuit element; 146 ~ circuit element; 147 ~ planar layer; 148 ~ circuit element; 149 ~ circuit element; 150 ~ first electrode; 152 ~ second electrode; 154 ~ first semiconductor layer; 156 ~light-emitting layer; 158~second semiconductor layer; 160~connection pad; 162~connection pad; DE~drain; GE~gate; IN1~insulating layer; IN2~insulating layer; k1~curvature of direction vector; k2~curvature of direction vector; LEU~light-emitting unit; OP1~first opening; OP2~second opening; OP3~third opening; OP4~fourth opening; P1~point; PX~pixel region; R1~first region; R2~second region; R3~transition region; SC~semiconductor layer; SE~source; STE~switching element; Th1~thickness; Th2~thickness; Th3~thickness; Tri1~triangle; Tri2~triangle; Tri3~triangle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] By referring to the detailed description below and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can understand the content of the present invention. It should be noted that for the sake of simplicity and ease of understanding by readers, each of the drawings in the present disclosure only shows a portion of the display panel, and some elements in each of the drawings are not drawn according to the actual scale. In addition, the number and size of each element shown in the figure are only for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] Certain words are used throughout the specification and claims of this disclosure to refer to specific components. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that electronic equipment manufacturers may refer to the same components by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that have the same function but different names. In the following specification and claims, the words "including", "comprising", and "having" are open-ended words and should therefore be interpreted as "including but not limited to..."

[0029] The “electrical connection” described in the present disclosure may include two or more elements being in direct physical contact with each other and being electrically connected to each other; or two or more elements not being in direct contact with each other but being electrically connected to each other through other elements (such as wires, contact structures, etc.), both of which meet the definition of electrical connection described in the present disclosure.

[0030] It should be understood that when an element or film layer is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element or film layer, it may be directly on or directly connected to the other element or film layer, or there may be an intervening element or film layer between the two. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly" "on" or "directly connected to" another element or film layer, there may be no intervening element or film layer between the two.

[0031] The ordinal numbers used in the specification and claims, such as "first", "second", etc., to modify the elements of the claims, do not imply or represent any previous ordinal number of the claimed elements, nor do they represent the order of one claimed element and another claimed element, or the order of the manufacturing method. The use of these ordinals is only used to make a claimed element with a certain name clearly distinguishable from another claimed element with the same name. The electronic device disclosed herein may include, for example, a display device, an antenna device, a sensing device, a touch display, a curved display, or a free shape display, and may also be a bendable or flexible spliced ​​electronic device, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device may include, for example, a light emitting diode, a liquid crystal, fluorescence, phosphor, a quantum dot (QD), other suitable display media, or a combination of the foregoing, but is not limited thereto. The light-emitting diode (LED) may include, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an inorganic light-emitting diode (inorganic light-emitting diode), a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode (miniLED), a micro LED or a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QD, which may be, for example, QLED, QDLED), or other suitable materials or any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The antenna device may be, for example, a liquid crystal antenna, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the electronic device disclosed herein may be any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the appearance of the electronic device may be rectangular, circular, polygonal, a shape with curved edges, or other suitable shapes. The electronic device may have peripheral systems such as a drive system, a control system, a light source system, a shelf system, etc. to support the display device or the antenna device. The following takes a display panel as an example.

[0032] When a flexible display panel is attached to a target object with a curved surface contour, the flexible display panel will bend along the surface contour of the target object. However, when the target object includes a surface area with a Gaussian curvature that is not 0, the surface area will bend in at least two different directions at the same time. Therefore, if the flexible display panel is attached to it, creases are likely to be generated, thereby affecting the display effect of the flexible display panel. The following paragraphs first explain the method of determining the Gaussian curvature of a curved surface in the present disclosure.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 ,in Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing regions of a curved surface with different Gaussian curvatures in the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1 As shown, a display panel 100 includes a substrate 102, and the substrate 102 forms a curved surface, and the curved surface includes at least one first region R1. The Gaussian curvature K1 of the first region R1 is not equal to 0. In detail, the Gaussian curvature K1 can be greater than 0 or less than 0. The Gaussian curvature referred to in the present disclosure can be a point taken at any position on the curved surface. This point can extend two principal curvatures along the curved surface, and the Gaussian curvature is the product of these two principal curvatures. In more detail, a point on the curved surface can extend an infinite number of curves in all directions of the curved surface, and each curve has its own curvature. The principal curvature described here is defined as: among these infinite curvatures, there is a maximum curvature, and the curvature of the curve perpendicular to the curve of the maximum value (Max) is the minimum value (Min) among these infinite curvatures, then the curve of the maximum curvature and the curve of the minimum curvature are the two principal curvatures of this point.

[0034] In addition, the curved surface may include a second region R2, wherein the Gaussian curvature K2 of the second region R2 may be different from the Gaussian curvature K1 of the first region R1. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the Gaussian curvature K2 of the second region R2 may be equal to 0 or not equal to 0.

[0035] A method for determining Gaussian curvature disclosed herein can utilize scanning equipment and 3D analysis software (such as Design X 3D, but not limited thereto) to scan and model the target surface and analyze and obtain an objective Gaussian curvature value.

[0036] This disclosure provides several other methods for determining Gaussian curvature, please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C , Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a surface with a positive Gaussian curvature is shown; Figure 2B A schematic diagram of a surface with a negative Gaussian curvature is shown; Figure 2C A schematic diagram of a plane with a Gaussian curvature of 0 is shown. Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, a surface with a positive Gaussian curvature may appear similar to a sphere or a protruding shape, while a surface with a negative Gaussian curvature may appear similar to a saddle shape. In the present disclosure, there are several methods for determining whether the Gaussian curvature is positive, negative, or 0. The first method is to randomly select three non-collinear points on the surface to connect them into a triangle, and then determine whether the sum of the interior angles of the triangle is greater than 180 degrees, equal to 180 degrees, or less than 180 degrees. Figure 2AAs shown in , when the Gaussian curvature of the surface is positive, any three points on the surface are connected to form a triangle Tri1, where the sum of the interior angles of triangle Tri1 will be greater than 180 degrees. Figure 2B As shown in , when the Gaussian curvature of the surface is negative, any three points on the surface are connected to form a triangle Tri2, where the sum of the interior angles of triangle Tri2 will be less than 180 degrees. Figure 2C As shown in the figure, when the Gaussian curvature of the surface is 0, any three points on the surface are connected to form a triangle Tri3, where the sum of the interior angles of triangle Tri3 will be equal to 180 degrees. It is worth noting that the sum of the interior angles of triangle Tri3 is equal to 180 degrees within the error range of plus or minus 5 degrees, which can be a condition of zero Gaussian curvature.

[0037] Another method for determining Gaussian curvature disclosed in the present invention is to select any point P1 on the surface, where point P1 has two mutually perpendicular direction vectors, whose respective curvatures are curvature k1 and curvature k2, respectively, and the Gaussian curvature of the surface is the product of the curvature k1 of the direction vector and the curvature k2 of the direction vector. Figure 2A For example, the curvature k1 of the direction vector and the curvature k2 of the direction vector are both positive numbers, so the product of the curvatures of the two direction vectors is also a positive number. Figure 2B and Figure 2C The method for determining the Gaussian curvature of a surface is the same as described above and will not be elaborated here.

[0038] After determining the Gaussian curvature of the target object's curved surface, the partial area where the Gaussian curvature is not 0 is bent in at least two different directions at the same time. If the flexible display panel is directly attached to the curved surface, it may be easier to produce creases. Therefore, in order to reduce the situation where the flexible display panel produces creases, the present disclosure will open the substrate of the partial flexible display panel corresponding to the area where the Gaussian curvature is not 0. The partial area of ​​the flexible display panel after the opening will have a higher degree of bendability and is less likely to produce creases, so it can be better attached to the curved surface (especially the curved surface where the Gaussian curvature is not 0).

[0039] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel in the first region R1 of FIG. Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram is shown after a partial area of ​​a display panel is opened according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 3The display panel 100 is shown to have multiple pixel areas PX, for example, two adjacent pixel areas PX. The display panel 100 may include a substrate 102, a buffer layer 103, a circuit layer 104, and a functional layer 106. The circuit layer 104 may include multiple switching elements STE and the remaining insulating layers. The pixel area PX of the display panel 100 may include one or more light-emitting units LEU, and one or more switching elements STE (or driving elements) electrically connected to the light-emitting units LEU. Among them, the one or more light-emitting units LEU and the one or more switching elements STE are all arranged on the substrate 102. In order to simplify the explanation, a light-emitting unit LEU and a switching element STE for driving the light-emitting unit LEU are drawn in a pixel area PX. In addition,

[0041] The substrate 102 is, for example, a flexible substrate. In one embodiment, the material of the substrate 102 may include a suitable transparent material or an opaque material. In some embodiments, the material of the substrate 102 is, for example, polycarbonate (PC), polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), other suitable materials or a combination of the aforementioned materials, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the light transmittance of the substrate 102 is not limited, that is, the substrate 102 may be a transparent substrate, a semi-transparent substrate or an opaque substrate. The substrate 102 referred to in the present disclosure may be a substrate, on which a plurality of structures such as light-emitting units LEU and a plurality of switch elements STE (but not limited thereto) may be formed. It is worth noting that a functional layer may be additionally provided under the substrate 102, and the aforementioned functional layer may be, for example, a supporting film.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate 102 may include a multi-layer structure, for example, it may include a substrate 102-1 and a substrate 102-2, and an oxide layer 102-3 sandwiched between the substrate 102-1 and the substrate 102-2. In some embodiments, the substrate 102-1 and the substrate 102-2 may be, for example, flexible substrates. The oxide layer 103 may be, for example, a silicon oxide layer, which has the effect of blocking water and oxygen, and reducing the water or oxygen from the back side ( Figure 3 However, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate 102 may also be a single-layer structure.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display panel 100 may include a buffer layer 103 located between the substrate 102 and the circuit layer 104. The buffer layer 103 may be a single layer or a multi-layer structure. Taking the present embodiment as an example, the buffer layer 103 includes an oxide layer 103-1, a dielectric layer 103-2 and a dielectric layer 103-3. The buffer layer 103 has the effect of blocking water and oxygen or increasing the adhesion of the switching element STE. In addition, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the thickness of the buffer layer 103 and the substrate 102 can be adjusted to achieve a better water and oxygen blocking effect. For example, the thickness of the oxide layer 102-3 is defined as Th1, the thickness of the oxide layer 103-1 is defined as Th2, and the thickness of the substrate 102-2 is defined as Th3 (the thicknesses described here are the maximum thicknesses during measurement). In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the condition of Th1>Th2 can be satisfied, and / or the condition of 0.1≦(Th1+Th2) / Th3≦0.5 can be satisfied. When the above conditions are met, a better water and oxygen blocking effect can be achieved, and the oxide layer will not be too thick to affect the flexibility of the substrate.

[0044] When the switch element STE is a thin film transistor, it may include a gate GE, a source SE, a drain DE and a semiconductor layer SC, wherein the source SE and the drain DE are electrically connected to the semiconductor layer SC respectively, and the insulating layer IN1 may be disposed between the gate GE and the semiconductor layer SC. The insulating layer IN2 is located between the source SE, the drain DE and the gate GE, and the source SE may be electrically connected to a signal line, for example. The drain DE may be electrically connected to the corresponding light emitting unit LEU through a connection pad 160.

[0045] The semiconductor layer SC material in the thin film transistor includes, for example, amorphous silicon, low temperature polysilicon (LTPS) or metal oxide. The thin film transistor can be a top gate, bottom gate or dual gate or double gate thin film transistor, or a combination of the above materials, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, different thin film transistors can have the above different semiconductor materials.

[0046] The light emitting unit LEU is driven by the switching element STE. The light emitting unit LEU may be an inorganic light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or any other suitable element. The inorganic LED may be a sub-millimeter LED (mini LED) or a micro LED (micro LED). In detail, the inorganic light emitting diode (LED) may be a flip chip-type or a vertical-type. A light emitting unit LEU may include a first electrode 150, a second electrode 152, a first semiconductor layer 154, a light emitting layer 156 and a second semiconductor layer 158. The light emitting layer 156 may be, for example (but not limited to) a multiple quantum well (MQW) layer. The first electrode 150 may be electrically connected to the common electrode via a connecting pad 162. In addition, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second electrode 152 may be positioned downward (such as Figure 3 ) or facing upwards (located on the second semiconductor layer 158), also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] The circuit layer 104 may further include a pixel definition layer 110 disposed between adjacent light emitting units LEU, and a protective layer 112 disposed on the light emitting units LEU. The pixel definition layer 110 may define a light emitting region or a sub-pixel region. The light emitting units LEU are disposed in the region of each sub-pixel. The protective layer 112 may protect the light emitting units LEU to reduce the influence of, for example, air or humidity.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the substrate 102 has at least one opening 120. According to some embodiments, between adjacent pixel areas PX, and in an area that does not include a circuit, a switching element STE, or a light-emitting unit LEU, materials such as a dielectric layer or an insulating layer can be removed by photolithography or laser ablation from the top or bottom of the display panel 100 to form an opening 120, so as to open a portion of the substrate 102. It is worth noting that the "opening" described in the present disclosure can be defined as an opening that penetrates completely, for example, the substrate 102 can be formed into an opening 120 by photolithography or laser ablation from the surface 102-1A of the substrate 102. Any layer on the substrate 102 may not be restricted, that is, any layer on the substrate 102 may be penetrated to form an opening 120, or may not be penetrated to form a recess 121. For example, Figure 3For example, the substrate 102 and the buffer layer 103 may be lithographically etched or laser ablated to form an opening 120, but a portion of the pixel definition layer 110 or other insulating layers may not be completely penetrated to form a recess 121. According to some embodiments, after completely penetrating openings are formed in each layer between the pixel regions PX, an insulating layer or an elastic material layer (not shown) may be re-formed and disposed on the light emitting unit LEU, and partially filled into the opening 120.

[0049] The display panel 100 may further include a functional layer 106 located on the light emitting unit LEU. The functional layer 106 may include a touch layer, a cover layer, an anti-reflection layer, a protective layer, an insulating layer, an elastic material layer, an adhesive material layer, or a combination thereof. It is worth noting that the functional layer 106 may be formed before the opening is formed, and then partially removed along with steps such as laser ablation. Or in other embodiments, the functional layer 106 may be formed after steps such as laser ablation are performed, and the functional layer 106 is disposed on the light emitting unit LEU or partially filled in the opening 120 or partially filled in the recess 121. The functional layer 106 also has the effect of strengthening the encapsulation of each display panel 100.

[0050] In order to simplify the description, in the following paragraphs, when describing the cross-sectional structure of the display panel, the components such as the pixel PX, the light emitting unit LEU, the switch element STE, and the substrate 102 will be simply represented, and the reference numerals of some components may be omitted. Figure 3 It is understandable that the display panels described in the subsequent embodiments can be adjusted in structure according to actual needs, such as replacing the light-emitting unit with an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or adjusting the number of layers and thickness of the substrate 102, etc., which can all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] According to the present disclosure, after a partial opening is made in the substrate 102 of the display panel 100 , the display panel 100 can be attached to a target object having a curved surface with a Gaussian curvature not equal to 0, so as to achieve a better attachment effect. Figure 4A and Figure 4B FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the effect of the display panel 100 being attached to a target object according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, the display panel 100 can be attached to the center console of the vehicle or the area in front of the driver's seat, and the display panel 100 also depicts an opening area 101, wherein the opening area 101 corresponds to a portion of the target object (such as the center console in the vehicle) where the Gaussian curvature is not 0, so as to match the structural curvature in the vehicle and achieve a curved display effect. The aforementioned opening area 101 may include a substrate 102 having an opening, but the layers other than the substrate 102 are not limited, that is, the layers other than the substrate 102 may not have an opening, may have an opening, may have a recess, or may not have a recess, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0052] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 The display panel 100 is attached to a target object (not shown), so that the display panel 100 presents a curved shape. Figure 5 As shown, the display panel 100 has a first region R1 and a second region R2. In some embodiments, the first region R1 and the second region R2 are curved regions, wherein the absolute values ​​of the Gaussian curvatures of the first region R1 and the second region R2 are not equal, for example, the first region R1 has a Gaussian curvature of K1, the second region R2 has a Gaussian curvature of K2, and the Gaussian curvature K1 is not equal to the Gaussian curvature K2. In some embodiments, wherein |K1|>|K2|. It is worth noting that the Gaussian curvatures of the first region R1 and the second region R2 are only an example of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, taking the Gaussian curvature K1 of the first region R1 not equal to 0, and the Gaussian curvature K2 of the second region R2 not equal to 0 as an example, the first region R1 and the second region R2 are both curved regions and both need to form openings in their respective regions.

[0053] In the present disclosure, "opening ratio" is further defined, where the opening ratio is equal to the ratio of the total opening area to the total area in a specific area. For example, take a specific range of area, such as 0.2mm×0.2mm, calculate the sum of the areas of all openings in this range, and divide this value by the total area to get the opening ratio of this area. It is worth noting that the above-mentioned specific range of area is also applicable to any other area, such as (but not limited to) 1.5mm×1.5mm or 0.1mm×0.1mm, etc.

[0054] The opening ratio of a region will affect the bendability of the region. In the present disclosure, different opening ratios can be used for different regions with different Gaussian curvatures to achieve a better attachment effect. For example Figure 6 A schematic plan view of a display panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6, the absolute values ​​of the Gaussian curvatures of the first region R1 and the second region R2 are not equal, and the aperture ratio of the first region R1 may be different from the aperture ratio of the second region R2. Taking the present embodiment as an example, the substrate 102 includes a plurality of openings 120 of the same size in both the first region R1 and the second region R2, for example, a plurality of openings 120 of substantially the same area, but within the same unit area, the number of openings 120 of the substrate 102 located in the first region R1 is greater than the number of openings 120 of the substrate 102 located in the second region R2, resulting in the aperture ratio of the first region R1 being greater than the aperture ratio of the second region R2. In this way, the first region R1 and the second region R2 may correspond to surfaces with different Gaussian curvatures, for example, the first region R1 may correspond to a surface with a larger absolute value of Gaussian curvature, i.e., |K1|>|K2|, to achieve a better attachment effect. It is worth noting that the first region R1 and the second region R2 can be projected on the same plane, and the same range area and the same shape can be taken to calculate and compare the aperture ratio. For example, a range of, for example, 0.2 mm×0.2 mm can be framed in the first region R1 and the second region R2 under a microscope of the same magnification, and the shapes of the ranges are the same (for example, both are quadrilaterals). Within the range, the number of openings 120 of the substrate 102 in the first region R1 is greater than the number of openings 120 of the substrate 102 in the second region R2, resulting in the aperture ratio of the first region R1 being greater than the aperture ratio of the second region R2.

[0055] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a display panel 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7In the embodiment, the absolute values ​​of the Gaussian curvatures of the first region R1 and the second region R2 are not equal, and the aperture ratio of the first region R1 may be different from the aperture ratio of the second region R2. Taking the present embodiment as an example, within the same unit area, the substrate 102 located in the first region R1 and the substrate 102 located in the second region R2 respectively include a plurality of openings 120 of the same number, but the sum of the areas of each opening 120 of the substrate 102 located in the first region R1 is greater than the sum of the areas of each opening 120 of the substrate 102 located in the second region R2, resulting in the aperture ratio of the first region R1 being greater than the aperture ratio of the second region R2. In this way, the first region R1 and the second region R2 may correspond to surfaces with different Gaussian curvatures, for example, the first region R1 may correspond to a surface with a larger absolute value of Gaussian curvature, that is, |K1|>|K2|, to achieve a better attachment effect. It is worth noting that the first region R1 and the second region R2 may be projected on the same plane, and the same range area and the same shape may be taken, and then the aperture ratio may be calculated and compared. For example, under a microscope of the same magnification, a range of, for example, 0.2 mm×0.2 mm can be framed in the first region R1 and the second region R2 respectively, and the shapes of these ranges are the same (for example, both are quadrilaterals). Then, within these ranges, the total area of ​​the openings 120 of the substrate 102 located in the first region R1 is larger than the total area of ​​the openings 120 of the substrate 102 located in the second region R2, resulting in the opening ratio of the first region R1 being larger than the opening ratio of the second region R2.

[0056] In addition to the above Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, in addition to changing the size or number of openings of the substrate 102 in a region to change the aperture ratio of the region, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the aperture ratio of the region can also be changed by changing the shape, arrangement, or other methods of the openings of the substrate 102. All of the above embodiments may fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] Fig. 8A A partial top view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 8B Draw along Fig. 8A A schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along the section line AA' shown in FIG. Fig. 8A As shown, the display panel 100 includes a plurality of pixel regions PX, each of which includes at least one light emitting unit LEU, a switch element STE or other elements (please refer to Figure 3 ), an opening 120 may be included between two adjacent pixel regions PX. Figure 8B As shown, in this embodiment, the opening 120 of the substrate 102 can penetrate the substrate 102, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other packaging materials or elastic materials can also be selectively filled into the opening 120.

[0058] Fig. 9 A partial top view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.10 Draw Fig. 9 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel in a transition region R3. Fig. 9 As shown, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the Gaussian curvature of the first region R1 and the Gaussian curvature of the second region R2 are significantly different, for example, the Gaussian curvature K1 of the first region R1 is a positive number, while the Gaussian curvature K2 of the second region R2 is a negative number. In order to reduce the adverse effects caused by the rapid change of the Gaussian curvature, a transition region R3 can be defined between the first region R1 and the second region R2. Fig.10 As shown, the substrate 102 in the transition region R3 may have a recess 121 (ie, a recess that does not completely penetrate the substrate 102) to reduce the impact of the abrupt change in Gaussian curvature between the first region R1 and the second region R2. This embodiment also falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0059] In addition, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the opened region (such as the first region R1) can selectively reduce the probability of being formed at the boundary of the substrate 102, that is, the first region R1 can be surrounded by the substrate 102, so that a stronger structural strength can be achieved. This embodiment also falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] Fig.11 A partial top view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.12 Draw Fig.11 In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the Gaussian curvature K1 of the first region R1 is not 0, and the second region R2 is, for example, a plane region or a curved surface that is curved in a single direction, so the Gaussian curvature K2 of the second region R2 can be equal to 0, that is, in this embodiment, the first region R1 is a curved surface region, and the second region R2 is a plane region or a curved surface region that is curved in a single direction. Fig.12 As shown, if the second region R2 is a flat region or a curved region that is curved in a single direction, the substrate 102 may not have an opening 120. In other words, if the second region R2 is a flat region or a curved region that is curved in a single direction, the opening rate of the second region R2 is zero, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the substrate 102 corresponding to the second region R2 may also have an opening 120.

[0061] It is worth noting that in addition to the opening 120 formed between two adjacent pixel regions PX in the present disclosure, circuit elements or wires, such as circuits or wires connecting scan lines or data lines, may also be included to connect different pixel regions PX together. Fig.13ADraw Fig. 8A A schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel along the section line BB' in FIG. Fig. 13B Draw Fig. 8A A schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel along the section line CC' in FIG. Fig.13A As shown, a circuit element 145 is included between two adjacent pixel regions PX, and a portion of the circuit element 145 is located on the substrate 102, wherein the circuit element 145 is partially exposed in the opening 120 after penetrating the insulating layer IN2, the insulating layer IN1 and the buffer layer 103 in the adjacent pixel regions PX on both sides. The circuit element 145 can be connected to the switch element STE in the adjacent pixel regions PX on both sides by direct electrical connection or indirect electrical connection, for example (but not limited to) connecting the gate GE of the switch element STE to provide a signal. In a variant embodiment, the circuit element 145 can be connected to the source SE of the switch element STE by direct electrical connection or indirect electrical connection to provide a display signal.

[0062] In addition, in this embodiment, the light emitting unit LEU uses an organic light emitting diode (OLED) instead of the inorganic light emitting diode used in the above other embodiments. And this embodiment uses a single-layer substrate 102 and a single-layer buffer layer 103. This structure also belongs to the scope of this disclosure.

[0063] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, Fig. 13B As shown, a circuit element 146 is included between two adjacent pixel regions PX, and a portion of the circuit element 146 is located on the substrate 102, wherein the circuit element 146 is partially exposed in the opening 120 after penetrating the insulating layer IN2, the insulating layer IN1 and the buffer layer 103 in the adjacent pixel regions PX on both sides. The circuit element 146 can be connected to the switch element STE in the adjacent pixel regions PX on both sides by direct electrical connection or indirect electrical connection, for example (but not limited to) connecting the source SE or drain DE of the switch element STE to provide a signal. In a variant embodiment, the circuit element 146 can be connected to the gate GE of the switch element STE by direct electrical connection or indirect electrical connection to provide a display signal.

[0064] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuit element connecting the two pixel regions PX may have other different structures. Fig.14 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.14 As shown, in this embodiment, a planar layer 147 is first formed on the exposed substrate 102 between the two pixel regions PX, and then a circuit element 148 is formed on the planar layer 147, and the circuit element 148 can be connected to the gate GE or source SE / drain DE of the switch element STE in the adjacent two pixel regions PX ( Fig.14In this embodiment, since the circuit element 148 is formed on the planar layer 147, the circuit element 148 has a flatter or more stable cross-sectional structure, thereby increasing the stability of the display panel 100. In this embodiment, the planar layer 147 is, for example, an organic material layer, but is not limited thereto.

[0065] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, please refer to Fig.15 , Fig.15 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.15 As shown, in this embodiment, the substrate includes two layers of substrate 102-1 and substrate 102-2, and a conductive layer 144 sandwiched between the substrate 102-1 and the substrate 102-2. In addition, the circuit element 149 connecting the switch element STE in the adjacent pixel regions PX passes through the insulating layer IN2, the insulating layer IN1, the buffer layer 103 and the substrate 102-2 and is electrically connected to the conductive layer 144, respectively, so that the gate GE or the source SE / drain DE of the switch element STE on both sides are connected to each other ( Fig.15 In the structure of this embodiment, the conductive layer 144 is embedded between the two layers of substrate 102-1 and substrate 102-2, which can be isolated from water and oxygen. Or some other circuit elements (such as IC) can be formed on the back side of the display panel 100 (that is, the surface 102-1A of the substrate 102-1), and the conductive layer 144 is used as a connecting line to achieve the effect of saving process steps.

[0066] In summary, the present disclosure provides a display panel that can be attached to a target object. The display panel has a partial area corresponding to a curved surface with a Gaussian curvature that is not zero, and an opening is formed in the partial area of ​​the display panel. After the opening is formed, it helps to improve the bendability of the display panel. When the display panel is covered on the curved surface with a Gaussian curvature that is not zero, it is less likely to produce creases, thereby improving the display effect of the display panel.

[0067] It should be understood that the above disclosed features may be combined, modified, replaced or transferred with one or more disclosed embodiments in any appropriate manner without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, and are not limited to specific embodiments.

[0068] The above description is only an embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the present disclosure may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: A flexible substrate has a curved surface area, wherein a Gaussian curvature K1 of the curved surface area is not equal to zero, and the curved surface area is bent in at least two different directions; a buffer layer, disposed on the flexible substrate and comprising a first opening, wherein the first opening corresponds to the curved surface area; A plurality of thin film transistors are disposed on the flexible substrate, wherein one of the plurality of thin film transistors comprises a gate and a semiconductor layer; a first insulating layer, disposed between the gate and the semiconductor layer, and comprising a second opening, wherein the second opening overlaps the first opening; as well as A plurality of electronic units are disposed on the flexible substrate and driven by the plurality of thin film transistors, wherein in a cross section, a width of the second opening is greater than a width of the first opening.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the multiple thin film transistors also includes a source and a second insulating layer arranged between the gate and the source, wherein the second insulating layer includes a third opening, the third opening overlaps the first opening and the second opening, and in the cross-section, the width of the third opening is greater than the width of the second opening.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a pixel definition layer disposed on the flexible substrate, and the pixel definition layer includes a fourth opening, the fourth opening overlaps the first opening and the second opening, and in the cross section, the width of the fourth opening is greater than the width of the first opening.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the cross section, the first opening has an arc-shaped edge.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the cross section, the second opening has an arc-shaped edge.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible substrate has another area, wherein the curved surface area is surrounded by the other area.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes a functional layer, which is disposed on the plurality of electronic units, and the functional layer at least partially overlaps the first opening and the second opening.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible substrate has a second region, the second region has a Gaussian curvature K2, and satisfies the following relationship: |K1|>|K2|; An opening ratio of the curved area is greater than an opening ratio of the second area.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The flexible substrate has a transition area located between the curved surface area and the second area.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The transition area has a recess that does not completely penetrate the flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate includes a through opening, which is located in the curved surface area.

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