Display panel, preparation method thereof and display device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a display panel and a preparation method thereof and a display device.The display panel comprises a substrate, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a pixel defining layer and an isolation structure, the first electrode is located on one side of the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode is at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode; the pixel defining layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrodes and / or the first electrodes. The isolation structure comprises a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located in the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate. According to the scheme, the first electrode is contracted in the second opening defined by the isolation structure, the auxiliary electrode provides the electric signal for the first electrode, and the flatness of the pixel defining layer and the isolation structure can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of display technologies, and particularly to a display panel, a preparation method thereof, and a display device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of display technologies, people's requirements for display quality are getting higher and higher.

[0003] However, existing display panels are prone to problems with poor display effects during display, which limits the further application of display panels. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel, a preparation method thereof, and a display device to improve the problem of poor display effects of the display panel.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a display panel is provided, including:

[0006] A substrate;

[0007] A first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, and a pixel defining layer. The first electrode is located on one side of the substrate. The auxiliary electrode is at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode and is used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode. The pixel defining layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode;

[0008] An isolation structure, located on the side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate. The isolation structure is provided with a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate.

[0009] Optionally, the second opening communicates with the first opening, and the second opening exposes at least part of the pixel defining layer;

[0010] Optionally, the auxiliary electrode is located on the side of the first electrode away from the substrate;

[0011] Optionally, the pixel defining layer includes an inorganic material.

[0012] Optionally, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate covers the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate, and the first opening exposes the auxiliary electrode;

[0013] Optionally, the display panel further includes a plurality of pixel circuits, the pixel circuits are located on the side of the first electrode close to the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode is connected to the pixel circuits;

[0014] Optionally, the vertical projection of the pixel defining layer on the substrate partially overlaps with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate.

[0015] Optionally, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate partially overlaps with the vertical projection of the isolation structure on the substrate;

[0016] Optionally, the auxiliary electrode includes an overlapping portion that overlaps with the isolation structure, and the overlapping portion of the auxiliary electrode is connected to the pixel circuit through a via hole.

[0017] Optionally, along the thickness direction of the display panel, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode is 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm;

[0018] Optionally, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode is less than the thickness of the first electrode;

[0019] Optionally, along the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the display panel, the size of the portion of the pixel defining layer located between two adjacent first openings is greater than or equal to 8 μm.

[0020] Optionally, the isolation structure includes a conductive material;

[0021] Optionally, the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure close to the substrate side on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure far from the substrate side on the substrate;

[0022] Optionally, the isolation structure includes a support portion and a crown portion, the crown portion is located on the side of the support portion far from the substrate, and the vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the crown portion on the substrate;

[0023] Optionally, the vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate;

[0024] Optionally, the vertical projection of the crown portion on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate;

[0025] Optionally, the display panel further includes a light-emitting functional layer and a second electrode; the light-emitting functional layer is located on the side of the first electrode far from the substrate, and the second electrode is located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer far from the substrate; the second electrode is electrically connected to the isolation structure.

[0026] Optionally, the isolation structure is further provided with a third opening exposing the pixel defining layer, and the second opening and the third opening are spaced apart;

[0027] Optionally, the material of the auxiliary electrode includes a transparent conductive material;

[0028] Optionally, the display panel further includes a transparent conductive connection portion, the transparent conductive connection portion is disposed on the same layer as the auxiliary electrode, and the isolation structure surrounding the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive connection portion;

[0029] Optionally, the transparent conductive connection portion and the auxiliary electrode are spaced apart, and the vertical projection of the transparent conductive connection portion on the substrate covers the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate;

[0030] Optionally, the materials of both the auxiliary electrode and the transparent conductive connection portion include indium tin oxide;

[0031] Optionally, the first electrode and the transparent conductive connection part are arranged at intervals.

[0032] Optionally, the vertical projection of the light-emitting functional layer on the substrate and the vertical projection of the second electrode on the substrate are both arranged offset from the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate, and the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate is arranged offset from the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

[0033] Optionally, the display panel further includes a light-emitting functional layer and a second electrode.

[0034] The light-emitting functional layer is located on the side of the first electrode away from the substrate, the second electrode is located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer away from the substrate, and the second electrode is located within the first opening and the second opening.

[0035] Optionally, the second electrode is in contact with at least part of the isolation structure.

[0036] Optionally, the second electrodes corresponding to the light-emitting functional layers of different colors are arranged at intervals and insulated from each other.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a display panel, including:

[0038] Providing a substrate;

[0039] Forming a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, and a pixel defining layer on the substrate; wherein, the auxiliary conductive layer is at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode, and the pixel defining layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode or the first electrode.

[0040] Forming an isolation structure on the side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate; wherein, the isolation structure is provided with a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device, which includes the display panel provided in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] In the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the display panel includes a substrate, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a pixel defining layer, and an isolation structure. The first electrode is located on one side of the substrate, the auxiliary electrode is at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode, and the auxiliary electrode is used to provide an electrical signal for the first electrode; the pixel defining layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode. The isolation structure is provided with a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate. In this solution, the first electrode is limited within the second opening surrounded by the isolation structure, and the auxiliary electrode provides an electrical signal for the first electrode, so that there is no edge of the first electrode below the isolation structure, thereby improving the flatness of the pixel defining layer and the isolation structure.

[0043] It should be understood that the content described in this part is not intended to identify the key or important features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other features of the present invention will become easily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 Structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 2 Structural schematic diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention

[0047] Figure 3 Top view structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 4 Structural schematic diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 5 Structural schematic diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 6 Structural schematic diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 7 Structural schematic diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 8 Structural schematic diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 9 Flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 10 Structural schematic diagram of a display panel formed by the main steps of a method for manufacturing a corresponding display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 11 Structural schematic diagram of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0056] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present invention, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0057] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0058] As described in the background art, the existing display panels have the problem of poor display effect. After careful research by the inventor, it is found that the reason for the above problem is that in the display panel adopting the pixel-level packaging scheme, the pixel light-emitting area is usually defined by the pixel defining layer, and the pixel defining layer covers the surface of the anode. However, due to the existence of the anode metal boundary, the surface of the pixel defining layer is uneven. When forming the isolation structure on the pixel defining layer, the surface of the isolation structure is also uneven, resulting in deviation in the side etching of the isolation structure, thus affecting the instability of the evaporation shadow, deviation in the evaporation of the cathode, affecting the overlap between the cathode and the isolation structure, and causing the bad phenomenon of large-area dark spots, reducing the display effect.

[0059] In view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display panel. Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the display panel provided in this embodiment includes:

[0060] Substrate 10;

[0061] A first electrode 21, an auxiliary electrode 30, and a pixel defining layer 40. The first electrode 21 is located on one side of the substrate 10. The auxiliary electrode 30 is at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode 21, and the auxiliary electrode 30 is used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode 21. The pixel defining layer 40 is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode 30 and / or the first electrode 21.

[0062] An isolation structure 50 is located on the side of the pixel defining layer 40 away from the substrate 10. The isolation structure 50 is provided with a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10 is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate.

[0063] Specifically, the substrate 10 can be a rigid substrate, such as a glass substrate; or it can be a flexible substrate, such as a polyimide (PI) substrate. A pixel circuit array is provided on the substrate 10, and the pixel circuit is used to drive a light-emitting element for display.

[0064] On the substrate 10, a first electrode 21, an auxiliary electrode 30, and a pixel defining layer 40 are formed. The pixel defining layer 40 is used to define a pixel region. The pixel defining layer 40 includes a first opening exposing the auxiliary electrode 30 and / or the first electrode 21. For example, the aa region in the figure is the region where the first opening is located. The auxiliary electrode 30 is at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode 21, and the first electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are used to transmit electrical signals (such as voltage signals or current signals). In this embodiment, the first electrode 21 can be the anode of the light-emitting element. Here, the light-emitting element further includes a light-emitting functional layer and a cathode (not shown in the figure). Here, the auxiliary electrode 30 being at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode 21 means that the auxiliary electrode 30 overlaps with the edge of the first electrode 21. Exemplarily, the auxiliary electrode 30 can cover the edge of the first electrode 21.

[0065] On the side of the pixel defining layer 40 away from the substrate 10, an isolation structure 50 is further formed. The isolation structure 50 can be used to isolate a plurality of pixel units. Here, the isolation structure 50 encloses to form a second opening. For example, Figure 1 the bb region in the figure is the region where the second opening is located. Among them, the second opening can be understood as the opening enclosed by the surface of the isolation structure 50 in contact with the pixel defining layer 40.

[0066] In this embodiment, the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10 is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate 10. Herein, the projection of the second opening can be understood as the vertical projection area of the opening space enclosed by the isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10. That is to say, the first electrode 21 is located within the second opening, namely, the first electrode 21 is located within the enclosed area of the isolation structure 50. The vertical projection on the substrate 10 of the edge of the first electrode 21 contacting the substrate 10 side of the isolation structure 50 does not overlap, and there is no first electrode 21 below the isolation structure 50, thereby improving the flatness of the pixel defining layer 40 corresponding to the position of the isolation structure 50. Further, when the isolation structure 50 is formed subsequently, the flatness of the isolation structure 50 can be improved.

[0067] It should be noted that, in the prior art, the edge of the first electrode 21 is located below the isolation structure 50, and the first electrode 21 is connected to the pixel circuit on the substrate 10 through a via hole to provide an electrical signal for the first electrode 21 through the pixel circuit. In this embodiment, since the first electrode 21 is restricted within the second opening enclosed by the isolation structure 50, it is equivalent to reducing the length of the first electrode 21 in the direction perpendicular to the thickness of the display panel. Moreover, the via hole for connecting the pixel circuit cannot be too close to the pixel region. Therefore, in order to ensure that the voltage signal can be transmitted to the first electrode 21, this embodiment is provided with an auxiliary electrode 30, and the auxiliary electrode 30 is overlapped with the first electrode 21, thereby transmitting the voltage signal to the first electrode 21 through the auxiliary electrode 30.

[0068] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the display panel includes a substrate, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a pixel defining layer and an isolation structure. The first electrode is located on one side of the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode at least contacts the edge of the first electrode. The auxiliary electrode is used to provide an electrical signal for the first electrode; the pixel defining layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode. The isolation structure is provided with a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate. This solution restricts the first electrode within the second opening enclosed by the isolation structure and provides an electrical signal for the first electrode through the auxiliary electrode, so that there is no edge of the first electrode below the isolation structure, thereby improving the flatness of the pixel defining layer and the isolation structure, which is beneficial to improving the overlapping effect between the isolation structure and the cathode in the light-emitting element and preventing the occurrence of dark spot phenomena caused by poor overlapping. And by restricting the first electrode, the gap of the pixel defining layer can be further reduced to prevent the occurrence of phenomena such as color mixing or color spots.

[0069] In this embodiment, the pixel definition layer 40 includes an inorganic material. Since the inorganic material has good hydrophobic properties, when water and oxygen enter a certain pixel region and cause the corresponding pixel unit to fail, it can prevent water and oxygen from extending along the pixel definition layer 40 to adjacent pixel regions, reducing the adverse effects on the pixel units in adjacent pixel regions. At the same time, the flatness of the inorganic material is poor. Therefore, the technical solution provided in this embodiment can improve the flatness of the pixel definition layer 40, thereby improving the flatness of the isolation structure.

[0070] Optionally, the second opening can be in communication with the first opening. The second opening exposes the first opening and at least a part of the pixel definition layer 40, and the first opening is located within the second opening.

[0071] Figure 3 It is a schematic top view structure diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Refer to Figure 3 , the first electrode 21 is oval or quasi-oval. It can be clearly seen from the top view that the first electrode 21 is located within the second opening formed by the isolation structure 50, and there is no overlapping part between the first electrode 21 and the isolation structure 50. The auxiliary electrode 30 is in contact with the first electrode 21 and is connected to the underlying conductive layer (e.g., connected to the underlying pixel circuit) through a via. Here, the isolation structure 50 is a whole-surface structure, and the first electrode 21 and a part of the auxiliary electrode 30 are exposed by digging holes. Among them, in combination with Figure 1 shown, the auxiliary electrode 30 is located on the side of the first electrode 21 away from the substrate 10, and the isolation structure 50 is located on the side of the auxiliary electrode 30 away from the substrate 10.

[0072] Figure 4 It is a schematic structure diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Refer to Figure 4 , optionally, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode 30 on the substrate 10 covers the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10, and the first opening included in the pixel definition layer 40 exposes the auxiliary electrode 30. The purpose of such a setting is to reduce the number of mask plates and the number of etching times, thereby simplifying the process. By disposing the auxiliary electrode 30 on the side of the first electrode 21 away from the substrate 10 so that the auxiliary electrode 30 covers the first electrode 21, the first electrode 21 can be protected from being damaged during the manufacturing process of the auxiliary electrode 30, which is beneficial to improving the integrity of the first electrode 21.

[0073] The vertical projection of the pixel defining layer 40 on the substrate 10 partially overlaps with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10, so that the pixel defining layer 40 can define a pixel region. Since the pixel region has certain requirements for the aperture ratio, the first electrode 21 cannot be infinitely reduced within the second opening, and should be reduced within the requirements of the aperture ratio to avoid reducing the display quality. Optionally, along a plane parallel to the plane where the substrate 10 is located, the width of the overlapping portion between the pixel defining layer 40 and the first electrode 21 is 1 μm to 1.5 μm, and the width of the first opening is 10 μm to 30 μm.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, in a plane parallel to the plane where the substrate 10 is located, the width of the portion of the pixel defining layer 40 located between two adjacent first openings is greater than or equal to 8 μm. By reducing the first electrode 21 within the second opening, there is no first electrode 21 below the isolation structure 50, so that the gap of the pixel defining layer can be further reduced. For example, the width of the portion of the pixel defining layer 40 located between two adjacent first openings can be limited within the range of 8 μm to 14 μm to prevent phenomena such as color mixing or color spots.

[0075] Continuing to refer to Figure 4 , the display panel further includes a plurality of pixel circuits. The pixel circuits are located on the side of the first electrode 21 close to the substrate 10, and the auxiliary electrode 30 is connected to the pixel circuits through vias.

[0076] Specifically, the pixel circuit includes:

[0077] A first active layer 111, located on one side of the substrate 10;

[0078] A first gate 112, located on the side of the first active layer 111 away from the substrate 10;

[0079] A first source electrode 114 and a first drain electrode 113, located on the side of the first gate 112 away from the substrate 10. The first source electrode 114 and the first drain electrode 113 are respectively connected to the source region and the drain region of the first active layer 111.

[0080] Among them, a buffer layer 60 is also arranged between the substrate 10 and the first active layer 111. The buffer layer 60 can be formed of an inorganic material and plays a protective and buffering role. A first gate insulating layer 11 is arranged between the first active layer 111 and the first gate 112. The first gate insulating layer 11 covers the first active layer 111 and contacts the buffer layer 60, and is used to insulate the first active layer 111 from the first gate layer 112. A capacitor dielectric layer 12 is arranged on the side of the first gate 112 away from the substrate 10. The capacitor dielectric layer 12 is used to insulate the upper plate and the lower plate of the storage capacitor (the upper plate and the lower plate of the capacitor are not shown in the figure), and the lower plate of the capacitor can be arranged in the same layer as the first gate 112. A first interlayer insulating layer 13 is arranged on the side of the capacitor dielectric layer 12 away from the substrate 10. The first source electrode 114 and the first drain electrode 113 are formed on the side of the first interlayer insulating layer 13 away from the substrate 10, and are connected to the first active layer 111 through vias. The first planarization layer 14 covers the first source electrode 114 and the first drain electrode 113. A transition portion 151 is provided on the side of the first planarization layer 14 away from the substrate 10. The transition portion 151 is used to transfer the connection relationship between the conductive layers to avoid opening deep holes in the film structure. The second planarization layer 15 is provided on the side of the transition portion 151 away from the substrate 10. The first planarization layer 14 and the second planarization layer 15 are used to flatten the film layer for subsequent preparation of the light-emitting element. The auxiliary electrode 30 is connected to the first drain 113 of the pixel circuit through the transition portion 151 to transmit the driving voltage signal provided by the pixel circuit to the first electrode 21.

[0081] Continue to refer Figure 4 Optionally, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode 30 on the substrate 10 partially overlaps with the vertical projection of the isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10, and the auxiliary electrode 30 includes an overlapping portion overlapping the isolation structure 50, and the overlapping portion is connected to the pixel circuit through a via. In this solution, the auxiliary electrode 30 replaces the original first electrode 21 to connect to the pixel circuit. In this way, there is no need to change the film structure of the pixel circuit, which is conducive to reducing the difficulty of the process.

[0082] Furthermore, since the auxiliary electrode 30 is used to assist the first electrode 21 in connecting with the pixel circuit on the substrate 10, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode 30 may be less than the thickness of the first electrode 21. When connecting with the pixel circuit through the auxiliary electrode 30, even if the auxiliary electrode 21 is located below the isolation structure 50, since the thickness of the auxiliary electrode 30 is less than the thickness of the first electrode 21, the auxiliary electrode 30 has little effect on the flatness of the upper surface of the pixel defining layer 40, and can improve the flatness of the isolation structure 50 compared to the prior art.

[0083] Optionally, in this embodiment, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode 30 is 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm. If process conditions permit, the thinner the auxiliary electrode 30 is, the smaller the impact on the flatness of the isolation structure 50 is, and the formed isolation structure 50 is flatter.

[0084] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 5 On the basis of the above technical solutions, optionally, the pixel circuit further includes a second gate 121, a second active layer 122 and a third gate 123, wherein the second active layer 122 is different from the first active layer 111, and the material of the second active layer 122 is metal oxide, such as indium gallium zinc oxide; the material of the first active layer 111 is low-temperature polysilicon.

[0085] The second gate 121 may be a bottom gate, and is located on the side of the capacitor dielectric layer 12 away from the substrate 10. The second active layer 122 is located on the side of the first interlayer insulating layer 13 away from the substrate 10, and the second gate insulating layer 71 covers the second active layer 122. The third gate 123 is located on the side of the second gate insulating layer 71 away from the substrate 10, the second interlayer insulating layer 72 is located on the side of the third gate 123 away from the substrate 10, and the second interlayer insulating layer 72 covers the third gate 123, and the third gate 123 may be a top gate.

[0086] Continue to refer Figure 4 and Figure 5 Optionally, the isolation structure 50 includes a support portion 501 and a crown portion 502, wherein the crown portion 502 is located on the side of the support portion 501 away from the substrate 10, and the vertical projection of the support portion 501 on the substrate 10 falls within the vertical projection of the crown portion 502 on the substrate 10, so that the isolation structure 50 can isolate the light-emitting functional layers of adjacent light-emitting elements to avoid the problem of lateral current crosstalk. And due to the existence of the isolation structure 50 in the form of an eaves, in the film evaporation process, the light-emitting functional layer of the light-emitting element can be prepared separately without the aid of a precision mask, so that the light-emitting functional layer of each light-emitting element can be made in the form of photolithography, so there is no need to use a precision mask, which can save production costs.

[0087] It should be understood that the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure 50 close to the substrate 10 on the substrate 10 is located within the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure 50 far from the substrate 10 on the substrate 10. That is, in the thickness direction of the display panel, the isolation structure 50 has a structure that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, and among them, the support portion 501 can have a structure that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. When the isolation structure 50 includes the support portion 501 and the crown portion 502, the second opening enclosed by the isolation structure 50 is based on the area enclosed by the surface of the support portion 501 contacting the pixel defining layer 40, and at least the vertical projection of the support portion 501 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10.

[0088] Optionally, the vertical projection of the crown portion 502 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10. That is, the vertical projection of the entire isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10. By matching the size of the first opening, it is beneficial to increase the light-emitting area. At the same time, since the vertical projection of the entire isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10, not only the flatness of the support portion 501 is improved, but also the flatness of the crown portion 502 is improved.

[0089] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Refer to Figure 6 , on the basis of the above technical solutions, optionally, the isolation structure 50 further includes a third opening exposing the pixel defining layer 40, and the second opening and the third opening are arranged at intervals. As shown in Figure 6 , the cc area in it is the area where the third opening is located. Among them, the second opening is an isolation opening for accommodating light-emitting elements and isolating adjacent light-emitting elements. The third opening is a light-transmitting opening for improving the light transmittance.

[0090] Optionally, in an optional implementation manner provided in this embodiment, the display panel further includes a transparent conductive connection portion 31. The transparent conductive connection portion 31 can be disposed between two adjacent first electrodes 21. The first electrode 21 and the transparent conductive connection portion 31 are arranged at intervals, and the isolation structure 50 enclosing the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive connection portion 31. Here, the isolation structure 50 includes a conductive material and can provide a voltage for the transparent conductive connection portion 31, so that the transparent conductive connection portion 31 plays a shielding role to prevent interference between the upper touch signal and the lower driving signal, resulting in problems such as poor touch or display.

[0091] Optionally, the transparent conductive connection portion 31 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are on the same layer and arranged at intervals to reduce the number of film layers, which is beneficial to reducing the thickness of the display panel. Among them, the materials of the transparent conductive connection portion 31 and the auxiliary electrode 30 both include indium tin oxide.

[0092] Optionally, the vertical projection of the transparent conductive connection portion 31 on the substrate 10 covers the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate 10 to improve the shielding effect of the transparent conductive connection portion 31. Herein, the projection of the third opening refers to the vertical projection area of the opening space surrounded by the isolation structure 50 to form the third opening on the substrate 10.

[0093] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention is referred to Figure 7 , on the basis of the above technical solution, optionally, the display panel further includes a light-emitting functional layer 22 and a second electrode 23. The light-emitting functional layer 22 is located on the side of the first electrode 21 away from the substrate 10, and the second electrode 23 is located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 22 away from the substrate 10. The stacked first electrode 21, light-emitting functional layer 22, and second electrode 23 together form a light-emitting element. The second electrodes 23 corresponding to different color light-emitting elements are different. Herein, the second electrode 23 can be a cathode. The second electrodes 23 are separated by the isolation structure 50. Optionally, the isolation structures 50 corresponding to different color light-emitting elements can be spaced apart and insulated, so that the second electrodes 23 corresponding to different color light-emitting elements are spaced apart and insulated to achieve independent control of each second electrode 23. Herein, the vertical projection of the light-emitting functional layer 22 on the substrate 10 and the vertical projection of the second electrode 23 on the substrate are both misaligned with the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate 10, and the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate 10 is misaligned with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate 10. Specifically, the vertical projection of the light-emitting functional layer 22 on the substrate 10 and the vertical projection of the second electrode 23 on the substrate do not overlap with the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate 10, and the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate 10. That is, the light-emitting functional layer 22 and the second electrode 23 are not located in the third opening, and the third opening and the first opening are not communicated with each other.

[0094] Optionally, in combination with Figure 7 , the light-emitting functional layer 22 in the display panel includes a first-color light-emitting structure, a second-color light-emitting structure, and a third-color light-emitting structure. Each color light-emitting structure corresponds to a pixel circuit, and the pixel circuits corresponding to different color light-emitting structures are different. Herein, the first-color light-emitting structure can emit red light, the second-color light-emitting structure can emit green light, and the third-color light-emitting structure can emit blue light.

[0095] In this embodiment, the isolation structure 50 includes a conductive material. Herein, the support portion 501 can be a metal or other conductive material, and the crown portion 502 can be titanium. The second electrode 23 is in contact with at least part of the isolation structure 50 to supply an electrical signal to the second electrode 23 through the isolation structure 50.

[0096] As shown Figure 7 in FIG. Figure 7 , the second electrode 23 is only in contact with the adjacent isolation structure 50, so that each second electrode 23 is insulated. Exemplarily, when the isolation structure 50 surrounding the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive layer 31, the isolation structure 50 is not connected to the second electrode 23, and the isolation structure 50 surrounding the second opening with the isolation structure 50 is connected to the second electrode 23.

[0097] Figure 8 FIG. Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 8 FIG. Figure 8 , optionally, the second electrode 23 can also be connected to each isolation structure 50, so that the second electrodes 23 corresponding to each pixel unit are connected together to form an overall conductive structure.

[0098] In this embodiment, since there is no first electrode 21 below the isolation structure 50, the isolation structure 50 has a high flatness. Therefore, the side etching accuracy of the support portion 501 can be improved, and the height and morphology of the crown portion 502 can be ensured. Thus, when the isolation structure 50 is lapped with the second electrode 23, the reliability of the lap joint can be ensured, the phenomenon of insecure lap joint can be prevented, and the problem of large-area dark spots can be avoided.

[0099] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a display panel. Figure 9 FIG. Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 FIG. Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a display panel formed by the main steps of a method for manufacturing a corresponding display panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10 FIG. Figure 10 , the display panel provided in this embodiment includes:

[0100] S110. Provide a substrate.

[0101] Among them, as Figure 10 shown in FIG. Figure 10 , the substrate 10 can be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and is used to provide a supporting function.

[0102] S120. Form a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, and a pixel defining layer on the substrate; wherein, the auxiliary conductive layer is at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode, and the pixel defining layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode or the first electrode.

[0103] Specifically, on the substrate 10, a first electrode 21, an auxiliary electrode 30, and a pixel defining layer 40 are sequentially formed. The pixel defining layer 40 is used to define a pixel region. The pixel defining layer 40 includes first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode 30 and / or the first electrode 21. The first electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are in contact with each other, and the first electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are used to transmit voltage signals.

[0104] Before forming the first electrode 21, a buffer layer 60, a first active layer 111, a first gate insulating layer 11, a first gate 112, a capacitor dielectric layer 12, a first interlayer insulating layer 13, a first source electrode 114 and a first drain electrode 113, a first planarization layer 14, a transition portion 151, and a second planarization layer 15 are also formed on the substrate. Of course, a metal layer for transmitting data signals and power signals is also provided between the substrate 10 and the first electrode 21.

[0105] S130, forming an isolation structure on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate; wherein the isolation structure is provided with a second opening, and a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within a vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate.

[0106] Specifically, an isolation structure 50 is also formed on the side of the pixel defining layer 40 away from the substrate 10, and the isolation structure 50 can be used to isolate multiple pixel units to achieve separate control of different sub-pixels. Here, the isolation structure 50 encloses a second opening, and the second opening exposes the first opening and at least part of the pixel defining layer 40. The first electrode 21 is located in the second opening, that is, the first electrode 21 is located in the enclosed area of ​​the isolation structure 50, and the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10. In other words, the edge of the first electrode 21 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10, and there is no first electrode 21 below the isolation structure 50, so that the flatness of the pixel defining layer 40 corresponding to the isolation structure 50 position can be improved, and then when the isolation structure 50 is formed later, the flatness of the isolation structure 50 can be improved.

[0107] In this embodiment, since the first electrode 21 is confined within the second opening surrounded by the isolation structure 50, the length of the first electrode 21 in the direction perpendicular to the thickness of the display panel is reduced. Moreover, the via hole used to connect the pixel circuit cannot be too close to the pixel area. Therefore, in order to ensure that the voltage signal can be transmitted to the first electrode 21, in this embodiment, an auxiliary electrode 30 is provided on the side of the first electrode 21 away from the substrate 10. The auxiliary electrode 30 is overlapped with the first electrode 21, so that the electrical signal is transmitted to the first electrode 21 through the auxiliary electrode 30.

[0108] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is to limit the first electrode within the second opening surrounded by the isolation structure, and provide an electrical signal to the first electrode through the auxiliary electrode, so that there is no edge of the first electrode under the isolation structure, thereby improving the flatness of the pixel definition layer and the isolation structure, and then improving the overlap effect between the isolation structure and the cathode in the light-emitting element, and preventing the dark spot phenomenon caused by poor overlap. And by limiting the first electrode, the gap of the pixel definition layer can be further reduced to prevent the occurrence of color mixing or color spots.

[0109] Optionally, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, which includes the display panel provided in any embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The display device 500 can be not only Figure 11 the mobile phone shown, but also electronic devices such as tablets, mobile phones, watches, wearable devices, as well as in-vehicle displays, camera displays, TVs, and computer screens. Since the display device includes the display panel provided in any embodiment of the present invention, the display device provided in the embodiment of the present invention also has the beneficial effects described in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] It should be understood that various forms of the processes shown above can be used, steps can be reordered, added, or deleted. For example, the steps described in the present invention can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in a different order, as long as the desired results of the technical solution of the present invention can be achieved, and no limitation is made herein.

[0111] The above specific embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, comprising: a substrate; a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, and a pixel defining layer, the first electrode being located on one side of the substrate, the auxiliary electrode being in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode, and the auxiliary electrode being configured to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode; the pixel defining layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode; an isolation structure, located on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate, the isolation structure being provided with a second opening, and a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate being located within a vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, the display panel further comprises a light-emitting functional layer and a second electrode; the light-emitting functional layer is located on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate, the second electrode is located on a side of the light-emitting functional layer away from the substrate, and the second electrode is located within the first opening and the second opening; preferably, the second electrode is in contact with at least a part of the isolation structure; preferably, the second electrodes corresponding to the light-emitting functional layers of different colors are spaced apart and insulated from each other.

3. The display panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the second opening communicates with the first opening, and the second opening exposes at least a part of the pixel defining layer; preferably, the auxiliary electrode is located on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate; preferably, the pixel defining layer comprises an inorganic material.

4. The display panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, a vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate covers a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate, and the first opening exposes the auxiliary electrode; preferably, the display panel further comprises a plurality of pixel circuits, the pixel circuits being located on a side of the first electrode close to the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode being connected to the pixel circuits; preferably, a vertical projection of the pixel defining layer on the substrate partially overlaps with a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate.

5. The display panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, a vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate partially overlaps with a vertical projection of the isolation structure on the substrate; preferably, the auxiliary electrode comprises an overlapping portion overlapping with the isolation structure, and the overlapping portion of the auxiliary electrode is connected to the pixel circuit through a via hole.

6. The display panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, along the thickness direction of the display panel, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode is less than the thickness of the first electrode; preferably, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode is 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm; preferably, in a plane parallel to the plane where the substrate is located, the width of a part of the pixel defining layer located between two adjacent first openings is greater than or equal to 8 μm.

7. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, the isolation structure comprises a conductive material; Preferably, the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure close to the substrate side on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure far from the substrate side on the substrate; Preferably, the isolation structure includes a support portion and a crown portion, the crown portion is located on the side of the support portion far from the substrate, and the vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the crown portion on the substrate; Preferably, the vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate; Preferably, the vertical projection of the crown portion on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate; Preferably, the second electrode is electrically connected to the isolation structure.

8. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein, the isolation structure is further provided with a third opening exposing the pixel defining layer, and the second opening and the third opening are arranged at intervals; Preferably, the material of the auxiliary electrode includes a transparent conductive material; Preferably, the display panel further includes a transparent conductive connection portion, the transparent conductive connection portion is arranged on the same layer as the auxiliary electrode, and the isolation structure surrounding the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive connection portion; Preferably, the transparent conductive connection portion and the auxiliary electrode are arranged at intervals, and the vertical projection of the transparent conductive connection portion on the substrate covers the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate; Preferably, the materials of both the auxiliary electrode and the transparent conductive connection portion include indium tin oxide; Preferably, the first electrode and the transparent conductive connection portion are arranged at intervals; Preferably, the vertical projection of the light-emitting functional layer on the substrate and the vertical projection of the second electrode on the substrate are both arranged in a staggered manner with the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate, and the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate is arranged in a staggered manner with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

9. A method for manufacturing a display panel, wherein, it includes: providing a substrate; forming a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode and a pixel defining layer on the substrate; wherein, the auxiliary conductive layer is at least in contact with the edge of the first electrode, and the pixel defining layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode; forming an isolation structure on the side of the pixel defining layer far from the substrate; wherein, the isolation structure is provided with a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate.

10. A display device, wherein, it includes the display panel according to any one of claims 1-8.

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