Mask unit, mask plate, display substrate and display panel

Abstract

The invention provides a mask unit, a mask plate, a display substrate and a display panel. The mask unit comprises a substrate and a mask layer, the mask layer is located on one side of the substrate, a hollowed-out pattern is formed in the mask layer and comprises a plurality of first grid bars, a plurality of second grid bars and a plurality of grids, the first grid bars are sequentially arranged in the first direction and extend in the second direction, and the second grid bars are sequentially arranged in the second direction. The first grid bars are sequentially arranged in the first direction and extend in the first direction, the second grid bars are sequentially arranged in the second direction and extend in the first direction, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, each first grid bar intersects with the second grid bars, and the grids are distributed in an area defined by the first grid bars and the second grid bars in a one-to-one correspondence mode. The mask unit can improve or avoid the phenomenon that the periphery of the display panel becomes yellow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of display technology, and specifically relates to a mask unit, a mask plate, a display substrate, and a display panel. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are currently widely favored due to their low power consumption, small size, low radiation, low cost, and long lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a mask unit, a mask plate, a display substrate, and a display panel. The mask unit can improve or prevent yellowing around the edges of the display panel.

[0004] This invention provides a mask unit, including a substrate and a mask layer, wherein the mask layer is located on one side of the substrate.

[0005] The mask layer has a hollowed-out pattern.

[0006] The hollow pattern includes multiple first grid strips, multiple second grid strips, and multiple grids.

[0007] The plurality of first grid bars are arranged sequentially along a first direction and extend along a second direction respectively.

[0008] The plurality of second grid bars are arranged sequentially along the second direction and extend respectively along the first direction.

[0009] The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0010] Each of the first grid bars intersects with each of the plurality of second grid bars.

[0011] The multiple grids are distributed one-to-one within the area enclosed by the intersection of the first grid bar and the second grid bar.

[0012] In some embodiments, a first spacing is spaced between any two adjacent first grid bars.

[0013] The second spacing is between any two adjacent second grid bars.

[0014] The first spacing is equal to the second spacing.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first grid bar includes a first body portion and a first end portion.

[0016] The first end portion is located at at least one end of the first main body portion, and the first main body portion and the first end portion are arranged along the second direction and connected to each other;

[0017] The first main body portion intersects with the plurality of second grid bars to form an intersection point, while the first end portion does not intersect with the second grid bars;

[0018] The second grid bar includes a second main body and a second end portion.

[0019] The second end portion is located at at least one end of the second main body portion, and the second main body portion and the second end portion are arranged along the first direction and connected to each other;

[0020] The second main body portion intersects with the plurality of first grid bars to form an intersection point, while the second end portion does not intersect with the first grid bars.

[0021] In some embodiments, the grid is located at the center of the area enclosed by the intersection of the first body portion and the second body portion;

[0022] The grid is also located at the center of the area enclosed by the first end portion and the second end portion;

[0023] The grid is also located at the center of the area enclosed by two adjacent first end portions and the second main body portion located between the two adjacent first end portions;

[0024] The grid is also located at the center of the area enclosed by two adjacent second end portions and the first main body portion located between the two adjacent second end portions.

[0025] In some embodiments, the width of the grid along the first direction and the width along the second direction are equal;

[0026] The width of the grid along the first direction, the width of the grid along the second direction, the width of the first grid bar, and the width of the second grid bar are equal.

[0027] In some embodiments, the orthographic projection shape of the first grid bar on the substrate includes a rectangular bar shape.

[0028] The orthographic projection shape of the second grid bar on the substrate includes a rectangular bar shape;

[0029] The orthographic projection shape of the grid onto the substrate includes a square, a circle, or a regular polygon.

[0030] In some embodiments, the width of the first grid bar ranges from 0.7 to 1.5 μm.

[0031] In some embodiments, the number of the first grid bars is 2 to 3.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first spacing ranges from 10 to 20 μm.

[0033] In some embodiments, the length of the first end portion along the second direction is equal to the length of the second end portion along the first direction.

[0034] In some embodiments, the length of the first end portion along the second direction ranges from 1 to 12 μm.

[0035] The present invention also provides a mask plate comprising a plurality of the above-described mask units.

[0036] At least some of the mask units are arranged sequentially along the second direction, and the first grid strips in adjacent mask units are connected to each other;

[0037] And / or, at least some of the mask units are arranged sequentially along a first direction, and the first grid strips in adjacent mask units are connected to each other;

[0038] And / or, at least some of the mask units are arranged sequentially along a first direction, and the second grid strips in adjacent mask units are connected to each other;

[0039] And / or, at least some of the mask units are arranged sequentially along the second direction, and the second grid strips in adjacent mask units are connected to each other.

[0040] The present invention also provides a display substrate having a display area and a border area, wherein the border area surrounds at least one side of the display area.

[0041] The display substrate includes a substrate and a plurality of first spacers.

[0042] The plurality of first spacers are located in the frame area and on one side of the substrate.

[0043] The first spacer is formed using the aforementioned mask plate.

[0044] In some embodiments, a plurality of second spacers are further included, located in the display area and on the same side of the substrate as the first spacers.

[0045] The height difference between the second septum and the first septum is less than 0.1 μm.

[0046] The present invention also provides a display panel, including a first substrate,

[0047] It also includes the aforementioned display substrate,

[0048] The display substrate is paired with the first substrate, and the first spacer in the display substrate is located on the side of the substrate closer to the first substrate, which is used to support the frame area of ​​the display substrate and the first substrate.

[0049] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The mask unit provided by the present invention can reduce the light intensity by reasonably designing the style and size of the hollow pattern. Using this mask unit, strip-shaped spacers that meet the required height and other specifications can be exposed and formed. This reduces the height of the strip-shaped spacers formed in the bezel area of ​​the display panel compared to the strip-shaped spacers formed by using a semi-transparent mask, thereby improving the problem of uneven cell thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel and ultimately improving or avoiding the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel.

[0050] The mask provided by the present invention, by employing the above-mentioned mask unit, ensures that the strip spacers in the bezel area of ​​the display panel formed by the exposure of the mask meet the required height and other specifications. This reduces the height of the strip spacers formed in the bezel area of ​​the display panel compared to the strip spacers formed by the semi-transparent mask, thereby improving the problem of uneven cell thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel and ultimately improving or avoiding the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel.

[0051] The display substrate provided by the present invention, by using the above-mentioned mask to prepare the first spacer therein, can make the first spacer meet the required height and other specifications, thereby reducing the height of the first spacer compared with the first spacer formed by the semi-transparent mask in the related art, which is beneficial to achieving uniform cell thickness of the display panel bezel area including the display substrate.

[0052] The display panel provided by the present invention, by adopting the above-mentioned display substrate, can improve the problem of uneven thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel by adopting the first spacer in the display substrate meeting the required height and other specifications, and the height of the first spacer is reduced compared with the strip spacer formed by the semi-transparent mask in the related art, thereby improving or avoiding the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel. Attached Figure Description

[0053] Figure 1a This is a top view schematic diagram of a mask unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 1b For along Figure 1a A structural cross-sectional view of the AA' section line;

[0055] Figure 2a This is a top view schematic diagram of another mask unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 2b This is a top view schematic diagram of another mask unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 3 This is a graph showing the relationship between the number of first grid bars and the height of the strip-shaped spacer in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 4a This is a graph showing the relationship between the first spacing and the height of the strip-shaped spacer in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 4b This is a graph showing the relationship between the first spacing and the width of the strip-shaped spacer in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 5 This is a graph showing the relationship between the length of the first end portion and the width and height of the strip-shaped spacer in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 6 for Figure 2a , Figure 1a and Figure 2b A schematic diagram comparing the morphology of strip-shaped septa prepared by the mask unit and that prepared by a semi-permeable mask.

[0062] Figure 7 As a kind Figure 1a A schematic diagram comparing the morphology of strip-shaped septa prepared by the mask unit and that prepared by a semi-permeable mask.

[0063] Figure 8a This is a top view schematic diagram of a mask plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 8b This is a top view schematic diagram of another mask plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 8c This is a top view schematic diagram of another type of mask plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 9a To adopt Figure 8a A schematic diagram of the shape of the strip-shaped spacers around the perimeter of the display panel formed by the mask plate in the middle;

[0067] Figure 9b To adopt Figure 8b A schematic diagram of the shape of the strip-shaped spacers around the perimeter of the display panel formed by the mask plate in the middle;

[0068] Figure 9c To adopt Figure 8c A schematic diagram of the shape of the strip-shaped spacers around the perimeter of the display panel formed by the mask plate in the middle;

[0069] Figure 10 This is a top view schematic diagram of another type of mask plate in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0070] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the following describes in further detail a mask unit, mask plate, display substrate and display panel of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0071] Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) panels include an array substrate and a color filter substrate. The array substrate and color filter substrate are aligned to form a cell gap, into which liquid crystal is injected or filled. The color filter substrate includes photo spacers and PS bars. These photo spacers are the final fabrication step in the color filter substrate manufacturing process. After alignment, the photo spacers and PS bars are in direct contact with the array substrate and are crucial structures supporting the cell thickness formed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate.

[0072] The columnar spacers are located in the display area of ​​the display panel to support the cell thickness of the display area; the strip-shaped spacers are located in the bezel area of ​​the display panel to support the cell thickness of the bezel area.

[0073] In related liquid crystal display panels, the cell thickness in the bezel area is 0.1–0.6 μm higher than that in the display area due to the different film layer design in the bezel area compared to the display area. Simultaneously, the columnar and strip-shaped spacers are prepared using a half-ton mask for exposure and development. The columnar spacers include a main spacer and an auxiliary spacer, with the auxiliary spacer's height slightly lower than the main spacer's height. While meeting product characteristics, the height of the strip-shaped spacers is relatively fixed, with its absolute height approximately 0.1 μm higher than the auxiliary spacer. These factors lead to uneven cell thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel, causing yellowing around the edges of the display panel.

[0074] However, the overall transmittance of the semi-permeable mask is fixed, making it difficult to adjust its height during the fabrication of the strip-shaped spacer.

[0075] To address the above problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a mask unit, such as... Figure 1a and Figure 1bAs shown, the mask unit includes a substrate 1 and a mask layer 2. The mask layer 2 is located on one side of the substrate 1. A cutout pattern 20 is formed in the mask layer 2. The cutout pattern 20 includes a plurality of first grid strips 201, a plurality of second grid strips 202, and a plurality of grids 203. The plurality of first grid strips 201 are arranged sequentially along a first direction X and extend along a second direction Y respectively. The plurality of second grid strips 202 are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y and extend along the first direction X respectively. The first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular to each other. Each first grid strip 201 intersects with the plurality of second grid strips 202 respectively. The plurality of grids 203 are distributed one-to-one in the area enclosed by the intersection of the first grid strips 201 and the second grid strips 202.

[0076] The substrate 1 is made of a light-transmitting film layer, such as light-transmitting glass. The mask layer 2 can be made of cadmium film or other metal film layer. The cutout pattern 20 is a pattern of openings made in the mask layer 2. The area of ​​the cutout pattern 20 is a fully light-transmitting area, and the area outside the cutout pattern 20 is an opaque area.

[0077] The mask unit is a gray-tone mask unit. The gray-tone mask unit can reduce the light intensity by reasonably designing the style and size of the cutout pattern 20. Using this mask unit, strip-shaped spacers that meet the required height and other specifications can be exposed and formed. This reduces the height of the strip-shaped spacers formed in the bezel area of ​​the display panel compared to the strip-shaped spacers formed using a semi-transparent mask, thereby improving the problem of uneven cell thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel and ultimately improving or avoiding the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel.

[0078] Furthermore, in related technologies, semi-permeable masks typically have at least two layers of cadmium film stacked on a substrate, with one or more diaphragms having opening patterns to create different thicknesses of the cadmium film in different areas, thus forming a semi-permeable mask with varying light transmittance in different areas. Compared to semi-permeable masks in related technologies, the mask unit in this embodiment significantly reduces manufacturing costs and time because it only requires fabricating one mask layer (such as a cadmium film) on the substrate 1.

[0079] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1a and Figure 1b As shown, any two adjacent first grid bars 201 are spaced by a first spacing, and any two adjacent second grid bars 202 are spaced by a second spacing, with the first spacing being equal to the second spacing.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first grid bar 201 includes a first main body portion 201a and a first end portion 201b, the first end portion 201b being located at at least one end of the first main body portion 201a, the first main body portion 201a and the first end portion 201b being arranged along a second direction Y and connected to each other; the first main body portion 201a intersects with a plurality of second grid bars 202 to form an intersection point, and the first end portion 201b does not form an intersection point with the second grid bars 202; the second grid bar 202 includes a second main body portion 202a and a second end portion 202b, the second end portion 202b being located at at least one end of the second main body portion 202a, the second main body portion 202a and the second end portion 202b being arranged along a first direction X and connected to each other; the second main body portion 202a intersects with a plurality of first grid bars 201 to form an intersection point, and the second end portion 202b does not form an intersection point with the first grid bars 201.

[0081] Wherein, the first end portion 201b and the second grid bar 202 do not form an intersection point, meaning that the orthographic projections of the first end portion 201b and the second grid bar 202 on the substrate 1 do not overlap. The second end portion 202b and the first grid bar 201 do not form an intersection point, meaning that the orthographic projections of the second end portion 202b and the first grid bar 201 on the substrate 1 do not overlap.

[0082] In some embodiments, the grid 203 is located at the center of the area enclosed by the intersection of the first body portion 201a and the second body portion 202a; the grid 203 is also located at the center of the area enclosed by the first end portion 201b and the second end portion 202b; the grid 203 is also located at the center of the area enclosed by two adjacent first end portions 201b and the second body portion 202a located between the two adjacent first end portions 201b; the grid 203 is also located at the center of the area enclosed by two adjacent second end portions 202b and the first body portion 201a located between the two adjacent second end portions 202b.

[0083] In some embodiments, the width of the grid 203 along the first direction X and the width along the second direction Y are equal; the width of the grid 203 along the first direction X, the width of the grid 203 along the second direction Y, the width of the first grid bar 201, and the width of the second grid bar 202 are equal.

[0084] In some embodiments, the orthographic projection shape of the first grid bar 201 on the substrate 1 includes a rectangular bar, the orthographic projection shape of the second grid bar 202 on the substrate 1 includes a rectangular bar, and the orthographic projection shape of the grid 203 on the substrate 1 includes a square, a circle, or a regular polygon.

[0085] In some embodiments, the width a of the first grid bar 201 ranges from 0.7 to 1.5 μm.

[0086] In some embodiments, the number n of the first grid bars 201 is 2 to 3.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first spacing b ranges from 10 to 20 μm.

[0088] In some embodiments, the length of the first end portion 201b along the second direction Y is equal to the length of the second end portion 202b along the first direction X.

[0089] In some embodiments, the length d of the first end portion 201b along the second direction Y ranges from 1 to 12 μm.

[0090] In this embodiment, the hollow pattern 20 that meets the above-mentioned size design can precisely control the intensity of the exposure light passing through it, so that the strip spacer formed by the exposure of the mask unit meets the required height and other specifications. This reduces the height of the strip spacer formed in the bezel area of ​​the display panel relative to the strip spacer formed by the semi-transparent mask, thereby improving the problem of uneven cell thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel and ultimately improving or avoiding the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel.

[0091] In this embodiment, the structural morphology of the strip-shaped spacers formed by mask units with three different perforated patterns 20 is compared, such as... Figure 2a As shown, the first grid strip 201 in the mask unit consists of two strips; as Figure 1a As shown, the first grid strip 201 in the mask unit has three strips; as Figure 2b As shown, there are four first grid strips 201 in the mask unit.

[0092] In this embodiment, the mask unit achieves the effect of controlling the light flux during exposure by designing different patterns and sizes of the hollowed-out pattern 20. Compared with a semi-transparent mask, it can achieve a more precise effect of weakening exposure. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 2a , Figure 1a and Figure 2b Comparing the design schemes of the hollow pattern 20 in the middle mask unit, the more first grid strips 201 there are (n), the greater the light flux during exposure, the worse the exposure weakening effect, and thus the higher the height of the strip-shaped spacer formed by exposure. From Figure 3 As can be seen, when the number n of the first grid strips 201 is 2 or 3, the height of the strip-shaped spacers formed by exposure can basically meet the requirements. Figure 4a and Figure 4b As shown, when the number n of the first grid strips 201 is constant, the width a and the first spacing b of the first grid strips 201 have a direct impact on the height and width of the strip-shaped spacer; from Figure 4aAs can be seen, when the number n and the width a of the first grid strips 201 are constant, the height of the strip-shaped spacer gradually decreases as the first spacing b gradually increases; conversely, when the number n and the first spacing b are constant, the height of the strip-shaped spacer decreases as the width a of the first grid strips 201 decreases. Figure 4b As can be seen, when the number n of the first grid bars 201 and the width a of the first grid bars 201 are constant, the width of the strip-shaped spacer gradually increases as the first spacing b gradually increases; when the number n of the first grid bars 201 and the first spacing b are constant, the width of the strip-shaped spacer decreases as the width a of the first grid bars 201 decreases. Figure 5 As shown, the length d of the first end portion 201b along the second direction Y directly affects the width of the strip-shaped spacer, while the length d of the first end portion 201b along the second direction Y has virtually no effect on the height of the strip-shaped spacer; from Figure 5 As can be seen, as the length d of the first end portion 201b along the second direction Y increases, the width of the strip-shaped spacer gradually increases, while the height of the strip-shaped spacer remains basically unchanged.

[0093] like Figure 6 As shown, when the number n of the first gate strips 201 is two, the height of the strip-shaped spacer formed is close to the required height Ref. of the strip-shaped spacer, but the width of the strip-shaped spacer is smaller than the required width Ref.; when the number n of the first gate strips 201 is four, the height of the strip-shaped spacer formed is close to the required height Ref. of the strip-shaped spacer, but the width of the strip-shaped spacer is larger than the required width Ref. Thus, after the array substrate and the color filter substrate are assembled, the strip-shaped spacer will overlap on the two metal layers where the gate and source / drain electrodes are located on the array substrate side, resulting in a higher cell thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel; and when the number n of the first gate strips 201 is three, the height and width of the strip-shaped spacer formed are close to the required height Ref. and required width Ref. of the strip-shaped spacer; therefore, in this embodiment, the number n of the first gate strips 201 is preferably 2 to 3.

[0094] The required height (Ref.) and required width (Ref.) of the strip-shaped spacers refer to the ideal height and ideal width achievable by strip-shaped spacers prepared using a semi-permeable mask. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the top of the strip-shaped septum forms a crater shape that is high around the edges and low in the middle. The height of the strip-shaped septum is the distance between the bottom of the strip-shaped septum and the bottom surface of the top crater. The width of the strip-shaped septum is the cross-sectional width of the strip-shaped septum at 95% of its height.

[0095] In summary, as shown in Table 1, this embodiment uses the above-mentioned... Figure 1aThe hollow pattern 20 is used as the optimal hollow pattern 20 design style. Based on ensuring that the height and width specifications of the prepared strip-shaped spacer meet the required height Ref. and required width Ref., the height of the strip-shaped spacer is further reduced by adjusting the width a and the first spacing b of the first grid strip 201. Simultaneously, the elastic recovery rate (ER%) of the prepared strip-shaped spacer is tested and compared to analyze the reduction of the risk of yellowing in the display panel bezel area. In Table 1, △H represents the height difference between the height of the strip-shaped spacer prepared using the mask unit in this embodiment and the ideal height achievable using a semi-transparent mask plate.

[0096] Table 1

[0097]

[0098] The results obtained from the above analysis are as follows: when the width a of the first grid 201 is 0.7 to 1.5 μm, the first spacing b is 10 to 20 μm, and the length d of the first end portion 201b along the second direction Y is 1 to 12 μm, the cell thickness of the display panel bezel area can be reduced by 0.1 to 0.6 μm, thereby significantly improving the yellowing phenomenon of the display panel bezel area.

[0099] As shown in Table 1 and Figure 7 As shown, taking a 65-inch display panel as an example, its bezel area is 0.56μm thicker than the display area. By adjusting the style and size of the cutout pattern 20 to reduce the height of the strip spacers, the thickness of the display panel bezel area can be reduced. Figure 7 As can be seen, when the width a of the first grid strip 201 is 1μm, the first spacing b is 18μm, and the length d of the first end portion 201b along the second direction Y is 6μm, the strip-shaped spacer formed is 0.57μm lower than the required height Ref., thereby reducing the cell thickness of the display panel bezel area by 0.57μm, thus improving the problem of uneven cell thickness in the display panel bezel area, and further improving or avoiding the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel. Simultaneously, the elastic recovery rate of the strip-shaped spacer is 5.3% higher than the required elastic recovery rate Ref. (referring to the ideal elastic recovery rate achievable by the strip-shaped spacer prepared using a semi-permeable mask), which meets the design requirements. Furthermore, the top surface of the strip-shaped spacer currently prepared using a semi-permeable mask forms a volcano shape with high edges and a low center, creating a large step difference between the higher edges and the lower center, which weakens the support stability of the strip-shaped spacer on the array substrate; and the top surface roughness of the strip-shaped spacer prepared using a semi-permeable mask is relatively small. The strip-shaped spacers prepared using the mask unit in this embodiment form a mesh-like texture on their top surface. This top surface morphology greatly reduces the step difference between the perimeter and the central area of ​​the crater, and improves the support stability of the strip-shaped spacers on the array substrate.

[0100] like Figure 7 As shown, the display panel includes an array substrate and a color filter substrate mounted in a cell. The four edges of the array substrate and the color filter substrate are sealed with a sealing adhesive 10. The array substrate includes a first substrate 3, a conductive film layer 4, and an encapsulation dam 5. The conductive film layer 4 and the encapsulation dam 5 are located on the same side of the first substrate 3. The conductive film layer 4 is located in the display area 100 and the border area 101. The conductive film layer 4 can be any conductive film layer in the pixel circuit. The encapsulation dam 5 is located in the border area 101 and is used to contact the sealing adhesive 10 to make the encapsulation of the array substrate and the color filter substrate after mounting in a cell more secure. The color filter substrate includes a second substrate 6, a black matrix 7, color resists of different colors 8 (such as red, green, and blue resists), a planarization layer 9, and spacers. The black matrix 7, color resists 8, planarization layer 9, and spacers are stacked sequentially on the side of the second substrate 6 closest to the array substrate. The black matrix 7, color resists 8, planarization layer 9, and spacers are located in the display area 100 and the border area 101. The spacers include strip spacers 11 and column spacers 12. The strip spacers 11 are located in the border area 101 and are used to support the border area 101 of the array substrate and the color filter substrate. The column spacers 12 are located in the display area 100 and are used to support the display area 100 of the array substrate and the color filter substrate.

[0101] The mask unit provided in this embodiment can reduce light intensity by reasonably designing the style and size of the hollow pattern. Using this mask unit, strip-shaped spacers that meet the required height and other specifications can be exposed and formed. This reduces the height of the strip-shaped spacers formed in the bezel area of ​​the display panel compared to the strip-shaped spacers formed using a semi-transparent mask, thereby improving the problem of uneven cell thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel and ultimately improving or avoiding the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel.

[0102] This invention also provides a mask, such as... Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 8c As shown, the device includes multiple mask units 13 as described in the above embodiments. At least some of the mask units 13 are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y, and the first grid strips 201 in adjacent mask units 13 are connected to each other; and / or, at least some of the mask units 13 are arranged sequentially along the first direction X, and the first grid strips 201 in adjacent mask units 13 are connected to each other; and / or, at least some of the mask units 13 are arranged sequentially along the first direction X, and the second grid strips 202 in adjacent mask units 13 are connected to each other; and / or, at least some of the mask units 13 are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y, and the second grid strips 202 in adjacent mask units 13 are connected to each other.

[0103] In some embodiments, the mask is used to form strip-shaped spacers around the perimeter bezel of the display panel, such as... Figure 8aAs shown, mask units 13 forming strip-shaped spacers in the left and right bezel areas of the display panel are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y, and the first grid strips 201 in adjacent mask units 13 are abutted to each other; mask units 13 forming strip-shaped spacers in the upper and lower bezel areas of the display panel are arranged sequentially along the first direction X, and the first grid strips 201 in adjacent mask units 13 are abutted to each other. Figure 8b As shown, mask units 13 forming strip-shaped spacers in the left and right bezel areas of the display panel are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y, and the first grid strips 201 in adjacent mask units 13 are abutted to each other; mask units 13 forming strip-shaped spacers in the upper and lower bezel areas of the display panel are arranged sequentially along the first direction X, and the second grid strips 202 in adjacent mask units 13 are abutted to each other. Figure 8c As shown, the mask units 13 forming the strip-shaped spacers in the left and right side bezel areas of the display panel are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y, and the second grid strips 202 in adjacent mask units 13 are connected to each other; the mask units 13 forming the strip-shaped spacers in the upper and lower side bezel areas of the display panel are arranged sequentially along the first direction X, and the second grid strips 202 in adjacent mask units 13 are connected to each other.

[0104] In some embodiments, Figure 8a The arrangement of the central mask unit 13 corresponds to the shape of the strip-shaped spacers 11 forming the perimeter bezel area of ​​the display panel, as shown in the figure. Figure 9a As shown; Figure 8b The arrangement of the central mask unit 13 corresponds to the shape of the strip-shaped spacers 11 forming the perimeter bezel area of ​​the display panel, as shown in the figure. Figure 9b As shown; Figure 8c The arrangement of the central mask unit 13 corresponds to the shape of the strip-shaped spacers 11 forming the perimeter bezel area of ​​the display panel, as shown in the figure. Figure 9c As shown.

[0105] In some embodiments, the mask is used to form strip-shaped spacers around the perimeter bezels of a plurality of display panels, such as Figure 10 The image shows the arrangement of mask units 13 in the mask plate.

[0106] By using the mask unit in the above embodiments, the strip spacers in the display panel bezel area formed by the exposure of the mask plate meet the required height and other specifications. This reduces the height of the strip spacers formed in the display panel bezel area compared to the strip spacers formed by the semi-transparent mask plate, thereby improving the problem of uneven cell thickness in the display panel bezel area and ultimately improving or avoiding the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel.

[0107] The present invention also provides a display substrate having a display area and a border area, the border area surrounding at least one side of the display area. The display substrate includes a substrate and a plurality of first spacers, the plurality of first spacers being located in the border area and on one side of the substrate. The first spacers are formed using the mask plate described in the above embodiments.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first spacer is strip-shaped.

[0109] In related technologies, the top surface of the first spacer prepared using a semi-permeable mask forms a crater shape with higher edges and a lower center, creating a significant step difference between the higher edges and the lower center. This weakens the support stability of the first spacer for the display substrate (the substrate to the display substrate). Furthermore, the top surface of the first spacer prepared using a semi-permeable mask is relatively smooth. In this embodiment, the top surface of the first spacer prepared using the mask described in the above embodiment forms a mesh-like texture. This top surface shape significantly reduces the step difference between the edges and the center of the crater, improving the support stability of the first spacer for the array substrate. Additionally, the elastic recovery rate of the first spacer in this embodiment is significantly higher than that of the first spacer prepared using a semi-permeable mask, thereby improving the support performance of the first spacer and reducing its failure rate under external pressure.

[0110] In some embodiments, the display substrate further includes a plurality of second spacers located in the display area and on the same side of the substrate as the first spacers, with a height difference of less than 0.1 μm between the second spacers and the first spacers. This reduces the height difference between the spacers in the display area and the bezel area, which is beneficial for achieving uniform cell thickness in the display panel including the display substrate in both the display area and the bezel area.

[0111] In some embodiments, the second spacer is cylindrical in shape.

[0112] The display substrate provided in this embodiment uses the mask plate described in the above embodiment to prepare the first spacer, which can make the first spacer meet the required height and other specifications. This reduces the height of the first spacer compared to the first spacer formed by a semi-transparent mask plate in related technologies, which is beneficial for achieving uniform cell thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel including the display substrate.

[0113] This invention also provides a display panel, including a first substrate and the display substrate described in the above embodiments. The display substrate and the first substrate are fitted together. A first spacer in the display substrate is located on the side of the substrate closer to the first substrate and is used to support the frame area of ​​the display substrate and the first substrate.

[0114] In some embodiments, the display substrate may be a color filter substrate, and the first substrate may be an array substrate.

[0115] The display panel provided in this embodiment, by adopting the display substrate in the above embodiment, can improve the problem of uneven thickness in the bezel area of ​​the display panel by using the first spacer in the display substrate that meets the required height and other specifications, and the height of the first spacer is reduced compared to the strip spacer formed by the semi-transparent mask in the related technology. This can improve or avoid the phenomenon of yellowing around the display panel.

[0116] The display panel can be any product or component with display function, such as an LCD panel, LCD TV, e-paper device, mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, monitor, digital photo frame, or navigator.

[0117] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary implementations used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mask unit, comprising a substrate and a mask layer, the mask layer being located on one side of the substrate, a hollow pattern being formed in the mask layer, characterized in that the hollow pattern comprising a plurality of first bars, a plurality of second bars and a plurality of grids, the plurality of first bars being arranged in sequence along a first direction and respectively extending along a second direction, the plurality of second bars being arranged in sequence along the second direction and respectively extending along the first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction, each of the first bars intersecting with the plurality of second bars respectively, the plurality of grids being distributed in the areas enclosed by the intersections of the first bars and the second bars respectively.

2. The masking unit of claim 1, wherein, any two adjacent first bars being spaced apart by a first interval, any two adjacent second bars being spaced apart by a second interval, the first interval being equal to the second interval.

3. The masking unit of claim 2, wherein, the first bar comprising a first main body and a first end portion, the first end portion being located at at least one end of the first main body, the first main body and the first end portion being arranged along the second direction and connected to each other, the first main body intersecting with the plurality of second bars to form intersection points, and the first end portion not forming intersection points with the second bars, the second bar comprising a second main body and a second end portion, the second end portion being located at at least one end of the second main body, the second main body and the second end portion being arranged along the first direction and connected to each other, the second main body intersecting with the plurality of first bars to form intersection points, and the second end portion not forming intersection points with the first bars.

4. The masking unit of claim 3, wherein, the grid being located at the center of the area enclosed by the intersection of the first main body and the second main body, the grid also being located at the center of the area enclosed by the first end portion and the second end portion, the grid also being located at the center of the area enclosed by the two adjacent first end portions and the second main body between the two adjacent first end portions, the grid also being located at the center of the area enclosed by the two adjacent second end portions and the first main body between the two adjacent second end portions.

5. The masking unit of claim 4, wherein, the width of the grid along the first direction being equal to the width of the grid along the second direction, the width of the grid along the first direction, the width of the grid along the second direction, the width of the first bar and the width of the second bar being equal.

6. The masking unit of claim 5, wherein, the shape of the first bar in orthographic projection on the substrate comprising a rectangular bar shape, the shape of the second bar in orthographic projection on the substrate comprising a rectangular bar shape, the shape of the grid in orthographic projection on the substrate comprising a square shape, a circular shape or a regular polygonal shape.

7. The masking unit of claim 5, wherein, the width of the first bar ranging from 0.7 to 1.5 μm.

8. The masking unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the number of the first bars being 2 to 3.

9. The masking unit of claim 2, wherein, the first interval ranging from 10 to 20 μm.

10. The masking unit of claim 3, wherein, the length of the first end portion along the second direction being equal to the length of the second end portion along the first direction.

11. The masking unit of claim 10, wherein, the length of the first end portion along the second direction ranging from 1 to 12 μm.

12. A mask, characterized in that a plurality of mask units as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, At least part of the mask units are arranged in sequence along the second direction, and the first bars in adjacent mask units are in abutment with each other; At least part of the mask units are arranged in sequence along the first direction, and the first bars in adjacent mask units are in abutment with each other; At least part of the mask units are arranged in sequence along the first direction, and the second bars in adjacent mask units are in abutment with each other; At least part of the mask units are arranged in sequence along the second direction, and the second bars in adjacent mask units are in abutment with each other.

13. A display substrate having a display area and a frame area, the frame area at least surrounding a side of the display area, The display substrate comprises a substrate and a plurality of first spacers, The plurality of first spacers are located in the frame area and on one side of the substrate, characterized in that The first spacers are formed by using the mask plate of claim 11. 14.The display substrate of claim 13, wherein, Further comprising a plurality of second spacers located in the display area and on the same side of the substrate as the first spacers, The height difference between the second spacers and the first spacers is less than 0.1 μm.

15. A display panel comprising a first substrate, characterized in that Further comprising the display substrate of any one of claims 13-14, The display substrate is in a lapping relationship with the first substrate, the first spacers in the display substrate are located on the side of the substrate close to the first substrate, and are used to support the frame area of the display substrate and the first substrate.

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