Display panel, manufacturing method for the same, and display device

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method for a display panel, and a display device.SOLUTION: A display panel includes a substrate, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a pixel defining layer, and a separation structure. The first electrode exists on one side of the substrate. The auxiliary electrode is in contact with at least an edge of the first electrode. In the pixel defining layer, a plurality of first openings for exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode are provided. The separation structure includes a second opening. The vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate exists within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate. In this aspect, the first electrode is reduced limitedly within the second opening surrounded and closed by the separation structure and an electric signal is supplied to the first electrode through the auxiliary electrode, so that the flatness of the pixel defining layer and the separation structure can be increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of displays, and more particularly to display panels, methods for manufacturing the same, and display devices.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of display technology, people's requirements for display quality are increasing.

[0003] However, conventional display panels are prone to problems such as poor display effects during display, which further limits the application of display panels.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device for improving the problem of poor display effects of the display panel.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a substrate, a first electrode located on one side of the substrate, an auxiliary electrode that contacts at least the edge of the first electrode and is used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode, and a pixel definition layer provided with a plurality of first openings for exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode, a spacer structure located on the side of the pixel definition layer far from the substrate and provided with a second opening within the vertical projection of the substrate where the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located, are provided. A display panel is provided.

[0006] Preferably, the second opening communicates with the first opening and exposes at least a part of the pixel definition layer, Preferably, the auxiliary electrode is located on the side of the first electrode far from the substrate, Preferably, the pixel definition layer includes an inorganic material.

[0007] Preferably, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate covers the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate, and the first opening exposes the auxiliary electrode. Preferably, the display panel is located on the side close to the substrate of the first electrode and further includes a plurality of pixel circuits connected to the auxiliary electrode. Preferably, the vertical projection of the pixel defining layer on the substrate and the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate partially overlap.

[0008] Preferably, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate and the vertical projection of the isolation structure on the substrate partially overlap. Preferably, the auxiliary electrode overlaps with the isolation structure and includes a polymerized portion connected to the pixel circuit through a via hole.

[0009] Preferably, along the thickness direction of the display panel, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode is 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm. Preferably, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode is smaller than the thickness of the first electrode. Preferably, along the direction perpendicular to the thickness of the display panel, the size of the portion located between two adjacent first openings of the pixel defining layer is greater than or equal to 8 μm.

[0010] Preferably, the isolation structure contains a conductive material. Preferably, the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure on the side close to the substrate on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure on the side far from the substrate on the substrate. Preferably, the isolation structure includes a support portion and a crown portion located on the side far from the substrate of the support portion, and the vertical projection of the substrate of the support portion is located within the vertical projection of the substrate of the support portion on the substrate. Preferably, the vertical projection of the substrate of the support portion and the vertical projection of the substrate of the first electrode do not overlap. Preferably, the vertical projection of the substrate of the crown portion and the vertical projection of the substrate of the first electrode do not overlap. Preferably, the display panel further includes a light-emitting functional layer located on the side far from the substrate of the first electrode and a second electrode located on the side far from the substrate of the light-emitting functional layer and electrically connected to the isolation structure.

[0011] Preferably, the isolation structure is further provided with a third opening that exposes the pixel definition layer and is provided at a distance from the second opening. Preferably, the material of the auxiliary electrode includes a transparent conductive material. Preferably, the display panel is further provided with a transparent conductive connection portion that is provided in the same layer as the auxiliary electrode and is connected to the isolation structure surrounding the third opening. Preferably, the transparent conductive connection portion is provided at a distance from the auxiliary electrode, and the vertical projection on the substrate thereof covers the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate. Preferably, the materials of both the auxiliary electrode and the transparent conductive connection portion include indium tin oxide. Preferably, the first electrode and the transparent conductive connection portion are provided at a distance from each other. Preferably, both the vertical projection of the light-emitting functional layer on the substrate and the vertical projection of the second electrode on the substrate are provided with a displacement from the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate, and the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate is provided with a displacement from the vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

[0012] Preferably, the display panel further includes a light-emitting functional layer located on the side far from the substrate of the first electrode, and a second electrode located on the side far from the substrate of the light-emitting functional layer and located in the first opening and the second opening. Preferably, the second electrode contacts at least a part of the isolation structure.

[0013] Preferably, the second electrodes corresponding to the light-emitting functional layers of different colors are provided at a distance from each other and are insulated from each other.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, providing a substrate, forming on the substrate a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode that contacts at least the edge of the first electrode, and a pixel definition layer provided with a plurality of first openings that expose the auxiliary electrode or the first electrode. Forming an isolation structure provided with a second opening in which a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within a vertical projection on the substrate, on a side of the pixel definition layer substrate far from the substrate; Provided is a method for manufacturing a display panel.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, provided is a display device including a display panel according to any embodiment of the present invention.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] In a technical aspect according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display panel includes a substrate, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a pixel definition layer, and an isolation structure. The first electrode is located on one side of the substrate, the auxiliary electrode contacts at least an edge of the first electrode, the auxiliary electrode is used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode, and the pixel definition layer is provided with a plurality of first openings for exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode. The isolation structure is provided with a second opening, and a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within a vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate. This aspect limits and reduces the first electrode to be within the second opening surrounded and closed by the isolation structure so that there is no edge of the first electrode below the isolation structure, and provides an electrical signal to the first electrode through the auxiliary electrode, thereby improving the flatness of the pixel definition layer and the isolation structure.

[0017] It should be understood that the content described in this part is not intended to identify the core or important features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Other features of the present invention will be more easily understood from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] To more clearly explain the technical aspects in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. However, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0019]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the aspects of the present invention, the technical aspects in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. However, it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present invention and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained on the premise that those skilled in the art do not perform creative labor should belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0021] Note that in the specification, claims, and the above-mentioned drawings of the present invention, terms such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily need to be used to describe a specific order or sequence, but are for distinguishing similar objects. The data used in this way can be replaced when appropriate, and it should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. Also, 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 necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, and may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or that are specific to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0022] As described in the background art, conventional display panels have the problem of poor display effects. Through the inventor's careful research, it has been found that the above problems are caused by the following. In a display panel adopting a pixel-level encapsulation mode, the pixel light-emitting area is usually defined by the pixel definition layer, and the pixel definition layer covers the surface of the anode. However, due to the existence of the metal boundary of the anode, the surface of the pixel definition layer is uneven. When an isolation structure is formed on the pixel definition layer, similarly, the surface of the isolation structure also becomes uneven, and deviations appear in the side etching of the isolation structure. As a result, the evaporation is affected and the shadow becomes unstable. Deviations appear during the evaporation of the cathode, which affects the overlapping connection between the cathode and the isolation structure, resulting in the appearance of a large-area dark spot defect phenomenon and reducing the display effect.

[0023] In response to the above problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel according to this embodiment includes a substrate 10, A first electrode 21 located on one side of the substrate 10, an auxiliary electrode 30 that contacts at least an edge of the first electrode 21 and is used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode 21, and a plurality of first openings that expose the auxiliary electrode 30 and / or the first electrode 21 and are provided in a pixel definition layer 40, and an isolation structure 50 located on a side of the pixel definition layer 40 far from the substrate 10 and provided with a second opening in which a vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10 is located within a vertical projection on the substrate 10.

[0024] Specifically, the substrate 10 may be a rigid substrate such as a glass substrate or a flexible substrate such as a polyimide PI substrate. An array of pixel circuits is provided on the substrate 10, and the pixel circuits are used to drive a light-emitting element to display.

[0025] The first electrode 21, the auxiliary electrode 30, and the pixel definition layer 40 are formed on the substrate 10. The pixel definition layer 40 is used to define a pixel area, and the pixel definition layer 40 includes a first opening that exposes the auxiliary electrode 30 and / or the first electrode 21. For example, the aa region in the drawing is the region where the first opening is located. The auxiliary electrode 30 contacts at least an edge of the first electrode 21, and the first electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are used to transmit an electrical signal (such as a voltage signal or a current signal). In this embodiment, the first electrode 21 may be an anode of the light-emitting element, and among them, the light-emitting element further includes a light-emitting functional layer and a cathode (not shown). Here, the auxiliary electrode 30 contacting at least an edge of the first electrode 21 means that the auxiliary electrode 30 is overlapped and connected to the edge of the first electrode 21. Exemplarily, the auxiliary electrode 30 may cover the edge of the first electrode 21.

[0026] On a side of the pixel definition layer 40 far from the substrate 10, an isolation structure 50 that can be used to isolate a plurality of pixel units is further formed. Here, the isolation structure 50 surrounds and closes to form a second opening. For example, the bb region in FIG. 1 is the region where the second opening is located. Among them, the second opening can be understood as an opening formed by surrounding and closing a surface of the isolation structure 50 that contacts the pixel definition layer 40.

[0027] In this embodiment, the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10 is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate 10. Among them, the projection of the second opening can be understood as the region of the vertical projection of the substrate 10 of the opening space surrounded and closed by the isolation structure 50. That is, the first electrode 21 is located within the second opening, that is, the first electrode 21 is located within the region surrounded and closed by the isolation structure 50. The vertical projection of the edge of the first electrode 21 and the surface of the isolation structure 50 in contact with the substrate 10 on the substrate 10 do not overlap, and there is no first electrode 21 below the isolation structure 50. Thereby, the flatness of the position corresponding to the isolation structure 50 of the pixel definition layer 40 can be improved, and further, when the isolation structure 50 is formed subsequently, the flatness of the isolation structure 50 can be enhanced.

[0028] In the prior art, the edge of the first electrode 21 is located below the isolation structure 50, and the first electrode 21 is connected to the pixel circuit on the substrate 10 through a via hole, whereby an electrical signal is provided to the first electrode 21 through the pixel circuit. In this embodiment, the limited reduction of the first electrode 21 within the second opening surrounded and closed by the isolation structure 50 corresponds to reducing the length of the first electrode 21 in the direction perpendicular to the thickness of the display panel. Furthermore, the via hole for connecting to the pixel circuit should not be too close to the pixel area. Therefore, in order to ensure that the voltage signal can be transmitted to the first electrode 21, in this embodiment, an auxiliary electrode 30 is provided, and the auxiliary electrode 30 and the first electrode 21 are overlapped and connected together, whereby the voltage signal is transmitted to the first electrode 21 through the auxiliary electrode 30.

[0029] In the technical aspect according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display panel includes a substrate, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a pixel definition layer, and an isolation structure. The first electrode is located on one side of the substrate, the auxiliary electrode is in contact with at least the edge of the first electrode, the auxiliary electrode is used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode, and the pixel definition layer is provided with a plurality of first openings for exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode. The isolation structure is provided with a second opening, and the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the second opening on the substrate. In this aspect, the first electrode is limitedly reduced and enclosed within the second opening formed by the isolation structure so that there is no edge of the first electrode below the isolation structure, and an electrical signal is provided to the first electrode through the auxiliary electrode, thereby enhancing the flatness of the pixel definition layer and the isolation structure, which is beneficial to improving the overlapping connection effect between the isolation structure and the cathode in the light-emitting element, and preventing the occurrence of dark spot phenomena due to poor overlapping connection. And by limitedly reducing the first electrode, the gap of the pixel definition layer can be further reduced to prevent the occurrence of phenomena such as color mixing and rainbow spots.

[0030] In this embodiment, the pixel definition layer 40 includes an inorganic material. Since the inorganic material has good hydrophobic performance, after a corresponding pixel unit fails due to water or oxygen entering a certain pixel area, it is possible to avoid water or oxygen extending along the pixel definition layer 40 to adjacent pixel areas, and reduce the adverse effects on the pixel units in adjacent pixel areas. At the same time, because the flatness of the inorganic material is poor, according to the technical aspect of this embodiment, the flatness of the pixel definition layer 40 can be enhanced, and the flatness of the isolation structure 50 can be enhanced.

[0031] Preferably, the second opening may communicate with the first opening. The second opening exposes the first opening and at least a part of the pixel definition layer 40, and the first opening is located within the second opening.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the first electrode 21 has an elliptical or elliptical-like shape. As is apparent from the plan view, the first electrode 21 is located within a second opening formed by the isolation structure 50, and there is no overlapping portion between the first electrode 21 and the isolation structure 50. The auxiliary electrode 30 contacts the first electrode 21 and is connected to a lower conductive layer (for example, connected to a lower pixel circuit) via a via hole. Here, the isolation structure 50 is a full-surface structure, and the first electrode 21 and a part of the auxiliary electrode 30 are exposed by drilling holes. Among them, in connection with what is shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary electrode 30 is located on the side of the first electrode 21 far from the substrate 10, and the isolation structure 50 is located on the side of the auxiliary electrode 30 far from the substrate 10.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, preferably, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode 30 on the substrate 10 covers the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10, and the first opening provided in the pixel definition layer 40 exposes the auxiliary electrode 30. The purpose of providing it in this way is to reduce the number of mask plates and the number of etching times, thereby simplifying the process. By providing the auxiliary electrode 30 on the side of the first electrode 21 far from the substrate 10 so that the auxiliary electrode 30 covers the first electrode 21, the first electrode 21 can be protected from damage caused by the manufacturing process of the auxiliary electrode 30, which is advantageous for improving the integrity of the first electrode 21.

[0034] The vertical projection of the pixel definition layer 40 on the substrate 10 and the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10 partially overlap so that the pixel definition layer 40 can limit the pixel area. Since the pixel area has a certain requirement for the aperture ratio, the first electrode 21 cannot be infinitely reduced within the second opening to avoid a decrease in display quality, and should be limitedly reduced after meeting the requirement of the aperture ratio. Preferably, along a plane parallel to the substrate 10, the width of the overlapping portion between the pixel definition layer 40 and the first electrode 21 is 1 μm to 1.5 μm, and the width of the first opening is 10 μm to 30 μm.

[0035] In addition, in this embodiment, in a plane parallel to the substrate 10, the width of the portion located between two adjacent first openings of the pixel definition layer 40 is greater than or equal to 8 μm. By limiting and reducing the first electrode 21 into the second opening so that the first electrode 21 does not exist below the isolation structure 50, the gap of the pixel definition layer 40 can be further reduced. For example, by limiting the width of the portion located between two adjacent first openings of the pixel definition layer 40 within the range of 8 μm to 14 μm, phenomena such as color mixing and rainbow spots can be prevented from occurring.

[0036] Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, the display panel further includes a plurality of pixel circuits located on the side of the first electrode 21 close to the substrate 10, and the auxiliary electrode 30 is connected to the pixel circuit through a via hole.

[0037] Specifically, the pixel circuit includes a first active layer 111 located on one side of the substrate 10, a first gate electrode 112 located on the side of the first active layer 111 far from the substrate 10, a first source electrode 114 and a first drain electrode 113 which are located on the side of the first gate electrode 112 far from the substrate 10 and are respectively connected corresponding to the source region and the drain region of the first active layer 111.

[0038] Among them, a buffer layer 60 is further provided between the substrate 10 and the first active layer 111. The buffer layer 60 may be made of an inorganic material and serves the roles of protection and buffering. A first gate insulating layer 11 is provided between the first active layer 111 and the first gate electrode 112. The first gate insulating layer 11 covers the first active layer 111 and contacts the buffer layer 60, and is used to insulate the first active layer 111 and the first gate electrode 112. On the side of the first gate electrode 112 far from the substrate 10, a capacitor dielectric layer 12 is provided. The capacitor dielectric layer 12 is used to insulate the upper and lower plates of the storage capacitor (the upper and lower plates of the capacitor are not shown in the drawing). The lower plate of the capacitor may be provided in the same layer as the first gate electrode 112. On the side of the capacitor dielectric layer 12 far from the substrate 10, a first interlayer insulating layer 13 is provided. The first source electrode 114 and the first drain electrode 113 are formed on the side of the first interlayer insulating layer 13 far from the substrate 10 and are connected to the first active layer 111 through via holes. The first planarization layer 14 covers the first source electrode 114 and the first drain electrode 113. On the side of the first planarization layer 14 far from the substrate 10, a relay portion 151 is provided. The relay portion 151 is used to relay the connection relationship of each conductive layer so as to avoid the formation of deep holes in the film layer structure. The second planarization layer 15 is provided on the side of the relay portion 151 far from the substrate 10. The first planarization layer 14 and the second planarization layer 15 are used to planarize the film layer so that a light-emitting element can be manufactured subsequently. The auxiliary electrode 30 is connected to the first drain electrode 113 of the pixel circuit through the relay portion 151 so as to transmit the driving voltage signal provided by the pixel circuit to the first electrode 21.

[0039] Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, preferably, the vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode 30 on the substrate 10 and the vertical projection of the isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10 partially overlap. The auxiliary electrode 30 has an overlapping portion that overlaps the isolation structure 50, and the overlapping portion is connected to the pixel circuit through a via hole. In this embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 30 is used to connect to the pixel circuit instead of the original first electrode 21. By doing so, it is not necessary to change the film layer structure of the pixel circuit, which is advantageous for reducing the process difficulty.

[0040] Furthermore, since the auxiliary electrode 30 is used to assist the connection between the first electrode 21 and the pixel circuit on the substrate 10, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode 30 may be smaller than the thickness of the first electrode 21. When connecting to the pixel circuit via the auxiliary electrode 30, even if the auxiliary electrode 30 is located below the isolation structure 50, since the thickness of the auxiliary electrode 30 is smaller than the thickness of the first electrode 21, the influence of the auxiliary electrode 30 on the flatness of the upper surface of the pixel definition layer 40 is small, and compared with the prior art aspect, the flatness of the isolation structure 50 can be improved.

[0041] Preferably, in this embodiment, the thickness of the auxiliary electrode 30 is 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm. When the process conditions permit, the thinner the auxiliary electrode 30 is, the smaller the influence on the flatness of the isolation structure 50 is, and the formed isolation structure 50 is also flatter.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5 and based on each of the above technical aspects, preferably, the pixel circuit further includes a second gate electrode 121, a second active layer 122, and a third gate electrode 123. Among them, different from the first active layer 111, the material of the second active layer 122 is a metal oxide such as indium gallium zinc oxide, and the material of the first active layer 111 is low-temperature polysilicon.

[0043] The second gate electrode 121 may be a bottom gate and is located on the side of the capacitor dielectric layer 12 far from the substrate 10. The second active layer 122 is located on the side of the first interlayer insulating layer 13 far from the substrate 10, and the second gate insulating layer 71 covers the second active layer 122. The third gate electrode 123 is located on the side of the second gate insulating layer 71 far from the substrate 10. The second interlayer insulating layer 72 is located on the side of the third gate electrode 123 far from the substrate 10, and the second interlayer insulating layer 72 covers the third gate electrode 123. The third gate electrode 123 may be a top gate.

[0044] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 4 and 5, preferably, the isolation structure 50 includes a support portion 501 and a crown portion 502. The crown portion 502 is located on the side far from the substrate 10 of the support portion 501, and the vertical projection of the support portion 501 on the substrate 10 is within the vertical projection of the crown portion 502 on the substrate 10. Thus, the isolation structure 50 can block the light-emitting functional layers of adjacent light-emitting elements, avoiding the problem of cross-talk of lateral current. And due to the existence of the isolation structure 50 in the shape of an eave, in the film deposition process, it may not be necessary to separately manufacture the light-emitting functional layers of the light-emitting elements through a precise mask plate, enabling the light-emitting functional layers of each light-emitting element to be fabricated in the form of photolithography. Therefore, it is not necessary to adopt a precise mask plate, and the manufacturing cost can be saved.

[0045] It should be understood that the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure 50 close to the substrate 10 on the substrate 10 is located within the vertical projection of the surface of the isolation structure 50 far from the substrate 10 on the substrate 10. That is, in the thickness direction of the display panel, the isolation structure 50 has a structure that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Among them, the support portion 501 may have a structure that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. When the isolation structure 50 includes a support portion 501 and a crown portion 502, and the second opening formed by enclosing the isolation structure 50 is based on the region enclosed by the surface in contact with the pixel definition layer 40 of the support portion 501, at least the vertical projection of the support portion 501 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10.

[0046] Preferably, the vertical projection of the crown portion 502 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10. That is, the vertical projection of the entire isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10. By adapting to the size of the first opening, it is advantageous for improving the light-emitting area. At the same time, since the vertical projection of the entire isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10, not only the flatness of the support portion 501 is improved, but also the flatness of the crown portion 502 is improved.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6 and based on each of the above technical aspects, preferably, the isolation structure 50 further includes a third opening that exposes the pixel definition layer 40, and the second opening and the third opening are provided at intervals. For example, the cc region in FIG. 6 is the region where the third opening is located. Among them, the second opening is an isolation opening for accommodating light-emitting elements and isolating adjacent light-emitting elements. The third opening is a light-transmitting opening for increasing the light transmittance.

[0048] Preferably, in one preferred embodiment according to this embodiment, the display panel further includes a transparent conductive connection part 31. The transparent conductive connection part 31 may be provided between two adjacent first electrodes 21. The first electrode 21 and the transparent conductive connection part 31 are provided at intervals. The isolation structure 50 that surrounds and closes to form the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive connection part 31. Here, the isolation structure 50 includes a conductive material and can provide a voltage to the transparent conductive connection part 31, thereby enabling the transparent conductive connection part 31 to play a shielding role and preventing problems such as touch and display defects caused by interference between the upper touch signal and the lower drive signal.

[0049] Preferably, the transparent conductive connection part 31 is provided at intervals in the same layer as the auxiliary electrode 30, which reduces the number of film layers and is beneficial to reducing the thickness of the display panel. Among them, the materials of the transparent conductive connection part 31 and the auxiliary electrode 30 both include indium tin oxide.

[0050] Preferably, the vertical projection of the transparent conductive connection part 31 on the substrate 10 covers the vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate 10 so as to enhance the shielding effect of the transparent conductive connection part 31. Among them, the projection of the third opening is the region of the vertical projection on the substrate 10 of the opening space of the third opening formed by the isolation structure 50 surrounding and closing.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7 and based on the above technical solution, preferably, the display panel further includes a light-emitting functional layer 22 located on the side of the first electrode 21 far from the substrate 10, and a second electrode 23 located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 22 far from the substrate 10. The first electrode 21, the light-emitting functional layer 22, and the second electrode 23 provided in a stacked manner jointly form a light-emitting element. The second electrodes 23 corresponding to different color light-emitting elements are different, and among them, the second electrode 23 may be a cathode. The isolation structure 50 isolates each second electrode 23. Preferably, the isolation structures 50 corresponding to different color light-emitting elements are provided at intervals and insulated from each other, and the second electrodes 23 corresponding to different color light-emitting elements are provided at intervals and insulated from each other, so that individual control of each second electrode 23 can be realized. Among them, the vertical projection of the light-emitting functional layer 22 on the substrate 10 and the vertical projection of the second electrode 23 on the substrate 10 are both provided with a displacement from the vertical projection of the substrate 10 of the third opening, and the vertical projection of the substrate 10 of the third opening is provided with a displacement from the vertical projection of the substrate 10 of the first opening. Specifically, the vertical projection of the light-emitting functional layer 22 on the substrate 10 and the vertical projection of the second electrode 23 on the substrate 10 do not overlap with the vertical projection of the substrate 10 of the third opening, and the vertical projection of the substrate 10 of the third opening and the vertical projection of the substrate 10 of the first opening do not overlap with each other. That is, the light-emitting functional layer 22 and the second electrode 23 are not located within the third opening, and the third opening and the first opening do not communicate with each other.

[0052] Preferably, in connection with FIG. 7, the light-emitting functional layer 22 in the display panel includes a first color light-emitting structure, a second color light-emitting structure, and a third color light-emitting structure. Each color light-emitting structure corresponds to one pixel circuit, and the pixel circuits corresponding to different color light-emitting structures are different. Among them, the first color light-emitting structure can emit red light, the second color light-emitting structure can emit green light, and the third color light-emitting structure can emit blue light.

[0053] In this embodiment, the isolation structure 50 includes a conductive material. Among them, the support portion 501 may be made of metal or other conductive materials, and the crown portion 502 may be made of titanium. The second electrode 23 is in contact with at least a part of the isolation structure 50, and thereby provides an electrical signal to the second electrode 23 through the isolation structure 50.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, since the second electrode 23 is in contact with only a part of the adjacent isolation structure 50, each second electrode 23 is insulated. Exemplarily, when the isolation structure 50 that encloses and forms the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive connection portion 31, the isolation structure 50 is not connected to the second electrode 23, and the isolation structure 50 that encloses and forms the second opening with it is connected to the second electrode 23. Or, when the isolation structure 50 that encloses and forms the third opening is connected to the transparent conductive connection portion 31, the isolation structure 50 is connected to the second electrode 23, and the isolation structure 50 that encloses and forms the second opening with it is not connected to the second electrode 23.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, preferably, the second electrode 23 may be connected to each isolation structure 50. Thereby, the second electrodes 23 corresponding to each pixel unit are connected together to form an overall conductive structure.

[0056] In this embodiment, since there is no first electrode 21 below the isolation structure 50, the isolation structure 50 has high flatness. Therefore, the side etching accuracy of the support portion 501 can be improved, and the height and shape of the crown portion 502 can be guaranteed. Thereby, when the isolation structure 50 and the second electrode 23 are overlapped and connected, the certainty of the overlapping connection can be guaranteed, the phenomenon that the overlapping connection is not strong can be prevented, and the occurrence of the problem of large-area dark spots can be avoided.

[0057] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a display panel. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a display panel formed corresponding to the main steps of the method for manufacturing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the display panel according to this embodiment includes the following.

[0058] In S110, a substrate is provided.

[0059] Among them, as shown in FIG. 10, the substrate 10 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and is used to provide a supporting function.

[0060] In S120, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode that contacts at least the edge of the first electrode, and a pixel definition layer provided with a plurality of first openings for exposing the auxiliary electrode or the first electrode are formed on the substrate.

[0061] Specifically, on the substrate 10, a first electrode 21, an auxiliary electrode 30, and a pixel definition layer 40 are sequentially formed. The pixel definition layer 40 is used to define a pixel area, and is provided with a first opening for exposing the auxiliary electrode 30 and / or the first electrode 21. The first electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are in contact with each other, and the first electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 30 are used to transmit a voltage signal.

[0062] Before forming the first electrode 21, a buffer layer 60, a first active layer 111, a first gate insulating layer 11, a first gate electrode 112, a capacitor dielectric layer 12, a first interlayer insulating layer 13, a first source electrode 114 and a first drain electrode 113, a first planarization layer 14, a relay portion 151, and a second planarization layer 15 are further formed on the substrate 10. Of course, a metal layer for transmitting a data signal and a power signal is further provided between the substrate 10 and the first electrode 21.

[0063] In S130, an isolation structure provided with a second opening in which the vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located within the vertical projection of the substrate on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate is formed.

[0064] Specifically, on the side of the pixel definition layer 40 far from the substrate 10, an isolation structure 50 that can be used to isolate a plurality of pixel units to achieve individual control of different sub-pixels is further formed. Here, the isolation structure 50 encloses to form a second opening, and the second opening exposes the first opening and at least a part of the pixel definition layer 40. The first electrode 21 is located within the second opening, that is, the first electrode 21 is located within the enclosed area of the isolation structure 50, and the vertical projection of the first electrode 21 on the substrate 10 does not overlap with the vertical projection of the isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10. That is, the vertical projection of the edge of the first electrode 21 and the isolation structure 50 on the substrate 10 do not overlap, and there is no first electrode 21 below the isolation structure 50, thereby improving the flatness of the position of the pixel definition layer 40 corresponding to the isolation structure 50. Furthermore, when forming the isolation structure 50 subsequently, the flatness of the isolation structure 50 can be enhanced.

[0065] In this embodiment, limiting and shrinking the first electrode 21 within the second opening enclosed by the isolation structure 50 is equivalent to reducing the length of the first electrode 21 in the direction perpendicular to the thickness of the display panel. Furthermore, the via hole for connecting to the pixel circuit must not be too close to the pixel area. Therefore, in this embodiment, an auxiliary electrode 30 is provided on the side of the first electrode 21 far from the substrate 10. The auxiliary electrode 30 and the first electrode 21 are overlapped and connected together, thereby transmitting an electrical signal to the first electrode 21 through the auxiliary electrode 30.

[0066] In the technical aspect according to an embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the first electrode is limitedly reduced within a second opening formed by surrounding and closing the first electrode with an isolation structure so that the edge of the first electrode does not exist below the isolation structure. By providing an electrical signal to the first electrode via an auxiliary electrode, the flatness of the pixel definition layer and the isolation structure is increased, the overlapping connection effect between the isolation structure and the cathode in the light-emitting element is enhanced, and the occurrence of a dark spot phenomenon due to a defective overlapping connection is prevented. Moreover, by limitedly reducing the first electrode, the gap of the pixel definition layer can be further reduced, and the occurrence of phenomena such as color mixing and rainbow spots can be prevented.

[0067] Preferably, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device including a display panel according to any embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display device 500 may be not only the mobile phone shown in FIG. 11, but also electronic devices such as a tablet, a smartphone, a watch, a wearable device, and an in-vehicle display, a camera display, a television, and a computer screen. Since the display device includes a display panel according to any embodiment of the present invention, the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention also has the beneficial effects described in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] It should be understood that the various forms of flows shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, each step described in the present invention may be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in a different order, and as long as the desired results of the technical aspect of the present invention can be achieved, this specification is not limited here.

[0069] The above specific embodiments do not limit the protection scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made based on design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should all be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A substrate; a pixel definition layer including a first electrode located on one side of the substrate, an auxiliary electrode contacting at least an edge of the first electrode and used to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode, and a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode; an isolation structure provided with a second opening located on a side of the pixel definition layer remote from the substrate, the second opening being within a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate; A display panel characterized by:

2. a light-emitting functional layer located on a side of the first electrode farther from the substrate; and a second electrode located on a side of the light-emitting functional layer farther from the substrate and within the first opening and the second opening, the second electrode contacts at least a portion of the isolation structure; 2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

3. The second electrodes corresponding to the light-emitting functional layers of different colors are spaced apart and insulated from each other.

3. The display panel according to claim 2.

4. the second opening communicates with the first opening and exposes at least a portion of the pixel defining layer; the auxiliary electrode is located on a side of the first electrode farther from the substrate, the pixel defining layer comprises an inorganic material; 2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

5. a vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate covers a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate, and the first opening exposes the auxiliary electrode.

2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

6. the display panel further includes a plurality of pixel circuits located on a side of the first electrode closer to the substrate and connected to the auxiliary electrode; a vertical projection of the pixel definition layer on the substrate and a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate partially overlap; 2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

7. a vertical projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate and a vertical projection of the isolation structure on the substrate partially overlap each other; 2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

8. the auxiliary electrode has an overlapping portion that overlaps the isolation structure and is connected to the pixel circuit through a via hole; 7. The display panel according to claim 6.

9. a thickness of the auxiliary electrode is smaller than a thickness of the first electrode along a thickness direction of the display panel; 2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

10. The thickness of the auxiliary electrode is 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm.

2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

11. In a plane parallel to the substrate, a width of a portion of the pixel definition layer located between two adjacent first openings is greater than or equal to 8 μm; 2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

12. the isolation structure comprises a conductive material; a vertical projection of a surface of the isolation structure proximal to the substrate on the substrate is located within a vertical projection of a surface of the isolation structure distal to the substrate on the substrate; the second electrode is electrically connected to the isolation structure; 3. The display panel according to claim 2.

13. the isolation structure includes a support portion and a crown portion located on a side of the support portion away from the substrate, the crown portion having a vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate within a vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate; a vertical projection of the support portion on the substrate and a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate do not overlap, a vertical projection of the crown portion on the substrate and a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate do not overlap each other; 2. The display panel according to claim 1 .

14. the isolation structure further includes a third opening exposing the pixel definition layer and spaced apart from the second opening; the material of the auxiliary electrode includes a transparent conductive material; the display panel further includes a transparent conductive connection portion provided in the same layer as the auxiliary electrode and connected to the isolation structure surrounding the third opening; 3. The display panel according to claim 2.

15. the transparent conductive connection portion is spaced apart from the auxiliary electrode, and a vertical projection of the transparent conductive connection portion on the substrate covers a vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate; 15. The display panel according to claim 14.

16. the auxiliary electrode and the transparent conductive connection part are both made of indium tin oxide; 15. The display panel according to claim 14.

17. The first electrode and the transparent conductive connection portion are provided with a gap therebetween.

15. The display panel according to claim 14.

18. A vertical projection of the light-emitting functional layer on the substrate and a vertical projection of the second electrode on the substrate are both provided so as to be offset from a vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate, and a vertical projection of the third opening on the substrate is provided so as to be offset from a vertical projection of the first opening on the substrate.

15. The display panel according to claim 14.

19. Providing a substrate; forming, on the substrate, a first electrode, an auxiliary electrode in contact with at least an edge of the first electrode, and a pixel definition layer having a plurality of first openings exposing the auxiliary electrode and / or the first electrode; forming an isolation structure on a side of the pixel definition layer remote from the substrate, the isolation structure having a second opening within which a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate is located; A method for manufacturing a display panel comprising the steps of:

20. A display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 18, A display device comprising:

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