Stretchable display panel, preparation method thereof, and stretchable display device
By setting stretchable wires and light-emitting units on different planes and using liquid conductive metal in the conductive holes for connection, the balance between high PPI and high stretchability of the stretchable display panel is solved, achieving a balance between high PPI and high stretchability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUZHOU GUOXIAN INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
Smart Images
Figure CN122161301A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a stretchable display panel, its manufacturing method, and a stretchable display device. Background Technology
[0002] In recent years, with the continuous development of flexible display technology, stretchable display panels have been gradually applied in wearable devices, IoT devices and artificial intelligence, bringing users a brand-new viewing and usage experience.
[0003] In related technologies, stretchable display panels are typically designed as island-bridge structures, meaning the stretchable display panel includes pixel islands and stretching bridges. The pixel islands support the display functional devices, while the stretching bridges support the stretching process and provide electrical signals to the display functional devices.
[0004] However, for stretchable display panels with island-bridge structures, achieving a high pixel density (PPI), i.e., increasing the area ratio of the island region to the total display panel area, inevitably requires reducing the area ratio of the stretch bridge to the total display panel area, thus leading to a decrease in the stretch ratio. Therefore, special design is needed to ensure a balance between high PPI and high stretch ratio. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This application provides a stretchable display panel and its manufacturing method, as well as a stretchable display device, aiming to solve the problem of how to ensure a balance between high PPI and large elongation of the stretchable display panel with an island bridge structure.
[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, one technical solution adopted in this application is to provide a stretchable display panel. The stretchable display panel includes: a stretchable substrate; stretchable conductive lines disposed on the stretchable substrate; pixel islands, including a substrate and light-emitting units disposed on the substrate; the substrate is disposed on the stretchable substrate; and the substrate has conductive holes; liquid conductive metal fills the conductive holes and connects the stretchable conductive lines and the light-emitting units.
[0007] In one embodiment of this application, it further includes: an adhesive layer disposed on the stretchable substrate; the stretchable wire and the pixel island are adhered to the adhesive layer on the side surface opposite to the stretchable substrate;
[0008] Preferably, the adhesive layer is provided with a plurality of hole structures; the orthographic projection of the pixel island on the stretchable substrate covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures on the stretchable substrate;
[0009] Preferably, the cross-section of the hole structure along the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the stretchable display panel is a shape including strip, circle, ellipse, polygon or irregular shape.
[0010] In one embodiment of this application, a portion of the substrate is located on the side surface of the stretchable conductor facing away from the stretchable substrate; the orthographic projection of the conductive hole along the stacking direction of the stretchable display panel falls on the stretchable conductor;
[0011] Preferably, the substrate comprises a substrate island, an active layer, a gate insulating layer, a first metal layer, and a third metal layer sequentially disposed therefrom; the active layer is disposed on the substrate island; the gate insulating layer is disposed on the active layer, the first metal layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer, and the first metal layer comprises a signal transmission layer and a gate of a driving circuit; the third metal layer comprises a source and a drain of the driving circuit; one of the source and the drain is electrically connected to the light-emitting unit, and the other is electrically connected to the signal transmission layer; wherein, the conductive via penetrates the substrate island and the gate insulating layer, and the liquid conductive metal connects the stretchable wire and the signal transmission layer;
[0012] Preferably, the signal transmission layer is directly electrically connected to the third metal layer; or the substrate further includes a second metal layer; the signal transmission layer is electrically connected to the third metal layer through the second metal layer.
[0013] In one embodiment of this application, a magnetic material is dispersed within the liquid conductive metal;
[0014] Preferably, the liquid conductive metal fills the entire conductive hole;
[0015] Preferably, there are multiple pixel islands and multiple stretchable wires; the stretchable substrate includes multiple carrier areas and multiple bridging areas, the multiple carrier areas are spaced apart and adjacent carrier areas are connected by the bridging areas; multiple stretchable wires are respectively disposed in the multiple bridging areas, and multiple pixel islands are respectively disposed in the multiple carrier areas; the stretchable wires connect adjacent pixel islands; the stretchable wires located in different bridging areas are insulated;
[0016] Preferably, the stretchable conductors located in different bridging zones are spaced apart.
[0017] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted in this application is: providing a method for manufacturing a stretchable display panel, the method comprising: providing a stretchable substrate and pixel islands; the stretchable substrate comprising a stretchable substrate and stretchable wires and liquid conductive metal disposed on the stretchable substrate; the pixel island comprising a substrate and light-emitting units stacked together; the substrate having conductive holes;
[0018] The pixel island is disposed on the stretchable substrate, and the liquid conductive metal is filled into the conductive hole to connect the stretchable wire and the light-emitting unit; wherein the substrate is located on the side of the light-emitting unit close to the stretchable substrate.
[0019] In one embodiment of this application, a magnetic material is dispersed within the liquid conductive metal;
[0020] The step of placing the pixel island on the stretchable substrate and filling the conductive hole with the liquid conductive metal includes:
[0021] A first magnetic chuck is provided on the side of the stretchable substrate away from the stretchable wire, so that the liquid conductive metal moves toward a position opposite to the first magnetic chuck;
[0022] The pixel island is disposed on the stretchable substrate, and the conductive hole is disposed opposite to at least a portion of the first magnetic attractor;
[0023] A second magnetic attractor is provided on the side of the pixel island away from the stretchable substrate, and at least a portion of the second magnetic attractor is positioned opposite to the conductive hole so that the liquid conductive metal can enter the conductive hole.
[0024] Preferably, the step of providing a first magnetic attractor on the side of the stretchable substrate opposite to the stretchable wire includes:
[0025] A first carrier plate is disposed on the side of the stretchable substrate opposite to the stretchable wire; a first magnetic suction element is disposed at a first preset position on the first carrier plate;
[0026] The step of setting a second magnetic attractor on the side of the pixel island opposite to the stretchable substrate includes:
[0027] A second carrier plate is disposed on the side of the pixel island opposite to the stretchable substrate; a second magnetic suction element is disposed at a second predetermined position on the first carrier plate;
[0028] Preferably, the first magnetic attractor and / or the second magnetic attractor include a magnet;
[0029] Preferably, the conductive hole is a blind hole structure formed on the substrate.
[0030] In one embodiment of this application, the step of providing the stretchable substrate includes:
[0031] Provides stretchable substrates;
[0032] An adhesive layer is provided on the stretchable substrate;
[0033] Stretchable wires and liquid conductive metal are formed on the surface of the adhesive layer opposite to the stretchable substrate;
[0034] Preferably, the liquid conductive metal is located on the side of the stretchable wire facing away from the adhesive layer.
[0035] In one embodiment of this application, after the step of forming the adhesive layer, the method further includes:
[0036] The adhesive layer is patterned to form a plurality of hole structures on the adhesive layer; wherein, when the pixel island is disposed on the stretchable substrate, the orthographic projection of the pixel island on the stretchable substrate covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures on the stretchable substrate;
[0037] Preferably, the cross-section of the hole structure along the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the stretchable display panel is strip-shaped, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or irregular.
[0038] Preferably, the orthographic projection of the pixel island on the stretchable substrate covers the entire orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures on the stretchable substrate.
[0039] In one embodiment of this application, the stretchable wire comprises a metal nanowire; after the step of forming the stretchable wire on the stretchable substrate, the method further includes:
[0040] The metal nanowires are subjected to thermal annealing, capillary force treatment, or laser treatment.
[0041] Preferably, the stretchable substrate includes multiple carrier regions and multiple bridging regions, the multiple carrier regions are spaced apart and adjacent carrier regions are connected through the bridging regions; the pixel island is located in the carrier region; a portion of the stretchable wire is located in the bridging region and a portion of the stretchable wire is located in the carrier region.
[0042] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted in this application is: to provide a stretchable display device, which includes a stretchable display panel; the stretchable display panel is the stretchable display panel mentioned above; or the stretchable display panel is prepared by the stretchable display panel preparation method mentioned above.
[0043] The beneficial effects of this application's embodiments are as follows: Unlike existing technologies, this stretchable display panel includes a stretchable substrate, stretchable conductive lines, pixel islands, and liquid conductive metal. The stretchable conductive lines are disposed on the stretchable substrate. The pixel islands include a substrate and light-emitting units disposed on the substrate. The substrate is disposed on the stretchable substrate and has conductive holes. The liquid conductive metal fills the conductive holes and connects the stretchable conductive lines and the light-emitting units. This stretchable display panel, by placing the stretchable conductive lines and the light-emitting units on two different planes and connecting them through the liquid conductive metal in the conductive holes, allows the stretchable conductive lines to not occupy the distribution space of the light-emitting units, enabling a denser distribution of the light-emitting units and thus improving the display PPI. Furthermore, the light-emitting units also do not occupy the distribution space of the stretchable conductive lines, allowing for a denser distribution of the stretchable conductive lines and thus improving the stretchability of the stretchable conductive lines. This stretchable display panel can simultaneously achieve a high stretchability and a high PPI. Attached Figure Description
[0044] Figure 1 A simplified structural diagram of a stretchable display panel provided in one embodiment of this application;
[0045] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the specific structure at point A of the stretchable display panel shown.
[0046] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Another specific structural diagram of point A of the stretchable display panel shown.
[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a stretchable display panel provided in another embodiment of this application;
[0048] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating a stretchable display panel according to an embodiment of this application;
[0049] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the laminated structure of a stretchable substrate provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0050] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a laminated structure of a stretchable substrate provided in another embodiment of this application;
[0051] Figures 8-10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure corresponding to the specific process of step S2 provided in one embodiment of this application;
[0052] Figure 11 A simplified structural diagram of a stretchable display device provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0053] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0054] 10-Stretchable display panel; 1-Stretchable substrate; 11-Carrier area; 12-Bridging area; 2-Stretchable wire; 3-Pixel island; 31-Substrate; 310-Conductive hole; 311-Substrate island; 312-Active layer; 313-Gate insulating layer; 314-First metal layer; 315-Interlayer insulating layer; 316-Second metal layer; 317-Interlayer dielectric layer; 318-Third metal layer; 319-Planarization layer; 32-Light-emitting unit; 321-Anode; 322-Light-emitting functional layer; 323-Cathode; 33-Pixel limiting layer; 34-Encapsulation layer; 4-Liquid conductive metal; 5-Adhesive layer; 51-Hole structure; 6-First carrier plate; 61-First magnetic chuck; 7-Second carrier plate; 71-Second magnetic chuck. Detailed Implementation
[0055] 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 a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0056] The terms "first," "second," and "third" in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and movements between components in a specific orientation (as shown in the figures). If the specific orientation changes, the directional indications also change accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.
[0057] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.
[0058] In related technologies, traditional AMOLED array processes are typically used to fabricate island-bridge structures, where pixel islands and stretched bridges are on the same plane. The stretched bridges are designed in a serpentine shape, deforming rather than stretching during the stretching process, thus ensuring overall stretchability. However, this island-bridge structure generally suffers from a constraint relationship between PPI and stretching ratio. For example, if the stretching ratio of the stretched bridge itself is α, and the proportion of the straight length of the stretched bridge to the total length is β, then the overall stretching ratio of the island-bridge structure is α*β. Here, the total length is the sum of the length of a pixel island and the length of the stretched bridge connected to it along a certain direction.
[0059] Therefore, in order to improve PPI without sacrificing stretchability, it is necessary to modify the effect of island area on stretchability through special design. This application provides a stretchable display panel that achieves both high stretchability and high PPI by placing pixel islands and stretch bridges on two different planes.
[0060] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0061] Please see Figures 1 to 2 , Figure 1 A simplified structural diagram of a stretchable display panel provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a specific structural schematic at point A of the stretchable display panel. In this embodiment, a stretchable display panel 10 is provided, which can be applied to flexible wearables, irregularly shaped displays, 3D teaching models, medical electronic skin, etc. The stretchable display panel 10 includes a stretchable substrate 1, stretchable conductive lines 2, pixel islands 3, and liquid conductive metal 4.
[0062] The stretchable substrate 1 includes multiple carrier regions 11 and multiple bridging regions 12. The multiple carrier regions 11 are spaced apart, and adjacent carrier regions 11 are connected by bridging regions 12. There are multiple pixel islands 3 and multiple stretchable wires 2. The multiple stretchable wires 2 and multiple pixel islands 3 are respectively disposed on the stretchable substrate 1, and the multiple pixel islands 3 are respectively located in multiple carrier regions 11 of the stretchable substrate 1. A portion of the stretchable wire 2 is located in the bridging region 12, and a portion of the stretchable wire 2 extends into the carrier region 11 adjacent to the bridging region 12 where the stretchable wire 2 is located.
[0063] In some embodiments, one pixel island 3 is provided for each carrier area 11. Two pixel islands 3 of adjacent carrier areas 11 are electrically connected by a stretchable wire 2. Adjacent pixel islands 3 are interconnected by the stretchable wire 2, enabling the transmission of electrical signals or other signals between them.
[0064] The connection method between the stretchable wire 2 and the pixel island 3 is not limited here. Both ends of the stretchable wire 2 are connected to the pixel island 3, or one end of the stretchable wire 2 is connected to the pixel island 3. The number of stretchable wires 2 connected to the pixel island 3 is not limited here. The pixel island 3 may have only one stretchable wire 2 connected to it, or it may have two or more stretchable wires 2 connected to it.
[0065] Among them, the stretchable conductors 2 located in different bridging zones 12 are insulated; for example, the stretchable conductors 2 located in different bridging zones 12 are spaced apart.
[0066] The stretchable substrate 1 is made of one or more of the following materials: polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (TPU), block copolymers (SBS, SEBS), and polyacrylic elastomers (VHB series). The stretchable wire 2 includes metal nanowires, such as silver nanowires and copper nanowires.
[0067] Combination Figure 1 Each pixel island 3 includes a substrate 31 and a light-emitting unit 32 disposed on the substrate 31. A portion of the substrate 31 is disposed on the surface of the stretchable wire 2 facing away from the stretchable substrate 1; and the substrate 31 has a conductive hole 310. In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 The orthographic projection of the conductive hole 310 along the stacking direction Y of the stretchable display panel 10 falls on the stretchable wire 2; this is taken as an example in all embodiments of this application. Of course, in some other embodiments, the orthographic projection of the conductive hole 310 along the stacking direction Y of the stretchable display panel 10 may also fall on the stretchable substrate 1; and along a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction Y of the stretchable display panel 10, the conductive hole 310 and the stretchable wire 2 are arranged adjacent to each other, so that the liquid conductive metal 4 disposed in the conductive hole 310 can make contact and electrical connection with the stretchable wire 2.
[0068] Liquid conductive metal 4 fills the conductive hole 310 and connects the stretchable wire 2 and the light-emitting unit 32. Specifically, the liquid conductive metal 4 can fill the entire conductive hole 310 to achieve a reliable electrical connection between the stretchable wire 2 and the light-emitting unit 32.
[0069] The light-emitting unit 32 is used for display. The liquid conductive metal 4 includes one or more of gallium-based liquid metal, bismuth-based liquid metal, indium-based liquid metal, and tin-based liquid metal. In some embodiments, magnetic materials are dispersed within the liquid conductive metal 4; thus, during the fabrication of the stretchable display panel 10, the flow direction of the liquid conductive metal 4 can be controlled by magnetic attraction. Magnetic materials include Fe3O4, compounds of nickel, cobalt, iron, and rare earth materials.
[0070] The stretchable display panel 10 arranges the stretchable wires 2 and the light-emitting units 32 on two different planes, and connects the light-emitting units 32 and the stretchable wires 2 through liquid conductive metal 4 in the conductive holes 310. In this way, the stretchable wires 2 do not occupy the distribution space of the light-emitting units 32, allowing for a denser distribution of the light-emitting units 32, thereby improving the display PPI. Furthermore, the light-emitting units 32 do not occupy the distribution space of the stretchable wires 2, allowing for a denser distribution of the stretchable wires 2, thereby improving the stretchability of the stretchable wires 2. Therefore, the stretchable display panel 10 simultaneously achieves both high stretchability and high PPI.
[0071] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the substrate 31 includes a first electrode and a second electrode; each electrode corresponds to a conductive hole 310 and a stretchable wire 2; the light-emitting unit 32 is electrically connected to two adjacent pixel islands 3 through the two different electrodes, the first electrode and the second electrode. Taking the first electrode as an example, the stretchable wire 2 is in direct or indirect contact with and electrically connected to the first electrode through the liquid conductive metal 4 in the corresponding conductive hole 310; the first electrode is electrically connected to the light-emitting unit 32, so that the light-emitting unit 32 is electrically connected to an adjacent pixel island 3 through the first electrode, the liquid conductive metal 4, and the stretchable wire 2.
[0072] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the substrate 31 includes a substrate island 311, an active layer 312, a gate insulating layer 313 (GI), a first metal layer 314 (M1), an interlayer insulating layer 315 (CI), a second metal layer 316 (M2), an interlayer dielectric layer 317 (ILD), a third metal layer 318 (M3), and a planarization layer 319 (PLN) disposed sequentially. The active layer 312 is disposed on the substrate island 311; the gate insulating layer 313 is disposed on the active layer 312. The first metal layer 314 is disposed on the gate insulating layer 313, and the first metal layer 314 includes a signal transmission layer and a gate for a driving circuit. The interlayer insulating layer 315 is disposed on the first metal layer 314. The second metal layer 316 is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer 315, and portions of the second metal layer 316 and the first metal layer 314 form the upper and lower plates of a capacitor. The interlayer dielectric layer 317 is disposed on the second metal layer 316. A third metal layer 318 is disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer 317, and the third metal layer 318 includes a source and a drain of the driving circuit; one of the source and drain is electrically connected to the light-emitting unit 32, and the other is electrically connected to the signal transmission layer. A planarization layer 319 is disposed on the third metal layer 318 and planarizes the surface of one side of the third metal layer 318. The first electrode and the second electrode can be a portion of the first metal layer 314, a portion of the second metal layer 316, or a portion of the third metal layer 318, respectively. Specifically, the first electrode and the second electrode can each include one or more of a source, a power line, and a signal line.
[0073] The gate insulating layer 313, the interlayer insulating layer 315, the interlayer dielectric layer 317, and the planarization layer 319 can all be made of at least one inorganic material such as silicon oxide (SiOx) and silicon nitride (SiNx). Of course, a buffer layer can also be provided on the substrate island 311, and the active layer 312 is disposed on the buffer layer.
[0074] In the above scheme, the stretchable wire 2 is electrically connected to the source or drain of the driving circuit through the liquid conductive metal 4 in the conductive hole 310, and is electrically connected to the light-emitting unit 32 through the driving circuit; this can ensure the normal function of the stretchable display panel 10 while giving the stretchable wire 2 a greater stretching ratio, thereby obtaining a stretchable display panel 10 with a high stretching ratio.
[0075] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the conductive via 310 penetrates the substrate island 311 and the gate insulating layer 313, and the liquid conductive metal 4 connects the stretchable wire 2 and the signal transmission layer of the first metal layer 314. Furthermore, a first conductive via is formed on the substrate 31, extending from the surface of the interlayer dielectric layer 317 towards the third metal layer 318 to the surface of the signal transmission layer, to electrically connect the signal transmission layer and the third metal layer 318.
[0076] In another embodiment, see Figure 3 , Figure 3 for Figure 1 Another specific structural diagram of point A of the stretchable display panel is shown; a portion of the second metal layer 316 extends between the signal transmission layer and the third metal layer 318. A second conductive hole and a third conductive hole are formed on the substrate 31; the second conductive hole extends from the surface of the interlayer insulating layer 315 facing the second metal layer 316 to the surface of the signal transmission layer, electrically connecting the signal transmission layer and the second metal layer 316. The third conductive hole extends from the surface of the interlayer dielectric layer 317 facing the third metal layer 318 to the surface of the second metal layer 316, electrically connecting the second metal layer 316 and the third metal layer 318. That is, in this embodiment, the signal transmission layer is electrically connected to the third metal layer 318 through the second metal layer 316. This solution, compared to... Figure 2 In the scheme shown, the depths of the second and third conductive holes are both less than the depth of the first conductive hole, which facilitates the filling of conductive material into the conductive holes to achieve electrical connection between adjacent metal layers.
[0077] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 or Figure 3 As shown, the light-emitting unit 32 includes an anode 321, a light-emitting functional layer 322, and a cathode 323. The pixel island 3 also includes a pixel defining layer 33 and an encapsulation layer 34. The anode 321 is disposed on the planarization layer 319 and electrically connected to the source or drain of the driving circuit. The pixel defining layer 33 is disposed on the planarization layer 319, covering a portion of the anode 321 and defining multiple pixel openings. A portion of the anode 321 is exposed through the pixel openings, and the light-emitting unit 32 is disposed on the anode 321 and electrically connected to the anode 321; the light-emitting unit 32 is located within the pixel openings. The cathode 323 is disposed on the surface of the light-emitting functional layer 322 facing away from the anode 321. The encapsulation layer 34 covers the pixel defining layer 33 and the cathode 323, and is used to encapsulate the surface of the pixel island 3 to prevent external moisture and other contaminants from entering the interior of the pixel island 3 and affecting the display effect.
[0078] In some embodiments, see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a stretchable display panel according to another embodiment of this application; the stretchable display panel 10 further includes an adhesive layer 5. The adhesive layer 5 is disposed on the stretchable substrate 1. The stretchable wires 2 are adhered to the surface of the adhesive layer 5 facing away from the stretchable substrate 1. A portion of the pixel islands 3 is adhered to the adhesive layer 5.
[0079] The adhesive layer 5 is provided with multiple hole structures 51. The orthographic projection of the pixel island 3 onto the stretchable substrate 1 covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the multiple hole structures 51 onto the stretchable substrate 1. In this way, on the one hand, the adhesive layer 5 can increase the adhesion between the stretchable substrate 1 and the stretchable wire 2, reducing the probability of the stretchable wire 2 slipping relative to the stretchable substrate 1 during stretching or reducing the slippage range; on the other hand, the hole structures 51 of the adhesive layer 5 can buffer the interface stress concentration between the pixel island 3 and the stretchable substrate 1 during stretching.
[0080] In some embodiments, the orthographic projection of the pixel island 3 onto the stretchable substrate 1 covers the entire orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures 51 onto the stretchable substrate 1.
[0081] The hole structure 51 has a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction Y of the stretchable display panel 10, which may be a strip, circle, ellipse, polygon, or irregular shape. The adhesive layer 5 is made of materials such as polydopamine (PDA), polyvinylpropyl dimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), and polyurethane urea (PUU).
[0082] The stretchable display panel 10 provided in this embodiment includes: a stretchable substrate 1, stretchable conductive lines 2, pixel islands 3, and liquid conductive metal 4; wherein, the stretchable conductive lines 2 are disposed on the stretchable substrate 1; the pixel islands 3 include a substrate 31 and light-emitting units 32 disposed on the substrate 31; a portion of the substrate 31 faces the stretchable conductive lines 2 and is disposed on the stretchable conductive lines 2; and the portion of the substrate 31 corresponding to the stretchable conductive lines 2 has conductive holes 310; the liquid conductive metal 4 fills the conductive holes 310 and connects the stretchable conductive lines 2 and the light-emitting units 32. This stretchable display panel 10, by placing the stretchable conductive lines 2 and the light-emitting units 32 on two different planes and connecting the light-emitting units 32 and the stretchable conductive lines 2 through the liquid conductive metal 4 in the conductive holes 310, allows the stretchable conductive lines 2 to not occupy the distribution space of the light-emitting units 32, enabling a denser distribution of the light-emitting units 32, thereby improving the display PPI. In addition, the light-emitting unit 32 will not occupy the distribution space of the stretchable wire 2, and the stretchable wire 2 can be distributed more densely, thereby improving the stretchability of the stretchable wire 2; the stretchable display panel 10 simultaneously achieves the effects of high stretchability and high PPI.
[0083] See Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating a stretchable display panel according to an embodiment of this application. This method can be used to fabricate the stretchable display panel 10 provided in the above embodiment. The method includes:
[0084] Step S1: Provide a stretchable substrate and a pixel island; the stretchable substrate includes a stretchable base and stretchable wires and liquid metal disposed on the stretchable base; the pixel island includes a substrate and a light-emitting unit stacked on top of each other; and the substrate has conductive holes.
[0085] The light-emitting unit 32 is used for display. The substrate 31 includes a substrate island 311, an active layer 312, a gate insulating layer 313, a first metal layer 314, an interlayer insulating layer 315, a second metal layer 316, an interlayer dielectric layer 317, a third metal layer 318, and a planarization layer 319, which are sequentially disposed. The positional relationship between the various layers can be referred to above. The conductive via 310 can be a blind via structure formed on the substrate 31, thereby reducing the risk of liquid conductive metal overflowing to the side of the substrate 31 away from the stretchable substrate 1. Specifically, the conductive via 310 penetrates the substrate island 311 and the gate insulating layer 313.
[0086] In some embodiments, the pixel island 3 further includes a pixel defining layer 33 and an encapsulation layer 34. See above for details.
[0087] In one embodiment, see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a laminated structure of a stretchable substrate provided in an embodiment of this application; the steps of providing the stretchable substrate include:
[0088] Step S11: Provide a stretchable substrate 1.
[0089] The stretchable substrate 1 includes multiple carrier regions 11 and multiple bridging regions 12. The multiple carrier regions 11 are spaced apart and adjacent carrier regions 11 are connected by bridging regions 12. The material of the stretchable substrate 1 includes one or more of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (TPU), block copolymers (SBS, SEBS), and polyacrylic elastomers (VHB series).
[0090] Step S12: An adhesive layer 5 is formed on the stretchable substrate 1.
[0091] An adhesive layer 5 can be applied to the surface of the stretchable substrate 1 using methods such as printing, bonding, or lamination. The adhesive layer 5 can cover the entire surface of the stretchable substrate 1 to adhere and fix the stretchable wires 2 and pixel islands 3 formed later. Materials for the adhesive layer 5 include polydopamine (PDA), polyvinylpropyl dimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), and polyurethane urea (PUU).
[0092] Step S13: Form a stretchable wire 2 and a liquid conductive metal 4 on the surface of the adhesive layer 5 facing away from the stretchable substrate 1.
[0093] The stretchable wire 2 and the liquid conductive metal 4 can be fabricated on the adhesive layer 5 by means of printing or other methods. Specifically, a portion of the stretchable wire 2 is located in the bridging region 12, and another portion is located in the bearing region 11. In this way, the liquid conductive metal 4 can be formed on the stretchable wire 2 located in the bearing region 11, thereby increasing the contact area between the liquid conductive metal 4 and the stretchable wire 2 and improving the contact yield between the two.
[0094] In this design, the stretchable conductors 2 corresponding to each pair of adjacent bridging zones 12 are insulated, for example, spaced apart. Liquid conductive metal 4 can be disposed on the stretchable conductors 2 to facilitate its flow. Alternatively, a portion of the liquid conductive metal 4 can be formed on the adhesive layer 5 to ensure that a sufficient amount of liquid conductive metal 4 can enter the conductive hole 310.
[0095] In some embodiments, the stretchable wire 2 comprises metal nanowires; after the step of forming the stretchable wire 2 on the stretchable substrate 1, the method further includes: thermally annealing, or capillary force or laser treatment of the metal nanowires to weld the joined metal nanowires. This can reduce the contact resistance of the joined metal nanowires and increase the elongation of the stretchable wire 2.
[0096] Compared to the method of directly forming the stretchable wire 2 on the stretchable substrate 1, the adhesive layer 5 can increase the adhesion between the stretchable substrate 1 and the stretchable wire 2, thereby reducing the probability of the stretchable wire 2 slipping relative to the stretchable substrate 1 or reducing the slippage range during the stretching process.
[0097] In some implementations, see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a laminated structure of a stretchable substrate provided in another embodiment of this application; after step S12 and before step S13, it further includes: performing patterning processing on the adhesive layer 5 to form a plurality of hole structures 51 on the adhesive layer 5.
[0098] In this process, at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures 51 onto the stretchable substrate 1 falls on the bearing region 11 of the stretchable substrate 1. After performing step S2, when the pixel island 3 is disposed on the stretchable substrate 1, the orthographic projection of the pixel island 3 onto the stretchable substrate 1 covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures 51 onto the stretchable substrate 1. Thus, after performing step S2, the hole structures 51 of the adhesive layer 5 can buffer the interface stress concentration between the pixel island 3 and the stretchable substrate 1 during the stretching process.
[0099] Preferably, the orthographic projections of the plurality of hole structures 51 onto the stretchable substrate 1 all fall on the support area 11 of the stretchable substrate 1. The orthographic projection of the pixel island 3 onto the stretchable substrate 1 covers the entire orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures 51 onto the stretchable substrate 1.
[0100] The cross-section of the hole structure 51 along the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction Y of the stretchable display panel 10 has a shape including strip, circle, ellipse, polygon or irregular shape.
[0101] Step S2: Place the pixel island on the stretchable substrate and fill the conductive hole with liquid conductive metal to connect the stretchable wire and the light-emitting unit; wherein, the substrate is located on the side of the light-emitting unit close to the stretchable substrate.
[0102] In one implementation, see Figures 8-10 This is a schematic diagram showing the specific process of step S2 provided in one embodiment of this application. Four layers of liquid conductive metal are dispersed with magnetic materials, including Fe3O4, compounds of nickel, cobalt, iron, and rare earth materials. In this embodiment, step S2 specifically includes:
[0103] Step S21: A first magnetic chuck 61 is provided on the side of the stretchable substrate 1 away from the stretchable wire 2, so that the liquid conductive metal 4 moves toward a position opposite to the first magnetic chuck 61.
[0104] like Figure 8 As shown, a first carrier plate 6 can be disposed on the side of the stretchable substrate 1 away from the stretchable wire 2; a first magnetic attractor 61 is disposed at a first preset position on the first carrier plate 6. Since magnetic material is dispersed within the liquid conductive metal 4, the magnetic material, under the magnetic attraction of the first magnetic attractor 61, drives the liquid conductive metal 4 to move toward the position of the stretchable wire 2 corresponding to the first preset position. The position of the stretchable wire 2 corresponding to the first preset position is the position on the stretchable wire 2 opposite to the first preset position along the stacking direction Y of the stretchable display panel 10.
[0105] The first magnetic attractor 61 can be a magnet. A first magnetic attractor 61 is provided at a first preset position. The number of first magnetic attractors 61 can be multiple, which can be set according to the number of carrier areas 11 and the number of conductive holes 310 to be set on the pixel islands 3 on the carrier areas 11.
[0106] Step S22: Place the pixel island 3 on the stretchable substrate and arrange the conductive hole 310 opposite to at least a portion of the first magnetic member 61.
[0107] like Figure 9 As shown, a portion of the substrate 31 of the pixel island 3 is disposed on the side surface of the stretchable wire 2 away from the stretchable substrate 1. A portion of the substrate 31 is in contact with the adhesive layer 5 so that the pixel island 3 is glued and fixed to the adhesive layer 5, thereby reducing the risk of relative slippage between the pixel island 3 and the stretchable substrate 1.
[0108] Step S23: A second magnetic chuck 71 is provided on the side of the pixel island 3 away from the stretchable substrate 1, and at least a portion of the second magnetic chuck 71 is positioned opposite to the conductive hole 310 so that the liquid conductive metal 4 enters the conductive hole 310.
[0109] like Figure 10 As shown, a second carrier plate 7 can be disposed on the side of the pixel island 3 away from the stretchable substrate 1; a second magnetic suction member 71 is disposed at a second preset position of the second carrier plate 7. Similarly, since the liquid conductive metal 4 contains magnetic material, when the liquid conductive metal 4 moves to the position corresponding to the conductive hole 310 of the stretchable wire 2, the magnetic material dispersed in it will move towards the conductive hole 310 under the magnetic attraction of the second magnetic suction member 71, thereby filling the conductive hole 310 with liquid conductive metal 4. The liquid conductive metal 4 has conductive properties and is in contact with the first metal layer 314 and the stretchable wire 2 respectively, thereby effectively realizing the electrical connection between the first metal layer 314 and the stretchable wire 2, and then electrically connecting to the light-emitting unit 32 through the first metal layer 314 and the driving circuit.
[0110] The second magnetic attractor 71 can be a magnet. A second magnetic attractor 71 is provided at each second preset position. The number of second magnetic attractors 71 can be the same as the number of conductive holes 310, with one conductive hole 310 corresponding to one second magnetic attractor 71.
[0111] Of course, in other embodiments, step S2 specifically includes:
[0112] Step S2a: A first magnetic chuck 61 is provided on the side of the stretchable substrate 1 away from the stretchable wire 2, so that the liquid conductive metal 4 moves toward a position opposite to the first magnetic chuck 61.
[0113] Step S2b: Place the pixel island 3 on the stretchable substrate and arrange the conductive hole 310 opposite to at least a portion of the first magnetic member 61.
[0114] The specific implementation of steps S2a-S2b is similar to that of steps S21-S22 described above. Specifically, the conductive hole 310 of the pixel island 3 can be aligned with the first magnetic attractor 61; then, a downward force can be applied to the pixel island 3 to make the substrate 31 of the pixel island 3 adhere to the stretchable substrate. During the adhesion process, the liquid conductive metal 4 will be guided into the conductive hole 310 by capillary action to achieve electrical connection between the stretchable wire 2 and the first metal layer 314. Further, in this embodiment, after step S2b, the following is also included:
[0115] Step S2c: The liquid conductive metal 4 is adsorbed into the conductive hole 310 by vacuum adsorption.
[0116] Specifically, a vacuum adsorption force can be applied to the side of the pixel island 3 facing away from the stretchable substrate 1, causing the liquid conductive metal 4 to flow in the conductive hole 310 in the direction away from the stretchable substrate 1. This allows more liquid conductive metal 4 to move into the conductive hole 310, ensuring an effective electrical connection between the stretchable wire 2 and the first metal layer 314. Alternatively, the product processed in step S2b can be placed in a sealed space, and the pressure on the side where the pixel island 3 is located can be controlled to be less than the pressure on the side where the stretchable substrate 1 is located. This causes the liquid conductive metal 4 to move in the direction away from the stretchable substrate 1 under the action of the pressure difference, thereby entering the conductive hole 310.
[0117] The method for fabricating a stretchable display panel provided in this embodiment includes: providing a stretchable substrate and pixel islands 3; the stretchable substrate includes a stretchable base plate 1 and stretchable conductive wires 2 and liquid conductive metal 4 disposed on the stretchable base plate 1; the pixel islands 3 include a substrate 31 and light-emitting units 32 stacked together; and the substrate 31 has conductive holes 310; then the pixel islands 3 are disposed on the stretchable substrate, and the liquid conductive metal 4 is filled into the conductive holes 310 to connect the stretchable conductive wires 2 and the light-emitting units 32. In this way, the stretchable conductive wires 2 and the light-emitting units 32 can be disposed on two different planes, and by designing the conductive holes 310, the liquid conductive metal 4 is filled into the conductive holes 310 to connect the light-emitting units 32 and the stretchable conductive wires 2 located on different planes through the liquid conductive metal 4; wherein, the stretchable conductive wires 2 do not occupy the distribution space of the light-emitting units 32, and a relatively dense distribution of the light-emitting units 32 can be achieved, thereby improving the display PPI. In addition, the light-emitting unit 32 will not occupy the distribution space of the stretchable wire 2, and the stretchable wire 2 can be distributed more densely, thereby improving the stretchability of the stretchable wire 2; the stretchable display panel 10 prepared by this method simultaneously achieves the effects of high stretchability and high PPI.
[0118] See Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a simplified structural diagram of a stretchable display device provided in one embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, a stretchable display device is provided, comprising a stretchable display panel 10. The stretchable display panel 10 is the stretchable display panel 10 provided in the above embodiments; or the stretchable display panel 10 is manufactured by the method for preparing the stretchable display panel provided in the above embodiments. The specific structure and function of the stretchable display panel 10 can be found in the above descriptions and will not be repeated here. The electronic device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, television, or other product or component with display functionality. The electronic device also includes a motherboard, control circuitry, etc., whose structures are the same as or similar to those of existing display devices; specific details can be found in the prior art and will not be repeated here.
[0119] The above are merely embodiments of this application and do not limit the scope of this patent application. Any equivalent structural or procedural changes made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the scope of patent protection of this application.
Claims
1. A stretchable display panel, characterized in that, include: Stretchable substrate; A stretchable wire is disposed on the stretchable substrate; A pixel island includes a substrate and light-emitting units disposed on the substrate; The substrate is disposed on the stretchable substrate; and the substrate has conductive holes; Liquid conductive metal is filled into the conductive hole and connected to the stretchable wire and the light-emitting unit.
2. The stretchable display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An adhesive layer is disposed on the stretchable substrate; the stretchable wires and the pixel islands are adhered to the adhesive layer on the side surface facing away from the stretchable substrate. Preferably, the adhesive layer has a plurality of porous structures; The orthographic projection of the pixel island onto the stretchable substrate covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures onto the stretchable substrate; Preferably, the cross-section of the hole structure along the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the stretchable display panel is a shape including strip, circle, ellipse, polygon or irregular shape.
3. The stretchable display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, A portion of the substrate is located on the side surface of the stretchable conductor facing away from the stretchable substrate; the orthographic projection of the conductive hole along the stacking direction of the stretchable display panel falls on the stretchable conductor. Preferably, the substrate comprises a substrate island, an active layer, a gate insulating layer, a first metal layer, and a third metal layer sequentially disposed therefrom; the active layer is disposed on the substrate island; the gate insulating layer is disposed on the active layer; the first metal layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer, and the first metal layer comprises a signal transmission layer and a gate of a driving circuit; the third metal layer comprises a source and a drain of the driving circuit; one of the source and the drain is electrically connected to the light-emitting unit, and the other is electrically connected to the signal transmission layer. The conductive hole penetrates the substrate island and the gate insulating layer, and the liquid conductive metal connects the stretchable wire and the signal transmission layer. Preferably, the signal transmission layer is directly electrically connected to the third metal layer; or The substrate further includes a second metal layer; the signal transmission layer is electrically connected to the third metal layer through the second metal layer.
4. The stretchable display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid conductive metal contains dispersed magnetic materials. Preferably, the liquid conductive metal fills the entire conductive hole; Preferably, there are multiple pixel islands and multiple stretchable wires; the stretchable substrate includes multiple carrier areas and multiple bridging areas, the multiple carrier areas are spaced apart and adjacent two carrier areas are connected through the bridging areas; multiple stretchable wires are respectively disposed in the multiple bridging areas, and multiple pixel islands are respectively disposed in the multiple carrier areas; the stretchable wires connect adjacent two pixel islands; The stretchable conductors located in different bridging zones are insulated. Preferably, the stretchable conductors located in different bridging zones are spaced apart.
5. A method for manufacturing a stretchable display panel, characterized in that, include: A stretchable substrate and pixel islands are provided; the stretchable substrate includes a stretchable substrate and stretchable wires and liquid conductive metal disposed on the stretchable substrate; The pixel island comprises a substrate and light-emitting units stacked together; the substrate has conductive holes; The pixel island is disposed on the stretchable substrate, and the liquid conductive metal is filled into the conductive hole to connect the stretchable wire and the light-emitting unit; wherein the substrate is located on the side of the light-emitting unit close to the stretchable substrate.
6. The method for manufacturing a stretchable display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The liquid conductive metal contains dispersed magnetic materials. The step of placing the pixel island on the stretchable substrate and filling the conductive hole with the liquid conductive metal includes: A first magnetic chuck is provided on the side of the stretchable substrate away from the stretchable wire, so that the liquid conductive metal moves toward a position opposite to the first magnetic chuck; The pixel island is disposed on the stretchable substrate, and the conductive hole is disposed opposite to at least a portion of the first magnetic attractor; A second magnetic attractor is provided on the side of the pixel island away from the stretchable substrate, and at least a portion of the second magnetic attractor is positioned opposite to the conductive hole so that the liquid conductive metal can enter the conductive hole. Preferably, the step of providing a first magnetic attractor on the side of the stretchable substrate opposite to the stretchable wire includes: A first carrier plate is disposed on the side of the stretchable substrate opposite to the stretchable wire; a first magnetic suction element is disposed at a first preset position on the first carrier plate; The step of setting a second magnetic attractor on the side of the pixel island opposite to the stretchable substrate includes: A second carrier plate is disposed on the side of the pixel island opposite to the stretchable substrate; a second magnetic suction element is disposed at a second predetermined position on the first carrier plate; Preferably, the first magnetic attractor and / or the second magnetic attractor include a magnet; Preferably, the conductive hole is a blind hole structure formed on the substrate.
7. The method for preparing a stretchable display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step of providing the stretchable substrate includes: Provides stretchable substrates; An adhesive layer is provided on the stretchable substrate; Stretchable wires and liquid conductive metal are formed on the surface of the adhesive layer opposite to the stretchable substrate; Preferably, the liquid conductive metal is located on the side of the stretchable wire facing away from the adhesive layer.
8. The method for manufacturing a stretchable display panel according to claim 7, characterized in that, After the step of forming the adhesive layer, the method further includes: The adhesive layer is patterned to form a plurality of hole structures on the adhesive layer; wherein, when the pixel island is disposed on the stretchable substrate, the orthographic projection of the pixel island on the stretchable substrate covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures on the stretchable substrate; Preferably, the cross-section of the hole structure along the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the stretchable display panel is strip-shaped, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or irregular. Preferably, the orthographic projection of the pixel island on the stretchable substrate covers the entire orthographic projection of the plurality of hole structures on the stretchable substrate.
9. The method for manufacturing a stretchable display panel according to claim 7, characterized in that, The stretchable wire comprises a metal nanowire; after the step of forming the stretchable wire on the stretchable substrate, the method further includes: The metal nanowires are subjected to thermal annealing, capillary force treatment, or laser treatment. Preferably, the stretchable substrate includes multiple carrier regions and multiple bridging regions, the multiple carrier regions are spaced apart and adjacent carrier regions are connected through the bridging regions; the pixel island is located in the carrier region; a portion of the stretchable wire is located in the bridging region and a portion of the stretchable wire is located in the carrier region.
10. A stretchable display device, characterized in that, It includes a stretchable display panel; the stretchable display panel is the stretchable display panel as described in any one of claims 1-4; or the stretchable display panel is prepared by the method for preparing a stretchable display panel as described in any one of claims 5-9.