Display panel, preparation method thereof and display device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a display panel, a preparation method thereof and a display device. The display panel comprises a substrate, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a pixel definition layer and an isolation structure. The first electrode is located on one side of the substrate. The auxiliary electrode is in contact with at least an edge of the first electrode. The pixel definition layer is provided with a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode. The isolation structure comprises a second opening. A vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within a vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate. According to the present application, the first electrode is limited within the second opening enclosed by the isolation structure, and the auxiliary electrode provides an electrical signal for the first electrode, so that the flatness of the pixel definition layer and the isolation structure can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly to a display panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of display technology, people have increasingly higher requirements for display quality.

[0003] However, existing display panels are prone to poor display quality, which limits their further application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a display panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device to improve the problem of poor display performance of display panels.

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

[0006] substrate;

[0007] The system comprises a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, and a pixel defining layer. The first electrode is located on one side of the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode is in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode. The auxiliary electrode is used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode. The pixel defining layer has multiple first openings that expose the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode.

[0008] An isolation structure is located on the side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate. The isolation structure has 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 is connected to the first opening, and the second opening exposes at least a portion 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 inorganic materials.

[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 also includes multiple pixel circuits, which are located on the side of the first electrode near 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 overlaps with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate.

[0015] Optionally, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate 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.

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

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

[0019] Optionally, along the thickness direction perpendicular to 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 on the substrate near the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure on the substrate away from the substrate.

[0022] Optionally, the isolation structure includes a support portion and a crown portion, the crown portion being located on the side of the support portion away from the substrate, and the vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate being 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 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 away from the substrate, and the second electrode is located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer away from the substrate; the second electrode is electrically connected to the isolation structure.

[0026] Optionally, the isolation structure also has a third opening that exposes the pixel defining layer, with the second opening and the third opening spaced apart.

[0027] Optionally, the auxiliary electrode may be made of a transparent conductive material;

[0028] Optionally, the display panel also includes a transparent conductive connection portion, which is disposed in 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 is spaced apart from the auxiliary electrode, 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, both the auxiliary electrode and the transparent conductive connection are made of indium tin oxide.

[0031] Optionally, the first electrode and the transparent conductive connection portion are spaced apart;

[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 misaligned with the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate, and the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate is misaligned with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

[0033] Optionally, the display panel may also include 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, and the second electrode is located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer away from the substrate. The second electrode is located inside the first opening and the second opening.

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

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

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

[0038] Provide substrate;

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

[0040] An isolation structure is formed on the side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate; wherein the isolation structure has 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, a display device is provided, which includes a display panel provided in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The technical solution provided in this invention includes a display panel comprising 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 in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode, providing an electrical signal to the first electrode. The pixel defining layer has multiple first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode. The isolation structure has a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode onto the substrate lies within the vertical projection of the second opening onto the substrate. This solution improves the flatness of the pixel defining layer and the isolation structure by confining the first electrode within the second opening formed by the isolation structure and providing an electrical signal to the first electrode via the auxiliary electrode.

[0043] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0044] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a top view structural diagram of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel formed by the main steps of a method for preparing a corresponding display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0056] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0057] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention 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 where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0058] As described in the background section, existing display panels suffer from poor display quality. Through careful research, the inventors discovered that the cause of this problem lies in the following: In display panels using a pixel-level packaging scheme, the pixel light-emitting area is typically defined by a pixel defining layer, which covers the surface of the anode. However, the presence of the anode metal boundary causes an uneven surface on the pixel defining layer. When an isolation structure is formed on the pixel defining layer, the surface of this isolation structure also becomes uneven, leading to deviations in the side etching of the isolation structure. This affects the stability of the vapor-deposited shadows, causing deviations during cathode deposition, affecting the bonding between the cathode and the isolation structure, resulting in large areas of dark spots and reduced display quality.

[0059] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display panel provided in this embodiment includes:

[0060] substrate 10;

[0061] The first electrode 21, the auxiliary electrode 30, and the pixel defining layer 40 are provided. The first electrode 21 is located on one side of the substrate 10. The auxiliary electrode 30 is in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode 21 and 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 that expose the auxiliary electrode 30 and / or the first electrode 21.

[0062] The isolation structure 50 is located on the side of the pixel defining layer 40 away from the substrate 10. The isolation structure 50 has 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 a flexible substrate, such as a polyimide (PI) substrate. A pixel circuit array is disposed on the substrate 10, and the pixel circuits are used to drive the light-emitting elements 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 defines a pixel area and includes a first opening exposing the auxiliary electrode 30 and / or the first electrode 21, as shown in region aa in the figure. The auxiliary electrode 30 is in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode 21. The first electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are used to transmit electrical signals (such as voltage or current signals). In this embodiment, the first electrode 21 can be the anode of a light-emitting element, wherein the light-emitting element further includes a light-emitting functional layer and a cathode (not shown in the figure). Here, "the auxiliary electrode 30 is in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode 21" means that the auxiliary electrode 30 overlaps with the edge of the first electrode 21. For example, 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 also formed. The isolation structure 50 can be used to isolate multiple pixel units. Here, the isolation structure 50 encloses a second opening, such as... Figure 1 The bb region in the diagram is the area where the second opening is located. The second opening can be understood as the opening formed by the side of the isolation structure 50 that contacts 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. 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, the first electrode 21 is located within the second opening, i.e., within the enclosed area of ​​the isolation structure 50. The edge of the first electrode 21 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the side of the isolation structure 50 that contacts the substrate 10 on the substrate 10. 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. This, in turn, improves the flatness of the isolation structure 50 during subsequent formation.

[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, so that the pixel circuit provides an electrical signal to the first electrode 21. In this embodiment, since the first electrode 21 is confined within the second opening formed 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 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, this embodiment provides an auxiliary electrode 30, which overlaps 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 this invention includes a display panel comprising 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 in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode, providing an electrical signal to the first electrode. The pixel defining layer has multiple first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode. The isolation structure has a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode onto the substrate lies within the vertical projection of the second opening onto the substrate. This solution, by confining the first electrode within the second opening formed by the isolation structure and providing an electrical signal to the first electrode via the auxiliary electrode, eliminates the edge of the first electrode below the isolation structure, thereby improving the flatness of the pixel defining layer and the isolation structure. This improves the bonding effect between the isolation structure and the cathode in the light-emitting element, preventing dark spots caused by poor bonding. Furthermore, by confining the first electrode, the gap in the pixel defining layer can be further reduced, preventing color mixing or color spots.

[0069] In this embodiment, the pixel defining layer 40 comprises an inorganic material. Because inorganic materials have good hydrophobic properties, when water or oxygen enters a pixel area and causes the corresponding pixel unit to fail, it prevents the water or oxygen from extending along the pixel defining layer 40 to adjacent pixel areas, thus reducing the adverse effects on pixel units in adjacent pixel areas. Simultaneously, inorganic materials have poor flatness; therefore, the technical solution provided in this embodiment can improve the flatness of the pixel defining layer 40, thereby improving the flatness of the isolation structure.

[0070] Optionally, the second opening may be connected to the first opening, the second opening exposing the first opening and at least a portion of the pixel defining layer 40, the first opening being located within the second opening.

[0071] Figure 3 This is a top view schematic diagram of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 3 The first electrode 21 is elliptical or nearly elliptical. From the top view, it can be clearly seen that the first electrode 21 is located within the second opening formed by the isolation structure 50, and there is no overlap 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., to the underlying pixel circuitry) through a via. Here, the isolation structure 50 is a full-surface structure, exposing the first electrode 21 and part of the auxiliary electrode 30 through perforations. In combination with... Figure 1 As 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 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 4 Optionally, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode 30 onto the substrate 10 covers the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 onto the substrate 10, and the first opening included in the pixel defining layer 40 exposes the auxiliary electrode 30. This arrangement aims to reduce the number of photomasks and etching cycles, thereby simplifying the process. By placing the auxiliary electrode 30 on the side of the first electrode 21 away from the substrate 10, allowing the auxiliary electrode 30 to cover the first electrode 21, the first electrode 21 can be protected from process damage caused by the auxiliary electrode 30, thus improving the integrity of the first electrode 21.

[0073] The vertical projection of the pixel defining layer 40 onto the substrate 10 overlaps with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 onto the substrate 10, so that the pixel defining layer 40 can define the pixel area. Since the pixel area has certain requirements for aperture ratio, the first electrode 21 cannot be infinitely confined within the second opening; it should be confined within the aperture ratio requirements to avoid reducing display quality. Optionally, along a plane parallel to the substrate 10, the width of the overlapping portion of 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] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the plane parallel to the substrate 10, 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 confining the first electrode 21 within the second opening, the first electrode 21 is not present below the isolation structure 50, thus further reducing the gap of the pixel defining layer. For example, the width of the portion of the pixel defining layer 40 located between two adjacent first openings can be limited to the range of 8 μm to 14 μm to prevent color mixing or color spots.

[0075] Continue to refer to Figure 4 The display panel also includes multiple pixel circuits, which are located on the side of the first electrode 21 near the substrate 10, and the auxiliary electrode 30 is connected to the pixel circuits through vias.

[0076] Specifically, the pixel circuit includes:

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

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

[0079] The first source electrode 114 and the first drain electrode 113 are located on the side of the first gate 112 away from the substrate 10, and 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] A buffer layer 60, which can be formed of an inorganic material, is disposed between the substrate 10 and the first active layer 111, serving a protective and buffering function. A first gate insulating layer 11 is disposed between the first active layer 111 and the first gate 112, covering the first active layer 111 and contacting the buffer layer 60, thereby insulating the first active layer 111 from the first gate layer 112. A capacitor dielectric layer 12 is disposed on the side of the first gate 112 away from the substrate 10, insulating the upper and lower plates of the storage capacitor (not shown in the figure). The lower plate of the capacitor can be disposed in the same layer as the first gate 112. A first interlayer insulating layer 13 is disposed on the side of the capacitor dielectric layer 12 away from the substrate 10. A first source electrode 114 and a first drain electrode 113 are formed on the side of the first interlayer insulating layer 13 away from the substrate 10 and 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 of each conductive layer, avoiding the need for 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 planarize the film layer to facilitate the subsequent fabrication of the light-emitting element. The auxiliary electrode 30 is connected to the first drain electrode 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 to Figure 4 Optionally, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode 30 on the substrate 10 overlaps with the vertical projection of the isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10. The auxiliary electrode 30 includes an overlapping portion that intersects with the isolation structure 50, and this overlapping portion is connected to the pixel circuit through a via. This solution uses the auxiliary electrode 30 instead of the original first electrode 21 to connect to the pixel circuit. This eliminates the need to change the film structure of the pixel circuit, thus reducing manufacturing complexity.

[0082] Furthermore, since the auxiliary electrode 30 is used to assist the first electrode 21 in connecting to the pixel circuit on the substrate 10, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode 30 can be less than the thickness of the first electrode 21. When connecting to the pixel circuit via the auxiliary electrode 30, even if the auxiliary electrode 21 is located below the isolation structure 50, because the thickness of the auxiliary electrode 30 is less than the thickness of the first electrode 21, the auxiliary electrode 30 has less impact on the flatness of the upper surface of the pixel defining layer 40, thus improving the flatness of the isolation structure 50 compared to existing solutions.

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

[0084] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 5 Based on the above technical solutions, the pixel circuit may optionally include 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 a metal oxide, such as indium gallium zinc oxide; the material of the first active layer 111 is low-temperature polycrystalline silicon.

[0085] The second gate 121 can be a bottom gate, 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, and 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. The third gate 123 can be a top gate.

[0086] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 Optionally, the isolation structure 50 includes a support portion 501 and a crown portion 502. 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. This allows the isolation structure 50 to isolate the light-emitting functional layers of adjacent light-emitting elements, avoiding the problem of lateral current crosstalk. Furthermore, due to the presence of the eaves-shaped isolation structure 50, the light-emitting functional layers of the light-emitting elements can be fabricated individually without the aid of a precision mask during the film deposition process. This allows the light-emitting functional layers of each light-emitting element to be fabricated by photolithography, thus eliminating the need for a precision mask and saving manufacturing costs.

[0087] It should be understood that the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure 50 near the substrate 10 onto the substrate 10 lies within the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure 50 away from the substrate 10 onto 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, wherein 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 side of the support portion 501 that contacts the pixel defining layer 40, and at least the vertical projection of the support portion 501 onto the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 onto the substrate 10.

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

[0089] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 6 Optionally, based on the above technical solutions, the isolation structure 50 may further include a third opening exposing the pixel defining layer 40, with the second and third openings spaced apart. For example... Figure 6 The cc region is where the third opening is located. The second opening is an isolation opening used to house the light-emitting elements and separate adjacent elements. The third opening is a light-transmitting opening used to increase light transmittance.

[0090] Optionally, in one embodiment provided in this example, 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, with the first electrodes 21 and the transparent conductive connection portion 31 spaced apart. An isolation structure 50 forming a third opening is connected to the transparent conductive connection portion 31. Here, the isolation structure 50 includes a conductive material and can provide voltage to the transparent conductive connection portion 31, so that the transparent conductive connection portion 31 can play a shielding role, preventing interference between the upper layer touch signal and the lower layer drive signal, which could cause problems such as poor touch or display.

[0091] Optionally, the transparent conductive connection portion 31 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are disposed on the same layer and spaced apart to reduce the number of film layers, which is beneficial to reducing the thickness of the display panel. Both the transparent conductive connection portion 31 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are made of 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. Here, the projection of the third opening refers to the vertical projection area on the substrate 10 of the opening space enclosed by the isolation structure 50 for the third opening.

[0093] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 7 Based on 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 electrode 23 corresponding to different colored light-emitting elements is different, wherein the second electrode 23 can be a cathode. Each second electrode 23 is isolated by an isolation structure 50. Optionally, the isolation structures 50 corresponding to different colored light-emitting elements can be spaced apart and insulated, so that the second electrodes 23 corresponding to different colored light-emitting elements are spaced apart and insulated, so as to achieve individual control of each second electrode 23. 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 projections of the light-emitting functional layer 22 and the second electrode 23 on the substrate do not overlap with the vertical projections of the third opening on the substrate 10, and the vertical projections of the third opening on the substrate 10 do not overlap with the vertical projections of the first opening on the substrate 10. That is, the light-emitting functional layer 22 and the second electrode 23 are not located within the third opening, and the third opening and the first opening are not connected to each other.

[0094] Optionally, combined 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. Specifically, 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, wherein the support portion 501 can be metal or other conductive material, and the crown portion 502 can be titanium. The second electrode 23 is in contact with at least a portion of the isolation structure 50 to provide an electrical signal to the second electrode 23 through the isolation structure 50.

[0096] like Figure 7 As shown, the second electrode 23 only contacts the adjacent portion of the isolation structure 50, thus insulating each second electrode 23. For example, when the isolation structure 50 enclosing the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive layer 31, the isolation structure 50 is not connected to the second electrode 23, but the isolation structure 50 enclosing the second opening is connected to the second electrode 23.

[0097] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... 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 engraving accuracy of the support 501 can be improved, and the height and shape of the crown 502 can be guaranteed. Thus, when the isolation structure 50 and the second electrode 23 are connected, the reliability of the connection can be guaranteed, the phenomenon of weak connection can be prevented, and the problem of large-area dark spots can be avoided.

[0099] This invention also provides a method for manufacturing a display panel. Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel formed by the main steps of a method for manufacturing a corresponding display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 9 and Figure 10 The display panel provided in this embodiment includes:

[0100] S110, Provides a substrate.

[0101] Among them, such as Figure 10 As shown, the substrate 10 can be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, used to provide support.

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

[0103] Specifically, a first electrode 21, an auxiliary electrode 30, and a pixel defining layer 40 are sequentially formed on the substrate 10. The pixel defining layer 40 is used to define a pixel area. The pixel defining layer 40 includes a first opening that exposes 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. 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 electrode 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 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. An isolation structure is formed on the side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate; wherein the isolation structure has 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.

[0106] Specifically, an isolation structure 50 is formed on the side of the pixel defining layer 40 away from the substrate 10. The isolation structure 50 can be used to isolate multiple pixel units to achieve individual control of different sub-pixels. Here, the isolation structure 50 encloses a second opening, which exposes the first opening and at least a portion of the pixel defining layer 40. The first electrode 21 is located within the second opening, that is, the first electrode 21 is located within 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. This improves the flatness of the pixel defining layer 40 corresponding to the position of the isolation structure 50, thereby improving the flatness of the isolation structure 50 when it is subsequently formed.

[0107] In this embodiment, since the first electrode 21 is confined within the second opening formed 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. Furthermore, the vias used to connect the pixel circuits cannot be too close to the pixel area. Therefore, to ensure that voltage signals can be transmitted to the first electrode 21, this embodiment provides an auxiliary electrode 30 on the side of the first electrode 21 away from the substrate 10. The auxiliary electrode 30 overlaps with the first electrode 21, thereby transmitting electrical signals to the first electrode 21 through the auxiliary electrode 30.

[0108] The technical solution provided by this invention, by confining the first electrical limit within the second opening formed by the isolation structure and providing an electrical signal to the first electrode through an auxiliary electrode, eliminates the edge of the first electrode below the isolation structure. This improves the flatness of the pixel defining layer and the isolation structure, thereby enhancing the bonding effect between the isolation structure and the cathode in the light-emitting element and preventing dark spots caused by poor bonding. Furthermore, by confining the first electrode, the gap in the pixel defining layer can be further reduced, preventing color mixing or color spots.

[0109] Optionally, embodiments of the present invention also provide a display device, which includes the display panel provided in any embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The display device 500 can not only... Figure 11 The mobile phone shown can also be a tablet, mobile phone, watch, wearable device, as well as electronic devices such as in-vehicle displays, camera displays, televisions, and computer screens. Since this display device includes the display panel provided in any embodiment of the present invention, the display device provided in the embodiments of the present invention also possesses the beneficial effects described in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used, with steps reordered, added, or deleted. For example, the steps described in this invention can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution of this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0111] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this 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 principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, include: substrate; The system comprises a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, and a pixel defining layer. The first electrode is located on one side of the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode is in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode. The auxiliary electrode is used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode. The pixel defining layer has multiple first openings that expose the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode; An isolation structure is located on the side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate. The isolation structure has a second opening. The vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate. The vertical projection of the edge of the first electrode on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the side of the isolation structure that contacts the substrate on the substrate. Along the thickness direction of the display panel, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode is less than the thickness of the first electrode.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel also includes a light-emitting functional layer and a second electrode; The light-emitting functional layer is located on the side of the first electrode away from the substrate, and the second electrode is located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer away from the substrate. The second electrode is located inside the first opening and the second opening.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second electrode is in contact with at least a portion of the isolation structure.

4. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second electrodes corresponding to the light-emitting functional layers of different colors are spaced apart and insulated from each other.

5. 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 portion of the pixel defining layer.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The auxiliary electrode is located on the side of the first electrode away from the substrate.

7. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pixel defining layer comprises inorganic materials.

8. The display panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, 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.

9. The display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, The display panel also includes multiple pixel circuits, which are located on the side of the first electrode near the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode is connected to the pixel circuits.

10. The display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, The vertical projection of the pixel defining layer on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate.

11. The display panel according to claim 9, characterized in that, The vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate overlaps with the vertical projection of the isolation structure on the substrate.

12. The display panel according to claim 11, characterized in that, 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.

13. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the auxiliary electrode is 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm.

14. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, In a plane parallel to the substrate, the width of the portion of the pixel defining layer located between two adjacent first openings is greater than or equal to 8 μm.

15. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The isolation structure includes a conductive material.

16. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure on the substrate near the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure on the substrate away from the substrate.

17. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The isolation structure includes a support portion and a crown portion, the crown portion being located on the side of the support portion away from the substrate, and the vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate being located within the vertical projection of the crown portion on the substrate.

18. The display panel according to claim 17, characterized in that, The vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate.

19. The display panel according to claim 17, characterized in that, The vertical projection of the crown on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate.

20. The display panel according to claim 15, characterized in that, The second electrode is electrically connected to the isolation structure.

21. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The isolation structure also has a third opening that exposes the pixel defining layer, and the second opening and the third opening are spaced apart.

22. The display panel according to claim 21, characterized in that, The auxiliary electrode is made of a transparent conductive material.

23. The display panel according to claim 21, characterized in that, The display panel further includes a transparent conductive connection portion, which is disposed in the same layer as the auxiliary electrode, and the isolation structure surrounding the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive connection portion.

24. The display panel according to claim 23, characterized in that, The transparent conductive connection portion is spaced apart from the auxiliary electrode, and the vertical projection of the transparent conductive connection portion on the substrate covers the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate.

25. The display panel according to claim 23, characterized in that, The auxiliary electrode and the transparent conductive connection are both made of indium tin oxide.

26. The display panel according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first electrode and the transparent conductive connection portion are spaced apart.

27. The display panel according to claim 21, characterized in that, 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 misaligned with the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate, and the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate is misaligned with the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

28. A method for manufacturing a display panel, characterized in that, include: Provide substrate; A first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, and a pixel defining layer are formed on the substrate; wherein the auxiliary electrode is in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode, and the pixel defining layer has a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode; An isolation structure is formed on the side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate; wherein, the isolation structure has a second opening, the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate, and the vertical projection of the edge of the first electrode on the substrate does not overlap with the vertical projection of the side of the isolation structure that contacts the substrate on the substrate. Along the thickness direction of the display panel, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode is less than the thickness of the first electrode.

29. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the display panel as described in any one of claims 1-27.

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