Display module and display device

Abstract

A display module and a display device, relating to the technical field of display. The display module comprises: a base substrate (BP); a driving layer (DRL) disposed on a side of the base substrate (BP); a pixel layer (PIXL) disposed on the side of the driving layer (DRL) away from the base substrate (BP); and an electrochromic layer (DISL) disposed on the side of the base substrate (BP) and at least capable of switching between a plurality of display states, wherein the electrochromic layer (DISL) has different transparency levels in different display states. The display quality can be improved.

Description

Display module and display device

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] The present disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410831750.7, filed on June 25, 2024, entitled “Display module and display device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of display, in particular, to a display module and a display device. BACKGROUND

[0004] At present, the products of OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) transparent display are always in a transparent state, so that the display quality is poor when displaying pictures.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background section is only used to strengthen the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore can include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. SUMMARY

[0006] The purpose of the present disclosure is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, and to provide a display module and a display device that can improve display quality.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display module is provided, comprising:

[0008] a substrate substrate;

[0009] a driving layer disposed on one side of the substrate substrate;

[0010] a pixel layer disposed on the side of the driving layer away from the substrate substrate;

[0011] an electrochromic layer disposed on one side of the substrate substrate, and capable of switching between at least a plurality of display states, and the transparency of the electrochromic layer in different display states is different.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrochromic layer comprises a first transparent electrode layer, a color-changing layer, and a second transparent electrode layer, which are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the substrate substrate.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the color-changing layer comprises a color conversion layer, an electrolyte layer, and an ion storage layer, which are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the substrate substrate.

[0014] Alternatively, the color-changing layer comprises, in sequence from the side distal to the substrate, an ion storage layer, an electrolyte layer, and a color conversion layer.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrochromic layer is located on the side of the pixel layer distal to the substrate.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display module further comprises:

[0017] a touch layer located on the side of the pixel layer distal to the substrate;

[0018] the electrochromic layer is located on the side of the touch layer distal to the substrate;

[0019] a cover plate located on the side of the electrochromic layer distal to the substrate.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display module further comprises an encapsulation layer and an optical adhesive layer, the encapsulation layer covering the pixel layer.

[0021] the touch layer is located on the surface of the encapsulation layer distal to the substrate;

[0022] the electrochromic layer is located on the surface of the touch layer distal to the substrate;

[0023] the electrochromic layer covers the optical adhesive layer;

[0024] the cover plate is located on the surface of the electrochromic layer distal to the substrate.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display module further comprises a cover plate; the cover plate is located on the side of the pixel layer distal to the substrate; and the electrochromic layer is located inside the cover plate.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer comprises a plurality of electrode units distributed at intervals.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display module further comprises:

[0028] a touch layer located on the side of the pixel layer distal to the substrate, and comprising a touch electrode, the touch electrode being multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer or the second transparent electrode layer.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch layer comprises a first touch metal layer and a second touch metal layer distributed in a direction away from the substrate; the touch electrode comprises a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode which are crossed and insulated; the first touch electrode is located in the first touch metal layer, and the second touch electrode is located in the second touch metal layer.

[0030] The first touch electrode is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer; or the second touch electrode is multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer; or the first touch electrode is multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer, and the second touch electrode is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch electrode multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer or the second transparent electrode layer is defined as a multiplexed electrode; the display module further comprises:

[0032] A plurality of selection circuits are configured to transmit a touch signal to the multiplexed electrode in response to a touch control signal, and transmit a color change signal to the multiplexed electrode in response to a color change control signal, so as to control the electrochromic layer to be in the display state.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the selection circuit comprises:

[0034] A touch control circuit is configured to transmit a touch signal to the multiplexed electrode in response to a touch control signal;

[0035] A color change control circuit is configured to transmit a color change signal to the multiplexed electrode in response to a color change control signal.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch control circuit comprises a first transistor; a first electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected with the multiplexed electrode, a second electrode of the first transistor is configured to receive the touch signal, and a control electrode of the first transistor is configured to receive the touch control signal.

[0037] The touch control circuit comprises a second transistor; a first electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected with the multiplexed electrode, a second electrode of the second transistor is configured to receive the color change signal, and a control electrode of the second transistor is configured to receive the color change control signal.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving layer comprises a shielding layer and a transistor layer distributed in a direction away from the substrate; the shielding layer is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the substrate comprises:

[0040] A substrate, the first transparent electrode layer is laminated on a surface of the substrate close to the pixel layer.

[0041] A second barrier layer covers the second transparent electrode layer; the transistor layer is arranged on a side of the second barrier layer away from the substrate.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving layer has a pixel driving circuit; the pixel layer comprises a light emitting element.

[0043] The pixel driving circuit comprises a driving transistor, a first electrode of the driving transistor is electrically connected with a driving power supply voltage terminal, and a second electrode of the driving transistor is electrically connected with the light emitting element.

[0044] The shielding layer is electrically connected with the driving power supply voltage terminal.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display module comprises a display area and a peripheral area located at the display area.

[0046] The driving layer is connected with a main circuit board through a chip on film in the peripheral area; and the electrochromic layer is connected with a transparent display control circuit board or the main circuit board through a flexible circuit board in the peripheral area.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display module comprises a display area and a peripheral area located at the display area.

[0048] The driving layer comprises peripheral wires located in the peripheral area, and the electrochromic layer comprises electrochromic layer wires located in the peripheral area; the electrochromic layer wires are connected with part of the peripheral wires, and the peripheral wires are connected with a main circuit board through a chip on film.

[0049] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a display device is provided, comprising the above-mentioned display module.

[0050] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0051] The drawings herein are incorporated into the description and form part of the description, show embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a display device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a display panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a display module displaying a picture in the related art.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a display panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a touch layer in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Example implementations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example implementations can be implemented in any of various forms, and are not limited to the implementations set forth in this document; rather, the implementations are provided as non-limiting examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the example implementations to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals may be used to refer to like elements throughout and detailed descriptions of the like elements will not be repeated. In addition, the drawings are only schematic and the dimensions are not necessarily to scale.

[0074] Although relative terms are used in this specification, such as "upper," "lower," to describe one component's relative relationship to another component of the icon, such terms are used herein solely for convenience and are not to be construed as limiting the example implementations to a particular orientation. It is to be understood that if the device of the icon is turned over so that what is described as the "upper" component becomes the "lower" component, then the described relative orientation is reversed. When a structure is "on" another structure, it can mean that the structure is formed integrally with the other structure or that the structure is "directly" on the other structure or that the structure is "indirectly" on the other structure via another structure.

[0075] The terms "one," "a," "an," "the," and "said" are used to mean that "at least one" or "one or more" of something is present with the understanding that plural entities are also included unless it is contextually clear otherwise; the term "including" is used as synonymous with, and is understood to be open-ended, meaning that there are additional items that are not listed; the term "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not meant to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0076] The structure layer A is on the side of the structure layer B away from the substrate base plate BP, which can be understood as that the structure layer A is formed on the side of the structure layer B away from the substrate base plate BP. When the structure layer B is a patterned structure, part of the structure layer A can also be at the same physical height as the structure layer B or lower than the physical height of the structure layer B, wherein the BP substrate is the height reference.

[0077] C "multiplexed" with D herein means that C and D are on the same layer. In other words, C is D.

[0078] The row direction and the column direction herein are two intersecting directions, in the drawings of the present disclosure, the row direction is the horizontal direction and the column direction is the vertical direction, but they are not limited to this, the row direction and the column direction can also be non-perpendicular directions. In addition, those skilled in the art can know that with the rotation of the display panel, the actual orientation of the row direction and the column direction can change, but the relative positions of the two do not change.

[0079] "Color change" herein means changing from a transparent state to a translucent state or an opaque state. In other words, changing from no color to color.

[0080] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, a transistor refers to an element including at least three terminals of a gate electrode, a drain electrode, and a source electrode. The transistor has a channel region between the drain electrode (a drain electrode terminal, a drain region, or a drain electrode) and the source electrode (a source electrode terminal, a source region, or a source electrode), and a current can flow through the drain electrode, the channel region, and the source electrode. The channel region refers to a region through which a current mainly flows.

[0081] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the functions of the "source electrode" and the "drain electrode" are sometimes exchanged with each other in the case of using a transistor having opposite polarities or in the case of changing the direction of a current in the operation of a circuit. Therefore, in this specification, the "source electrode" and the "drain electrode" can be exchanged with each other. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, for any one transistor, one of a "source" and a "drain" is referred to as a first electrode of the transistor, and the other is referred to as a second electrode of the transistor, and a gate electrode is referred to as a control electrode of the transistor. The first electrode can be a drain electrode, and the second electrode can be a source electrode, or the first electrode can be a source electrode, and the second electrode can be a drain electrode.

[0082] This embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device. The display device includes a display module and a driving module. The display device can be a television, a computer screen, a smart phone, a vehicle window glass, a cabin glass, or other types of display devices. Referring to FIG. 1, the driving module can include a power management manager PMIC, a timing controller TCON, a source driver DD, a main circuit board MPCB, a driving plate DPCB, and the like. The source driver DD can load a driving voltage to the display module, so that the display module displays a picture.

[0083] The display module can include a display panel PNL. The display panel PNL can be an organic electroluminescence diode (OLED) display panel, a micro light emitting diode (Micro LED) display panel, a quantum dot-organic electroluminescence diode (QD-OLED) display panel, a quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) display panel, an LCD (liquid crystal) display panel, or other types of display panels PNL.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 1, the source driver DD has one or more source driving circuits SICs, which receive clock signals and data signals from the timing controller TCON, and then load driving voltages to the display module according to a predetermined timing. In some embodiments, the source driving circuit SIC can be a source driver IC. In an example, the source driver IC can be fixed on a flexible conductive film, and then assembled into a chip on film (COF). The chip on film (COF) is electrically connected to the bonding pads of the display module, and can be bent to the backlight side of the display module to reduce the frame of the display device.

[0085] In an example, referring to FIG. 1, the source driver DD has a plurality of chip on films (COFs), each of which is provided with at least one source driver IC as a source driving circuit SIC. The plurality of chip on films (COFs) are arranged side by side, and each of the chip on films (COFs) drives a plurality of data wires.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 1, the source driver DD also has a circuit board to realize the electrical connection of the timing controller TCON, the power manager PMIC and the source driving circuit SIC.

[0087] In an example, referring to FIG. 1, the power manager PMIC and the timing controller TCON are arranged on the driving board DPCB. The source driver DD includes a plurality of source circuit boards SPCBs, each of which is electrically connected to the plurality of chip on films (COFs); the source circuit board SPCB, the driving board DPCB and the main circuit board MPCB are electrically connected in sequence. In this way, the power manager PMIC and the timing controller TCON can load power voltage and signals to the source driving circuit SIC through the main circuit board MPCB and the source circuit board SPCB.

[0088] In another example, the timing controller TCON is arranged on the main circuit board MPCB, and the power manager PMIC is arranged on the driving board DPCB. The source driver DD includes a plurality of source circuit boards SPCBs, each of which is electrically connected to the plurality of chip on films (COFs); the source circuit board SPCB, the driving board DPCB and the main circuit board MPCB are electrically connected in sequence. In this way, the power manager PMIC and the timing controller TCON can load power voltage and signals to the source driving circuit SIC through the main circuit board MPCB and the source circuit board SPCB.

[0089] Of course, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the source driving circuit SIC can be directly arranged on the source circuit board SPCB, or the power manager PMIC and the timing controller TCON can be arranged on the main circuit board MPCB, or the source driving circuit SIC can be directly bound on the display module, or other feasible arrangement manners; the present disclosure does not specially limit these arrangement manners, and is subject to the condition that the source driving circuit SIC is electrically connected with the timing controller TCON and the power manager PMIC.

[0090] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 2, the display panel PNL includes a display area AA and a peripheral area BB located at least one side of the display area AA. The display area AA of the display panel PNL includes arrayed display units. The display unit includes a sub-pixel PIX and a pixel driving circuit PDC for driving the sub-pixel PIX. The display panel PNL has a plurality of scan lines GL arranged along the row direction DH in the display area AA, each scan line GL is arranged one-to-one corresponding to each display unit row; each pixel driving circuit PDC of the corresponding display unit row is connected to the scan line GL. The display panel PNL has a plurality of data lines DL arranged along the column direction DV in the display area AA, each data line DL is arranged one-to-one corresponding to each display unit column; each pixel driving circuit PDC of the corresponding display unit column is connected to the data line DL. In this way, the pixel driving circuit PDC of each display unit is connected to one scan line GL and one data line DL. When the selection signal is loaded on the scan line GL, the data voltage loaded on the data line DL can be loaded to the pixel driving circuit PDC, so that the pixel driving circuit PDC can control the brightness of the sub-pixel PIX according to the written driving voltage.

[0091] Optionally, the sub-pixel PIX can be a current-driven self-luminous element, for example, can be any one of OLED, PLED, QLED, Micro LED, Mini LED and the like. In this embodiment, the sub-pixel PIX can include sub-pixels PIX of multiple different colors, for example, red sub-pixels for emitting red light, green sub-pixels for emitting green light, and blue sub-pixels for emitting blue light. It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the sub-pixels PIX in the display area AA can also have sub-pixels PIX of other colors (for example, yellow sub-pixels for emitting yellow light, cyan sub-pixels for emitting cyan light, white sub-pixels for emitting white light, etc.).

[0092] Optionally, the pixel driving circuit PDC comprises at least a data writing transistor, a driving transistor and a storage capacitor. The source of the data writing transistor can be electrically connected with the data line DL, and the gate of the data writing transistor can be electrically connected with the scan line GL. The first pole of the driving transistor is electrically connected with the driving power supply terminal, the second pole of the driving transistor is electrically connected with the light emitting element, and the control pole of the driving transistor can be electrically connected with one of the electrode plates of the storage capacitor. The pixel driving circuit PDC is configured such that when the scan signal is loaded on the scan line GL, the data writing transistor is turned on, so that the driving voltage on the data line DL is written to the gate of the driving transistor and the storage capacitor. When the data writing transistor is turned off, the driving voltage can be maintained by the storage capacitor. The driving transistor can output a driving current to drive the sub-pixel PIX to emit light under the control of the voltage on its gate. It can be understood that the pixel driving circuit PDC of the embodiment of the present disclosure can also comprise other transistors or capacitors to make the pixel driving circuit PDC have better driving performance. For example, the pixel driving circuit PDC can be a 7T1C (7 thin film transistors and one storage capacitor), 8T1C (8 thin film transistors and one storage capacitor) or other architecture of pixel driving circuit.

[0093] In the field of display, OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) transparent display technology is recognized by the public for its unique performance advantages and broad application prospects. The OLED transparent display technology not only retains the transparent characteristics of glass or transparent materials, but also can present rich and colorful high-definition images on its surface in real time, realizes seamless integration of display and environment, and opens up a new interactive mode and visual expression means. OLED transparent screen from high-end retail storefront interactive window, public transportation information indication system, to home entertainment equipment transparent TV wall, and even future car smart windows, none of them do not show the far-reaching impact of this technology on daily life and industrial ecology.

[0094] However, in the related art, referring to FIG. 3, the product of OLED transparent display is a passive transparent display module, which is always in a transparent state. When strong light irradiates the display module, light will penetrate into the display module and enter the human eye, thereby affecting the display quality of the display module (for example, the display picture of the word "Best On earth" in the display module shown in FIG. 3).

[0095] To solve the above problems, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the display module includes a display panel PNL and an electrochromic layer DISL. The display panel PNL can include a substrate BP, a driving layer DRL, and a pixel layer PIXL which are sequentially stacked. The pixel layer PIXL is provided with a sub-pixel PIX, and the driving layer DRL is provided with a pixel driving circuit PDC for driving the sub-pixel PIX; each sub-pixel PIX can emit light under the driving of the pixel driving circuit PDC to display a picture. The electrochromic layer DISL can be disposed on the side of the substrate BP and can be switched between at least a plurality of display states, and the transparency of the electrochromic layer DISL in different display states is different. In one example, referring to FIG. 5, the electrochromic layer DISL can be disposed between the substrate BP and the driving layer DRL. In another example, the electrochromic layer DISL can be disposed on the side of the pixel layer PIXL away from the substrate BP.

[0096] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the display state can be transparent or opaque. The electrochromic layer DISL can be switched between transparent and opaque states to switch the display module between transparent and opaque states. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrochromic layer DISL can also have a translucent state. The translucent state is a transition state between the transparent state and the opaque state, and the transparency of the translucent state is between the transparency of the transparent state and the transparency of the opaque state.

[0097] In this way, by disposing the electrochromic layer DISL on the side of the substrate BP, the electrochromic layer DISL can be switched between transparent and opaque states according to the use requirements, so as to realize the translucent state and the opaque state of the display module. On the one hand, when the display module does not display a picture, the electrochromic layer makes the display module in a transparent state, realizing seamless integration of the display module with the external environment. On the other hand, when the display module displays a picture (for example, when strong light irradiates the display module), the display module is controlled to switch to a translucent state or an opaque state to improve the display quality of the display module; controlling the display module to switch to a translucent state or an opaque state can realize light shielding, anti-peeping and other functions, which has high practicability. For example, the display module is used for the windshield glass of a car or the cabin glass of an airplane, so that the car or the airplane has the functions of light shielding and anti-peeping.

[0098] Optionally, the substrate BP can be a substrate of inorganic material, or a substrate of organic material, or a composite substrate of inorganic material and organic material. For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate BP can be made of glass material such as soda lime glass, quartz glass, sapphire glass, etc. In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate BP can be made of poly(methyl methacrylate), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl phenol, polyether sulfone, polyimide, polyamide, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, or a combination thereof. In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate BP can be a flexible substrate, for example, the substrate BP can include polyimide.

[0099] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the substrate BP can be provided in two layers, and a barrier layer can be provided between the two layers of the substrate BP. On the one hand, the display panel PNL is better protected, and the possibility of damage to the display panel PNL by external force is reduced. On the other hand, the barrier layer blocks the electric charges in the substrate BP, preventing the electric charges in the substrate BP from penetrating into the driving layer DRL and affecting the service life of the driving layer DRL.

[0100] Optionally, in the driving layer DRL, any one of the pixel driving circuits PDC can include a thin film transistor TFT and a storage capacitor. Further, the thin film transistor TFT can be selected from a top-gate thin film transistor, a bottom-gate thin film transistor, or a dual-gate thin film transistor; the material of the active layer of the thin film transistor can be amorphous silicon semiconductor material, low-temperature polysilicon semiconductor material, metal oxide semiconductor material, organic semiconductor material, carbon nanotube semiconductor material, or other types of semiconductor material; and the thin film transistor can be an N-type thin film transistor or a P-type thin film transistor.

[0101] It can be understood that the types of any two transistors in the pixel driving circuit can be the same or different. For example, in some embodiments, in a pixel driving circuit, some transistors can be N-type transistors and some transistors can be P-type transistors. For another example, in some other embodiments, in a pixel driving circuit, the material of the active layer of some transistors can be low-temperature polysilicon semiconductor material, and the material of the active layer of some transistors can be metal oxide semiconductor material. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin film transistor is a low-temperature polysilicon transistor. In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, some thin film transistors are low-temperature polysilicon transistors, and some thin film transistors are metal oxide transistors.

[0102] Optionally, referring to FIG. 4, the driving layer DRL can include a semiconductor layer SCL, a gate insulating layer GI, a gate layer GT, an interlayer dielectric layer ILD, a source-drain metal layer SD, a planarization layer PLN, etc. which are stacked between the substrate base plate BP and the pixel layer PIXL. Each thin film transistor and storage capacitor can be formed by the semiconductor layer SCL, the gate insulating layer GI, the gate layer GT, the interlayer dielectric layer ILD, the source-drain metal layer SD, etc. Among them, the positional relationship of each film layer can be determined according to the film layer structure of the thin film transistor. Further, the semiconductor layer SCL can be used to form the channel region of the transistor, and can also be used to form part of the wiring or conductive structure by being conductive if necessary. The gate layer can be used to form one or more scanning lines, such as one or more of the write control line, the reset control line, the light-emitting control line, etc. It can also be used to form the gate of the transistor, and can also be used to form part or all of the electrode plate of the storage capacitor. The source-drain metal layer can be used to form the data line DL, the driving power supply voltage line, etc. It can also be used to form part of the electrode plate of the storage capacitor. Of course, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the driving layer DRL can also include other film layers as needed, such as an optical shielding layer between the semiconductor layer SCL and the substrate base plate BP, etc. Any one of the above-mentioned semiconductor layer SCL, gate layer GT, source-drain metal layer SD, etc. can also be multi-layered as needed, such as two different semiconductor layers SCL in the driving layer DRL, or two or three source-drain metal layers SD, or two or three gate layers GT; accordingly, the insulating film layers in the driving layer DRL (such as the gate insulating layer GI, the interlayer dielectric layer ILD, the planarization layer PLN, etc.) can be adaptively increased or reduced, or new insulating film layers can be added as needed.

[0103] Optionally, the driving layer DRL can also include a passivation layer, which can be arranged on the surface of the source-drain metal layer SD away from the substrate base plate BP, so as to protect the source-drain metal layer SD.

[0104] As an example, referring to FIG. 4, the driving layer DRL can include an inorganic buffer layer BUF, a semiconductor layer SCL, a gate insulating layer GI, a gate layer GT, an interlayer dielectric layer ILD, a source-drain metal layer SD, and a planarization layer PLN which are arranged in sequence. The thin film transistor formed in this way is a top-gate type thin film transistor.

[0105] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 4, the sub-pixel PIX in the pixel layer PIXL is a thin film light emitting element, which can include two electrodes and a light emitting functional layer arranged in a stack. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the pixel layer PIXL can include a pixel electrode layer PEL, a light emitting functional layer EFL and a common electrode layer COML arranged in a stack. The pixel electrode layer PEL has a plurality of pixel electrodes PE in the display area of the display panel; the light emitting functional layer EFL has a part connected with the pixel electrode PE as a light emitting functional unit of the sub-pixel PIX; and the common electrode layer COML is electrically connected with the light emitting functional unit of each sub-pixel PIX as a common electrode.

[0106] Further, the pixel layer PIXL can further include a pixel definition layer PDL between the pixel electrode layer PEL and the light emitting functional layer EFL. The pixel definition layer PDL has a plurality of through pixel openings corresponding to the plurality of pixel electrodes PE, and any one pixel opening exposes at least a part of the corresponding pixel electrode. For example, the pixel definition layer PDL covers the edges of the pixel electrode PE and exposes at least a part of the internal area of the pixel electrode PE, so that the pixel definition layer PDL can effectively define the actual effective area (the area directly connected with the light emitting functional layer EFL) of the pixel electrode PE, and further define the light emitting area and the light emitting area of the sub-pixel PIX. The light emitting functional layer EFL covers at least the pixel electrode PE exposed by the pixel definition layer PDL. The common electrode layer COML can cover the light emitting functional layer EFL in the display area. The pixel electrode PE and the common electrode layer COML provide carriers such as electrons and holes to the light emitting functional layer EFL, so that the light emitting functional layer EFL emits light. The part of the light emitting functional layer EFL between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode layer COML can be a light emitting functional unit. The pixel electrode PE, the common electrode layer COML and the light emitting functional unit form a light emitting element LD as a sub-pixel. One of the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode layer COML is an anode of the sub-pixel PIX, and the other is a cathode of the sub-pixel PIX.

[0107] In one example, the pixel electrode PE is an anode of the sub-pixel PIX, and the common electrode layer COML is a cathode of the sub-pixel PIX.

[0108] It can be understood that the type of light emitting element is different, and the material and film layer of the light emitting functional layer EFL are different.

[0109] For example, when the light emitting element is an OLED, the light emitting functional layer EFL can include an organic light emitting layer, and can include one or more of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron blocking layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. Further, the organic light emitting layer can include a light emitting layer host material and a light emitting layer guest material, which can be a fluorescent dopant or a phosphorescent dopant, and in particular, can be a thermally activated delayed fluorescence material. It can be understood that when the OLED adopts a stacked structure, a charge generation layer can also be provided in the light emitting functional layer EFL.

[0110] For another example, when the light emitting element is a QLED, the light emitting functional layer EFL can include a quantum dot layer, and can include one or more of a hole injection layer, an electron transport layer, an electron blocking layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. Further, the quantum dot layer can have quantum dot particles, which can be connected to each other by surface modification groups. It can be understood that when the QLED adopts a stacked structure, a charge generation layer can also be provided in the light emitting functional layer.

[0111] Further, the display panel PNL also includes an encapsulation layer TFE on the side of the pixel layer PIXL away from the substrate base plate BP, which can encapsulate and protect the pixel layer PIXL.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 4, a package layer TFE can be disposed on a surface of the pixel layer PIXL away from the substrate BP, which can include inorganic package layers and organic package layers alternately stacked. The inorganic package layers can effectively block moisture and oxygen from the outside, avoiding the moisture and oxygen from invading the pixel layer PIXL and causing the materials in the pixel layer PIXL to age. Optionally, the edges of the inorganic package layers can be located in the peripheral region. The organic package layers are located between two adjacent inorganic package layers, so as to achieve planarization and weaken the stress between the inorganic package layers. The edges of the organic package layers can be located between the edges of the display region and the edges of the inorganic package layers. Exemplarily, the package layer TFE includes a first inorganic package layer CVD1, an organic package layer IJP and a second inorganic package layer CVD2 stacked in sequence on a side of the pixel layer PIXL away from the substrate BP. The first inorganic package layer CVD1 covers the display region and extends to the outside of the barrier wall; the organic package layer IJP covers the display region and extends to the inside of the barrier wall; and the second inorganic package layer CVD2 covers the organic package layer IJP and extends to the outside of the barrier wall. On the outside of the barrier wall, the second inorganic package layer CVD2 is in contact with the first inorganic package layer CVD1. In this way, the organic package layer IJP is enclosed by the first inorganic package layer CVD1 and the second inorganic package layer CVD2, and the stress on the first inorganic package layer CVD1 and the second inorganic package layer CVD2 is balanced. The first inorganic package layer CVD1 and the second inorganic package layer CVD2 enclose the organic package layer IJP, so as to isolate the organic package layer IJP from the moisture and oxygen.

[0113] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 6, the electrochromic layer DISL includes a first transparent electrode layer TEL1, a color change layer ISL, and a second transparent electrode layer TEL2, which are sequentially stacked and adjacent in the direction away from the substrate base plate BP. The color change layer ISL can include a color conversion layer CCL, an electrolyte layer ELL, and an ion storage layer LSTL, which are sequentially stacked and adjacent on the second transparent electrode layer TEL2. The color conversion layer CCL can be an inorganic electrochromic material such as tungsten trioxide (WO3), nickel oxide (NiO), or titanium dioxide (TiO2), a transition metal such as iron or copper, or an organic electrochromic material such as a polythiophene or a derivative thereof, a viologen (e.g., polypyrrine, polythiophene, polyaniline), tetrathiafulvalene, or a metal phthalocyanine compound, as long as the color conversion layer CCL can change from a transparent state to an opaque state through an oxidation-reduction reaction. The electrolyte layer ELL can be a liquid gel or a solid electrolyte, such as a solid inorganic material such as tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) or zirconium oxide (ZrO2), or an organic material such as a polythiophene or a derivative thereof, a viologen, tetrathiafulvalene, or a metal phthalocyanine compound. The ion storage layer LSTL can be a solution or a solid electrolyte material such as lithium perchlorate or sodium perchlorate. The first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 are electrically connected through a color change switch unit SW, and one of the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is a cathode, and the other is an anode. The materials of the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 can be an indium tin oxide (ITO) semiconductor transparent material, a nickel oxide (NiO) semiconductor transparent material, or another semiconductor transparent material. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the stacking order of the color conversion layer CCL, the electrolyte layer ELL, and the ion storage layer LSTL is not fixed according to the polarity of the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2.

[0114] In one example, the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 is a cathode, and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is an anode, and the color conversion layer CCL, the electrolyte layer ELL, and the ion storage layer LSTL are sequentially stacked on the first transparent electrode layer TEL1. In another example, the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 is an anode, and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is a cathode, and the ion storage layer LSTL, the electrolyte layer ELL, and the color conversion layer CCL are sequentially stacked on the first transparent electrode layer TEL1. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, there can be other film layers between the color conversion layer CCL, the electrolyte layer ELL, and the ion storage layer LSTL.

[0115] In this way, by applying electricity to the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 and closing the color-changing switch unit SW, the materials of the first transparent electrode layer TEL1, the color-changing layer ISL, and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 can undergo a redox reaction, so that the colorless materials can develop color after the reaction, to achieve the effect of switching the electrochromic layer DISL from a transparent state to a semi-transparent or opaque state.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 7, by applying electricity to the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 and closing the color-changing switch unit SW, the internal particles (gel molecules, liquid crystal particles, electrons, holes, cations, organic ion groups, etc.) can be deflected or migrate to the color conversion layer CCL, and the deflection angle or ion migration speed changes with the change of the electric field, so that the appearance color changes.

[0117] The color-changing principle of the electrochromic layer DISL is further described below. The material of the ion storage layer LSTL is NiO, and the material of the color conversion layer CCL is WO3.

[0118] When the color-changing switch unit SW is closed, the ion storage layer LSTL and the color conversion layer CCL can undergo the following chemical reactions:

[0119] NiO + χe - + χOH - → Ni(OH) χ ;

[0120] WO3 + χe - + M + → M χ WO3, M is H (hydrogen), Li (lithium), Na (sodium), Al (aluminum), etc.

[0121] In the above chemical reactions, NiO and WO3 are in a transparent state, after the chemical reaction, Ni(OH) χ is gray, M χ WO3 is dark blue, so that the electrochromic layer DISL develops color, so that the electrochromic layer DISL is switched to a semi-transparent or opaque state.

[0122] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 8, the electrochromic layer DISL is located on the side of the pixel layer PIXL away from the substrate BP.

[0123] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 9, the display module further comprises a touch layer TSL, an optical adhesive layer OCA, and a cover plate CG, so that the display module has a touch function. The touch layer TSL is arranged on the side of the pixel layer PIXL away from the substrate BP. The electrochromic layer DISL is arranged on the side of the touch layer TSL away from the substrate BP. The cover plate CG is arranged on the side of the electrochromic layer DISL away from the substrate BP. The cover plate CG can be transparent glass or transparent plastic. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrochromic layer DISL can be arranged on the side of the touch layer TSL close to the substrate BP.

[0124] In this way, the electrochromic layer DISL is arranged inside the cover plate CG. On the one hand, the cover plate CG can protect the electrochromic layer DISL. On the other hand, the electrochromic layer DISL can be controlled to change color, so that the display module becomes semi-transparent or opaque.

[0125] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 9, the display module further comprises an encapsulation layer TFE and an optical adhesive layer OCA. The encapsulation layer TFE covers the pixel layer PIXL. The touch layer TSL is arranged on the surface of the encapsulation layer TFE away from the substrate BP. The electrochromic layer DISL is arranged on the surface of the touch layer TSL away from the substrate BP. The electrochromic layer DISL covers the optical adhesive layer OCA. The cover plate CG is arranged on the surface of the electrochromic layer DISL away from the substrate BP. In this way, the polarizing plate in the original display module can be removed. The electrochromic layer DISL can change color and reflect light, so as to improve the optical effect of the display module.

[0126] Optionally, referring to FIG. 4, the touch layer TSL can further comprise a color filter layer CFL arranged on the side of the touch layer TSL away from the substrate BP, so as to improve the purity of the light emitted from the display panel PNL.

[0127] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 8, the display module further comprises a cover plate CG. The cover plate CG is arranged on the side of the pixel layer PIXL away from the substrate BP. The electrochromic layer DISL is arranged inside the cover plate CG. The cover plate CG comprises a first cover plate CG1 and a second cover plate CG2 stacked together. The first cover plate CG1 and the second cover plate CG2 can be transparent glass or transparent plastic. The electrochromic layer DISL is arranged between the first cover plate CG1 and the second cover plate CG2.

[0128] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 8, a back film BF is laminated on the side of the substrate BP away from the cover plate CG. The material of the back film BF can be transparent glass or transparent plastic. In this way, the display panel PNL is further protected by the back film BF.

[0129] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving layer DRL is connected to the main circuit board MPCB through a chip on film COF in the peripheral area BB; and the electrochromic layer DISL is connected to the transparent display control circuit board MEIC or the main circuit board MPCB through a flexible circuit board FPC in the peripheral area BB, so that the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 in the electrochromic layer DISL are powered. In an example, referring to FIG. 10, the electrochromic layer is electrically connected to the main circuit board MPCB through the flexible circuit board FPC. In another example, referring to FIG. 11, the electrochromic layer is electrically connected to the transparent display control circuit board MEIC through the flexible circuit board FPC.

[0130] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving layer DRL includes peripheral traces in the peripheral area BB, and the electrochromic layer DISL includes electrochromic layer traces DISLL in the peripheral area BB; the electrochromic layer traces DISLL are connected to part of the peripheral traces, and the peripheral traces are connected to the main circuit board MPCB through a chip on film COF. In an example, referring to FIG. 12, the electrochromic layer traces DISLL are electrically connected to the peripheral traces through vias, and the peripheral traces are electrically connected to the main circuit board MPCB through the chip on film COF. In another example, the electrochromic layer traces DISLL are electrically connected to the touch layer traces TSLL through vias, and the touch layer traces TSLL are electrically connected to the main circuit board MPCB through the chip on film COF. It can be understood that the touch layer traces TSLL can include traces of touch electrodes.

[0131] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 includes a plurality of electrode units distributed at intervals. In an example, the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 includes a plurality of electrode units distributed at intervals. In another example, the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 includes a plurality of electrode units distributed at intervals. In other examples, the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 include a plurality of electrode units distributed at intervals. In this way, since at least one of the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is meshed, a color change signal can be independently loaded to each electrode unit to achieve the effect of local color change of the display panel PNL.

[0132] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch layer TSL is arranged on a side of the pixel layer PIXL away from the base substrate BP, and includes touch electrodes which are multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 or the second transparent electrode layer TEL2. The touch layer TSL can be a self-capacitive touch layer or a mutual-capacitive touch layer. In this way, the touch electrodes are multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 or the second transparent electrode layer TEL2, so that the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 or the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 does not need to be additionally arranged, which on the one hand helps to reduce the thickness of the display module and facilitate the lightweight and thin display module, and on the other hand, even if the polarizer in the original display module is removed, the light can be reflected through the electrochromic layer DISL, thereby improving the optical effect of the display module.

[0133] In an example, the touch layer TSL can be a self-capacitive touch layer. The touch electrodes include a plurality of touch electrode blocks arranged in a row direction and a column direction, the plurality of touch electrode blocks are located in the same layer and do not intersect with each other, and each touch electrode block is electrically connected to a driving chip through a touch trace. The touch electrodes are multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 or the second transparent electrode layer TEL2.

[0134] In another example, referring to FIG. 13, the touch layer TSL can be a mutual-capacitive touch layer. The touch electrodes include a plurality of first touch electrodes RX and a plurality of second touch electrodes TX which are insulated from each other. Any first touch electrode RX can extend in the row direction DH, and each first touch electrode RX can be spaced apart in the column direction DV. Meanwhile, any second touch electrode TX can extend in the column direction DV, and each second touch electrode TX can be spaced apart in the row direction DH. Each first touch electrode RX intersects with each second touch electrode TX, and each second touch electrode TX intersects with each first touch electrode RX, but the first touch electrodes RX and the second touch electrodes TX which intersect with each other are insulated. When implementing the touch function, a driving signal can be input to the second touch electrodes TX, and a capacitance can be generated between the first touch electrodes RX and the second touch electrodes TX. When touching the touch area, the capacitance at the touch position changes, and the touch position can be determined by detecting the sensing signal of the first touch electrodes RX.

[0135] In this example, each first touch electrode RX and second touch electrode TX can be formed by a plurality of electrode blocks in series. Specifically,

[0136] A first touch electrode RX can include a plurality of first electrode blocks RXc in series in the row direction DH, and adjacent two first electrode blocks RXc can be connected by a connecting portion, and the connecting portion is arranged in the same layer as the first electrode block RXc. The outline of the first electrode block RXc can be a polygon such as a rhombus, or other shapes.

[0137] A second touch electrode TX can include a plurality of second electrode blocks TXc distributed along a column direction DV and a transition bridge connecting two adjacent second electrode blocks TXc. The profile of the second electrode block TXc can be a polygon such as a rhombus, or other shapes; and the shape of the second electrode block TXc can be the same as that of the first electrode block RXc. The transition bridge and the second electrode block TXc are located in different layers and can be connected by a via. The second electrode block TXc is arranged in the same layer as the first electrode block RXc (the filling effects of the second electrode block TXc and the first electrode block RXc shown in FIG. 13 are different, only to distinguish the second electrode block TXc and the first electrode block RXc; however, the transition bridge and the connecting part have different filling effects to indicate that the transition bridge and the connecting part are located in different layers). Since the transition bridge is located in different layers from the first electrode block RXc and the second electrode block TXc, the transition bridge can cross the connecting part in space without contact, achieving the crossing and insulation of the first touch electrode RX and the second touch electrode TX.

[0138] Further, in the same second touch electrode TX, the number of transition bridges connecting two adjacent second electrode blocks TXc can be one or more, and if there are multiple transition bridges, the multiple transition bridges can be distributed side by side along the row direction DH and all cross the same connecting part in space.

[0139] Further, each first touch electrode RX and each second touch electrode TX are electrically connected to a driving chip through a plurality of wires, so that the driving chip provides a driving signal to the touch electrode.

[0140] In this example, the touch layer TSL can include a first touch metal layer TMA, a touch dielectric layer TLD, and a second touch metal layer TMB stacked in sequence. The first touch metal layer TMA can include the transition bridge of the second touch electrode TX. The first touch metal layer TMA can be a single-layer or multi-layer structure. For example, the first touch metal layer TMA can include two outer layers and an intermediate layer between the two outer layers, the material of the outer layer can be titanium, and the material of the intermediate layer can be aluminum. That is, the first touch metal layer TMA is a Ti / Al / Ti structure; or the material of the outer layer can be indium tin oxide (ITO), and the material of the intermediate layer can be aluminum, that is, the first touch metal layer TMA is an ITO / Ag / ITO structure.

[0141] The touch dielectric layer TLD covers the first touch metal layer TMA, and the material thereof can be silicon nitride. Of course, it can also be other inorganic insulating materials or organic insulating materials such as silicon oxide and silicon oxynitride.

[0142] The second touch metal layer TMB can be disposed on the surface of the insulating layer away from the first touch metal layer TMA, and the second touch metal layer TMB can include a first electrode block RXc and a second electrode block TXc. The second touch metal layer TMB can be a single layer or a multi-layer structure, and if it is a multi-layer structure, the second touch metal layer TMB can also be the Ti / Al / Ti structure, the ITO / Ag / ITO structure described above.

[0143] In this example, the first touch electrode RX is located in the first touch metal layer TMA, and the second touch electrode TX is located in the second touch metal layer TMB, and the first touch electrode RX is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer TEL2. Alternatively, the second touch electrode TX is multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer TEL1. In another example, the first touch electrode RX is multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer TEL1, and the second touch electrode TX is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer TEL2, and the color-changing layer ISL is located between the first touch electrode RX and the second touch electrode TX to serve as a touch dielectric layer TLD.

[0144] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the touch layer can further include a touch buffer layer and a protective layer. The touch buffer layer can serve as the substrate of the touch layer, and the material thereof can include silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and other insulating materials. The first touch metal layer TMA can be disposed on one side of the touch buffer layer, and the protective layer can cover the second touch metal layer TMB. The protective layer is used to protect the second touch metal layer TMB, and the material thereof can be polyimide (PI) or transparent insulating materials such as optical glue. The first touch electrode RX and the second touch electrode TX can both be a mesh structure formed by a plurality of grid lines, and the mesh structure has a plurality of mesh holes, each of which is surrounded by a plurality of grid lines. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned switching bridge in the above-mentioned embodiments can also be located in the second touch metal layer TMB, and the first electrode block RXc and the second electrode block TXc can also be located in the first touch metal layer TMA.

[0145] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 13, the touch electrode multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 or the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is defined as a multiplexed electrode. The display module further includes a plurality of selection circuits SEC. The selection circuit SEC is used to transmit a touch signal to the multiplexed electrode in response to a touch control signal, and is used to transmit a color-changing signal to the multiplexed electrode in response to a color-changing control signal to control the electrochromic layer DISL to be in one of the display states. One selection circuit SEC can correspond to one multiplexed electrode, and one selection circuit SEC can also correspond to a plurality of multiplexed electrodes. In this way, the touch function and the color-changing function of the display module can be controlled separately through the touch control signal and the color-changing control signal to adapt to various complex scenarios.

[0146] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 13, the selection circuit SEC includes a touch control circuit SW1 and a color change control circuit SW2. The touch control circuit SW1 is configured to transmit a touch signal to the multiplexing electrode in response to a touch control signal and to be turned off in response to a touch-off signal. The color change control circuit SW2 is configured to transmit a color change signal to the multiplexing electrode in response to a color change control signal and to be turned off in response to a color change-off signal. The multiplexing electrode is electrically connected to the driving chip through the touch control circuit SW1 and the color change control circuit SW2, and the touch control circuit SW1 and the color change control circuit SW2 are connected in parallel. The touch control circuit SW1 is loaded with the touch control signal to transmit the touch signal to the multiplexing electrode to realize the touch function. The color change control circuit SW2 is loaded with the color change control signal to transmit the color change signal to the multiplexing electrode to realize the color change function (semi-transparent state or opaque state). On the one hand, the color change and the touch are independently controlled, and the color change and the touch do not affect each other. On the other hand, the electrochromic layer DISL can be changed to the opaque state or the semi-transparent state by energizing the electrochromic layer DISL, which can avoid the situation that the light reflectivity is reduced without a polarizer, thereby improving the optical effect of the display module. In addition, by controlling the touch control circuit SW1 and the color change control circuit SW2 electrically connected to the multiplexing electrode in a local area, the color change and the touch at the pixel level or near the pixel level (local area) can be realized.

[0147] In one example, when the touch control signal is loaded to the touch control circuit SW1, the color change control signal is loaded to the color change control circuit SW2 to transmit the touch signal and the color change signal to the multiplexing electrode, and the touch signal and the color change signal are complementary clock pulse signals. When the touch signal is at a high level, the color change signal is at a low level. When the touch signal is at a low level, the color change signal is at a high level. When the touch is performed, the high level of the touch signal is loaded to the multiplexing electrode, and the low level of the color change signal is loaded to the multiplexing electrode. When the color change is performed, the low level of the touch signal is loaded to the multiplexing electrode, and the high level of the color change signal is loaded to the multiplexing electrode. In other words, when the touch is performed, the display module is transparent. After the touch is completed, the display module becomes semi-transparent or opaque. However, since the time of finger touch is very short, for example, 20 μs, 30 μs, etc., the human eye cannot identify that the display module is in the transparent state when the touch is performed, and the human eye can see that the display module is always in the semi-transparent or opaque state.

[0148] In another example, when the touch control signal is loaded to the touch control circuit SW1, the color change off signal is loaded to the color change control circuit SW2, so that the touch signal is transmitted to the multiplexing electrode. When the touch off signal is loaded to the touch control circuit SW1, the color change control signal is loaded to the color change control circuit SW2, so that the color change signal is transmitted to the multiplexing electrode. In other words, when the touch is performed, the display module is transparent; after the touch is finished, the display module becomes semi-transparent or opaque. However, since the time of finger touch is very short, for example, 20 μs, 30 μs, etc., the human eye is difficult to identify that the display module is in the transparent state when the touch is performed, and the human eye can see that the display module is always in the semi-transparent or opaque state.

[0149] In other examples, the touch off signal is continuously loaded to the touch control circuit SW1, and the color change control signal is continuously loaded to the color change control circuit SW2, so that the touch function can be realized when the display module is in the transparent state.

[0150] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 13, the control end of each touch control circuit SW1 is electrically connected with a touch control wire L1, and the touch control signal and the touch off signal can be loaded to the touch control wire L1. The control end of each color change control circuit SW2 is electrically connected with a color change control wire L2, and the color change control signal and the color change off signal can be loaded to the color change control wire L2. At least one of the touch control circuit SW1 and the color change control circuit SW2 can be a thin film transistor. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the control end of part of the touch control circuit SW1 is electrically connected with a touch control wire L1, and the control end of part of the color change control circuit SW2 is electrically connected with a color change control wire L2, so that all the touch control circuits SW1 have multiple touch control wires L1, and all the color change control circuits SW2 have multiple color change control wires L2. When the local area of the display panel PNL needs to be touched, the touch control signal can be loaded to the touch control wire L1 of the touch control circuit SW1 electrically connected with the multiplexing electrode in the local area, and the touch off signal can be loaded to the touch control wire L1 of the touch control circuit SW1 electrically connected with the multiplexing electrode outside the local area, so as to realize the touch of the local area of the display panel PNL. When the local area of the display panel PNL needs to become semi-transparent or opaque, the color change control signal can be loaded to the color change control wire L2 of the color change control circuit SW2 electrically connected with the multiplexing electrode in the local area, and the color change off signal can be loaded to the color change control wire L2 of the color change control circuit SW2 electrically connected with the multiplexing electrode outside the local area, so as to realize the color change of the local area of the display panel PNL. In this way, the touch or color change of the local area of the display panel PNL is realized, which is beneficial to be applied in various complex scenes.

[0151] It should be noted that the second touch electrode TX is taken as an example of multiplexing electrode in FIG. 13.

[0152] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch control circuit SW1 includes a first transistor; a first electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected with the multiplexing electrode, a second electrode is configured to receive a touch signal, and a control electrode is configured to receive a touch control signal. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the touch control circuit SW1 can include a plurality of first transistors connected in series or in parallel.

[0153] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch control circuit SW1 includes a second transistor; a first electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected with the multiplexing electrode, a second electrode is configured to receive a color change signal, and a control electrode is configured to receive a color change control signal. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the color change control circuit SW2 can include a plurality of second transistors connected in series or in parallel.

[0154] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 18, the driving layer DRL includes a shielding layer BSM and a transistor layer distributed in a direction away from the substrate BP; the shielding layer BSM is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer TEL2. The electrochromic layer DISL is disposed between the shielding layer BSM and the substrate BP, the shielding layer BSM is electrically connected with a driving power voltage terminal, and the shielding layer BSM is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer TEL2, and the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 is connected with a driving signal. In this way, on the one hand, the driving power voltage VDD (not shown in FIG. 18) is electrically connected with the shielding layer BSM, so as to form a shielding network between the substrate BP and the semiconductor layer, thereby preventing the charge of the substrate BP from migrating to the semiconductor layer and affecting the service life of the semiconductor layer. On the other hand, the shielding layer BSM is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer TEL2, so that an additional second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is not needed, which is conducive to the thinning of the display panel PNL. In addition, the color change of the electrochromic layer DISL can effectively reflect the ambient light at the back of the display panel PNL, so as to improve the display quality of the display module. Finally, without multiplexing the touch electrode and without setting a selection circuit, the design process can be simplified, the reliability is improved, and the lower bezel can be reduced.

[0155] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shielding layer BSM is not electrically connected with the driving power voltage terminal, and is connected with a constant voltage. The voltage value of the constant voltage is less than the voltage value of the driving power voltage VDD. Since the driving power voltage VDD is high, the service life of the shielding layer BSM is reduced. In this way, the service life of the shielding layer BSM can be improved.

[0156] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 18, the substrate base plate BP includes a substrate BPX and a second barrier layer BAR2. The first transparent electrode layer TEL1 is laminated on the surface of the substrate BPX close to the pixel layer PIXL; the second barrier layer BAR2 covers the second transparent electrode layer TEL2; and the transistor layer is arranged on the side of the second barrier layer BAR2 away from the substrate BPX.

[0157] The display module of the present disclosure is further illustrated by four examples as follows.

[0158] In the first example, referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the display module includes a back film BF, a substrate base plate BP, a driving layer DRL, a pixel layer PIXL, an encapsulation layer TFE, a touch layer TSL, an optical adhesive layer OCA, a first cover plate CG1, an electrochromic layer DISL, and a second cover plate CG2, which are sequentially laminated and arranged adjacently. The electrochromic layer DISL includes a first transparent electrode layer TEL1, a color conversion layer CCL, an electrolyte layer ELL, an ion storage layer LSTL, and a second transparent electrode layer TEL2, which are sequentially laminated and arranged adjacently in the direction away from the substrate base plate BP. The first transparent electrode layer TEL1 is a cathode, the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is an anode, and the first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 are electrically connected through a color change switch unit SW.

[0159] The cover plate CG includes the first cover plate CG1, the electrochromic layer DISL, and the second cover plate CG2, which are sequentially laminated and arranged adjacently, so that the first cover plate CG1, the electrochromic layer DISL, and the second cover plate CG2 form an integral whole.

[0160] By arranging the electrochromic layer DISL in the cover plate CG, when it is required that the display module is in a transparent state, the color change switch unit SW can be opened, so that the electrochromic layer DISL is in a transparent state, and thus the cover plate CG is also in a transparent state, to realize that the display module is in a transparent state.

[0161] When it is required that the display module is in a semi-transparent state or an opaque state, the color change switch unit SW is closed, so that the electrochromic layer DISL changes from a transparent state to a semi-transparent state or an opaque state, and thus the cover plate CG is also in a semi-transparent state or an opaque state, to realize that the display module is in a semi-transparent state or an opaque state.

[0162] In this way, the display module can be actively switched from the transparent state to the semi-transparent state or the opaque state, when the display module displays a picture, which is conducive to improving the display quality of the display module; or is suitable for scenes such as light shielding, anti-peeping, etc. The display module can also be actively switched from the semi-transparent state or the opaque state to the transparent state, so that the user can see the scene behind the display module through the display module. In addition, in this example, the display module can normally display without a polarizer through the color change of the electrochromic layer DISL.

[0163] In a second example, referring to FIGS. 13-15, the display module includes a substrate substrate BP, a driving layer DRL, a pixel layer PIXL, an encapsulation layer TFE, a touch layer TSL, an electrochromic layer DISL, an optical adhesive layer OCA, and a cover plate CG which are sequentially stacked and adjacent.

[0164] The driving layer DRL can include an inorganic buffer layer BUF, a semiconductor layer SCL, a first gate insulating layer GI1, a first gate layer GT1, a second gate insulating layer GI2, a second gate layer GT2, an interlayer dielectric layer ILD, a source-drain metal layer SD, and a planarization layer PLN which are sequentially stacked on the substrate substrate BP and adjacent.

[0165] The pixel layer PIXL includes a pixel electrode layer PEL, a pixel definition layer PDL, an emitting functional layer EFL, and a common electrode layer COML which are sequentially stacked on the planarization layer PLN and adjacent. The pixel electrode layer PEL is electrically connected to the source-drain metal layer SD through a via.

[0166] The touch layer TSL includes a touch buffer layer TBUF, a first touch metal layer TMA, a touch dielectric layer TLD, and a second touch metal layer TMB which are sequentially stacked on the encapsulation layer TFE and adjacent. The first touch metal layer TMA includes a second touch electrode TX adapter bridge. The second touch metal layer TMB includes a first touch electrode RX and a second electrode block TXc.

[0167] The electrochromic layer DISL includes a first transparent electrode layer TEL1, a color conversion layer CCL, an electrolyte layer ELL, an ion storage layer LSTL, and a second transparent electrode layer TEL2 which are sequentially stacked and adjacent away from the substrate substrate BP. The first transparent electrode layer TEL1 is a cathode, and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is an anode. The first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 are electrically connected through a color change switch unit SW.

[0168] The second touch electrode TX is multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer TEL1.

[0169] Thus, by setting the electrochromic layer DISL between the encapsulation layer TFE and the optical adhesive layer OCA, the second touch electrode TX is multiplexed as the first transparent electrode layer TEL1. When it is required that the display module is in a transparent state, the color-changing switch unit SW can be opened, so that the electrochromic layer DISL is in a transparent state, to realize that the display module is in a transparent state.

[0170] When it is required that the display module is in a semi-transparent state or an opaque state, the color-changing switch unit SW is closed, so that the electrochromic layer DISL changes from a transparent state to a semi-transparent state or an opaque state, to realize that the display module is in a semi-transparent state or an opaque state.

[0171] The display module can be actively switched from a transparent state to a semi-transparent state or an opaque state, which is beneficial to improve the display quality of the display module when the display module displays a picture; or is suitable for scenes such as light shielding and anti-peeping. The display module can also be actively switched from a semi-transparent state or an opaque state to a transparent state, so that the user can see the scene behind the display module through the display module. In addition, in this example, the display module can normally display without a polarizer through the color change of the electrochromic layer DISL.

[0172] In a third example, referring to FIG. 13, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the third example is different from the second example in that the electrochromic layer DISL is arranged between the touch layer TSL and the encapsulation layer TFE, and the touch layer TSL does not arrange the touch buffer layer TBUF, and the second touch electrode TX is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer TEL2. In this example, the working principle of the display module is the same as that of the display module in the second example.

[0173] In a fourth example, referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the display module includes a laminated substrate substrate BP, an electrochromic layer DISL, a shielding layer BSM, a driving layer DRL, a pixel layer PIXL, an encapsulation layer TFE, a touch layer TSL, a polarizer POL, an optical adhesive layer OCA, and a cover plate CG.

[0174] The substrate BP includes a substrate BPX and a second barrier layer BAR2. The substrate BPX is provided with two layers which are laminated, and the first barrier layer BAR1 is arranged between the two layers of the substrate BPX. The second barrier layer BAR2 is arranged on one of the substrates BPX close to the driving layer DRL, and the electrochromic layer DISL is arranged between one of the substrates BPX close to the driving layer DRL and the second barrier layer BAR2.

[0175] The electrochromic layer DISL includes a first transparent electrode layer TEL1, a color conversion layer CCL, an electrolyte layer ELL, an ion storage layer LSTL, and a second transparent electrode layer TEL2 which are sequentially stacked and adjacently arranged in a direction away from the substrate base plate BP. The first transparent electrode layer TEL1 is a cathode, and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 is an anode. The first transparent electrode layer TEL1 and the second transparent electrode layer TEL2 are electrically connected through a color change switch unit SW.

[0176] The shielding layer BSM is electrically connected with a driving power supply voltage terminal, and the shielding layer BSM is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer TEL2. The first transparent electrode layer TEL1 is externally connected with a driving signal.

[0177] The driving layer DRL can include an inorganic buffer layer BUF, a semiconductor layer SCL, a first gate insulating layer GI1, a first gate layer GT1, a second gate insulating layer GI2, a second gate layer GT2, an interlayer dielectric layer ILD, a source-drain metal layer SD, and a planarization layer PLN which are sequentially stacked on the second barrier layer BAR2. The semiconductor layer SCL is low-temperature polysilicon. The source-drain metal layer SD is electrically connected with the semiconductor layer SCL through a via, and the source-drain metal layer SD is electrically connected with the first gate layer GT1 through a via.

[0178] The pixel layer PIXL includes a pixel electrode layer PEL, a pixel definition layer PDL, an emitting functional layer EFL, and a common electrode layer COML which are sequentially stacked on the planarization layer PLN and are adjacent. The pixel electrode layer PEL is electrically connected with the source-drain metal layer SD through a via.

[0179] In this way, by arranging the electrochromic layer DISL between the substrate BPX and the second barrier layer BAR2, the shielding layer BSM is multiplexed as the second transparent electrode layer TEL2. When it is required to display the module in a transparent state, the color change switch unit SW can be opened, so that the electrochromic layer DISL is in a transparent state, to realize that the display module is in a transparent state.

[0180] When it is required to display the module in a semi-transparent state or an opaque state, the color change switch unit SW is closed, so that the electrochromic layer DISL changes from a transparent state to a semi-transparent state or an opaque state, to realize that the display module is in a semi-transparent state or an opaque state.

[0181] The display module can be actively switched from the transparent state to the semi-transparent state or the opaque state when the display module displays a picture, which is beneficial to improve the display quality of the display module; or is suitable for light shielding, peep-proof and other scenes. The display module can also be actively switched from the semi-transparent state or the opaque state to the transparent state, so that the user can see the scene behind the display module through the display module. In addition, in this example, the color change of the electrochromic layer DISL can effectively reflect the ambient light behind the display panel PNL to improve the display quality of the display module.

[0182] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, when the display module described in the present disclosure is not needed to display, the display module is in a transparent state, realizing seamless integration of the display module with the external environment. When the display is needed (to display a picture of Best On earth and the like), the display module is in an opaque state, so as to improve the clarity of the display picture, thereby improving the display quality of the display module.

[0183] Referring to Table 1, when the display module displays in the transparent state, in order to improve the display effect, the display brightness is often increased, which will increase the temperature rise of the display screen, and even seriously affect the service life of the display module. Therefore, when displaying, the semi-transparent state or the opaque state needs to be selected, the display effect will be better, and compared with the transparent state display, it is beneficial to improve the service life of the display module. When the display module does not display, according to the requirements of the scene (such as light shielding, peep-proof and other scenes), the transparency required by the display module can be autonomously selected; at the same time, the reliability of the display module can also be increased.

[0184] Table 1: Use effect of the display module in various display states

[0185] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art with the consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. The present application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptive changes of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or conventional technical means in the art that are not disclosed by the present disclosure. The specification and examples are only regarded as exemplary, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display module, comprising: Substrate; A driving layer is disposed on one side of the substrate. A pixel layer is disposed on the side of the driving layer away from the substrate. An electrochromic layer is disposed on one side of the substrate and is capable of switching between at least multiple display states, with different transparency of the electrochromic layer in different display states.

2. The display module according to claim 1, wherein, The electrochromic layer includes a first transparent electrode layer, a color-changing layer, and a second transparent electrode layer, which are sequentially stacked along a direction away from the substrate.

3. The display module according to claim 2, wherein, The color-changing layer includes a color conversion layer, an electrolyte layer, and an ion storage layer, which are sequentially stacked along a direction away from the substrate. Alternatively, the color-changing layer may include an ion storage layer, an electrolyte layer, and a color conversion layer stacked sequentially in a direction away from the substrate.

4. The display module according to claim 1, wherein, The electrochromic layer is located on the side of the pixel layer away from the substrate.

5. The display module according to claim 2, wherein, The display module also includes: A touch layer is disposed on the side of the pixel layer away from the substrate. The electrochromic layer is located on the side of the touch layer away from the substrate. A cover plate is disposed on the side of the electrochromic layer away from the substrate.

6. The display module according to claim 5, wherein, The display module further includes an encapsulation layer and an optical adhesive layer, wherein the encapsulation layer covers the pixel layer; The touch layer is disposed on the surface of the encapsulation layer away from the substrate. The electrochromic layer is located on the surface of the touch layer away from the substrate. The electrochromic layer covers the optical adhesive layer; The cover plate is disposed on the surface of the electrochromic layer away from the substrate.

7. The display module according to claim 2, wherein, The display module further includes a cover plate; the cover plate is disposed on the side of the pixel layer away from the substrate; the electrochromic layer is disposed inside the cover plate.

8. The display module according to claim 2, wherein, At least one of the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer includes a plurality of electrode units spaced apart.

9. The display module according to claim 8, wherein, The display module also includes: A touch layer is disposed on the side of the pixel layer away from the substrate, and includes touch electrodes, wherein the touch electrodes are reused as the first transparent electrode layer or the second transparent electrode layer.

10. The display module according to claim 9, wherein, The touch layer includes a first touch metal layer and a second touch metal layer distributed along a direction away from the substrate, and the touch electrode includes a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode that are intersected and insulated from each other; the first touch electrode is located in the first touch metal layer, and the second touch electrode is located in the second touch metal layer. The first touch electrode is reused as the second transparent electrode layer; or the second touch electrode is reused as the first transparent electrode layer; or the first touch electrode is reused as the first transparent electrode layer, and the second touch electrode is reused as the second transparent electrode layer.

11. The display module according to claim 9, wherein, The touch electrode that is reused as the first transparent electrode layer or the second transparent electrode layer is defined as a reused electrode. The display module also includes: Multiple selection circuits are used to transmit touch signals to the multiplexed electrodes in response to touch control signals, and to transmit color-changing signals to the multiplexed electrodes in response to color-changing control signals, so as to control the electrochromic layer to be in one of the display states.

12. The display module according to claim 11, wherein, The selection circuit includes: A touch control circuit is used to transmit touch signals to the multiplexed electrodes in response to touch control signals; A color-changing control circuit is used to transmit a color-changing signal to the multiplexed electrode in response to a color-changing control signal.

13. The display module according to claim 12, wherein, The touch control circuit includes a first transistor; the first electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to a multiplexed electrode, the second electrode is used to receive touch signals, and the control electrode is used to receive touch control signals; The touch control circuit includes a second transistor; the first electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected to a multiplexed electrode, the second electrode is used to receive a color-changing signal, and the control electrode is used to receive a color-changing control signal.

14. The display module according to claim 2, wherein, The driving layer includes a shielding layer and a transistor layer distributed along a direction away from the substrate; the shielding layer is reused as a second transparent electrode layer.

15. The display module according to claim 14, wherein, The substrate includes: A substrate, wherein the first transparent electrode layer is stacked on the surface of the substrate near the pixel layer; A second barrier layer covers the second transparent electrode layer; the transistor layer is disposed on the side of the second barrier layer away from the substrate.

16. The display module according to claim 14, wherein, The driving layer has a pixel driving circuit; the pixel layer includes light-emitting elements; The pixel driving circuit includes a driving transistor, wherein the first terminal of the driving transistor is electrically connected to the driving power supply voltage terminal, and the second terminal is electrically connected to the light-emitting element. The shielding layer is electrically connected to the voltage terminal of the driving power supply.

17. The display module according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The display module includes a display area and a peripheral area located in the display area; The driving layer is connected to the main circuit board in the peripheral area via a flip-chip film; the electrochromic layer is connected to the transparent display control circuit board or the main circuit board in the peripheral area via a flexible circuit board.

18. The display module according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The display module includes a display area and a peripheral area located in the display area; The driving layer includes peripheral traces located in the peripheral region, and the electrochromic layer includes electrochromic layer traces located in the peripheral region; the electrochromic layer traces are connected to a portion of the peripheral traces, and the peripheral traces are connected to the main circuit board via a flip-chip film.

19. A display device comprising a display module as described in any one of claims 1-18.

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