Display panel and display device

Abstract

The invention provides a display panel and a display device, and relates to the technical field of display. The relative position relation of the bending part and the dimming layer is correspondingly designed, so that the bending part and the dimming layer are at least partially overlapped, the bending part is close to the display area, the most salient point of the bending part is close to the display area, and under the condition that the most salient point of the bending part moves to the display area, the brightness of the display area is improved. The size of the frame area corresponding to the bending part in the display panel can be reduced to the maximum extent.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the continuous development of science and technology, various display devices have been widely used in people's lives and work, bringing great convenience to people's daily lives. As one of the important components of a display device, the design of the display panel directly or indirectly affects the display effect of the device.

[0003] How to reduce the bezel area of ​​the display panel and achieve a narrow bezel design is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, this application provides a display panel and display device to reduce the bezel area of ​​the display panel. The specific solution is as follows:

[0005] A first aspect of this application provides a display panel, the display panel including a display area and a border area at least partially surrounding the display area;

[0006] The display panel includes: a substrate, and an array layer, a display layer, and a dimming layer located on one side of the substrate, wherein the display layer and the dimming layer are disposed sequentially away from the array layer; a pixel circuit is disposed in the array layer, and the driving transistors in the pixel circuit are electrically connected to the light-emitting elements in the display layer;

[0007] The array layer includes a first portion and a second portion that are sequentially stacked in a first direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the plane of the substrate and extends from the substrate to the array layer;

[0008] The first part includes a first planar portion, a second planar portion, and a curved portion located between the first planar portion and the second planar portion; the curved portion and the dimming layer at least partially overlap in the direction perpendicular to the display panel.

[0009] Based on the same inventive concept, a second aspect of this application provides a display device, the display device including the above-mentioned display panel.

[0010] By means of the above technical solution, this application provides a display panel and a display device. The pixel circuit in the array layer is used to control the working state of the light-emitting elements in the display layer, thereby controlling the display state of the display panel. A dimming layer is provided on the side of the display layer away from the array layer. By modulating the light emitted from the display layer and / or the light incident on the display panel from the outside, the display effect of the display panel is improved.

[0011] The array layer as a whole is divided into a first part and a second part in the first direction. After the first part is bent, the first part includes a first planar part, a second planar part and a bent part located between the first planar part and the second planar part. That is, the second planar part is bent to the back of the display panel. When some components and / or functional devices are integrated in the second planar part, the bezel area where the bent part is located in the display panel is reduced.

[0012] The technical solution of this application has designed the relative positional relationship between the curved part and the dimming layer, so that the curved part and the dimming layer at least partially overlap, thereby moving the curved part closer to the display area and making the most convex point of the curved part also closer to the display area. When the most convex point of the curved part moves closer to the display area, the size of the bezel area corresponding to the curved part in the display panel can be minimized to the greatest extent. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic, and the originals and elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel before it is bent, provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel after bending, provided as an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of another display panel after bending, provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 7 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 8 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another display panel before it is bent, provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 10 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 11 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 13 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 14 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 15 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided for another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of a pixel circuit and a light-emitting element provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel before it is bent, as provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the implementation section of this application is only for explaining specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the application. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, with technological advancements and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0033] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0034] It should be noted that the directional terms appearing in this invention are based on the relative positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be taken as absolute limitations on this application.

[0035] Various modifications and variations can be made to this invention without departing from its spirit or scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is intended to cover modifications and variations falling within the scope of the corresponding claims (the claimed technical solutions) and their equivalents. It should be noted that the embodiments provided in this invention can be combined with each other without contradiction.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the present invention is divided into a display area AA and a border area BB that at least partially surrounds the display area AA.

[0037] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the invention, the border area BB fully surrounds the display area AA as an example.

[0038] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the display area AA includes a plurality of sub-pixels 11. For example, the plurality of sub-pixels 11 may include a first sub-pixel 111 and a second sub-pixel 112, with the first sub-pixel 111 and the second sub-pixel 112 emitting different colors of light. For instance, the first sub-pixel 111 is an R sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel 112 is a B sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel 111 emits red light, and the second sub-pixel 112 emits blue light. Optionally, to achieve full-color display of the display panel 100, the plurality of sub-pixels 11 may further include a third sub-pixel 113, the third sub-pixel 113 being a G sub-pixel used to emit green light.

[0039] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel before it is bent, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel after bending, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that... Figure 3 The display panel 100 shown is a structural schematic diagram of the display panel 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The display panel 100 shown can be understood as the display panel 100 before the bending portion 131D is bent, and after the bending portion 131D is bent, it is formed. Figure 3 The display panel 100 shown at this time Figure 3 The display panel 100 shown includes a bent portion 131C. In other words, the bent portion 131C is obtained by bending the bent portion 131D.

[0040] The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention includes: a substrate 12, and an array layer 13, a display layer 14, and a dimming layer 15 located on one side of the substrate 12, wherein the display layer 14 and the dimming layer 15 are disposed sequentially away from the array layer 13; a pixel circuit is disposed in the array layer 13, and the driving transistor in the pixel circuit is electrically connected to the light-emitting element in the display layer 14.

[0041] Optionally, the light-emitting element includes an anode 141, an organic light-emitting layer 142, and a cathode 143, with the anode layer 141 connected to one pole of the driving transistor in the pixel circuit.

[0042] It should be noted that at least one light-emitting element constitutes a sub-pixel 11.

[0043] The array layer 13 includes a first portion 131 and a second portion 132 stacked sequentially in a first direction X; the first direction X is perpendicular to the plane where the substrate 12 is located, and points from the substrate 12 to the array layer 13.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, based on Figure 2 The display panel 100 shown, after the bending portion 131D is bent, the first portion 131 includes a first flat portion 131A, a second flat portion 131B, and a bent portion 131C located between the first flat portion 131A and the second flat portion 131B; as shown Figure 3 As shown, along the direction perpendicular to the display panel 100, the curved portion 131C and the dimming layer 15 at least partially overlap.

[0045] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the pixel circuit provided in the array layer 13 is used to control the working state of the light-emitting element in the display layer 14, thereby controlling the display state of the display panel 100; a dimming layer 15 is provided on the side of the display layer 14 away from the array layer 13, and the display effect of the display panel 100 is improved by modulating the light emitted from the display layer 14 and / or the light incident on the display panel 100 from the outside.

[0046] The stacked structure of array layer 13 as a whole is divided into a first part 131 and a second part 132 in the first direction X. After bending a portion of the first part 131, for example, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, after bending the portion 131D of the first part 131, as... Figure 3As shown, the first part 131 includes a first planar part 131A, a second planar part 131B, and a curved part 131C located between the first planar part 131A and the second planar part 131B. When the second planar part 131B is bent to the back of the display panel 100, and some components and / or functional devices are integrated into the second planar part 131B, the size of the bezel area BB where the curved part 131C is located in the display panel 100 is reduced.

[0047] In the prior art, along the direction perpendicular to the display panel 100, the dimming layer 15 and the curved portion 131C do not overlap. It can be understood that the starting point O2 of the curved portion 131C does not overlap with the dimming layer 15. At this time, the starting point O2 of the curved portion 131C will be far away from the display area AA. The technical solution of this application has designed the relative positional relationship between the curved portion 131C and the dimming layer 15, so that the curved portion 131C and the dimming layer 15 at least partially overlap. It can be understood that, along the direction perpendicular to the display panel 100, the dimming layer 15 will cover the starting point O2 of the curved portion 131C. The starting point O2 of the curved portion 131C moves closer to the display area AA, that is, the curved portion 131C moves closer to the display area AA, so that the most convex point O1 of the curved portion 131C also moves closer to the display area AA. When the most convex point O1 of the curved portion 131C moves closer to the display area AA, the size of the bezel area BB corresponding to the curved portion 131C in the display panel 100 can be reduced to the greatest extent.

[0048] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention also includes a pixel definition layer 23 located on the side of the array layer 13 away from the substrate 12, and the pixel definition layer 23 has a plurality of sub-pixel openings for setting sub-pixels 11.

[0049] It should be noted that the pixel definition layer 23 and the substrate 12 are in Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can have multiple layers of structure, which will not be elaborated on here.

[0050] Array layer 13 includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of thin-film transistors 16, a buffer layer 17, a first insulating layer 18, a second insulating layer 19, a third insulating layer 20, a fourth insulating layer 21, a planarization layer 22, and a pixel definition layer 23.

[0051] In the display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention, the array layer 13 includes a semiconductor layer 161 and a multilayer metal layer. The multilayer metal layer includes, but is not limited to, gate signal lines and other signal lines. Exemplarily, it may include Data signal lines, PVDD signal lines, Vref signal lines, etc. The Data signal lines are used to transmit data signals, the PVDD signal lines are used to transmit power signals, and the Vref signal lines are used to transmit reset signals.

[0052] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the multilayer metal layer may further include a gate 162, a first electrode 163, and a second electrode 164; wherein, the semiconductor layer 161, the gate 162, the first electrode 163, and the second electrode 164 constitute a thin-film transistor 16. It should be noted that when one of the first electrode 163 and the second electrode 164 serves as the source of the thin-film transistor 16, the other electrode serves as the drain of the thin-film transistor 16.

[0053] It should be noted that, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The example uses only a thin-film transistor 16 to illustrate how a pixel circuit and other circuit structures can be formed based on the thin-film transistor 16 and other components to drive the sub-pixel 11 to light up.

[0054] Optionally, in the display panel 100 provided in the embodiments of the present invention, the array layer 13 further includes multiple insulating layers and a buffer layer 17 located between the array layer 13 and the substrate 12.

[0055] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the multilayer insulating layers in the array layer 13 include a first insulating layer 18, a second insulating layer 19, a third insulating layer 20, a fourth insulating layer 21, and a planarization layer 22.

[0056] The positional relationship of the first insulating layer 18, the second insulating layer 19, the third insulating layer 20, the fourth insulating layer 21, and the planarization layer 22 is as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, it will not be elaborated further here, but can be adjusted according to actual design requirements.

[0057] Optional, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention may further include an encapsulation layer 25, which includes, but is not limited to, a first inorganic encapsulation layer, an organic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer sequentially disposed on the pixel definition layer 23. The encapsulation layer 25 includes, but is not limited to, a thin film encapsulation (TFE) layer.

[0058] Optionally, the substrate 12 is a flexible insulating material substrate with properties such as stretchability, bendability, or flexibility. Its material includes, but is not limited to, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0059] Optionally, the buffer layer 17 includes, but is not limited to, an inorganic material layer or an organic material layer. The inorganic material layer includes, but is not limited to, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxide, or aluminum nitride. The organic material layer includes, but is not limited to, acrylic or PI. In this embodiment of the invention, the buffer layer 17 is described using an organic material layer as an example.

[0060] In this embodiment of the invention, the array layer 13 includes a first part 131 and a second part 132, based on... Figure 3 As can be seen from the display panel 100 shown, the bending portion 131C of the first part 131 and the second part 132 will have a delamination phenomenon. Therefore, in order to ensure the adhesion of the film layer between the first part 131 and the second part 132 at the bending point O2, considering that the adhesion between film layers of the same material is relatively large, the contact surface between two film layers of the same material in the array layer 13 can be used as the reference for dividing the first part 131 and the second part 132.

[0061] Alternatively, since the array layer 13 includes multiple metal layers, and the multiple metal layers include a variety of signal lines, in order to ensure that the signal lines can continue to extend to the back of the display panel 100 along the bend 131C, the portion including at least a portion of the metal layers can be designated as the first portion 131, and the remaining portion as the second portion 132.

[0062] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first part 131 of the array layer 13 may include a stacked structure of a first insulating layer 18, a second insulating layer 19, a third insulating layer 20, and a fourth insulating layer 21, and the second part 132 of the array layer 13 may include a planarization layer 22. That is, the contact surface between the fourth insulating layer 21 and the planarization layer 22 is used as the reference for dividing the first part 131 and the second part 132.

[0063] In this design, the fourth insulating layer 21 and the planarization layer 22 can both be made of organic materials. Therefore, the adhesion of the film between the first part 131 and the second part 132 at the bending point O2 is greater, which can improve the structural stability of the display panel 100.

[0064] Furthermore, since the first part 131 includes most of the metal layer, the signal lines in this part of the metal layer can continue to extend to the back of the display panel 100 along with the bend 131C. Under this design, it will not have too much impact on the layout of the signal lines.

[0065] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, in the first direction X, the display area AA at least partially overlaps with the curved portion 131C.

[0066] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, considering existing technologies, the dimming layer 15 and the curved portion 131C do not overlap along the direction perpendicular to the display panel 100. It is understood that the starting point O2 of the curved portion 131C does not overlap with the dimming layer 15. In this case, the starting point O2 of the curved portion 131C will be far away from the display area AA. Under this design, the size of the border area BB where the curved portion 131C is located will be relatively large. Therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, the display area AA and the curved portion 131C at least partially overlap in the first direction X, indicating that the starting point O2 of the curved portion 131C is located within the display area AA. That is, the curved portion 131C is moved closer to the display area AA, so that the most convex point O1 of the curved portion 131C also moves closer to the display area AA. When the most convex point O1 of the curved portion 131C moves closer to the display area AA, the size of the border area BB corresponding to the curved portion 131C in the display panel 100 can be minimized to the greatest extent.

[0067] Furthermore, when the starting point O2 of the curved portion 131C is located within the display area AA, more adjustable bending radii can be selected for the curved portion 131C. By comprehensively considering the size of the bezel area BB corresponding to the curved portion 131C, as well as the risk of bending cracks caused by different bending radii, the stability among multiple design parameters is balanced, thereby maximizing the display effect of the display panel 100.

[0068] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another display panel after bending, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. In the display panel 100 provided in this embodiment, the first portion 131 includes a first film layer extending from the first planar portion 131A to the second planar portion 131B; the second portion 132 includes a second film layer; the top surface of the first film layer and the bottom surface of the second film layer are at least partially in contact; at a position near the bent portion 131C in the first planar portion 131A, a plurality of first grooves 26 are provided on the side of the first film layer facing the second portion 132, and the second film layer fills the first grooves 26.

[0069] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the fourth insulating layer 21 is used as the first film layer and the planarization layer 22 is used as the second film layer. By providing a plurality of first grooves on the side of the fourth insulating layer 21 facing the second part 132, and making the planarization layer 22 fill the first grooves 26, the adhesion between the fourth insulating layer 21 and the planarization layer 22 is improved, making the interface between the two more tightly bonded, preventing the interface from delaminating, and preventing bending cracks from extending inward to the internal circuit area, thus protecting the circuit and the connection path in the circuit, thereby improving the display effect and service life of the display panel 100.

[0070] Optionally, the shape of the first groove 26 includes, but is not limited to, trapezoidal, rectangular, quadrilateral, semi-circular or semi-elliptical shapes, and at least two of the multiple first grooves 26 have different shapes. The difference in shape is used to maximize the interfacial bonding force between the first film layer and the second film layer.

[0071] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the display panel 100 provided by this embodiment, the width L1 of the area where the first groove 26 is located is 0.01mm-0.1mm, including the endpoint value; the distance L2 between the area where the first groove 26 is located and the bent portion 131C is less than 0.02mm.

[0072] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, when the width L1 of the area where the first groove 26 is located is less than 0.01mm, its effect is limited, that is, it is not effective in improving the adhesion between the first film layer and the second film layer; when the width L1 of the area where the first groove 26 is located is greater than 0.1mm, the limited space in the area where the groove is located will greatly increase the difficulty of the process; therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, the width L1 of the area where the first groove 26 is located in the display panel 100 is set to 0.01mm-0.1mm, which can achieve the corresponding effect without increasing the difficulty of the process in the manufacturing process of the display panel 100.

[0073] The distance L2 between the area where the first groove 26 is located and the curved portion 131C can be understood as the distance between the side of the area where the first groove 26 is located facing the starting point O2 and the starting point O2.

[0074] By making the distance L2 between the area where the first groove 26 is located and the bent portion 131C less than 0.02mm, the first groove 26 can prevent the bending crack from spreading inward at the bending point O2 closer to the bent portion 131C, thereby improving the performance of the display panel 100.

[0075] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, as provided in another embodiment of the present invention. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the present invention also includes an adhesive layer 27.

[0076] The first portion 131 includes a first film layer extending from the first planar portion 131A to the second planar portion 131B; the second portion 132 includes a second film layer; the top surface of the first film layer and the bottom surface of the second film layer are at least partially in contact, and an adhesive layer 27 is provided between the first film layer and the second film layer at a position near the curved portion 131C in the first planar portion 131A.

[0077] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the fourth insulating layer 21 is used as the first film layer and the planarization layer 22 is used as the second film layer. By providing an adhesive layer 27 between the fourth insulating layer 21 and the planarization layer 22, the adhesion between the fourth insulating layer 21 and the planarization layer 22 is improved, making the interface between the two more tightly bonded and preventing delamination of the interface. The adhesive layer 27 can also prevent bending cracks from extending inward to the internal circuit area, thus protecting the circuit and the connection path in the circuit, thereby improving the display effect and service life of the display panel 100.

[0078] It should be noted that, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The technical solutions shown can also be combined, that is, the first groove 26 and the adhesive layer 27 are provided simultaneously. This includes at least the following combination schemes, see reference. Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided by another embodiment of the present invention. The area where the first groove 26 is located does not overlap with the area where the adhesive layer 27 is located. The adhesive layer 27 is located between the area where the first groove 26 is located and the bending point O2. Alternatively, refer to... Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided by another embodiment of the present invention. The adhesive layer 27 is located on the side away from the bending point O2 in the area where the first groove 26 is located; or, the adhesive layer 27 covers the inner sidewall of the first groove 26; so as to maximize the interfacial bonding force between the first film layer and the second film layer, and to maximize the prevention of bending cracks from extending inward to the internal circuit area, thereby protecting the circuit and the connection path in the circuit, and thus improving the display effect and service life of the display panel 100.

[0079] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the materials of the first film layer and the second film layer in the display panel 100 provided by the present invention are organic film materials.

[0080] Specifically, in the embodiments of the present invention, the materials of the first film layer and the second film layer include, but are not limited to, other organic film materials such as polyimide, polyester, or polyamide.

[0081] Since the interfacial bonding force between film layers of the same material is relatively stable, the interface between the first and second film layers of the same material is used as the interface between the first part 131 and the second part 132 of the array layer 13. This can improve the bonding force between the first planar part 131A and the second part 132, prevent the bonding interface from delaminating, and thus improve the display effect and service life of the display panel 100.

[0082] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another display panel before bending, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, as provided in another embodiment of the present invention. In the display panel 100 provided in this embodiment, the first portion 131 includes an intermediate film layer and a first film layer sequentially located on one side of the substrate 12 in the first direction X; the second portion 132 includes a second film layer; the top surface of the first film layer and the bottom surface of the second film layer are at least partially in contact.

[0083] The intermediate film layer includes a second groove corresponding to the curved portion 131C, and the second groove penetrates the intermediate film layer.

[0084] The target membrane layer 28 that fills the second groove is made of an organic membrane material.

[0085] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the fourth insulating layer 21 is used as the first film layer and the planarization layer 22 is used as the second film layer for illustration. The intermediate film layer includes the first insulating layer 18, the second insulating layer 19, and the third insulating layer 20 for illustration.

[0086] Improvements are made to the film layer of the first part 131 corresponding to the bent portion 131C, so that the portions corresponding to the first insulating layer 18, the second insulating layer 19, and the third insulating layer 20 corresponding to the bent portion 131C are replaced with the target film layer 28 of organic film material by means of groove filling material. Based on the characteristics of organic film material, the probability of cracks generated in the bent portion 131D in the first part 131 of the array layer 13 during the bending process can be greatly reduced, thereby improving the display effect and service life of the display panel 100.

[0087] Optionally, the material of the target membrane layer 28 includes, but is not limited to, other organic membrane materials such as polyimide, polyester, or polyamide.

[0088] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 2-10 As shown, the light-emitting element includes an anode 141, an organic light-emitting layer 142, and a cathode 143.

[0089] The light-emitting element that overlaps with the curved portion 131C is electrically connected to the pixel circuit via the first connecting line 29, and the pixel circuit is located in the first planar portion 131A.

[0090] Specifically, in the embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 2-10 As shown, the first connecting line 29 is located in the second portion 132 and is located on the side of the anode 141 closer to the substrate 12, or refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another display panel after bending, provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The first connecting line 29 is disposed on the same layer as the anode 141.

[0091] In this embodiment of the invention, to further reduce the bezel area BB of the display panel 100 and expand the display area AA, at least some light-emitting elements overlap with the curved portion 131C, meaning these light-emitting elements are located above the curved portion 131C. Since the pixel circuit is disposed in the first planar portion 131A, compared to the relative positional relationship between the light-emitting elements and the pixel circuit in the display area AA, the distance between the light-emitting elements and the pixel circuit at this location will increase. Therefore, in order to achieve electrical connection between the light-emitting elements overlapping with the curved portion 131C and the pixel circuit, this embodiment of the invention adds a first connecting line 29, which is electrically connected to the anode 141 and the pixel circuit respectively, thereby achieving electrical connection between the light-emitting elements and the pixel circuit.

[0092] Optionally, the first connection line 29 is located in the second part 132 and on the side of the anode 141 close to the substrate 12. In this design, the first connection line 29 and the anode 141 are located in different layers, so that the first connection line 29 does not need to be set in the limited space of the film layer where the anode 141 is located, thus simplifying the wiring difficulty of the first connection line 29.

[0093] Optionally, the first connecting line 29 and the anode 141 are arranged in the same layer, so that the first connecting line 29 and the anode 141 can be prepared in the same process and can be prepared using the same material, thereby greatly simplifying the preparation process of the first connecting line 29.

[0094] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 12 , Figure 12This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other along a second direction Y. The curved portion 131C is located on the second side. Along the second direction Y, the distance between adjacent pixel circuits 30 near the first side is D1, and the distance between adjacent pixel circuits 30 near the second side is D2, wherein D1 > D2.

[0095] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the first side can be understood as the side near the upper frame area of ​​the display panel 100, and the second side can be understood as the side near the lower frame area of ​​the display panel 100.

[0096] The connection between the light-emitting element on the second side and the pixel circuit 30 can be achieved by extending the first connecting line 29 a certain distance away from the lower frame area and then connecting the light-emitting element 14 and the pixel circuit 30 through a replacement line and / or vias. At this time, the light-emitting element arrangement density of the display panel 100 does not change, but the distance between adjacent pixel circuits 30 near the second side will be reduced, that is, there is a relationship of D1>D2. If the light-emitting element arrangement density of the display panel 100 is not reduced, the display effect of the display panel 100 will not be affected.

[0097] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the light-emitting element in the display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention includes an anode 141, an organic light-emitting layer 142, and a cathode 143.

[0098] At least some of the light-emitting elements that overlap with the curved portion 131C are electrically connected to the pixel circuit 30 via a via 31 through a first connecting line 29. The via 31 is located on the side of the first groove away from the curved portion 131C.

[0099] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the via 31 is located on the side of the first groove away from the bent portion 131C, that is, on the inner side of the first groove, so as to avoid the via 31 losing its supporting film layer or the crack extending to the via 31 and causing failure when bending, thereby improving the electrical connection stability between the light-emitting element and the pixel circuit 30 that overlap with the bent portion 131C, and thus improving the display effect of the display panel 100.

[0100] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 13 , Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, as provided in another embodiment of the present invention. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes: a cover plate 32 and a touch layer 33.

[0101] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the cover plate 32 includes, but is not limited to, other cover plates with high light transmittance such as glass, and the display panel 100 is equipped with touch function by integrating a touch layer 33 in the display panel 100.

[0102] It should be noted that the touch layer 33 includes, but is not limited to, a touch layer in self-capacitive touch mode or a touch layer in mutual-capacitive touch mode.

[0103] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. A first gap exists between the second portion 132 and the bent portion 131C, and the value of the first gap gradually increases along the direction from the display area AA to the border area BB.

[0104] The display panel 100 further includes a cover plate 32, which overlaps with the display area AA and the border area BB, and is located on the side of the dimming layer 15 away from the substrate 12. The border area BB is provided with encapsulating adhesive 34, which fills the first gap and contacts the cover plate 32, the dimming layer 15, the curved portion 131C, and the second flat portion 131B.

[0105] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, encapsulating adhesive 34 is provided to improve the structural stability of the corresponding area after the display panel 100 is bent, and to encapsulate this area, so as to prevent external impurities from invading into the interior of the display panel 100 and affecting the display panel 100, thereby improving the display effect of the display panel 100.

[0106] Optionally, the encapsulating adhesive 34 can be made of a light-absorbing material to prevent other light incident on the display panel 100 from affecting the display effect of the display panel 100.

[0107] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 15 , Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel after bending, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment of the present invention also includes a support portion 35 located between the first planar portion 131A and the second planar portion 131B.

[0108] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, a support portion 35 is provided between the first planar portion 131A and the second planar portion 131B to improve the structural stability between the first planar portion 131A and the second planar portion 131B, thereby improving the structural stability of the display panel 100.

[0109] It should be noted that the support part 35 is in Figure 15 It has multiple layers of structure, which will not be elaborated on here.

[0110] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 16 , Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a pixel circuit and a light-emitting element provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] The pixel circuit 30 provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a driving transistor T0, which is used to provide a driving current to a light-emitting element Q, and the light-emitting element Q emits light in response to the driving current.

[0112] like Figure 16 As shown, the pixel circuit 30 provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes: a data writing transistor T1, which is connected between the driving transistor T0 and the data signal line. The source of the data writing transistor T1 is used to receive the data signal Vdata, the drain of the data writing transistor T1 is connected to the driving transistor T0, and the gate of the data writing transistor T1 is used to receive the control signal S1.

[0113] In this process, the control signal S1 received by the data writing transistor T1 is a pulse signal. During the data writing phase, when the control signal S1 is in an active pulse phase, it controls the data writing transistor T1 to be in a conducting state, providing the data signal Vdata to the driving transistor T0 through this data signal line; when the control signal S1 is in an inactive pulse phase, it controls the data writing transistor T1 to be in a deactivating state. Therefore, under the control of the control signal S1, the data writing transistor T1 selectively provides the data signal Vdata to the driving transistor T0.

[0114] like Figure 16 As shown, the pixel circuit 30 provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes: a first reset transistor T2, the source of the first reset transistor T2 receiving a reset signal Vref, the drain of the first reset transistor T2 being connected to the gate of the driving transistor T0, and the gate of the first reset transistor T2 being used to receive a control signal S2.

[0115] In this process, the control signal S2 received by the first reset transistor T2 is a pulse signal. During the effective pulse phase of the control signal S2, the first reset transistor T2 is controlled to be in the on state, and the reset signal Vref is written into the gate of the driving transistor T0 through the first reset transistor T2 to reset the gate of the driving transistor T0. During the ineffective pulse phase of the control signal S2, the first reset transistor T2 is controlled to be in the off state.

[0116] like Figure 16As shown, the pixel circuit 30 provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes: a compensation transistor T3, used to compensate the threshold voltage of the driving transistor T0, the source of the compensation transistor T3 is connected to the gate of the driving transistor T0 to form a connection node N1, the drain of the compensation transistor T3 is connected to the drain of the driving transistor T0, and the gate of the compensation transistor T3 is used to receive the control signal S3.

[0117] In this circuit, the control signal S3 received by the compensation transistor T3 is a pulse signal. During the effective pulse phase of the control signal S3, the compensation transistor T3 is turned on to compensate for the threshold voltage of the driving transistor T0; during the ineffective pulse phase of the control signal S3, the compensation transistor T3 is turned off. Therefore, under the control of the control signal S3, the compensation transistor T3 selectively compensates for the threshold voltage of the driving transistor T0.

[0118] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the compensation transistor T3 may be an oxide semiconductor transistor, which has a relatively smaller leakage current, thereby helping to stabilize the potential of the driving transistor T0.

[0119] like Figure 16 As shown, the pixel circuit 30 provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes: a light-emitting element reset transistor T4; the source of the light-emitting element reset transistor T4 is used to receive the initialization signal Vini, the drain of the light-emitting element reset transistor T4 is connected to the anode of the light-emitting element Q, and the gate of the light-emitting element reset transistor T4 is used to receive the control signal S4.

[0120] Among them, the control signal S4 received by the light-emitting element reset transistor T4 is a pulse signal. During the effective pulse phase of the control signal S4, the light-emitting element reset transistor T4 is controlled to be in the on state, and the initialization signal Vini is written to the anode of the light-emitting element Q through the light-emitting element reset transistor T4 to initialize the light-emitting element Q; during the ineffective pulse phase of the control signal S4, the light-emitting element reset transistor T4 is controlled to be in the off state.

[0121] like Figure 16 As shown, the pixel circuit 30 provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes: a first light-emitting control transistor T5 and a second light-emitting control transistor T6. The first light-emitting control transistor T5 is connected between the first power supply voltage terminal PVDD and the driving transistor T0, and the second light-emitting control transistor T6 is connected between the driving transistor T0 and the light-emitting element Q, for controlling whether the pixel circuit 30 is in the light-emitting stage or the non-light-emitting stage.

[0122] The cathode 143 of the light-emitting element Q is connected to the second power supply voltage terminal PVEE.

[0123] The gates of the first light-emitting control transistor T5 and the second light-emitting control transistor T6 simultaneously receive the light-emitting control signal EMIT. Under the control of the light-emitting control signal EMIT, the first light-emitting control transistor T5 and the second light-emitting control transistor T6 are either in the on state or the off state. The light-emitting control signal EMIT received by the gates of the first light-emitting control transistor T5 and the second light-emitting control transistor T6 is a pulse signal. During the light-emitting stage, the light-emitting control signal EMIT outputs an effective pulse to control the first light-emitting control transistor T5 and the second light-emitting control transistor T6 to be in the on state, so that the driving current provided by the driving transistor T0 flows into the light-emitting element Q to make it emit light. During the non-light-emitting stage, the light-emitting control signal EMIT outputs an invalid pulse to control the first light-emitting control transistor T5 and the second light-emitting control transistor T6 to be in the off state, so that the light-emitting element Q does not emit light.

[0124] It should be noted that the light emission control signal EMIT provided in the embodiments of the present invention can be a single control signal that simultaneously controls the first light emission control transistor T5 and the second light emission control transistor T6; or, the light emission control signal EMIT can be divided into two sub-light emission control signals, which control their respective corresponding light emission control transistors, and the longer duration of the invalid pulse output in the two sub-light emission control signals is the effective time length of the non-light emission stage.

[0125] It should be noted that the above is only an example of a pixel circuit 30, and the pixel circuit 30 of the present application is not limited to this. Figure 16 The pixel circuit 30 shown can also be other variations of the pixel circuit 30.

[0126] Based on the above embodiments of the present invention, another embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a display panel, see reference. Figure 17 , Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display panel before bending, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. The method for manufacturing the display panel provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0127] Step 1: Provide a substrate 12.

[0128] Step 2: An array layer 13, a display layer 14, and a dimming layer 15 are formed on one side of the substrate 12, wherein the display layer 14 and the dimming layer 15 are sequentially disposed away from the array layer 13; a pixel circuit 30 is disposed in the array layer 13, and the driving transistor T0 in the pixel circuit 30 is electrically connected to the light-emitting element Q in the display layer 14; the array layer 13 includes a first portion 131 and a second portion 132 sequentially stacked in a first direction X; the first direction X is perpendicular to the plane where the substrate 12 is located and points from the substrate 12 to the array layer 13; the first portion 131 includes a first planar portion 131A, a second planar portion 131C, and a bending portion 131D located between the first planar portion 131A and the second planar portion 131C; a sacrificial layer 36 is disposed between the bending portion 131D and the second portion 132.

[0129] Step 3: Remove the sacrificial layer 36, and separate the bending portion 131D from the second portion 132.

[0130] Step 4: The portion to be bent 131D is bent to form a bent portion 131C; along the direction perpendicular to the display panel 100, the bent portion 131C and the dimming layer 15 at least partially overlap.

[0131] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the sacrificial layer 36 can be a film layer formed of PR photoresist material or polycrystalline silicon / silicon oxide. The sacrificial layer 36 can vaporize and disappear under specific conditions, such as a specific temperature, specific light, or a specific gas environment, at which time the portion to be bent 131D and the second portion 132 are separated.

[0132] For example, the sacrificial layer 36 can be ablated by irradiating it with ultraviolet light or applying heat. That is, when the sacrificial layer 36 is irradiated with ultraviolet light or heat is applied, the temperature of the surface of the sacrificial layer 36 rises, and the surface is melted and evaporated, and thus removed. In this case, the sacrificial layer 36 may include polyimide, epoxy resin, silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), etc.

[0133] Accordingly, the array layer 13 can be separated into a first part 131 and a second part 132 from the location where the sacrificial layer 36 is removed, at which time the bending portion 131D in the first part 131 is separated from the second part 132.

[0134] The boundary of the sacrificial layer 36 facing the display area AA coincides with the bending start point O2. After removing the sacrificial layer 36, the actual bending start point position of the part to be bent 131D matches the design point, avoiding the risk of over-stretching or under-stretching. Furthermore, by removing the sacrificial layer 36, direct peeling between the part to be bent 131D and the second part 132 can be avoided, preventing damage to the peeling interface or the risk of other film layers peeling off.

[0135] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a display device, including the display panel 100 provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0136] refer to Figure 18 , Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the display device 200 provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be a mobile terminal device.

[0137] In other embodiments of the present invention, the display device 200 provided by the present invention may also be an electronic display device such as a mobile phone, tablet, or vehicle terminal, and the present invention does not impose specific limitations on it.

[0138] The above provides a detailed description of the display panel and display device provided by the present invention. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0139] It should be noted that each embodiment in this specification focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0140] It should also be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that elements inherent to a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements, or elements inherent to such processes, methods, articles, or apparatus, are also included. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0141] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, The display panel includes a display area and a border area that at least partially surrounds the display area; The display panel includes: a substrate, and an array layer, a display layer, and a dimming layer located on one side of the substrate, wherein the display layer and the dimming layer are disposed sequentially away from the array layer; a pixel circuit is disposed in the array layer, and the driving transistor in the pixel circuit is electrically connected to the light-emitting element in the display layer; The array layer includes a first portion and a second portion that are sequentially stacked in a first direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the substrate is located and extends from the substrate to the array layer; The first part includes a first planar portion, a second planar portion, and a curved portion located between the first planar portion and the second planar portion; the curved portion and the dimming layer at least partially overlap in a direction perpendicular to the display panel.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the first direction, the display area at least partially overlaps with the curved portion.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is a first gap between the second part and the curved part, and the value of the first gap gradually increases along the direction from the display area to the border area.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first portion includes a first film layer extending from the first planar portion to the second planar portion; the second portion includes a second film layer; the top surface of the first film layer and the bottom surface of the second film layer are at least partially in contact, and at a position near the curved portion of the first planar portion, the first film layer is provided with a plurality of first grooves on the side facing the second portion, and the second film layer fills the first grooves.

5. The display panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The width of the area where the first groove is located is 0.01mm-0.1mm.

6. The display panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The distance between the area where the first groove is located and the curved portion is less than 0.02 mm.

7. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel further includes: an adhesive layer; The first portion includes a first film layer extending from the first planar portion to the second planar portion; the second portion includes a second film layer; the top surface of the first film layer and the bottom surface of the second film layer are at least partially in contact, and an adhesive layer is provided between the first film layer and the second film layer at a position near the curved portion of the first planar portion.

8. The display panel according to any one of claims 4-7, characterized in that, The materials of the first membrane layer and the second membrane layer are organic membrane materials.

9. The display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, The materials of the first film layer and the second film layer are polyimide, polyester, or polyamide.

10. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first portion includes an intermediate film layer and a first film layer sequentially located on one side of the substrate in the first direction; the second portion includes a second film layer; the top surface of the first film layer and the bottom surface of the second film layer are at least partially in contact; The intermediate film layer includes a second groove corresponding to the curved portion, and the second groove penetrates the intermediate film layer; The target membrane layer that fills the second groove is an organic membrane material.

11. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting element includes an anode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode; The light-emitting element that overlaps with the curved portion is electrically connected to the pixel circuit via a first connecting line, and the pixel circuit is located in the first planar portion.

12. The display panel according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first connecting line is disposed in the same layer as the anode.

13. The display panel according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first connecting line is located in the second portion and is located on the side of the anode closer to the substrate.

14. The display panel according to claim 11, characterized in that, The display panel includes a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other along a second direction. The curved portion is located on the second side. Along the second direction, the distance between adjacent pixel circuits near the first side is D1, and the distance between adjacent pixel circuits near the second side is D2, wherein D1 > D2.

15. The display panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The light-emitting element includes an anode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode; At least some of the light-emitting elements that overlap with the curved portion are electrically connected to the pixel circuit via a first connecting line, the via being located on the side of the first groove away from the curved portion.

16. The display panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The display panel further includes a cover plate, which overlaps with the display area and the frame area and is located on the side of the dimming layer away from the substrate. The frame area is provided with encapsulating adhesive, which fills the first gap and contacts the cover plate, the dimming layer, the curved portion, and the second planar portion.

17. The display panel according to claim 16, characterized in that, The encapsulating adhesive is made of a light-absorbing material.

18. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The orthographic projection of the border area covers the most convex point of the curved portion.

19. A display device, characterized in that, The display device includes the display panel as described in any one of claims 1-18.

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