Display panel and display device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of display, particularly provides a display panel and a display device, and aims to solve the problems that the light extraction efficiency cannot be further improved and the power consumption cannot be further reduced in the prior art. In order to achieve the purpose, the display panel comprises a display area, the display area comprises a first light-emitting device layer and a first circular polarization structure which are located on a substrate, and the first circular polarization structure comprises a first wave plate and a first linear polarization layer arranged on the side, away from the substrate, of the first wave plate; the light adjusting structure is positioned between the first wave plate and the first linear polarization layer; wherein the light adjusting structure and the first linear polarization layer are both used for transmitting light in a first polarization direction, and the light adjusting structure is used for reflecting light in a second polarization direction, so that the light in the second polarization direction is converted into the light in the first polarization direction by the first wave plate after being reflected by the first wave plate and the first light-emitting device layer. According to the scheme, by additionally arranging the light adjusting structure, the light emitting efficiency can be effectively improved, and power consumption is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, specifically providing a display panel and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] In display device applications, to avoid interference from ambient light and improve display effects and user experience, a circular polarizer is typically placed on one side of the display surface. However, this approach cannot further improve light extraction efficiency or reduce power consumption. Furthermore, while improving light extraction efficiency, it cannot effectively guarantee the light transmittance of the sensor area. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application aims to solve the aforementioned technical problems, namely, to address the existing limitations in further improving light extraction efficiency and reducing power consumption.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a display panel, the display panel including a substrate, the substrate including a display area, the display area including:

[0005] The first light-emitting device layer is located on the substrate.

[0006] A first circular polarization structure located on the side of the first light-emitting device layer away from the substrate, the first circular polarization structure including a first waveplate and a first linear polarization layer disposed on the side of the first waveplate away from the substrate;

[0007] And, a light modulation structure located between the first waveplate and the first linear polarization layer;

[0008] The light adjustment structure and the first linear polarization layer are both used to allow light in the first polarization direction to pass through, and the light adjustment structure is used to reflect light in the second polarization direction, so that the light in the second polarization direction is reflected by the first waveplate and the first light-emitting device layer and then converted into the first polarization direction by the first waveplate, and the second polarization direction is perpendicular to the first polarization direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the light-adjusting structure comprises an alternately stacked first material layer and a second material layer, wherein the first material layer and the second material layer have the same refractive index in the first polarization direction and different refractive indices in the second polarization direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second material layer is an isotropic material layer.

[0011] In some embodiments, the total number of the first material layer and the second material layer is 100-500 layers.

[0012] In some embodiments, the substrate further includes a sensor region, the sensor region comprising:

[0013] The second light-emitting device layer is located on the substrate.

[0014] A planarization layer located on the side of the second light-emitting device layer facing away from the substrate;

[0015] A second circular polarization structure is located on the side of the planarization layer opposite to the substrate. The second circular polarization structure includes a second waveplate and a second linear polarization layer disposed on the side of the second waveplate opposite to the substrate.

[0016] In some embodiments, the sensor area further includes:

[0017] A pixel definition layer is disposed on the substrate, the pixel definition layer being used to define the light-emitting area;

[0018] The encapsulation layer is located between the second light-emitting device layer and the planarization layer;

[0019] A plurality of first photoresist structures are located between the encapsulation layer and the planarization layer, and both the pixel definition layer and the first photoresist structures have openings in the regions corresponding to the light-emitting areas.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first photoresist structure includes at least one of a red color filter structure, a green color filter structure, or a blue color filter structure.

[0021] In some embodiments, the orthographic projection of the first photoresist structure onto the substrate overlaps with the orthographic projection of the pixel definition layer onto the substrate; or, the orthographic projection of the first photoresist structure onto the substrate overlaps with the orthographic projection of the sensor region other than the light-emitting region onto the substrate.

[0022] In some embodiments, the sensor further includes:

[0023] The encapsulation layer is located between the second light-emitting device layer and the planarization layer;

[0024] Multiple second photoresist structures located between the encapsulation layer and the planarization layer.

[0025] And the light modulation structure located between the second waveplate and the second linear polarization layer.

[0026] In a second aspect, this application provides a display device comprising the display panel described in any of the preceding claims.

[0027] By employing the above technical solution, this application provides a display panel, which may include a display area, the display area including a first light-emitting device layer located on a substrate; a first circular polarization structure located on the side of the first light-emitting device layer facing away from the substrate, the first circular polarization structure including a first waveplate and a first linear polarization layer disposed on the side of the first waveplate facing away from the substrate; and a light adjustment structure located between the first waveplate and the first linear polarization layer; wherein the light adjustment structure and the first linear polarization layer are both used to allow light of a first polarization direction to pass through, and the light adjustment structure is used to reflect light of a second polarization direction, so that light of the second polarization direction, after being reflected by the first waveplate and the first light-emitting device layer, is converted by the first waveplate into light of the first polarization direction, the second polarization direction being perpendicular to the first polarization direction. This solution, by adding a light adjustment structure, can effectively improve the light extraction efficiency compared to using only a circular polarizer, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of the display device.

[0028] Furthermore, this application can ensure both the light emission efficiency of the display area and the light transmittance of the sensor area by removing the light adjustment structure and black matrix in the sensor area of ​​the display panel. Alternatively, a color filter structure can be provided in the sensor area to adjust the color display difference between the display area and the sensor area while ensuring light transmittance. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The preferred embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a circular polarizer in related technologies;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of a display panel equipped with a circular polarizer;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the display area of ​​a display panel provided in this application;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of the display area of ​​the display panel provided in this application;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the light modulation structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sensor area of ​​the display panel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sensor region with a first photoresist structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 8This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sensor region with a first photoresist structure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sensor region provided in this application embodiment, which includes a second photoresist structure and a light adjustment structure. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a circular polarizer in related technologies. It may include a quarter-wave plate (or 1 / 4λ) and a linear polarizing layer (Polarized Light, POL). As described in the background art, in related technologies, a circular polarizer can be disposed on one side of the display surface of a display device. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of a display panel with a circular polarizer. Taking an OLED display device as an example, it has a light-emitting device. The structure on the light-emitting side of the light-emitting device can be used as a reflective electrode layer. A quarter-wave plate and a linear polarizing layer (POL) are sequentially arranged on the OLED light-emitting side of the reflective electrode layer. In the circular polarizer, the angle between the transmission axis of the linear polarizing layer and the fast or slow axis of the quarter-wave plate is 45°. The linear polarizing layer can filter out polarized light perpendicular to its transmission axis, such as... Figure 2 The dashed lines representing ambient light or OLED light in the diagram show that polarized light with the same direction as its transmission axis passes through. Figure 2 The solid lines represent either the ambient light or the OLED light shown. A quarter-wave plate is used to convert between linearly polarized and circularly polarized light, such as... Figure 2As shown, ambient light is converted into linearly polarized light after passing through a linear polarizer, then into circularly polarized light after passing through a quarter-wave plate, and after being reflected by the reflective electrode layer, its rotation direction changes. After passing through a quarter-wave plate again, it is converted into linearly polarized light with a vibration direction perpendicular to the transmission axis of the linear polarizer, thus being blocked and unable to pass through. This achieves the blocking of ambient light and avoids the interference caused by the high reflectivity of ambient light to the user.

[0042] But if Figure 2 As shown, while blocking ambient light interference, it also blocks polarized light in the OLED light that is perpendicular to the transmission direction of the linear polarization layer, reducing the light extraction efficiency of the OLED light and making it difficult to reduce the power consumption of the display device.

[0043] Therefore, this application provides a display panel. See also Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided in this application. The display panel includes a substrate 10, and the substrate 10 includes a display area, which includes:

[0044] A first light-emitting device layer 11 is located on the substrate 10; a first circularly polarized structure is located on the side of the first light-emitting device layer 11 facing away from the substrate 10, the first circularly polarized structure including a first waveplate 12 and a first linearly polarized layer 13 disposed on the side of the first waveplate 12 facing away from the substrate 10; and a light-adjusting structure 14 located between the first waveplate 12 and the first linearly polarized layer 13; wherein the light-adjusting structure 14 and the first linearly polarized layer 13 are both used to allow light of a first polarization direction to pass through, and the light-adjusting structure 14 is used to reflect light of a second polarization direction, so that the light of the second polarization direction is reflected by the first waveplate 12 and the first light-emitting device layer 11 and then converted into light of the first polarization direction by the first waveplate 12, the second polarization direction being perpendicular to the first polarization direction.

[0045] The first light-emitting device layer 11 may include multiple light-emitting devices, each of which may include an anode layer 111, a light-emitting layer 112, and a cathode layer 113. In addition, a pixel definition layer 15 and an encapsulation layer 16 may be disposed on the substrate 10, and the first wave plate 12 is disposed on the side of the encapsulation layer 16 away from the substrate 10.

[0046] See Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of the display panel provided in this application. The first polarization direction is parallel to the x-direction, and the second polarization direction is parallel to the y-direction. The cathode layer 113 of the light-emitting device in the first light-emitting device layer 11 can be used as a reflective electrode layer. The outgoing light emitted by the light-emitting device is emitted from the reflective electrode layer, transmitted through the first wave plate 12 to the light adjustment structure 14. The light in the first polarization direction of the outgoing light can enter the environment through the light adjustment structure 14 and the first linear polarization layer 13 in sequence. The light in the second polarization direction of the outgoing light is reflected by the light adjustment structure 14 and transmitted between the first wave plate 12, the cathode layer 113 and the light adjustment structure 14. Finally, it can also be converted into outgoing light in the first polarization direction, and emitted into the environment through the light adjustment structure 14 and the first linear polarization layer 13. Compared with using only a circular polarizer, the light extraction efficiency can be effectively improved, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of the display device.

[0047] In some embodiments, see Figure 5 As shown, the light-adjusting structure 14 includes a first material layer 141 and a second material layer 142 that are alternately stacked. The first material layer 141 and the second material layer 142 have the same refractive index in the first polarization direction, and the first material layer 141 and the second material layer 142 have different refractive indices in the second polarization direction.

[0048] The first material layer 141 is an anisotropic material layer, such as at least one of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PC (polycarbonate), and liquid crystal polymer. These materials exhibit optical anisotropy under tension; for example, stretching them in the x-direction results in an increase in refractive index in the x-direction while keeping it unchanged in the y-direction. The second material layer 142 is an isotropic material layer, such as Teflon. When the first material layer 141 and the second material layer 142 are stacked alternately, the refractive indices of the first material layer 141 and the second material layer 142 differ in the x-axis direction but not in the y-axis direction.

[0049] In some embodiments, the total number of the first material layer 141 and the second material layer 142 can be 100-500 layers. The thickness of each layer can be 1-20 nm.

[0050] See Figure 4 As shown, the reflectivity of ambient light increases after adding the light adjustment structure 14, affecting the user experience. To address this, a Black Matrix (BM) structure can be added to the display area to ensure both the light emission efficiency of the display area and the requirement for low reflectivity. The BM can be positioned between adjacent light-emitting devices, and the orthographic projection of the BM onto the substrate 10 falls within the orthographic projection range of the pixel definition layer 15 onto the substrate 10.

[0051] In some embodiments, the substrate 10 further includes a sensor region, see [link to documentation]. Figure 6 As shown, the sensor area may include:

[0052] A second light-emitting device layer 21 is located on the substrate 10; a planarization layer 22 is located on the side of the second light-emitting device layer 21 away from the substrate 10; a second circular polarization structure is located on the side of the planarization layer 22 away from the substrate 10, the second circular polarization structure including a second waveplate 23 and a second linear polarization layer 24 disposed on the side of the second waveplate 23 away from the substrate 10.

[0053] The sensor area does not have a light adjustment structure 14 and BM to avoid absorbing or reflecting a large amount of light, increase the light transmittance area of ​​the sensor area, and improve the light transmittance of the sensor area.

[0054] like Figure 6 As shown, the sensor may further include a pixel definition layer 25 disposed on the substrate 10, the pixel definition layer 25 being used to define the light-emitting area, and an encapsulation layer 26 located between the second light-emitting device layer 21 and the planarization layer 22.

[0055] The second light-emitting device layer 21 of the sensor area can be disposed on the same layer as the first light-emitting device layer 11 of the display area, the pixel definition layer 25 of the sensor area can be disposed on the same layer as the pixel definition layer 15 of the display area, and the encapsulation layer 26 of the sensor area can be disposed on the same layer as the encapsulation layer 16 of the display area.

[0056] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, two or more functional layers being arranged in the same layer means that these functional layers being arranged in the same layer can be formed using the same material layer and the same manufacturing process (such as patterning process), thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the display panel.

[0057] In some embodiments, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the sensor area further includes a plurality of first photoresist structures (27, 27') located between the encapsulation layer 26 and the planarization layer 22, and both the pixel definition layer 25 and the first photoresist structures (27, 27') have openings in the areas corresponding to the light-emitting areas.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first photoresist structure (27, 27') includes at least one of a red color filter structure, a green color filter structure, or a blue color filter structure. The first photoresist structure (27, 27') can be configured according to the color difference between the display area and the sensor area, as well as the light penetration requirements of the sensor area. For example, if the sensor area appears greenish relative to the display area, a red color filter structure can be used in the sensor area to absorb green light, eliminate the color difference, and improve the overall display effect. In some embodiments, the thickness and coverage area of ​​the first photoresist structure (27, 27') can be flexibly set according to requirements.

[0059] In some embodiments, see Figure 7 As shown, the orthographic projection of the first photoresist structure 27 onto the substrate 10 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the pixel definition layer 25 onto the substrate 10. In some embodiments, the opening size formed by the first photoresist structure 27 in the light-emitting region can be larger than the opening size formed by the pixel definition layer 25 in the light-emitting region. For example, the distance between the edge of the first photoresist structure 27 near the light-emitting region and the edge of the pixel definition layer 25 near the light-emitting region can be 4-20 μm.

[0060] In other embodiments, see Figure 8 As shown, the orthographic projection of the first photoresist structure 27' onto the substrate 10 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the sensor region (excluding the light-emitting region) onto the substrate 10, relative to... Figure 7 Increasing the coverage area of ​​the first photoresist structure 27 in the non-pixel light-emitting area can further improve the problem of inconsistent display colors between the display area and the sensor area.

[0061] In some embodiments, the opening size formed by the first photoresist structure 27' in the light-emitting area can be larger than the opening size formed by the pixel definition layer 25 in the light-emitting area. For example, the distance between the edge of the first photoresist structure 27' near the light-emitting area and the edge of the pixel definition layer 25 near the light-emitting area can be 6-10 μm.

[0062] In other embodiments, see Figure 9 As shown, in Figure 6 Based on the structure shown, the sensor may further include:

[0063] The encapsulation layer 26 is located between the second light-emitting device layer 21 and the planarization layer 22; a plurality of second photoresist structures 28 are located between the encapsulation layer 26 and the planarization layer 22; and the light-adjusting structure 14' is located between the second waveplate 23 and the second linear polarization layer 24.

[0064] The second light-emitting device layer 21 and the encapsulation layer 26 can be set in the same way as the display area, the second photoresist structure 28 can be BM, and the light adjustment structure 14' of the sensor area can be set in the same layer as the light adjustment structure 14 of the display area.

[0065] Another aspect of this application provides a display device that may include the display panel described in any of the above embodiments.

[0066] As an example, display devices can include any product or component with display functionality, such as electronic paper, mobile phones, tablets, televisions, monitors, laptops, digital photo frames, and navigators.

[0067] The technical solutions of this application have been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of this application is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of this application, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will all fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, The display panel includes a substrate, the substrate includes a display area, and the display area includes: The first light-emitting device layer is located on the substrate. A first circular polarization structure located on the side of the first light-emitting device layer away from the substrate, the first circular polarization structure including a first waveplate and a first linear polarization layer disposed on the side of the first waveplate away from the substrate; And, a light modulation structure located between the first waveplate and the first linear polarization layer; The light adjustment structure and the first linear polarization layer are both used to allow light in the first polarization direction to pass through, and the light adjustment structure is used to reflect light in the second polarization direction, so that the light in the second polarization direction is reflected by the first waveplate and the first light-emitting device layer and then converted into the first polarization direction by the first waveplate, and the second polarization direction is perpendicular to the first polarization direction.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-modulating structure includes an alternately stacked first material layer and a second material layer, wherein the first material layer and the second material layer have the same refractive index in the first polarization direction and different refractive indices in the second polarization direction.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second material layer is an isotropic material layer.

4. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The total number of layers, including the first material layer and the second material layer, is 100-500.

5. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The substrate further includes a sensor region, the sensor region comprising: The second light-emitting device layer is located on the substrate. A planarization layer located on the side of the second light-emitting device layer facing away from the substrate; A second circular polarization structure is located on the side of the planarization layer opposite to the substrate. The second circular polarization structure includes a second waveplate and a second linear polarization layer disposed on the side of the second waveplate opposite to the substrate.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sensor area also includes: A pixel definition layer is disposed on the substrate, the pixel definition layer being used to define the light-emitting area; The encapsulation layer is located between the second light-emitting device layer and the planarization layer; A plurality of first photoresist structures are located between the encapsulation layer and the planarization layer, and both the pixel definition layer and the first photoresist structures have openings in the regions corresponding to the light-emitting areas.

7. The display panel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first photoresist structure includes at least one of a red color filter structure, a green color filter structure, or a blue color filter structure.

8. The display panel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The orthographic projection of the first photoresist structure onto the substrate overlaps with the orthographic projection of the pixel definition layer onto the substrate, or the orthographic projection of the first photoresist structure onto the substrate overlaps with the orthographic projection of the sensor region excluding the light-emitting region onto the substrate.

9. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sensor also includes: The encapsulation layer is located between the second light-emitting device layer and the planarization layer; Multiple second photoresist structures located between the encapsulation layer and the planarization layer. And the light modulation structure located between the second waveplate and the second linear polarization layer.

10. A display device, characterized in that, The display panel includes any one of claims 1 to 9.

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