Display panel and display device
The display panel addresses stress concentration and metal wire breakage by using a refractive layer with alternating solid units and microgrooves for ink flow, enhancing inkjet printing and bending resilience while improving light extraction efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023570272
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-09-21
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Conventional display panels face stress concentration and risk of metal wire breakage due to ink jet printing issues, particularly at the edge of the display area where ink cannot reach, leading to potential disconnection during bending.
A display panel design featuring a first refractive layer with alternating solid units and microgrooves, filled by a second refractive layer with higher index, allowing ink to flow through capillary action and reducing stress concentration, and a second groove for ink control, enhancing inkjet printing efficiency and bending resilience.
The design prevents stress concentration and reduces the risk of metal wire disconnection, improving the service life and light extraction efficiency of the display panel.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of display technologies, and more particularly to display panels and display devices.
Background Art
[0002] Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices have advantages such as being lightweight, having a wide viewing angle, and high luminous efficiency compared to conventional liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
[0003] In the prior art, in order to achieve the purpose of improving the efficiency of an OLED screen, usually, a micro-lens pattern (MLP) structure is provided in the OLED screen by geometric optics, and the light emitted from the OLED screen and relatively diverging is concentrated directly above the screen by this MLP structure. However, the above micro-lens pattern structure usually requires a flat layer manufactured by ink jet printing (IJP) to flatten it and facilitate subsequent processes. Also, in order to prevent ink from overflowing during the ink jet process, it is necessary to provide a blocking structure such as a concave groove or a barrier in the surrounding area of the screen in advance to prevent ink overflow. However, there is a position near the edge of the display area of the blocking structure where the ink cannot reach, so stress concentrates at this position, and there is a risk that the metal wire will break when the display panel is bent.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a display panel to solve the technical problem that in conventional display panels and display devices, if all the concave grooves in the micro-lens pattern structure are made hollow, stress concentration will occur at the position where the ink cannot reach when forming the flat layer by ink jet printing, and there is a risk that the metal wire will break.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the technical solution provided in the present application is as follows.
[0006] The present application includes a display area and a non-display area located on at least one side of the display area. Furthermore, a substrate, a light-emitting layer provided on one side of the substrate and including a plurality of light-emitting portions provided in the display area, a first refractive layer provided on the side of the light-emitting layer away from the substrate, the first refractive layer including a plurality of openings distributed in an array in the display area corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting portions, and a first groove distributed in the non-display area, a second refractive layer provided on the side of the first refractive layer away from the substrate and filled in the plurality of openings, the refractive index of the second refractive layer being greater than that of the first refractive layer, The first groove includes a plurality of solid units provided at intervals and a plurality of microgrooves communicating with each other. The microgrooves are provided between two adjacent solid units, and the second refractive layer is filled in the microgrooves to cover the solid units, providing a display panel.
[0007] With the display panel provided in the present application, the first groove includes a plurality of groups of an array arranged in sequence along the direction away from the display area. Each group of the array includes a plurality of the solid units and a plurality of the microgrooves arranged in sequence. The plurality of the solid units in two adjacent groups of the array are arranged alternately, and the plurality of the microgrooves in two adjacent groups of the array are arranged alternately.
[0008] With the display panel provided in the present application, in the array array of the column closest to the display area among the plurality of groups of the array array, the size of each of the microgrooves gradually decreases along the direction away from near the display area.
[0009] With the display panel provided in the present application, the area of the orthographic projection of the solid unit on the substrate in different groups of the array array gradually decreases along the direction away from the display area.
[0010] With the display panel provided in the present application, the value of the ratio of the distance between two adjacent solid units located in two adjacent groups of the array array to the width of the bottom wall of the first groove is 1 / 8 or less, and the value of the ratio of the maximum size of each solid unit to the width of the bottom wall of the first groove is 1 / 4 or less.
[0011] With the display panel provided in the present application, the distance between two adjacent solid units located in two adjacent groups of the array array is 5 μm or less, and the maximum size of each solid unit is 10 μm or less.
[0012] With the display panel provided in the present application, the number of groups of the array array is 3 or more.
[0013] With the display panel provided in the present application, the first groove penetrates the first refractive layer, and in the thickness direction of the display panel, the depth of the first groove is equal to the depth of the microgroove and the height of the solid unit.
[0014] With the display panel provided in the present application, the first refractive layer further includes a second groove distributed in the non-display area, and the second groove is located on the side of the first groove away from the display area. The boundary of the second refractive layer is located in the second groove or between the second groove and the first groove.
[0015] With the display panel provided in the present application, in the thickness direction of the display panel, the depth of the microgroove is the same as the depth of the opening, and the depth of the first groove is the same as the depth of the second groove.
[0016] With the display panel provided in the present application, the non-display area includes a bending area and a bonding area located on the side away from the display area of the bending area, the bonding area is bent to the back of the display area by the bending area, and the first groove and the second groove are provided between the bending area and the display area.
[0017] With the display panel provided in the present application, the display panel includes a package layer covering the side of the light-emitting layer away from the substrate, a touch laminate provided on the side of the package layer away from the substrate and sequentially laminated, including a first insulating layer, a first touch metal layer, a second insulating layer, a second touch metal layer, and the first refractive layer, and a touch electrode is provided in the first touch metal layer or the second touch metal layer.
[0018] With the display panel provided in the present application, a plurality of microsolid units provided at intervals and a plurality of sub-microgrooves communicating with each other are provided on the surface of the solid unit on the side away from the substrate, and the sub-microgrooves are provided between two adjacent microsolid units.
[0019] The present application includes a display area and a non-display area located on at least one side of the display area, furthermore, a substrate, a light-emitting layer provided on one side of the substrate and including a plurality of light-emitting portions provided in the display area, A first refractive layer provided on the side of the light-emitting layer away from the substrate, the first refractive layer including a plurality of openings distributed in an array within the display area and corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting portions, and a first groove distributed within the non-display area. A second refractive layer provided on the side of the first refractive layer away from the substrate and filled in the plurality of openings, the refractive index of the second refractive layer being greater than that of the first refractive layer. The first groove includes a plurality of solid units provided at intervals and a plurality of microgrooves communicating with each other. The microgrooves are provided between two adjacent solid units, and the second refractive layer is filled in the microgrooves to cover the solid units. A display device including the above display panel is provided.
[0020] In the display device provided in the present application, the first groove includes a plurality of groups of an array arranged in sequence along the direction away from the display area. Each group of the array includes a plurality of the solid units and a plurality of the microgrooves arranged in sequence. The plurality of solid units in two adjacent groups of the array are arranged alternately, and the plurality of microgrooves in two adjacent groups of the array are arranged alternately.
[0021] In the display device provided in the present application, in the array of the column closest to the display area among the plurality of groups of the array, the size of each of the microgrooves gradually decreases along the direction away from the vicinity of the display area.
[0022] In the display device provided in the present application, the area of the orthographic projection of the solid units in different groups of the array on the substrate gradually decreases along the direction away from the display area.
[0023] According to the display device provided in the present application, the value of the ratio of the distance between two adjacent solid units located in two adjacent groups of the array array to the width of the bottom wall of the first groove is 1 / 8 or less, and the value of the ratio of the maximum size of each solid unit to the width of the bottom wall of the first groove is 1 / 4 or less.
[0024] According to the display device provided in the present application, the distance between two adjacent solid units located in two adjacent groups of the array array is 5 μm or less, and the maximum size of each solid unit is 10 μm or less.
[0025] According to the display device provided in the present application, the number of groups of the array array is 3 or more.
Advantages of the Invention
[0026] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows. According to the display panel and the display device provided in the present application, the display panel includes a substrate, a light-emitting layer, a first refractive layer, and a second refractive layer. The first refractive layer includes a first groove distributed in a non-display area. In the first groove, a plurality of solid units provided at intervals and a plurality of microgrooves communicating with each other are provided. The microgrooves are provided between two adjacent solid units. The second refractive layer is filled in the microgrooves to cover the solid units. Thereby, when the second refractive layer is formed by inkjet printing, due to the capillary action of the microgrooves, the ink can flow to the edge near the display area of the first groove through the channels formed by the plurality of microgrooves communicating with each other, and it is avoided that the stress concentration phenomenon occurs at the position where the ink cannot reach, and when the display panel is bent, the risk of disconnection of the metal wire is reduced, which contributes to the improvement of the service life of the display panel.
[0027] To more clearly explain the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings necessary for the description of the embodiments are briefly described below. Of course, the drawings in the following description are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings from these drawings without creative effort.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0028]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8A
Figure 8B
Figure 8C
Figure 8D
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0029] In the following, while referring to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described. Naturally, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for the purpose of explaining and interpreting the present application, not for limiting the present application. In the present application, for terms representing directions, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, for example, "up" and "down" usually refer to up and down in the actual use or working state of the device, specifically, the direction of the paper surface in the drawings, and "inside" and "outside" are with respect to the contour of the device.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the present application provides a display panel including a display area AA and a non-display area NA located on at least one side of the display area AA.
[0031] The display panel further includes a substrate 1, a light-emitting layer 3, a first refractive layer 7, and a second refractive layer 8. The light-emitting layer 3 is provided on one side of the substrate 1, and the light-emitting layer 3 includes a plurality of light-emitting portions 31 provided in the display area AA. The first refractive layer 7 is provided on the side of the light-emitting layer 3 away from the substrate 1. The first refractive layer 7 includes a plurality of openings 71 distributed in an array in the display area AA corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting portions 31, and a first groove 72 distributed in the non-display area NA. The second refractive layer 8 is provided on the side of the first refractive layer 7 away from the substrate 1 and fills the plurality of openings 71. The refractive index of the second refractive layer 8 is greater than that of the first refractive layer 7.
[0032] The first groove 72 includes a plurality of solid units 721 provided at intervals and a plurality of micro grooves 722 communicating with each other. The micro grooves 722 are provided between two adjacent solid units 721. The second refractive layer 8 fills the micro grooves 722 and covers the solid units 721.
[0033] As described in the background art, during implementation and application, the second refractive layer 8 is formed by an inkjet printing process. To prevent the overflow of ink outside the display panel, usually, the first groove 72 is provided in the non-display area NA. However, during inkjet printing, there is a position where ink cannot reach at the edge near the display area AA of the blocking structure (for example, located on the left side of the first groove 72 in FIG. 2). Therefore, stress concentrates at this position. In order to reduce the bezel of the display panel, the display panel needs to be bent in the non-display area NA. Therefore, there is a risk of disconnection of the metal wire at this position.
[0034] In the embodiment of the present application, a plurality of solid units 721 provided at intervals and a plurality of microgrooves 722 communicating with each other are provided in the first groove 72. The microgrooves 722 are provided between two adjacent solid units 721. The second refractive layer 8 is filled in the microgrooves 722 to cover the solid units 721. A plurality of the microgrooves 722 form a flow channel for ink to flow. Thus, when the second refractive layer 8 is formed by inkjet printing, due to the capillary action of the microgrooves 722, ink can flow through the channel formed by the plurality of microgrooves 722 communicating with each other to the edge near the display area AA of the first groove 72. It can be avoided that a stress concentration phenomenon occurs at this position due to the ink not reaching this position, and the risk of disconnection of the metal wire when the display panel is bent is reduced, which can contribute to the improvement of the service life of the display panel.
[0035] It should be noted that the display area AA refers to the area where light-emitting display is performed on the display panel, and the non-display area NA refers to the area around the display area AA. In this embodiment, the display area AA is surrounded by the non-display area NA. It should be understood that this is not a position limitation for the display area AA and the non-display area NA. The non-display area NA may exist only on one side or any several sides of the display area AA.
[0036] The display panel further includes a driving circuit layer 2, a pixel definition layer 4, an anode 24, a cathode (not shown), a package layer 5, and a touch laminate 6. The thin film transistor array layer 22 is provided between the substrate 1 and the light emitting layer 3. The pixel definition layer 4 is provided on the thin film transistor array layer 22. The anode 24 is provided on the pixel definition layer 4. The pixel definition layer 4 includes a plurality of pixel openings 71 arranged in an array. The pixel openings 71 expose at least a part of the anode 24. The light emitting layer 3 is provided in the pixel openings 71. The cathode is provided on the pixel definition layer 4 and the light emitting layer 3. The package layer 5 is provided on the cathode and is for packaging the light emitting portion 31. The touch laminate 6 is provided on the package layer 5. The first refractive layer 7 is provided on the touch laminate 6.
[0037] The driving circuit layer 2 further includes a buffer layer 21 and a planarization layer 23. The buffer layer 21 is provided between the thin film transistor array layer 22 and the substrate 1. The planarization layer 23 covers the thin film transistor array layer 22. The pixel definition layer 4 is provided on the thin film transistor array layer 22.
[0038] The thin film transistor array layer 22 further includes a thin film transistor device provided on the buffer layer 21. The thin film transistor device may be an etching stop type or a back channel etching type, or may be classified into structures such as a bottom gate type thin film transistor device or a top gate type thin film transistor device according to the positions of the gate 223 and the active layer 221. There are no specific restrictions.
[0039] For example, the thin film transistor device shown in FIG. 2 is a top gate type thin film transistor device. The thin film transistor may include an active layer 221, a gate insulating layer 222, a gate 223, an interlayer dielectric layer 224, and a source-drain metal layer 225. The active layer 221 is provided on the buffer layer 21. The gate insulating layer 222 is provided on the active layer 221. The gate 223 is provided on the gate insulating layer 222. The interlayer dielectric layer 224 is provided on the gate 223. The source-drain metal layer 225 is provided on the interlayer dielectric layer 224. The source-drain metal layer 225 includes a source and a drain. The source and the drain are electrically connected to the active layer 221 by penetrating vias in the interlayer dielectric layer 224 and the gate insulating layer 222.
[0040] The package layer 5 includes a first inorganic package layer 51, an organic package layer 52, and a second inorganic package layer 53 sequentially stacked on the pixel definition layer 4. The touch laminate 6 is provided on the side of the package layer 5 away from the substrate 1. The touch laminate 6 includes a first insulating layer, a first touch metal layer 61, a second insulating layer 63, a second touch metal layer 62, and the first refractive layer 7 stacked in sequence. A touch electrode is provided in the first touch metal layer 61 or the second touch metal layer 62. In the embodiment of the present application, the first refractive layer 7 is a part of the touch laminate 6, that is, the first refractive layer 7 also serves as an insulating layer in the touch laminate 6. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate insulating layer covering the second touch metal layer 62 between the first refractive layer 7 and the second touch metal layer 62, and the overall thickness of the display panel can be reduced. The touch laminate 6 may adopt a direct cell touch (DOT) type. The touch laminate 6 provided in the embodiment of the present application may be a mutual capacitance type or a self-capacitance type, but is not limited thereto. The specific type and structure of the touch laminate 6 can be selected according to actual needs.
[0041] The first refractive layer 7 is a low refractive index layer, and the second refractive layer 8 is a high refractive index layer. The low refractive index layer is located at least in the display area AA, and the high refractive index layers all extend from the display area AA to the non-display area NA. The second refractive layer 8 is filled in the plurality of openings 71 of the first refractive layer 7 so as to form a plurality of microlens units. Due to the difference in refractive index between the first refractive layer 7 and the second refractive layer 8, the light rays emitted from the light emitting portion 31 are condensed at the boundary between the first refractive layer 7 and the second refractive layer 8, thereby playing a role of condensing, improving the light extraction effect of the corresponding light emitting portion 31, and improving the light extraction efficiency of the display panel. In addition, the light rays can be emitted from the front direction as much as possible, and the viewing angle of the emitted light rays can be improved.
[0042] Specifically, the refractive index of the first refractive layer 7 may be 1.4 to 1.6. As the material of the first refractive layer 7, it may include a light-transmitting organic material with a low refractive index such as acrylic resin, polyimide resin, aramid resin, and / or Alq3 [tris(8-quinolinolato)aluminum]. The refractive index of the second refractive layer 8 may be 1.61 to 1.8. As the material of the second refractive layer 8, it may include a light-transmitting organic material with a high refractive index such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), 4,4'-bis[N-(3-methylphenyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl (TPD), 4,4',4''-tris[(3-methylphenyl)phenylamino]triphenylamine (m-MTDATA), 1,3,5-tris[N,N-bis(2-methylphenyl)amino]benzene (o-MTDAB), 1,3,5-tris[N,N-bis(3-methylphenyl)amino]benzene (m-MTDAB), 1,3,5-tris[N,N-bis(4-methylphenyl)amino]benzene (p-MTDAB), 4,4'-bis[N,N-bis(3-methylphenyl)amino]diphenylmethane (BPPM), 4,4'-dicarbazolyl-1,1'-biphenyl (CBP), 4,4',4''-tris(N-carbazolyl)triphenylamine (TCTA), 2,2',2''-(1,3,5-phenyltriyl)tris-[1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole] (TPBI), and / or 3-(4-biphenyl)-4-phenyl-5-tert-butylphenyl-1,2,4-triazole (TAZ).
[0043] The second refractive layer 8 may be further doped with nanoparticles such as ZrO2 / TiO2 to improve the emission rate of the light emitting unit 31 by adjusting the refraction direction of light rays.
[0044] The first refractive layer 7 further includes a second groove 73 distributed in the non-display area NA. The second groove 73 is located on the side away from the display area AA of the first groove 72. The second refractive layer 8 is filled in the second groove 73, or the boundary of the second refractive layer 8 stops in the second groove 73 or between the second groove 73 and the first groove 72.
[0045] A barrier 74 is formed by a portion of the first refractive layer 7 located between the sidewalls of the first groove 72 and the sidewalls of the second groove 73. Both the first groove 72 and the second groove 73 are for preventing ink overflow. The plurality of grooves can control the ink flow more accurately than when only one groove is provided. The first groove 72 provided near the display area AA may be a main groove for controlling the overflow of the second refractive layer 8, and the second groove 73 may be an auxiliary groove for preventing the second refractive layer 8 from overflowing onto the first groove 72. Through the cooperation of the first groove 72 and the second groove 73, it is ensured to avoid the overflow of ink to the non-display area NA.
[0046] Furthermore, the non-display area NA includes a bending area BA1 and a bonding area BA2 located on the side of the bending area BA1 away from the display area AA. The bonding area BA2 can be bent to the back of the display area AA by the bending area BA1, reducing the bezel width and realizing a narrow bezel display. The first groove 72 and the second groove 73 are provided between the bending area BA1 and the display area AA.
[0047] A third groove 9 is provided in the bending area BA1. The third groove 9 penetrates through the interlayer dielectric layer 224, the gate insulating layer 222, and the buffer layer 21, and is filled by the planarization layer 23. Thereby, the thickness in the bending area BA1 of the display panel is reduced to reduce the bending stress of the display panel, and the display panel will have good bending characteristics.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first groove 72 includes a plurality of groups of an array array 723 arranged sequentially in a direction away from the display area AA. Each group of the array array 723 is formed by sequentially arranging a plurality of the solid units 721 and a plurality of the micro grooves 722. The plurality of the solid units 721 in two adjacent groups of the array array 723 are arranged alternately, and the plurality of the micro grooves 722 in two adjacent groups of the array array 723 are arranged alternately. Thereby, the formed flow path is arranged in a meandering shape so as to be tortuous, and the ink flow path also becomes tortuous. Compared with a straight flow path, the length of the ink flow path becomes larger, and the flow rate of the ink can be reduced. As a result, the position where the ink flow finally stops is likely to be closer to the display area AA side of the barrier 74, that is, the boundary of the second refractive layer 8 stops on the side closer to the display area AA of the barrier 74. Thereby, the risk of the second refractive layer 8 overflowing at the stage of inkjet printing is reduced, which is particularly suitable when the display panel adopts a narrow bezel design.
[0049] Specifically, considering the blocking effect of the first groove 72 and the second groove 73, the width of the first groove 72 is 40 μm or more, the width of the second groove 73 is 40 μm or more, and the distance between the first groove 72 and the second groove 73 is 40 μm or more.
[0050] In the array 723, among the multiple groups, in the row of the array 723 closest to the display area AA, the sizes of the respective microgrooves 722 gradually decrease along the direction away from near the display area AA. That is, the size of the microgroove 722 on the side closer to the display area AA is larger than the size on the side away from the display area AA. The reason for such installation is as follows. The microgroove 722 in the frontmost array 723 closest to the display area AA can play a role in guiding the flow to a certain extent, so that the ink can easily flow into the first groove 72. Also, since the microgrooves 722 in the array 723 located relatively on the rear side, away from the display area AA, are offset from each other, they can play a role of flow restriction that hinders the flow of the fluid ink, reducing the flow rate of the ink, and further reducing the risk of the second refraction layer 8 overflowing during the inkjet printing stage. Further, due to the capillary action of the array 723, the ink can easily flow along the flow path from the microgroove 722 with a larger size to the side closer to the display area AA of the first groove 72, that is, it can easily flow onto the first refraction layer 7 not covered by the ink.
[0051] In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the distance d1 between two adjacent solid units 721 located in two adjacent groups of the array 723 to the width of the bottom wall of the first groove 72 is 1 / 8 or less, and the ratio of the maximum size d2 of each solid unit 721 to the width of the bottom wall of the first groove 72 is 1 / 4 or less.
[0052] Specifically, the distance d1 between two adjacent solid units 721 located in two adjacent groups of the array 723 is 5 μm or less, and the maximum size d2 of each solid unit 721 is 10 μm or less.
[0053] In the embodiments of the present application, in order to ensure the effect of capillary action, the number of groups of the array 723 is 3 or more. Note that the number of groups of the array 723 may be selected according to one's own needs, and it is only necessary to ensure that the plurality of microgrooves 722 in two adjacent groups of the array 723 are arranged alternately.
[0054] The number of the solid units 721 in each group of the array 723 is 3 or more, that is, the solid units 721 are distributed along at least 3 rows and at least 3 columns, thereby ensuring the effect of capillary action.
[0055] Optionally, the shape of the orthographic projection of the solid unit 721 on the substrate 1 includes any one of a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a circle, and an ellipse. In the embodiments of the present application, the shape of the orthographic projection of the solid unit 721 on the substrate 1 is a rhombus.
[0056] The microgroove 722 may have a trapezoid shape in the cross-sectional direction of the display panel, which is due to the process. The microgroove 722 and the solid unit 721 are simultaneously formed by the same yellow light process. The opening 71 becomes narrower as it is farther from the light emitting part 31, and the etching becomes shallower as the opening 71 becomes narrower. In this way, the slope of the microgroove 722 is formed.
[0057] The plurality of the solid units 721 in the same group of the array 723 may have the same or different sizes. The plurality of the solid units 721 in different groups of the array 723 may have the same or different sizes. In the embodiments of the present application, the area of the orthographic projection of the solid units 721 in different groups of the array 723 on the substrate 1 gradually decreases along the direction away from the display area AA. The reason for such installation is as follows. In the prior art, the positions on the first refractive layer 7 not covered by the second refractive layer 8 are mainly determined by the array 723 distributed near the display area AA in the plurality of groups of the array. Therefore, by increasing the area of the orthographic projection of the solid units 721 in the array 723 distributed near the display area AA on the substrate 1 and decreasing the area of the orthographic projection of the solid units 721 in the array 723 distributed away from the display area AA on the substrate 1, the size of the micro grooves 722 in the array 723 distributed near the display area AA becomes larger, and the size of the micro grooves 722 in the array 723 distributed away from the display area AA becomes smaller. As a result, the ink in the flow path can flow to this position and easily cover the first refractive layer 7.
[0058] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, on the surface of the solid unit 721 away from the substrate 1, a plurality of micro-solid units 7211 provided at intervals and a plurality of sub-micro grooves 7212 communicating with each other are provided. The sub-micro grooves 7212 are provided between two adjacent micro-solid units 7211. The micro-solid units 7211 and the sub-micro grooves 7212 also have capillary action, thereby filling the positions on the first refractive layer 7 not covered by the second refractive layer 8 in the prior art. The mechanism thereof can refer to the above mechanism in which the solid unit 721 and the micro grooves 722 have capillary action, and the detailed description is omitted here.
[0059] The first groove 72 may penetrate the first refractive layer 7, or may not completely penetrate the first refractive layer 7. In the embodiments of the present application, in order to better improve the blocking effect of the first groove 72 on the ink, the first groove 72 penetrates the first refractive layer 7. Naturally, the second groove 73 may also penetrate the second refractive layer 8, or may not completely penetrate the second refractive layer 8.
[0060] In the thickness direction of the display panel, the depth of the first groove 72 is equal to the depth of the microgroove 722 and the height of the solid unit 721. That is, in the embodiments of the present application, the microgroove 722, the solid unit 721, and the first groove 72 are all manufactured by the same yellow light process. Furthermore, the microgroove 722, the solid unit 721, the first groove 72, and the second groove 73 are all manufactured by the same yellow light process.
[0061] Furthermore, in the thickness direction of the display panel, the depth of the microgroove 722 is the same as the depth of the opening 71, and the depth of the first groove 72 is the same as the depth of the second groove 73. That is, the microgroove 722, the opening 71, the first groove 72, and the second groove 73 are all manufactured by the same yellow light process.
[0062] In the embodiments of the present application, the solid unit 721 and the first refractive layer 7 are made of the same material, and the solid unit 721 is a protrusion.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8A to 8D, the embodiments of the present application further provide a method for manufacturing a display panel, and the method for manufacturing the display panel includes the following steps.
[0064] In step S1, a substrate 1 is provided.
[0065] Specifically, referring to FIG. 8A, the substrate 1 is a flexible material, and the flexible material includes polyimide.
[0066] In step S2, a light-emitting layer 3 is formed on one side of the substrate 1, and the light-emitting layer 3 includes a plurality of light-emitting portions 31 provided in the display area AA.
[0067] Specifically, referring to FIG. 8B, step S2 further includes the following steps before the light-emitting layer 3 is formed.
[0068] In step S21, a buffer layer 21, a thin-film transistor array layer 22, a planarization layer 23, an anode 24, and a pixel definition layer 4 are sequentially formed on the substrate 1.
[0069] After the light-emitting layer 3 is formed, step S2 further includes the following steps.
[0070] In step S22, a cathode, a package layer 5, and a touch laminate 6 are sequentially formed on the pixel definition layer 4 and the light-emitting layer 3.
[0071] In step S3, a first refractive layer 7 is formed on the side of the light-emitting layer 3 away from the substrate 1. By performing a patterning process on the first refractive layer 7, a plurality of openings 71 located in the display area AA and corresponding to the light-emitting portions 31, a first groove 72 located in the non-display area NA, and a plurality of solid units 721 spaced apart and a plurality of microgrooves 722 communicating with each other located in the first groove 72 are formed. The microgrooves 722 are provided between two adjacent solid units 721, and the second refractive layer 8 is filled in the microgrooves 722 to cover the solid units 721.
[0072] Specifically, referring to FIG. 8C, step S3 further includes a step of forming a second groove 73 located in the non-display area NA. The second groove 73 is located on a side of the first groove 72 away from the display area AA, and a barrier 74 is provided between the first groove 72 and the second groove 73.
[0073] Specifically, the material of the first refractive layer 7 is a material with a low refractive index. The microgrooves 722 and the solid units 721 are manufactured by the same process. Further, the microgrooves 722, the solid units 721, the first groove 72, and the second groove 73 are all manufactured by the same process.
[0074] In step S4, by means of an inkjet printing process, a material with a high refractive index is printed on a side of the first refractive layer 7 away from the substrate 1, thereby forming the second refractive layer 8 that is filled in the microgrooves 722 and covers the solid units 721.
[0075] Specifically, referring to FIG. 8D, the second refractive layer 8 has a refractive index greater than that of the first refractive layer 7. The second refractive layer 8 is filled in the second groove 73 to cover the barrier 74, or the boundary of the second refractive layer 8 is located between the second groove 73 and the first groove 72. The material of the second refractive layer 8 is an organic material. When inkjet printing is performed, the organic material flows and stops between the second groove 73 and the first groove 72.
[0076] When forming the second refractive layer 8 by inkjet printing, due to the capillary action of the microgrooves 722, the ink can flow through the channels formed by the plurality of interconnected microgrooves 722 to the edge near the display area AA of the first groove 72. By avoiding the ink from reaching this position, the occurrence of stress concentration at this position can be avoided, the risk of the metal wire breaking when the display panel is bent can be reduced, and it can be understood that this contributes to improving the service life of the display panel.
[0077] Embodiments of the present application further provide a display device, which includes the display panel in the above embodiments. The display device includes, but is not limited to, electronic paper, mobile phones, tablet computers, televisions, displays, notebook computers, digital photo albums, GPS, etc.
[0078] The beneficial effects are as follows. With the display panel and the display device provided in the embodiments of the present application, the display panel includes a substrate, a light-emitting layer, a first refractive layer, and a second refractive layer. The first refractive layer includes a first groove distributed in the non-display area. In the first groove, a plurality of solid units provided at intervals and a plurality of microgrooves communicating with each other are provided. The microgrooves are provided between two adjacent solid units. The second refractive layer is filled in the microgrooves to cover the solid units. Thereby, when the second refractive layer is formed by inkjet printing, due to the capillary action of the microgrooves, the ink can flow through the channels formed by the plurality of microgrooves communicating with each other to the edge near the display area of the first groove, and it is avoided that the stress concentration phenomenon occurs at the position where the ink cannot reach, reducing the risk of the metal wire breaking when the display panel is bent, and contributing to the improvement of the service life of the display panel.
[0079] In summary, the present application has been disclosed in the preferred embodiments as above. However, the above preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the scope defined by the claims.
Description of Reference Numerals
[0080] 21 Buffer layer 22 Thin-film transistor array layer 23 Flattening layer 24 Anode 31 Light-emitting part 51 First inorganic package layer 52 Organic package layer 53 Second inorganic package layer 61 First touch metal layer 62 Second touch metal layer 63 Second insulating layer 71 Pixel opening 72 First groove 73 Second groove 74 Barrier 221 Active layer 222 Gate insulating layer 223 Gate 224 Interlayer dielectric layer 225 Source / drain metal layer 721 Solid unit 722 Microgroove 723 Array array 7211 Microsolid unit 7212 Submicrogroove
Claims
1. It includes a display area and a non-display area located on at least one side of the display area, Furthermore, a substrate, a light-emitting layer provided on one side of the substrate and including a plurality of light-emitting portions provided in the display area, a first refractive layer provided on the side of the light-emitting layer away from the substrate, the first refractive layer including a plurality of openings distributed in an array in the display area corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting portions, and a first groove distributed in the non-display area, a second refractive layer provided on the side of the first refractive layer away from the substrate and filled in the plurality of openings, the refractive index of the second refractive layer being greater than that of the first refractive layer, the first groove includes a plurality of solid units provided at intervals and a plurality of microgrooves communicating with each other, the microgrooves being provided between two adjacent solid units, and the second refractive layer being filled in the microgrooves to cover the solid units, On the surface of the solid unit on the side away from the substrate, a plurality of microsolid units provided at intervals and a plurality of submicrogrooves communicating with each other are provided, and the submicrogrooves are provided between two adjacent microsolid units. A display panel.
2. The first groove includes a plurality of groups of an array arranged sequentially along the direction away from the display area, each group of the array including a plurality of the solid units and a plurality of the microgrooves arranged sequentially, and the plurality of the solid units in two adjacent groups of the array are arranged alternately, and the plurality of the microgrooves in two adjacent groups of the array are arranged alternately. The display panel according to claim 1.
3. In the array of the row closest to the display area among the plurality of groups of the array, the size of each of the microgrooves gradually decreases along the direction from near the display area to away. The display panel according to claim 2.
4. The area of the orthographic projection of the solid units in different groups of the array on the substrate gradually decreases along the direction away from the display area. The display panel according to claim 3.
5. The value of the ratio of the distance between two adjacent solid units located in two adjacent groups of the array array to the width of the bottom wall of the first groove is 1 / 8 or less, and the value of the ratio of the maximum size of each of the solid units to the width of the bottom wall of the first groove is 1 / 4 or less. The display panel according to claim 2.
6. The distance between two adjacent solid units located in two adjacent groups of the array array is 5 μm or less, and the maximum size of each of the solid units is 10 μm or less. The display panel according to claim 5.
7. The number of groups of the array array is 3 or more. The display panel according to claim 5.
8. The first groove penetrates the first refractive layer, and in the thickness direction of the display panel, the depth of the first groove is equal to the depth of the microgroove and the height of the solid unit. The display panel according to claim 1.
9. The first refractive layer further includes a second groove distributed in the non-display area, and the second groove is located on the side away from the display area of the first groove. The boundary of the second refractive layer is located in the second groove or between the second groove and the first groove. The display panel according to claim 1.
10. In the thickness direction of the display panel, the depth of the microgroove is the same as the depth of the opening, and the depth of the first groove is the same as the depth of the second groove. The display panel according to claim 9.
11. The non-display area includes a bending area and a bonding area located on the side away from the display area of the bending area. The bonding area is bent to the back of the display area by the bending area, and the first groove and the second groove are provided between the bending area and the display area. The display panel according to claim 10.
12. A package layer covering the side of the light-emitting layer away from the substrate; A touch laminate including a first insulating layer, a first touch metal layer, a second insulating layer, a second touch metal layer, and the first refractive layer, which are provided on the side of the package layer away from the substrate and laminated in sequence, and a touch electrode is provided in the first touch metal layer or the second touch metal layer. The display panel according to claim 1 further includes the touch laminate. The display panel according to claim 1.
13. A display device including the display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
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