Display panel and display device

Abstract

This invention provides a display panel and display device, comprising: a substrate, a planarization layer, an anode layer, and a pixel definition layer stacked sequentially. The pixel definition layer includes a flat region, several exposed opening regions, and a ramp region disposed between the flat region and the opening regions. The opening regions expose the central region of the anode layer. A light-emitting layer is patterned in the opening regions, on the side of the anode layer facing away from the substrate. A reflective layer is patterned in the side of the pixel definition layer facing away from the substrate, and the reflective layer only exposes the light-emitting layer. At least a portion of the emitted light from the light-emitting layer is reflected by the local reflective layer and guided in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A transparent cathode layer is formed on the side of the light-emitting layer and the reflective layer facing away from the substrate. This invention solves the problem of light escaping or being absorbed through the pixel definition layer, guiding the emission direction of laterally emitted light to a vertical direction, thereby improving the light extraction efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of display panels, and more specifically, to display panels and display devices. Background Technology

[0002] Organic electroluminescence displays (OLEDs) differ from traditional liquid crystal displays (LCDs) in their display method. OLEDs do not require backlights and are self-emissive. They utilize a very thin coating of organic materials, which emit light when an electric current passes through them. Compared to traditional LCDs, OLEDs are made with thinner and lighter materials, allowing for lighter and thinner OLED panels, wider viewing angles, and significant energy savings. In today's pursuit of high-quality visual experiences, OLEDs have gradually become the mainstream in the display field.

[0003] Organic electroluminescent display technology is currently recognized as a panel display technology with great development potential. It has many advantages, such as using organic materials, a wide range of material selection, and the ability to display any color from blue to red light; high brightness, all-solid-state active light emission; low driving voltage; wide viewing angle, up to 160 degrees; fast response speed, 1000 times that of liquid crystal display; ultra-thin and light, and low energy consumption.

[0004] When an OLED is working, holes and electrons complete electroluminescence at any position inside the organic light-emitting material layer, and the angle of electroluminescence is random. Since the pixel definition layer and support pillars are mostly transparent materials with high transmittance to lateral light, there is a phenomenon that light in the OLED escapes or is absorbed through the pixel definition layer, which reduces the light extraction efficiency of the organic light-emitting device.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a display panel and display device that improves light emission efficiency through a reflective layer. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the problems in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a display panel and display device, which overcomes the difficulties of the prior art and solves the problem that light escapes or is absorbed through the pixel definition layer in the prior art organic electroluminescent display panel. It guides the light emission direction of the side-emitted light to the vertical direction, thereby improving the light emission rate.

[0007] This utility model provides a display panel, including:

[0008] substrate;

[0009] Metal trace layer; patterned and formed on one side of the substrate;

[0010] A planarization layer is formed on the side of the metal trace layer opposite to the substrate;

[0011] An anode layer is patterned on the side of the planarization layer opposite to the substrate, and the anode layer is connected to the metal trace layer through vias penetrating the planarization layer;

[0012] A pixel definition layer is patterned on the side of the anode layer facing away from the substrate. The pixel definition layer includes a flat region, a plurality of exposed opening regions, and a ramp region disposed between the flat region and the opening regions. The opening regions expose the middle region of the anode layer.

[0013] A light-emitting layer is patterned in the opening region, on the side of the anode layer opposite to the substrate;

[0014] A reflective layer is patterned on the side of the pixel definition layer opposite to the substrate. The reflective layer exposes only the light-emitting layer. At least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting layer is reflected by the reflective layer and then guided in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

[0015] A transparent cathode layer is formed on the side of the light-emitting layer and the reflective layer that is away from the substrate.

[0016] Preferably, the emitted light from the light-emitting layer includes a first portion of light emitted outward from the opening region and a second portion of light emitted laterally to a portion of the reflective layer covering the slope region, wherein the reflective layer reflects the second portion of light and guides it in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

[0017] Preferably, the reflective layer comprises an insulating photoresist layer, a polymer layer, and a reflective medium layer, which are sequentially stacked on the pixel definition layer.

[0018] Preferably, the cathode layer covers the flat area and the sloping area of ​​the pixel definition layer, as well as the light-emitting layer.

[0019] Preferably, the light-emitting layer is included by the anode layer based on a second projection of the substrate, according to a first projection of the substrate.

[0020] Preferably, the light-emitting layer is formed on the side of the anode layer opposite to the planar layer, and the light-emitting layer is located only in the opening region.

[0021] Preferably, the thickness of the light-emitting layer is the same as the thickness of the reflective layer.

[0022] This utility model provides a display device, including the display panel described above.

[0023] The display panel and display device of this invention solve the problem that light escapes or is absorbed through the pixel definition layer in the existing organic electroluminescent display panel, and guides the light emission direction of the side-emitted light to the vertical direction, thereby improving the light extraction rate. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other features, objects, and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the display panel and display device of this utility model.

[0026] Figure Labels

[0027] 1 substrate

[0028] 2 Metal trace layer

[0029] 3. Via wires

[0030] 4. Flattening layer

[0031] 5-pixel definition layer

[0032] 51 Slope Area

[0033] 52 Flat areas

[0034] 53 Opening area

[0035] 6 Anode layer

[0036] 7. Emissive layer

[0037] 8. Cathode layer

[0038] 9. Reflective layer Detailed Implementation

[0039] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation methods of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand the other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed herein. This application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this application can be modified or changed according to different viewpoints and application systems without departing from the spirit of this application. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0040] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the application. This application may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0041] In this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics represented in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics represented may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate different embodiments or examples represented in this application, as well as features of different embodiments or examples.

[0042] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the representation of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0043] For the purpose of clearly describing this application, devices that are not relevant to the description are omitted, and the same or similar components throughout the specification are given the same reference numerals.

[0044] Throughout this specification, when it is said that a device is "connected" to another device, this includes not only "direct connection" but also "indirect connection" by placing other components in between. Furthermore, when it is said that a device "comprises" a certain constituent element, unless otherwise stated otherwise, this does not exclude other constituent elements, but rather implies that other constituent elements may be included.

[0045] When we say that a device is "above" another device, this can mean that it is directly above the other device, or it can mean that other devices are present in between. Conversely, when we say that a device is "directly" "above" another device, there are no other devices present in between.

[0046] Although the terms first, second, etc., are used in some instances herein to refer to various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, first interface and second interface, etc., are used. Furthermore, as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to also include the plural forms unless the context indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups, but do not exclude the presence, occurrence, or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups. The terms “or” and “and / or” as used herein are interpreted as inclusive, or mean any one or any combination thereof. Thus, “A, B, or C” or “A, B, and / or C” means “any one of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C.” Exceptions to this definition will only occur if the combination of elements, functions, steps, or operations is inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

[0047] The technical terms used herein are for reference only to specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. The singular form used herein includes the plural form unless the statement explicitly indicates otherwise. The word "comprising" as used in the specification means to specify a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, and does not exclude the presence or addition of other characteristics, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components.

[0048] Although not explicitly defined, all terms, including technical and scientific terms used herein, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries shall be further interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant technical literature and the content of this present application, and shall not be over-interpreted as having an ideal or overly formulaic meaning unless otherwise defined.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the display panel and display device of this utility model. Figure 1As shown, the display panel of this utility model includes: a substrate 1, a metal wiring layer 2, a planarization layer 4, a pixel definition layer 5, an anode layer 6, a light-emitting layer 7, a cathode layer 8, and a reflective layer 9. The metal wiring layer 2 is patterned on one side of the substrate 1. The planarization layer 4 is formed on the side of the metal wiring layer 2 facing away from the substrate 1. The anode layer 6 is patterned on the side of the planarization layer 4 facing away from the substrate 1, and is connected to the metal wiring layer 2 via vias 3 penetrating the planarization layer 4. The pixel definition layer 5 is patterned on the side of the anode layer 6 facing away from the substrate 1, and includes a flat region 52, several exposed opening regions 53, and a ramp region 51 disposed between the flat region 52 and the opening regions 53. The opening regions 53 expose the central region of the anode layer 6. The light-emitting layer 7 is patterned in the opening regions 53, on the side of the anode layer 6 facing away from the substrate 1. A reflective layer 9 is patterned on the side of the pixel definition layer 5 facing away from the substrate 1. Only the light-emitting layer 7 is exposed in the reflective layer 9. At least part of the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 7 is reflected by the local reflective layer 9 and guided in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A transparent cathode layer 8 is formed on the side of the light-emitting layer 7 and the reflective layer 9 facing away from the substrate 1.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the emitted light from the light-emitting layer 7 includes a first portion of light emitted outward from the opening region 53 and a second portion of light emitted laterally to the local reflective layer 9 covering the slope region 51. The reflective layer 9 reflects the second portion of light and guides it in a direction perpendicular to the substrate (reducing the angle between the emission direction of the reflected second portion of light and the direction of the emission axis), but is not limited thereto.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the reflective layer 9 includes an insulating photoresist layer, a polymer layer, and a reflective medium layer sequentially stacked on the pixel definition layer 5, but is not limited thereto.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the cathode layer 8 covers the flat region 52, the ramp region 51, and the light-emitting layer 7 of the pixel definition layer 5, but is not limited thereto.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the first projection of the light-emitting layer 7 onto the substrate 1 is included by the second projection of the anode layer 6 onto the substrate 1, but this is not a limitation.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the light-emitting layer 7 is formed on the side of the anode layer 6 opposite to the planar layer 4, and the light-emitting layer 7 is located only in the opening region 53, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the light-emitting layer 7 is the same as the thickness of the reflective layer 9, and they are located in the same layer, but this is not a limitation.

[0056] Specific embodiments of the present invention include:

[0057] A metal trace layer 2 is patterned on one side of the substrate 1. A planarization layer 4 is formed on the side of the metal trace layer 2 facing away from the substrate 1. An anode layer 6 is patterned on the side of the planarization layer 4 facing away from the substrate 1, and the anode layer 6 is connected to the metal trace layer 2 through via leads 3 penetrating the planarization layer 4. A pixel definition layer 5 is patterned on the side of the anode layer 6 facing away from the substrate 1, and the pixel definition layer 5 includes a planar region 52, a plurality of exposed opening regions 53, and a ramp region 51 disposed between the planar region 52 and the opening regions 53, with the opening regions 53 exposing the central region of the anode layer 6. A light-emitting layer 7 is patterned in the opening regions 53, on the side of the anode layer 6 facing away from the substrate 1. A reflective layer 9 is patterned on the side of the pixel definition layer 5 facing away from the substrate 1, and the reflective layer 9 only exposes the light-emitting layer 7, with at least a portion of the emitted light from the light-emitting layer 7 being reflected by the local reflective layer 9 and guided in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A transparent cathode layer 8 is formed on the side of the light-emitting layer 7 and the reflective layer 9 facing away from the substrate 1. The emitted light from the light-emitting layer 7 includes a first portion of light emitted outward from the opening region 53 and a second portion of light emitted laterally to the local reflective layer 9 covering the slope region 51. The reflective layer 9 reflects the second portion of light and guides it in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. The reflective layer 9 includes an insulating photoresist layer, a polymer layer, and a reflective dielectric layer sequentially stacked on the pixel definition layer 5. The cathode layer 8 covers the flat region 52, the slope region 51, and the light-emitting layer 7 of the pixel definition layer 5. The first projection of the light-emitting layer 7 based on the substrate 1 is included by the second projection of the anode layer 6 based on the substrate 1. The light-emitting layer 7 is formed on the side of the anode layer 6 opposite to the flat layer 4, and the light-emitting layer 7 is located only in the opening region 53. The thickness of the light-emitting layer 7 is the same as the thickness of the reflective layer 9. When electrically activated, the emitted light from the light-emitting layer 7 includes a first portion of light emitted outward from the opening region 53 (similar to being emitted in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 1) and a second portion of light emitted laterally to the reflective layer 9. The reflective layer 9 reflects the second portion of light and guides it in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 1.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, after being reflected by the reflective layer 9, the angle between the emission direction of most of the second portion of the light and the direction perpendicular to the substrate 1 is greatly reduced, thereby improving the brightness of the display panel from the user's perspective and retaining a certain range of viewing angles.

[0059] In another preferred embodiment, after being reflected by the reflective layer 9, the emission direction of all the second portion of light is perpendicular to the direction of the substrate 1. This is equivalent to guiding most of the light emitted by the light-emitting layer 7 into the emission light, thereby increasing the brightness of the display panel to the maximum brightness from the user's perspective. However, the downside is that the viewing angle is greatly reduced.

[0060] This utility model also provides a display device, including the display panel as described above. Related technical features and effects will not be repeated here.

[0061] In summary, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a display panel and display device that solves the problem of light escaping or being absorbed through the pixel definition layer in the existing organic electroluminescent display panel, and guides the light emission direction of the side-emitted light to the vertical direction, thereby improving the light extraction rate.

[0062] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention. It should not be construed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be considered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized by, include: base(1); Metallic trace layer (2); Patterned on one side of the substrate (1); A planarization layer (4) is formed on the side of the metal trace layer (2) opposite to the substrate (1); An anode layer (6) is patterned on the side of the planarization layer (4) opposite to the substrate (1), and the anode layer (6) is connected to the metal trace layer (2) through a via lead (3) penetrating the planarization layer (4); A pixel definition layer (5) is patterned on the side of the anode layer (6) away from the substrate (1). The pixel definition layer (5) includes a flat area (52), a plurality of exposed opening areas (53), and a ramp area (51) disposed between the flat area (52) and the opening areas (53). The opening areas (53) expose the middle area of ​​the anode layer (6). A light-emitting layer (7) is patterned in the opening region (53), and the anode layer (6) is on the side opposite to the substrate (1); A reflective layer (9) is patterned on the side of the pixel definition layer (5) away from the substrate (1). The reflective layer (9) exposes only the light-emitting layer (7). At least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting layer (7) is reflected by the local reflective layer (9) and guided in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A transparent cathode layer (8) is formed on the side of the light-emitting layer (7) and the reflective layer (9) away from the substrate (1).

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The emitted light from the light-emitting layer (7) includes a first portion of light emitted outward from the opening region (53) and a second portion of light emitted laterally to a portion of the reflective layer (9) covering the slope region (51). The reflective layer (9) reflects the second portion of light and guides it in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

3. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The reflective layer (9) includes an insulating photoresist layer, a polymer layer, and a reflective medium layer, which are sequentially stacked on the pixel definition layer (5).

4. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The cathode layer (8) covers the flat area (52), the sloping area (51), and the light-emitting layer (7) of the pixel definition layer (5).

5. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The light-emitting layer (7) is included by the anode layer (6) based on the second projection of the substrate (1) of the substrate (1) based on the first projection of the substrate (1).

6. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The light-emitting layer (7) is formed on the side of the anode layer (6) away from the flat layer (4), and the light-emitting layer (7) is located only in the opening region (53).

7. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the light-emitting layer (7) is the same as the thickness of the reflective layer (9).

8. A display device, characterized by comprising: Includes the display panel as described in claim 1.

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