Display panel and display apparatus

Abstract

A display panel, having a display area that comprises a primary display area and a secondary display area. The display panel comprises a defining layer and a light-emitting layer, the defining layer being provided with a first opening located in the display area; and the light-emitting layer comprising light-emitting patterns, with each light-emitting pattern comprising a first sub-portion and a second sub-portion that are connected to each other, wherein the first sub-portion is located in the first opening, and the second sub-portion is located on the defining layer; a plurality of light-emitting patterns, which are located in the primary display area and used for emitting light of different colors, form a first light-emitting pattern group, and a plurality of light-emitting patterns, which are located in the secondary display area and used for emitting light of different colors, form a second light-emitting pattern group; the arrangement density of a plurality of first light-emitting pattern groups is greater than the arrangement density of a plurality of second light-emitting pattern groups; the number of light-emitting patterns comprised in the first light-emitting pattern group is different from the number of light-emitting patterns comprised in the second light-emitting pattern group; and the sum of areas of orthographic projections of a plurality of first sub-portions in the first light-emitting pattern group is greater than the sum of areas of orthographic projections of a plurality of first sub-portions in the second light-emitting pattern group.

Description

Display panel and display device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411835360.3, filed on December 12, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of display, and in particular, to a display panel and a display device. BACKGROUND

[0003] Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display technology is a technology that uses light-emitting materials to emit light under the drive of current to realize display. OLED display has the advantages of ultra-light, ultra-thin, high brightness, large viewing angle, low voltage, low power consumption, fast response, high definition, shock resistance, bendable, low cost, simple process, less use of raw materials, high luminous efficiency, and wide temperature range. SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a display panel is provided. The display panel includes a display area. The display area includes a main display area and a sub-display area. The sub-display area is located at least one side of the main display area. The display panel includes a boundary layer and a light-emitting layer which are arranged in a stack. The boundary layer has a plurality of first openings located in the main display area and the sub-display area and a plurality of light-transmitting portions located in the sub-display area. The light-emitting layer includes a plurality of light-emitting patterns, at least one of the plurality of light-emitting patterns includes a first sub-portion and a second sub-portion which are connected. The first sub-portion is located in the first opening, and the second sub-portion is located on the boundary layer. A plurality of light-emitting patterns located in the main display area and used to emit different colors of light constitute a first light-emitting pattern group, and a plurality of light-emitting patterns located in the sub-display area and used to emit different colors of light constitute a second light-emitting pattern group. The arrangement density of the plurality of first light-emitting pattern groups in the main display area is greater than the arrangement density of the plurality of second light-emitting pattern groups in the sub-display area. The number of light-emitting patterns included in the first light-emitting pattern group is different from the number of light-emitting patterns included in the second light-emitting pattern group. The sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-portions in the first light-emitting pattern group on the plane of the display panel is greater than the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-portions in the second light-emitting pattern group on the plane of the display panel.

[0005] In some embodiments, the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-portions in the first light-emitting pattern group on the plane of the display panel is 2 to 4 times the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-portions in the second light-emitting pattern group on the plane of the display panel.

[0006] In some embodiments, the plurality of light emitting patterns comprises a plurality of first patterns, a plurality of second patterns and a plurality of third patterns for emitting light of different colors. The first light emitting pattern group comprises one first pattern, two second patterns and one third pattern. In the first light emitting pattern group, a line between the centers of the orthographic projections of the two second patterns on the plane where the display panel is located intersects with a line between the centers of the orthographic projections of the first pattern and the third pattern on the plane where the display panel is located. The second light emitting pattern group comprises two first subgroups which are adjacent to each other. The first subgroup comprises one first pattern, one second pattern and one third pattern. In the first subgroup, a line between the centers of the orthographic projections of the first pattern, the second pattern and the third pattern on the plane where the display panel is located forms a triangle.

[0007] In some embodiments, in the second light emitting pattern group, one of the second pattern and the third pattern is a target pattern and the other is a non-target pattern. The plurality of light emitting patterns in the second light emitting pattern group are arranged in two rows. Two target patterns are arranged in a first row and two non-target patterns and two first patterns are arranged in a second row in an alternating manner along the direction in which the rows are located. The centers of the orthographic projections of adjacent first patterns on the plane where the display panel is located and the centers of the orthographic projections of non-target patterns on the plane where the display panel is located are staggered in a first direction from the center of the orthographic projection of the target pattern on the plane where the display panel is located. The first direction is perpendicular to the row direction and parallel to the plane where the display panel is located.

[0008] In some embodiments, in the second light emitting pattern group, the distance between the first subparts of the two target patterns ranges from 6 μm to 13 μm.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second subparts of the two target patterns are connected to each other.

[0010] In some embodiments, the size of the first subpart of the target pattern along the row direction is greater than or equal to the size of the first subpart of the target pattern along the first direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, in the first subgroup, the first subpart of the target pattern is directly opposite to the first subpart of the first pattern and the first subpart of the non-target pattern respectively along the first direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, in the second light emitting pattern group, the orthographic projection of the two first subgroups on the plane where the display panel is located is centrosymmetric about the center point of the orthographic projection of the second light emitting pattern group on the plane where the display panel is located.

[0013] In some embodiments, in the second light-emitting pattern group, the shape of the normal projection of the first sub-portion onto the plane where the display panel is located comprises a rectangle, a square, a circle or a curved circle. The curved circle comprises an arc edge of a semicircle and an arc edge of a semi-ellipse, and the major axis of the semi-ellipse is equal to the diameter of the semicircle.

[0014] In some embodiments, in the curved circle, the arc edge of the semi-ellipse is farther away from the center of the second light-emitting pattern group than the arc edge of the semicircle.

[0015] In some embodiments, in the second light-emitting pattern group, in the same light-emitting pattern, the second sub-portion surrounds the first sub-portion, and the shape of the outer boundary line of the normal projection of the second sub-portion of the light-emitting pattern onto the plane where the display panel is located is the same as the shape of the outer boundary line of the normal projection of the first sub-portion of the light-emitting pattern onto the plane where the display panel is located.

[0016] In some embodiments, in the sub-display area, the normal projection of at least one second sub-portion onto the plane where the display panel is located partially overlaps or does not overlap with the normal projection of the light-transmitting portion onto the plane where the display panel is located.

[0017] In some embodiments, the plurality of second light-emitting pattern groups are arranged in multiple rows. In adjacent two rows of second light-emitting pattern groups, two second light-emitting pattern groups located in different rows are staggered, and two second light-emitting pattern groups located in the same row are spaced apart by the light-transmitting portion.

[0018] In some embodiments, the light-emitting layer comprises a plurality of redundant patterns. The plurality of redundant patterns are located in the sub-display area, and at least one redundant pattern covers a part of at least one light-transmitting portion. At least one redundant pattern is connected to an adjacent light-emitting pattern.

[0019] In some embodiments, the plurality of redundant patterns comprise a plurality of first redundant patterns, a plurality of second redundant patterns and a plurality of third redundant patterns. The plurality of light-emitting patterns comprise a plurality of first patterns, a plurality of second patterns and a plurality of third patterns for emitting light of different colors. The light-emitting layer comprises a first light-emitting layer, a second light-emitting layer and a third light-emitting layer. The first patterns and the first redundant patterns are located in the first light-emitting layer, the second patterns and the second redundant patterns are located in the second light-emitting layer, and the third patterns and the third redundant patterns are located in the third light-emitting layer.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second group of light emitting patterns comprises two first sub-groups which are adjacent to each other. The first sub-group comprises a first pattern, a second pattern and a third pattern. In the first sub-group, the first pattern, the second pattern and the third pattern are arranged in a triangle shape in the display panel plane. The first redundant pattern is arranged in a space between the first pattern and the second pattern, and / or the second redundant pattern is arranged in a space between the second pattern and the third pattern.

[0021] In some embodiments, the third redundant pattern is connected to two third patterns which are adjacent to each other. The first redundant pattern and the second redundant pattern at least partially overlap with the third redundant pattern in the display panel plane.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second group of light emitting patterns comprises two first sub-groups which are adjacent to each other. The first sub-group comprises a first pattern, a second pattern and a third pattern. In the first sub-group, the first pattern, the second pattern and the third pattern are arranged in a triangle shape in the display panel plane. Two second patterns are arranged adjacent to each other. The first redundant pattern is connected to an adjacent first pattern, and the second redundant pattern is connected to one or two adjacent second patterns. The third redundant pattern is connected to an adjacent third pattern. The second redundant pattern partially overlaps with an adjacent first redundant pattern in the display panel plane, the second redundant pattern partially overlaps with an adjacent third redundant pattern in the display panel plane, and the first redundant pattern does not overlap with an adjacent third redundant pattern in the display panel plane.

[0023] In some embodiments, the light emitting patterns comprise a first pattern, a second pattern and a third pattern for emitting different color light. The first pattern is for emitting red light, the second pattern is for emitting green light, and the third pattern is for emitting blue light. Alternatively, the first pattern is for emitting red light, the second pattern is for emitting blue light, and the third pattern is for emitting green light.

[0024] In another aspect, a display device is provided. The display device comprises a display panel as described in any of the above embodiments, and an optical element. The optical element is located in a sub-display area of the display panel, and is located on a non-light-emitting side of the display panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present disclosure, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings in the following description only represent some embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art according to these drawings. In addition, the drawings in the following description can be regarded as schematic diagrams, and are not limited to the actual size of the products involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of another display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of yet another display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of yet another display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of a display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a boundary layer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of another boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of yet another boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of yet another boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of yet another boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 12 is a structural diagram of yet another boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 13 is a structural diagram of yet another boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 14 is a structural diagram of yet another boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 15 is a structural diagram of yet another boundary layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 16 is a structural diagram of a defining layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 17 is a structural diagram of a defining layer and a light-emitting pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 18 is a structural diagram of a defining layer, a first light-emitting layer, a second light-emitting layer, and a third light-emitting layer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 19 is a structural diagram of a defining layer, a first light-emitting layer, a second light-emitting layer, and a third light-emitting layer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 20 is a structural diagram of a defining layer and a first light-emitting layer according to FIG. 19;

[0046] FIG. 21 is a structural diagram of a defining layer and a second light-emitting layer according to FIG. 19;

[0047] FIG. 22 is a structural diagram of a defining layer and a third light-emitting layer according to FIG. 19;

[0048] FIG. 23 is a structural diagram of a defining layer, a first light-emitting layer, a second light-emitting layer, and a third light-emitting layer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 24 is a structural diagram of a defining layer and a first light-emitting layer according to FIG. 23;

[0050] FIG. 25 is a structural diagram of a defining layer and a second light-emitting layer according to FIG. 23;

[0051] FIG. 26 is a structural diagram of a defining layer and a third light-emitting layer according to FIG. 23. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The technical solutions in some embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments provided by the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art belong to the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0053] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the term "comprise," and variations thereof (e.g., "comprises" and "comprising"), will be construed to be inclusive in a manner consistent with the term's plain meaning, namely, "including but not limited to." In describing the description, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "exemplary embodiments," "example," "specific example" or "some examples," and the like, mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment or example of the disclosure, but that it can not be included in other embodiments or examples. The illustrative appearance of the foregoing terms in various places in the description are not necessarily intended to refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0054] Hereinafter, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used only for the purpose of description and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implying the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments of the disclosure, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise specified.

[0055] In describing some embodiments, "coupled" and "connected," and variations thereof, can be used. The term "connected" should be interpreted broadly, for example, "connected" can be fixedly connected, or detachably connected, or integrated; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. The term "coupled" indicates, for example, that two or more components have direct physical contact or electrical contact. The term "coupled" or "communicatively coupled" can also mean that two or more components do not have direct contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact with each other. The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the content herein.

[0056] "A, B, and C at least one of" has the same meaning as "at least one of A, B, or C", and includes the following combinations of A, B, and C: only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, and a combination of A, B, and C.

[0057] "A and / or B" includes the following three combinations: only A, only B, and a combination of A and B.

[0058] It will be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers can also be present.

[0059] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional and / or plan view illustrations that are idealized examples. In the interest of clarity, not all of the scale of the layers and regions can be shown in the drawings, which can distort the representation of the actual sizes of the layers and regions. Thus, the exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the precise shapes and dimensions illustrated in the drawings. In particular, the exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments to the precise shapes and dimensions illustrated in the drawings, and are intended to include all shapes and dimensions that might achieve the same functional result as the precise shapes and dimensions illustrated in the drawings. For example, an etched region shown as a rectangle will typically have curved features. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic and not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments to the precise shapes and dimensions illustrated in the drawings.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device 1000, which can be any display device that displays images whether in motion (e.g., video) or stationary (e.g., still images) and whether textual or pictorial. More specifically, it is contemplated that the display device of the described embodiments can be implemented in or in association with a variety of electronic devices such as, but not limited to, mobile telephones, wireless devices, personal data assistants (PDAs), hand-held or pocket computers, GPS receivers / navigators, cameras, MP4 video players, camcorders, game consoles, watches, clocks, calculators, television monitors, flat panel displays, computer monitors, automobile displays (e.g., odometer display, etc.), navigation instruments, cockpit controls and / or displays, displays of camera views (e.g., displays of rear view cameras in vehicles), electronic photographs, electronic billboards or signs, projectors, architectural structures, packaging, and aesthetic structures (e.g., displays of images of a piece of jewelry), etc.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 1000 includes a display panel 100 and a cover plate 200.

[0062] In some examples, the display panel 100 can be an organic light-emitting diode display panel (OLED). The cover plate 200 is located at the light-out side of the display panel 100, and the cover plate 200 protects the display panel 100 from being damaged by external bumps and the like. The material of the cover plate 200 can be glass.

[0063] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 3, the display device 1000 can further include an optical element 300, such as an under-screen camera, an under-screen fingerprint recognition sensor, an infrared emitting device, an infrared receiving device, and the like, so that the display device 1000 can implement multiple different functions such as photographing, video recording, fingerprint recognition, face recognition (Face ID), and the like.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the display device 1000 can further include an integrated circuit 400. The integrated circuit 400 is connected with the display panel 100, and is configured to transmit display driving signals and the like to the display panel 100.

[0065] For example, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the display panel 100 has a display area A and a peripheral area D. The display area A is an area of the display panel 100 for displaying a picture, and the peripheral area D is configured to place a driving circuit and the like for providing electrical signals (such as scanning signals, data signals, and the like) to sub-pixels.

[0066] The peripheral area D is arranged around the display area A.

[0067] The shape of the display area A can be a rectangle or a rounded rectangle, and the like. The rounded rectangle refers to that all four corners of the rectangle are rounded.

[0068] The display area A includes a main display area A1 and a sub-display area A2. The sub-display area A2 is located on at least one side of the main display area A1.

[0069] For example, the shape of the sub-display area A2 can be a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle, and the like.

[0070] For example, the sub-display area A2 can be located on one side or multiple sides of the main display area A1.

[0071] For example, in the case where the shape of the display area A is a rectangle, the sub-display area A2 can be located at any position in the middle of the rectangle, or the sub-display area A2 can be located close to any corner of the rectangle, or the sub-display area A2 can be located close to any side of the rectangle.

[0072] The display area A can include at least one sub-display area A2. As shown in FIG. 3, the number of sub-display areas A2 can be one. As shown in FIG. 4, the number of sub-display areas A2 can also be two or more.

[0073] For example, in the display panel 100 described above, the portions located in the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2 can both be used for picture display.

[0074] For example, the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2 is greater than that of the main display area A1.

[0075] Exemplarily, the optical element 300 is located on the non-light-emitting side of the display panel 100, and is located on the auxiliary display area A2 of the display panel 100.

[0076] The light-emitting side of the display panel 100 refers to a side of the display panel 100 on which the display panel 100 can display a picture. The non-light-emitting side of the display panel 100 refers to a side opposite to the light-emitting side of the display panel 100.

[0077] Exemplarily, when the optical element 300 works, light needs to be able to pass through the auxiliary display area A2, for example, light emitted by the optical element 300 can be emitted to the outside through the auxiliary display area A2, and / or outside light can be irradiated on the optical element 300 through the auxiliary display area A2, so as to start the corresponding function of the optical element 300. Since the light transmittance of the auxiliary display area A2 is greater than that of the main display area A1, after the light passes through the auxiliary display area A2, the loss is small, thereby avoiding affecting the function of the optical element 300.

[0078] Exemplarily, taking the optical element 300 as a camera as an example, in the process of working of the camera, outside light can pass through the part of the display panel 100 located in the auxiliary display area A2. In this way, the camera can collect the light, and realize the functions of taking pictures or recording videos. For example, in the case of working of the camera (for example, user self-timer), the auxiliary display area A2 can present a black picture, and the main display area A1 presents a picture of user self-timer, and the position of the camera is more clearly displayed. Alternatively, the auxiliary display area A2 and the main display area A1 as a whole present a picture of user self-timer, and the position of the camera is not displayed.

[0079] Exemplarily, in the case that the camera does not work, the parts of the display panel 100 located in the auxiliary display area A2 and the main display area A1 can display, so that the display panel 100 and the display device 1000 as a whole can display a picture.

[0080] Exemplarily, taking the optical element 300 as an infrared receiving device and an infrared emitting device as an example, in the process of face recognition of the display device 1000, the infrared emitting device emits light such as infrared light to the light-emitting side of the display panel 100 through the part of the display panel 100 located in the auxiliary display area A2, and if there is an object (for example, a face) with relatively high temperature on the light-emitting side of the display panel 100, the object can reflect at least part of the infrared light back to the display panel 100, and the infrared receiving device receives the infrared light, and performs face recognition according to the received infrared light.

[0081] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 5, the display panel 100 includes a pixel circuit layer 10.

[0082] The pixel circuit layer 10 includes a substrate 11 and a plurality of pixel circuits 12 provided on one side of the substrate 11.

[0083] The substrate 11 can be a flexible substrate or a rigid substrate.

[0084] For example, when the substrate 11 is a flexible substrate, the material of the substrate 11 can be dimethylsiloxane, PI (Polyimide), PET (Polyethyleneterephthalate), or the like, which has high elasticity.

[0085] For example, when the substrate 11 is a rigid substrate, the material of the substrate 11 can be glass or the like.

[0086] In some examples, the pixel circuit 12 includes at least one transistor and at least one storage capacitor. The structure of the pixel circuit 12 includes a plurality of structures, which can be selected according to actual needs. For example, the structure of the pixel circuit 12 can include a "6T1C", "7T1C", "6T2C", or "7T2C" structure, and the like. Here, "T" represents a transistor, the number before "T" represents the number of transistors, "C" represents a storage capacitor, and the number before "C" represents the number of storage capacitors. In FIG. 5, the TFT is a transistor in the pixel circuit 12.

[0087] The display panel 100 further includes, as shown in FIG. 5, an anode layer 20, a boundary layer 30, a light-emitting layer 40, and a cathode layer 50, which are sequentially stacked on one side of the pixel circuit layer 10.

[0088] The anode layer 20 includes a plurality of anodes 21 arranged at intervals.

[0089] The boundary layer 30 has a plurality of first openings 31 located in the main display area A1 and the auxiliary display area A2. The plurality of anodes 21 are arranged in correspondence with the plurality of first openings 31, and at least part of the surface of one anode 21 is exposed through the first opening 31 of the boundary layer 30.

[0090] The light-emitting layer 40 includes a plurality of light-emitting patterns 41 arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of anodes 21, and the light-emitting pattern 41 is in contact with the surface of the anode 21 exposed through the first opening 31 of the boundary layer 30.

[0091] The anode 21, the light-emitting pattern 41, and the cathode layer 50 arranged in correspondence constitute a light-emitting device 60.

[0092] The pixel circuit 12 is connected with at least one light emitting device 60. For example, one pixel circuit 12 is connected with one light emitting device 60. For another example, one pixel circuit 12 is connected with a plurality of light emitting devices 60. Specifically, the pixel circuit 12 is connected with the anode 21 of the light emitting device 60, for transmitting the anode voltage to the anode 21. Under the voltage difference between the anode voltage of the anode 21 and the common voltage of the cathode layer 50, the light emitting pattern 41 of the light emitting device 60 emits light.

[0093] The following is described by taking an example of one pixel circuit 12 connected with one light emitting device 60.

[0094] The light emitting device 60 and the pixel circuit 12 connected therewith constitute a sub-pixel. In the same sub-pixel in the auxiliary display area A2, the orthographic projection of the pixel circuit 12 on the substrate 11 at least partially overlaps the orthographic projection of the light emitting device 60 or the light emitting pattern 41 on the substrate 11, so that at least part of the pixel circuit 12 in the auxiliary display area A2 can be hidden under the light emitting device 60, thereby reducing or avoiding the area of the auxiliary display area A2 occupied by the pixel circuit 12 and the light emitting device 60 respectively alone, and further reducing the area of the auxiliary display area A2 occupied by the entire sub-pixel, which is conducive to improving the light transmittance of the auxiliary display area A2 of the display panel, and further improving the performance of the optical element 300.

[0095] In some examples, the display panel further comprises: an encapsulation layer and a functional layer which are arranged in a stack on a side of the plurality of sub-pixels away from the substrate.

[0096] For example, the encapsulation layer can encapsulate and protect the sub-pixel, avoid external water and oxygen from entering the inside of the sub-pixel, and avoid the influence of water and oxygen on the service life of the light emitting device and the display panel.

[0097] For example, the functional layer can be a color filter layer, and the display panel can be a display panel adopting a COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) structure, which can utilize the color filter layer to reduce the reflection of the display panel to external ambient light, etc.

[0098] The functional stack can further include one or more of a touch functional layer, an anti-reflection layer, a hardening layer, and an anti-fingerprint layer, so that the display panel can realize corresponding functions, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not specifically limit the types and quantities of the functional layers.

[0099] The display panel 100 containing the COE structure has the advantages of high contrast, low power consumption, and wide color gamut, and can make the thickness of the display panel 100 smaller, which is conducive to realizing the lightweight design of the display panel 100.

[0100] In a possible implementation, the sub-pixels of the main display area and the sub-display area of the display panel are arranged in the same way. In order to improve the light transmittance of the part of the display panel located in the sub-display area, the number of sub-pixels located in the sub-display area is reduced, and the sub-pixel density of the sub-display area is reduced. However, the simple sub-pixel reduction makes the sub-pixel arrangement of the part of the display panel located in the sub-display area less uniform, and the reduction of the sub-pixel density makes the granularity of the picture displayed by the sub-display area more obvious, so that the uniformity of the pictures displayed by the main display area and the sub-display area is poor, and the display effect of the display panel is affected.

[0101] Based on this, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display panel 100, as shown in FIG. 5, which comprises the pixel circuit layer 10 described above, and an anode layer 20, a boundary layer 30, a light-emitting layer 40, and a cathode layer 50 which are sequentially stacked on one side of the pixel circuit layer 10.

[0102] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the boundary layer 30 further comprises a plurality of light-transmitting parts 32 located in the sub-display area A2.

[0103] The plurality of light-transmitting parts 32 are arranged at intervals, and the light-transmitting part 32 is arranged at an interval from the adjacent first opening 31. The light-transmitting part 32 can transmit light, for example, visible light or infrared light, so that external light can be incident on the optical element 300 through the light-transmitting part 32 in the sub-display area A2, or light emitted by the optical element 300 can be emitted to the light-emitting side of the display panel 100 through the light-transmitting part 32 in the sub-display area A2.

[0104] The light-transmitting part 32 can be arranged in various ways, which can be selected and arranged according to actual needs. For example, the material of the boundary layer 30 is a light-transmitting material, and on the surface of the boundary layer 30 away from the substrate and on the surface of the boundary layer 30 close to the substrate, the parts without structures having a light-shielding effect (for example, the structures having a light-shielding effect can be pixel circuits, etc.) are light-transmitting parts 32. In this way, the size of the light-transmitting part 32 can be relatively large, and the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2 can be ensured to be relatively large. For another example, the boundary layer 30 comprises a plurality of second openings arranged in the sub-display area A2, and the second openings constitute the light-transmitting part 32, and light can be transmitted through the light-transmitting part 32.

[0105] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 7, the light-emitting layer 40 comprises a plurality of light-emitting patterns 41, and at least one light-emitting pattern 41 of the plurality of light-emitting patterns 41 comprises a first sub-part 411 and a second sub-part 412 connected to each other. The first sub-part 411 is located in the first opening 31, and the second sub-part 412 is located on the boundary layer 30.

[0106] For example, one or three of the plurality of light emitting patterns 41 comprises a first sub-portion 411 and a second sub-portion 412 connected together. For another example, each of the plurality of light emitting patterns 41 comprises a first sub-portion 411 and a second sub-portion 412 connected together.

[0107] For example, the second sub-portion 412 overlaps the boundary layer 30. A certain number of the plurality of light emitting patterns 41 are located in the main display area A1, and the second sub-portion 412 of the light emitting patterns 41 overlaps the part of the boundary layer 30 between two adjacent first openings 31. The rest of the plurality of light emitting patterns 41 are located in the auxiliary display area A2, and the second sub-portion 412 of the light emitting patterns 41 can overlap the part of the boundary layer 30 between two adjacent first openings 31 or the adjacent light-transmitting portion 32. Since the thickness of the light emitting pattern 41 is small, external light or light emitted by the optical element can pass through the second sub-portion 412 on the light-transmitting portion 32 with little or almost no loss.

[0108] For example, the first sub-portion 411 is the effective light emitting portion of the light emitting pattern 41, and the first sub-portion 411 is connected to the anode. The first sub-portion 411 can emit light under the action of the voltage difference provided by the anode and the cathode. The second sub-portion 412 is not in contact with the anode, and the second sub-portion 412 does not participate in light emission.

[0109] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of light emitting patterns 41 for emitting different colors of light located in the main display area A1 form a first light emitting pattern group 41A, and the plurality of light emitting patterns 41 for emitting different colors of light located in the auxiliary display area A2 form a second light emitting pattern group 41B.

[0110] For example, the first light emitting pattern group 41A has light emitting patterns capable of emitting red light, blue light, and green light, and the second light emitting pattern group 41B also has light emitting patterns capable of emitting red light, blue light, and green light. Thus, the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting patterns 41 in the first light emitting pattern group 41A can form an image that is less different from the image formed by the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting patterns 41 in the second light emitting pattern group 41B, thereby reducing the difference between the image displayed by the main display area A1 and the image displayed by the auxiliary display area A2, and improving the consistency of the image displayed by the display panel.

[0111] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 7, the arrangement density of the plurality of first light-emitting pattern groups 41A in the main display area A1 is greater than the arrangement density of the plurality of second light-emitting pattern groups 41B in the auxiliary display area A2.

[0112] For example, the plurality of first light-emitting pattern groups 41A are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns, the plurality of second light-emitting pattern groups 41B are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns, the spacing between adjacent two rows of first light-emitting pattern groups 41A is less than the spacing between adjacent two rows of second light-emitting pattern groups 41B, and / or the spacing between adjacent two columns of first light-emitting pattern groups 41A is less than the spacing between adjacent two columns of second light-emitting pattern groups 41B.

[0113] In this way, the arrangement density of the second light-emitting pattern groups 41B in the auxiliary display area A2 can be relatively small, so that the gap between adjacent second light-emitting pattern groups 41B in the auxiliary display area A2 is large, which is beneficial to improve the light transmittance of the auxiliary display area A2, and further improve the performance of the optical element 300.

[0114] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 7, the number of light-emitting patterns 41 included in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A is different from the number of light-emitting patterns 41 included in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B.

[0115] For example, the first light-emitting pattern group 41A includes four light-emitting patterns 41, and the second light-emitting pattern group 41B includes six light-emitting patterns 41.

[0116] In this way, the arrangement of the plurality of light-emitting patterns 41 in the main display area A1 can be different from the arrangement of the plurality of light-emitting patterns 41 in the auxiliary display area A2, which can utilize the plurality of light-emitting patterns 41 arranged differently in the auxiliary display area A2 to adjust the difference between the display image in the auxiliary display area A2 and the display image in the main display area A1 due to the decrease of the sub-pixel density, reduce the display difference between the main display area A1 and the auxiliary display area A2, alleviate the granularity phenomenon of the display image in the auxiliary display area A2, and further improve the uniformity of the display image of the display panel 100.

[0117] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 7, the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts 411 in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is greater than the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts 411 of the second light-emitting pattern group 41B on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0118] For example, the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the four first sub-parts 411 in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A on the plane in which the display panel 100 is located is greater than the sum of the areas of the orthographic projection of the six first sub-parts 411 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B on the plane in which the display panel 100 is located.

[0119] As can be seen from the above, the first sub-part 411 is the effective light-emitting part of the light-emitting pattern 41, the first opening 31 corresponding to the first sub-part 411 is arranged apart from the light-transmitting part 32, and thus the above arrangement can make the area of the effective light-emitting part of the second light-emitting pattern group 41B smaller, make the area of the light-transmitting region in the sub-display area A2 larger, make the area (here, the area refers to the area of the orthogonal projection of the light-transmitting part 32 on the substrate) of the light-transmitting part 32 larger, and thus make the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2 higher, which is beneficial to improving the performance of the optical element 300.

[0120] The above embodiments of the present disclosure make the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2 larger by arranging the delimiting layer 30 of the display panel 100 to include a plurality of first openings 31 and a plurality of light-transmitting parts 32 in the sub-display area A2, arranging the light-emitting layer 40 to include a plurality of light-emitting patterns 41, arranging the first sub-part 411 of the light-emitting pattern 41 to be located in the first opening 31, arranging the second sub-part 412 to be located on the delimiting layer 30, and arranging the arrangement density of the plurality of first light-emitting pattern groups 41A in the main display area A1 to be greater than the arrangement density of the plurality of second light-emitting pattern groups 41B in the sub-display area A2. Further, the sum of the areas of the orthogonal projections of the plurality of first sub-parts 411 in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is greater than the sum of the areas of the orthogonal projections of the plurality of first sub-parts 411 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, which can make the area of the effective light-emitting part of the second light-emitting pattern group 41B smaller, make the area of the light-transmitting region in the sub-display area A2 larger, make the area of the light-transmitting part 32 larger, and thus further increase the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2, make the loss of light smaller after the light transmits through the sub-display area A2, and thus, in the case where the display panel 100 is applied to the display device 1000 including the optical element 300, the amount of light collected by the optical element 300 or the amount of light emitted by the optical element 300 through the sub-display area A2 can be larger, and thus the performance of the optical element 300 can be improved. Further, the number of light-emitting patterns 41 included in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A is different from the number of light-emitting patterns 41 included in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B, which makes the arrangement of the light-emitting patterns 41 in the main display area A1 different from the arrangement of the light-emitting patterns 41 in the sub-display area A2. The plurality of light-emitting patterns 41 arranged differently in the sub-display area A2 can be used to adjust the difference between the display image in the sub-display area A2 and the display image in the main display area A1 due to the decrease in the sub-pixel density, reduce the display difference between the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, alleviate the granularity phenomenon of the display image in the sub-display area A2, and improve the uniformity of the display image of the display panel 100.

[0121] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts 411 in the first luminous pattern group 41A onto the plane where the display panel 100 is located is 2 to 4 times the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts 411 in the second luminous pattern group 41B onto the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0122] For example, the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts 411 in the first luminous pattern group 41A onto the plane of the display panel 100 is 2 times (refer to FIG. 9), 2.5 times, 3 times, or 4 times (refer to FIG. 8) the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts 411 in the second luminous pattern group 41B onto the plane of the display panel 100.

[0123] Therefore, the area of ​​the first sub-part 411 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B can be smaller. Since the first sub-part 411 is located within the first opening 31, the area of ​​the first opening 31 in the defining layer 30 of the sub-display area A2 is smaller, allowing the area of ​​the light-transmitting part 32 to be set relatively larger. This increases the sum of the areas of the multiple light-transmitting parts 32, improves the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2, and enhances the performance of the optical element 300. Furthermore, the smaller area of ​​the first sub-part 411 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B has less impact on the luminous lifespan of the light-emitting device, resulting in a longer luminous lifespan for both the light-emitting device and the display lifespan of the display panel 100.

[0124] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7, the plurality of light-emitting patterns 41 include: a plurality of first patterns 421, a plurality of second patterns 422 and a plurality of third patterns 423 for emitting light of different colors.

[0125] In some examples, in the above-mentioned luminescent pattern 41, the first pattern 421 is used to emit red light, the second pattern 422 is used to emit green light, and the third pattern 423 is used to emit blue light. Alternatively, the first pattern 421 is used to emit red light, the second pattern 422 is used to emit blue light, and the third pattern 423 is used to emit green light.

[0126] As shown in Figure 7, the first luminous pattern group 41A includes a first pattern 421, two second patterns 422, and a third pattern 423. In the first luminous pattern group 41A, the line L1 connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the two second patterns 422 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located intersects the line L2 connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the first pattern 421 and the third pattern 423 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0127] For example, in the first luminous pattern group 41A, the pattern formed by connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the four luminous patterns 41 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located can be a quadrilateral.

[0128] The second luminous pattern group 41B includes two adjacent first subgroups 410B. The first subgroup 410B includes a first pattern 421, a second pattern 422, and a third pattern 423. In the first subgroup 410B, the line connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the first pattern 421, the second pattern 422, and the third pattern 423 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located forms a triangle.

[0129] For example, in the second luminous pattern group 41B, the lines connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the three luminous patterns 41 in the two first subgroups 410B onto the plane where the display panel 100 is located are all triangles, and the two triangles can be symmetrically distributed about the center line between the two first subgroups 410B.

[0130] In the above configuration, the number of light-emitting patterns 41 in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A is different from the number of light-emitting patterns 41 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B, and the arrangement of the light-emitting patterns 41 in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A and the second light-emitting pattern group 41B is different. This allows for a differentiated design of the arrangement of light-emitting patterns 41 in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A and the second light-emitting pattern group 41B, avoiding or mitigating the problem of image display granularity caused by simple sub-pixel reduction in a possible implementation. Furthermore, the number of light-emitting patterns 41 in the first light-emitting pattern group 41A is less than the number of light-emitting patterns 41 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B, resulting in a larger number of sub-pixels that can be formed by the light-emitting patterns 41 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B. This, to a certain extent, increases the sub-pixel density of the sub-display area A2, further avoiding or mitigating the problem of image display granularity caused by simple sub-pixel reduction in a possible implementation, and improving the uniformity of the image displayed in display area A. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7, a plurality of second light-emitting pattern groups 41B are arranged in multiple rows, for example, arranged in multiple rows along the first direction Y. In two adjacent rows of second light-emitting pattern groups 41B, two adjacent second light-emitting pattern groups 41B located in different rows are staggered, and two adjacent second light-emitting pattern groups 41B located in the same row are separated by light-transmitting portions 32.

[0131] For example, the direction of the row can be the second direction X. In addition, Z in Figure 7 is a third direction, which is perpendicular to both the first direction Y and the second direction X. The third direction Z is the direction in which the thickness of the display panel is located.

[0132] For example, multiple second light-emitting pattern groups 41B are arranged in multiple columns, such as multiple columns along the second direction X. In two adjacent columns of second light-emitting pattern groups 41B, two adjacent second light-emitting pattern groups 41B located in different columns are staggered, and two adjacent second light-emitting pattern groups 41B located in the same column are separated by light-transmitting portions 32.

[0133] For example, as shown in Figure 7, taking the shape of the sub-display area A2 as a rectangle, a second luminous pattern group 41B is adjacent to at least two light-transmitting parts 32.

[0134] The above arrangement allows the second light-emitting pattern group 41B and the light-transmitting part 32 to be arranged alternately in the sub-display area A2, resulting in a more uniform arrangement of the second light-emitting pattern group 41B and the light-transmitting part 32. This leads to a more uniform sub-pixel arrangement in the sub-display area A2, resulting in more uniform light emitted from the sub-display area A2 and more accurate images displayed in the sub-display area A2, thereby improving the display effect of the sub-display area A2. Furthermore, the more uniform arrangement of the light-transmitting part 32 ensures that the light received by the optical element 300 (or the light emitted by the optical element 300 through the sub-display area A2) is more uniform, which is beneficial for improving the performance of the optical element 300, such as improving the image quality of the camera and the accuracy of face recognition.

[0135] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 10 to 16, in the second pattern 422 and the third pattern 423 of the second luminescent pattern group 41B, one is a target pattern and the other is a non-target pattern.

[0136] In the second luminous pattern group 41B, the multiple luminous patterns 41 are arranged in two rows. The two target patterns are arranged in the first row, and the two non-target patterns and the two first patterns 421 are arranged alternately along the direction of the row in the second row.

[0137] In the above configuration, setting the two target patterns in a row can save space on the plane of the display panel 100, which is conducive to increasing the setting area of ​​the light-transmitting part 32, thereby increasing the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2, increasing the amount of light received by the optical element 300 (or the amount of light emitted by the optical element 300 through the sub-display area A2), and thus improving the performance of the optical element 300.

[0138] In some examples, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the center of the orthographic projection of the adjacent target pattern onto the plane of the display panel is directly or approximately directly opposite the center of the orthographic projection of the non-target pattern onto the plane of the display panel in the first direction Y.

[0139] Here, "adjacent" refers to the target pattern being adjacent to non-target patterns.

[0140] For example, as shown in Figure 13, the target pattern is the third pattern 423. The line M1 connecting the center of the orthographic projection of the adjacent third pattern 423 onto the plane of the display panel and the center of the orthographic projection of the second pattern 422 onto the plane of the display panel extends along the first direction Y, or the line has a small angle with the first direction Y.

[0141] For example, as shown in Figure 14, the target pattern is the second pattern 422. The line M2 connecting the center of the orthographic projection of the adjacent second pattern 422 onto the plane of the display panel and the center of the orthographic projection of the third pattern 423 onto the plane of the display panel extends along the first direction Y, or the line has a small angle with the first direction Y.

[0142] In other examples, as shown in Figures 10-12 and 15-16, the center N1 of the orthographic projection of the adjacent first pattern 421 onto the plane of the display panel, the center N2 of the orthographic projection of the non-target pattern onto the plane of the display panel, and the center N3 of the orthographic projection of the target pattern onto the plane of the display panel are offset in the first direction Y. The first direction Y is perpendicular to the row direction and parallel to the plane of the display panel 100.

[0143] The center of the orthographic projection of the first pattern 421 onto the plane of the display panel refers to the geometric center of the shape of the orthographic projection of the first pattern 421 onto the plane of the display panel. For example, if the shape of the orthographic projection is a circle, the center is the center of the circle; or if the shape of the orthographic projection is a rectangle, the center is the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle.

[0144] Furthermore, the aforementioned staggered arrangement is beneficial to the uniformity of light mixing among the light-emitting patterns emitting different colors of light in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B, thereby improving the graphic display quality of the sub-display area A2.

[0145] In some examples, as shown in Figures 11 and 16, in the second luminous pattern group 41B, the second pattern 422 is the target pattern and the third pattern 423 is a non-target pattern. Therefore, in the second luminous pattern group 41B, the two second patterns 422 are arranged in the first row, and the two third patterns 423 and the two first patterns 421 are alternately arranged in the second row along the direction of the row. Referring to Figure 11, the arrangement of the second row is: one first pattern 421, one third pattern 423, another first pattern 421, and another third pattern 423. The center N1 of the orthographic projection of the adjacent first pattern 421 onto the plane of the display panel and the center N2 of the orthographic projection of the third pattern 423 onto the plane of the display panel are offset from the center N3 of the orthographic projection of the second pattern 422 onto the plane of the display panel in the first direction Y.

[0146] In other examples, as shown in Figures 10 and 15, in the second pattern 422 and the third pattern 423 of the second luminous pattern group 41B, the third pattern 423 is the target pattern and the second pattern 422 is a non-target pattern. Therefore, the two third patterns 423 in the second luminous pattern group 41B are arranged in the first row, and the two second patterns 422 and the two first patterns 421 are alternately arranged in the second row along the direction of the row. Referring to Figure 10, the arrangement of the second row is: one first pattern 421, one second pattern 422, another first pattern 421, and another second pattern 422. The center N1 of the orthographic projection of the adjacent first pattern 421 onto the plane of the display panel and the center N2 of the orthographic projection of the second pattern 422 onto the plane of the display panel, as well as the center N3 of the orthographic projection of the third pattern 423 onto the plane of the display panel, are offset in the first direction Y.

[0147] For example, in this example, the third pattern 423 is used to emit blue light, the second pattern 422 is used to emit green light, and the first pattern 421 is used to emit red light.

[0148] The human eye has varying sensitivities to different colors of light. For example, the human eye can more easily see or perceive green light and its boundaries than blue light. Therefore, in the display panel 100, the boundaries of subpixels emitting green light are more easily seen or perceived by the human eye.

[0149] In the example disclosed above, light-transmitting portions 32 are provided between adjacent second emitting pattern groups 41B along the first direction Y or along the second direction X. The second pattern 422 emitting green light and the first pattern 421 emitting red light are alternately arranged in the row direction X to form a second row. This ensures that in the boundary of the sub-pixel emitting green light formed by the two second patterns 422, the smaller boundary (referring to the portion of the boundary between the two second patterns 422 in Figure 10 excluding boundaries F1, F2, and F3) is adjacent to the light-transmitting portion 32, and the larger boundary (referring to the portion of the boundary between the two second patterns 422 in Figure 10 excluding boundaries F1, F2, and F3) is adjacent to the light-transmitting portion 32. In Figure 10, the boundaries F1, F2, and F3 of the two second patterns 422 are adjacent to the red light emitted by the first pattern 421 and the blue light emitted by the third pattern 423. Furthermore, the green light boundary merges with the red and blue light boundaries, thereby reducing the proportion and probability of the green light boundary emitted by the sub-pixels formed by the second patterns 422 being captured by the human eye. This reduces the difference between the light emission boundaries of the sub-pixels formed by the second patterns 422 and the light emission boundaries of the sub-pixels formed by the third patterns 423 that can be captured by the human eye, thereby improving the quality of the image displayed in the sub-display area A2.

[0150] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the spacing H between the first sub-parts 411 of the two target patterns in the second luminescent pattern group 41B ranges from 6 μm to 13 μm.

[0151] For example, in the second luminescent pattern group 41B, the spacing H between the first sub-parts 411 of the two target patterns can be 6μm, 8μm, 10μm, 11μm, 12μm or 13μm.

[0152] By adopting the above settings, the spacing between the two target patterns arranged in the first row can be smaller, the area occupied by the second light-emitting pattern group 41B on the plane of the display panel can be relatively small, and the area of ​​the light-transmitting part 32 can be set relatively large, thereby improving the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2.

[0153] For example, a photomask and vapor deposition process can be used to form the light-emitting layer 40. The photomask can be a fine metal mask (FMM). The photomask has multiple openings. Using the vapor deposition process, the material of the light-emitting layer 40 is deposited through the openings of the photomask into the first opening 31 of the defining layer 30 and onto the defining layer 30 to form the light-emitting pattern 41.

[0154] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 12 to 14, the second sub-parts 412 of the two target patterns are interconnected.

[0155] Therefore, in the process of preparing the light-emitting pattern 41 using a mask, two target patterns can be formed using the same opening of the mask. This reduces the number of openings in the mask, lowers the manufacturing cost of the mask, and allows for a larger opening area, thereby reducing the manufacturing difficulty of the mask and helping to reduce the manufacturing cost of the light-emitting layer 40 and the display panel 100.

[0156] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 10 to 16, the dimension S1 of the first sub-part 411 of the target pattern along the row direction is greater than or equal to the dimension S2 of the first sub-part 411 of the target pattern along the first direction Y.

[0157] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the target pattern is the second pattern 422. The first sub-part 411 of the second pattern 422 has a dimension S1 along the second direction X that is larger than its dimension S2 along the first direction Y. The shape of the orthographic projection of the second pattern 422 onto the plane of the display panel is a rectangle.

[0158] For example, as shown in Figure 13, the target pattern is the third pattern 423. The first sub-part 411 of the third pattern 423 has a dimension S1 along the second direction X equal to its dimension S2 along the first direction Y. The shape of the orthographic projection of the third pattern 423 onto the plane of the display panel is a square.

[0159] As a result, the size of the first sub-part 411 of the target pattern is smaller in the first direction Y, the area occupied by the second light-emitting pattern group 41B in the plane where the defining layer 30 is located is smaller, and the area of ​​the light-transmitting part 32 can be set to be relatively large, thereby improving the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2 and improving the performance of the optical element 300.

[0160] In some examples, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, in the first subgroup 410B, in the first direction Y, the first sub-part 411 of the target pattern (in Figure 10, the target pattern is the third pattern 423, and in Figure 11, the target pattern is the second pattern 422) is directly opposite to the first sub-part 411 of the first pattern 421 and the first sub-part 411 of the non-target pattern (in Figure 10, the non-target pattern is the second pattern 422, and in Figure 11, the non-target pattern is the third pattern 423).

[0161] For example, taking Figure 10 as an example, the first sub-part 411 of the target pattern (third pattern 423) has a larger size in the second direction X. The orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 of the target pattern (third pattern 423) into the second direction X coincides with the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 of the first pattern 421 into the second direction X, and also coincides with the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 of the non-target pattern (second pattern 422) into the second direction X.

[0162] Therefore, the area occupied by the second light-emitting pattern group 41B on the plane of the defining layer 30 can be further reduced, so that the area of ​​the light-transmitting part 32 can be set relatively large, thereby improving the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2 and improving the performance of the optical element 300.

[0163] For example, taking Figure 10 as an example, the size of the first sub-part 411 of the target pattern (third pattern 423) in the second direction X is less than or equal to the size occupied in the second direction X by the whole consisting of the first sub-part 411 of the first pattern 421 and the first sub-part 411 of the non-target pattern (second pattern 422).

[0164] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG17, the orthographic projection patterns of the two first subgroups 410B on the plane where the display panel 100 is located in the second luminous pattern group 41B are centrally symmetrical about the center point N4 of the orthographic projection pattern of the second luminous pattern group 41B on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0165] For example, the orthographic projection of the second luminous pattern group 41B on the plane of the display panel 100 is approximately a parallelogram, with the center point N4 of the parallelogram being the intersection of its diagonals. After rotating the orthographic projection of one of the two first subgroups 410B by 180° along the aforementioned center point N4, it can coincide with the orthographic projection of the other first subgroup 410B. Specifically, the orthographic projection of the first pattern 421 in one first subgroup 410B, after being rotated 180° around the center point N4, can coincide with the orthographic projection of the first pattern 421 in another first subgroup 410B; the orthographic projection of the second pattern 422 in one first subgroup 410B, after being rotated 180° around the center point N4, can coincide with the orthographic projection of the second pattern 422 in another first subgroup 410B; and the orthographic projection of the third pattern 423 in one first subgroup 410B, after being rotated 180° around the center point N4, can coincide with the orthographic projection of the third pattern 423 in another first subgroup 410B.

[0166] The above arrangement allows the multiple light-emitting patterns 41 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B to be arranged more closely, and the gap between adjacent light-emitting patterns 41 to be smaller. This reduces the area occupied by the second light-emitting pattern group 41B on the plane of the display panel, allowing the area of ​​the light-transmitting part 32 in the defining layer 30 to be set relatively large, thereby improving the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2 and improving the performance of the optical element 300.

[0167] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 10-17, the shape of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 in the second luminous pattern group 41B onto the plane of the display panel 100 includes a rectangle (see the first sub-part 411 in Figures 10-12), a square (see the first sub-part 411 in Figures 13 and 14), a circle (see the first sub-part 411 of the first pattern 421 in Figures 15-17), or a curved circle (see the first sub-part 411 of the third pattern 423 in Figures 15 and 17). The curved circle includes the arc edges of a connected semicircle and a semi-ellipse, and the major axis of the semi-ellipse is equal to the diameter of the semicircle.

[0168] It is understandable that, since the first sub-part 411 is located within the first opening 31 of the defining layer 30, the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located coincides with the orthographic projection of the first opening 31 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located. The orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located has the same shape and the same area as the orthographic projection of the first opening 31 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0169] The above configuration allows the dimensions of the first sub-part 411 to be equal or approximately equal in the first direction Y and the second direction X. This can improve the interference phenomenon of the light emitted by the first sub-part 411 in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B, especially the light emitted by the first sub-part 411 of the target pattern (refer to FIG. 13, the target pattern is the third pattern 423; refer to FIG. 16, the target pattern is the second pattern 422) in the first direction Y, and improve the color shift phenomenon of the light emitted by the first sub-part 411 at a large viewing angle, thereby improving the display quality of the sub-display area A2.

[0170] In some examples, as shown in Figure 15, in the aforementioned curved circle, the arc edge W2 of the semi-ellipse is farther from the center of the second luminous pattern group 41B than the arc edge W1 of the semi-circle. For example, the major axis of the aforementioned semi-ellipse extends along the second direction X.

[0171] The semi-elliptical arc edge W2 is further away from the center of the second light-emitting pattern group 41B, making the semi-elliptical arc edge W2 closer to the light-transmitting portion adjacent to the first sub-part 411. Since the semi-elliptical arc edge W2 has a smaller dimension along the first direction Y compared to the semi-circular arc edge W1, the above arrangement allows the first sub-part 411 to have a smaller dimension in the first direction Y, thereby allowing the light-transmitting portion 32 to be set relatively larger in the first direction Y, which in turn improves the light transmittance of the sub-display area A2 and enhances the performance of the optical element 300.

[0172] To verify the light emission of the light emitted by the light-emitting patterns within the different shapes of the first openings (the shape of the first opening refers to the shape of the orthographic projection of the first opening onto the plane where the display panel 100 is located) in the sub-display area of ​​the defining layer, the inventors of this disclosure performed simulation calculations for different first openings in the display panel, and obtained the following Table 1.

[0173] In Table 1, a display panel with a square first opening (D1) is represented by F1. This panel has multiple square first openings in the sub-display area of ​​the defining layer, and the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the first luminous pattern group in the main display area is four times the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the second luminous pattern group in the sub-display area. A display panel with a rectangular first opening (G) is represented by F2. This panel has multiple rectangular first openings in the sub-display area of ​​the defining layer, and the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the first luminous pattern group in the main display area is twice the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the second luminous pattern group in the sub-display area. The target pattern is a green luminous pattern. A display panel with a rectangular first opening (B) is represented by F3. This panel has multiple rectangular first openings in the sub-display area of ​​the defining layer, and the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the first luminous pattern group in the main display area is twice the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the second luminous pattern group in the sub-display area. The target pattern is a blue luminous pattern. A display panel with a square first opening (D2) is represented by F4. This panel contains multiple square first openings in the sub-display area of ​​the defining layer, and the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the first luminous pattern group of the main display area is twice the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the second luminous pattern group of the sub-display area. A display panel with a circular first opening (D3) is represented by F5. This panel contains multiple circular first openings in the sub-display area of ​​the defining layer, and the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the first luminous pattern group of the main display area is twice the sum of the areas of the multiple first sub-parts in the second luminous pattern group of the sub-display area. Light transmittance refers to the light transmittance of the portion of the display panel located in the sub-display area. A difference at viewing angles greater than 45° refers to a difference between the light emitted from the sub-display area of ​​the display panel at a viewing angle greater than or equal to 45° and the light emitted from the main display area at a viewing angle greater than or equal to 45°. This difference may be due to differences in the brightness of the displayed image, etc.

[0174] Table 1

[0175] As shown in Table 1, the sub-display area of ​​display panel F1 has the highest light transmittance, at 25.44%. Compared to display panel F5, the sub-display areas of display panels F2, F3, and F4 have relatively high light transmittance. It is evident that setting the shape of the first opening to a square or near-square (here, near-square refers to a rectangle) allows for a smaller area occupied by the multiple first sub-parts within the sub-display area, enabling a relatively larger area for the light-transmitting portion, thus resulting in higher light transmittance in the sub-display area.

[0176] As shown in Table 1, the light emitted from the sub-display areas of display panels F1 and F4 at viewing angles greater than or equal to 45° differs from the light emitted from the main display area at the same viewing angle. Furthermore, the light emitted from the sub-display areas of display panels F2, F3, and F5 differs significantly from the light emitted from the main display area at various viewing angles. Therefore, setting the shape of the first opening to a square (or making the orthographic projection of the first sub-part onto the plane of the display panel square) can reduce the difference between the light emitted from the main display area and the sub-display area within a small viewing angle range (here, a small viewing angle can be less than 45°, such as a 0° frontal view). This, to a certain extent, reduces the difference in the displayed images between the main and sub-display areas of the display panel and improves the color shift phenomenon in the sub-display area.

[0177] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG17, in the second light-emitting pattern group 41B, in the same light-emitting pattern 41, the second sub-part 412 surrounds the first sub-part 411, and the shape of the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the second sub-part 412 of the light-emitting pattern 41 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is the same as the shape of the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 of the light-emitting pattern 41 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0178] The orthographic projection of the second sub-part 412 onto the plane of the display panel 100 is annular. The inner boundary line of this annular projection coincides with the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 onto the plane of the display panel 100.

[0179] For example, the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the second sub-part 412 of the luminescent pattern 41 onto the plane where the display panel 100 is located is rectangular, and the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 of the luminescent pattern 41 onto the plane where the display panel 100 is located is rectangular.

[0180] For example, the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the second sub-part 412 of the luminescent pattern 41 onto the plane of the display panel 100 is circular, and the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 of the luminescent pattern 41 onto the plane of the display panel 100 is also circular.

[0181] For example, the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the second sub-part 412 of the luminescent pattern 41 onto the plane of the display panel 100 is curved, and the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 of the luminescent pattern 41 onto the plane of the display panel 100 is curved.

[0182] In the process of preparing the second light-emitting pattern group 41B using the materials of the mask and the light-emitting layer, the above-mentioned arrangement can reduce the probability that the orthographic projection of the formed light-emitting pattern 41 on the plane of the display panel 100 is difficult to completely cover the orthographic projection of the first opening 31 of the defining layer 30 on the plane of the display panel 100. It can also make the spacing between the boundary line of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part 411 on the plane of the display panel 100 and the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the second sub-part 412 on the plane of the display panel 100 more uniform (as shown in Figure 17, S3=S4, S5=S6). This can improve the color shift phenomenon of the light emitted by the first sub-part 411 under different viewing angles, which is beneficial to improving the image display quality of the sub-display area A2.

[0183] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7, in the sub-display area A2, the orthographic projection of at least one second sub-part 412 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located partially overlaps or does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the light-transmitting part 32 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0184] For example, the orthographic projection of one or more second sub-parts 412 onto the plane of the display panel 100 partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the light-transmitting part 32 onto the plane of the display panel 100. The second sub-parts 412 have a smaller thickness and higher light transmittance, resulting in less or almost zero light loss when passing through them.

[0185] For example, the orthographic projection of one or more second sub-parts 412 onto the plane of the display panel 100 does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the light-transmitting part 32 onto the plane of the display panel 100.

[0186] Therefore, the area of ​​the second sub-part 412 in the light-emitting pattern 41 can be relatively large, avoiding the limitation of the setting area of ​​the second sub-part 412 by the light-transmitting part 32, and making it easier to optimize the setting of the light-emitting pattern.

[0187] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 18, 19, and 23, the light-emitting layer 40 includes a plurality of redundant patterns 43. The plurality of redundant patterns 43 are located in the sub-display area A2, and the redundant patterns 43 at least cover a portion of a light-transmitting portion 32. At least one redundant pattern 43 is connected to an adjacent light-emitting pattern 41.

[0188] For example, redundant pattern 43 covers a portion of an adjacent light-transmitting portion 32. Alternatively, redundant pattern 43 may cover an adjacent light-transmitting portion 32.

[0189] For example, one or more redundant patterns 43 are connected to adjacent light-emitting patterns 41. The connected redundant patterns 43 and light-emitting patterns 41 are on the same layer and made of the same material. Thus, the redundant patterns 43 and light-emitting patterns 41 can be formed simultaneously in the same manufacturing process, which helps to simplify the manufacturing process of the display panel 100.

[0190] The redundant pattern 43 has a small thickness and a high light transmittance. The light loss through the redundant pattern 43 is small or almost zero, thus having a small impact on the light transmittance of the light-transmitting part 32 it covers.

[0191] The photomask has multiple openings and a solid material connecting the openings. The top view of the photomask is roughly mesh-like. The openings of the photomask correspond to the light-emitting patterns 41 to be formed. Since the sub-pixel density of the sub-display area A2 is less than that of the main display area A1, the number of light-emitting patterns 41 in the sub-display area A2 per unit area is less than the number of light-emitting patterns 41 in the main display area A1. When the area of ​​a single light-emitting pattern 41 in the main display area A1 is equal to the area of ​​a single light-emitting pattern 41 in the sub-display area A2, the total area of ​​the openings in the photomask corresponding to the sub-display area A2 per unit area is less than the total area of ​​the openings in the photomask corresponding to the main display area A1.

[0192] In the embodiments of this disclosure, at least one redundant pattern 43 is connected to an adjacent light-emitting pattern 41. Thus, the connected redundant pattern 43 and light-emitting pattern 41 can correspond to the same opening in the mask, that is, they can be formed through the same opening in the mask. Therefore, by using the redundant pattern 43, the total area of ​​the openings in different regions of the mask (here, different regions of the mask refer to the area of ​​the mask corresponding to the sub-display area A2) can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the uniformity of the material mass distribution in the area of ​​the mask corresponding to the main display area A1 and the area corresponding to the sub-display area A2. This makes the material in different regions of the mask more uniformly stressed during the vapor deposition process, reducing the difference between the light-emitting pattern 41 in the main display area A1 and the light-emitting pattern 41 in the sub-display area A2, thereby reducing the difference in the displayed images of the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, which is beneficial to improving the uniformity of the displayed image of the display panel 100.

[0193] In some examples, as shown in Figures 18, 19 and 23, the light-emitting layer 40 includes a first light-emitting layer 401, a second light-emitting layer 402 and a third light-emitting layer 403.

[0194] For example, the first light-emitting layer 401, the second light-emitting layer 402, and the third light-emitting layer 403 are stacked. For example, the materials of the first light-emitting layer 401, the second light-emitting layer 402, and the third light-emitting layer 403 are different.

[0195] As shown in Figures 18, 19 and 23, the aforementioned multiple redundant patterns 43 include: multiple first redundant patterns 431, multiple second redundant patterns 432 and multiple third redundant patterns 433.

[0196] For example, as shown in Figures 20 and 24, the first pattern 421 and the first redundant pattern 431 are located in the first light-emitting layer 401, which is used to emit red light. The first pattern 421 and the first redundant pattern 431 are in the same layer and made of the same material. The mask forming the first light-emitting layer 401 can be a first mask.

[0197] As shown in Figures 21 and 25, the second pattern 422 and the second redundant pattern 432 are located in the second light-emitting layer 402, which is used to emit green light. The second pattern 422 and the second redundant pattern 432 are in the same layer and made of the same material. The mask forming the second light-emitting layer 402 can be a second mask.

[0198] As shown in Figures 22 and 26, the third pattern 423 and the third redundant pattern 433 are located in the third light-emitting layer 403, which is used to emit blue light. The third pattern 423 and the third redundant pattern 433 are in the same layer and made of the same material. The mask forming the third light-emitting layer 403 can be a third mask.

[0199] For example, as shown in FIG20, at least one first pattern 421 is connected to an adjacent first redundant pattern 431. As shown in FIG21, at least one second pattern 422 is connected to an adjacent second redundant pattern 432. As shown in FIG22, at least one third pattern 423 is connected to an adjacent third redundant pattern 433.

[0200] Therefore, the first redundant pattern 431 can be used to adjust the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the first mask forming the first light-emitting layer 401, so that the material in different areas of the first mask is subjected to more uniform stress during the vapor deposition process, reducing or avoiding the difference between the first pattern 421 in the main display area A1 and the first pattern 421 in the sub-display area A2, thereby reducing the difference in the displayed images of the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, which is beneficial to improving the uniformity of the displayed image of the display panel 100. Similarly, the second redundant pattern 432 can be used to adjust the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the second mask forming the second light-emitting layer 402, and the third redundant pattern 433 can be used to adjust the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the third mask forming the third light-emitting layer 403, thereby improving the uniformity of the displayed image of the display panel 100.

[0201] There are multiple possible relationships between the redundant pattern 43 and the light-emitting pattern 41, which can be selected and set as needed. The embodiments disclosed herein do not limit this.

[0202] In some embodiments, as described above, the second luminescent pattern group 41B includes two adjacent first subgroups 410B. Each first subgroup 410B includes a first pattern 421, a second pattern 422, and a third pattern 423. Furthermore, the line connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the first pattern 421, the second pattern 422, and the third pattern 423 onto the plane of the display panel 100 in the first subgroup 410B forms a triangle.

[0203] For example, as shown in FIG19, two second patterns 422 in the second luminescent pattern group 41B are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0204] In some examples, as shown in Figure 18 or Figure 19, the first redundant pattern 431 is connected to the adjacent first pattern 421, the second redundant pattern 432 is connected to one or two adjacent second patterns 422, and the third redundant pattern 433 is connected to the adjacent third pattern 423.

[0205] For example, as shown in Figure 18, the first redundant pattern 431 is connected to the adjacent first pattern 421, the second redundant pattern 432 is connected to the adjacent second pattern 422, and the third redundant pattern 433 is connected to the adjacent third pattern 423.

[0206] For example, as shown in Figure 19, the first redundant pattern 431 is connected to the adjacent first pattern 421, the second redundant pattern 432 is connected to the two adjacent second patterns 422, and the third redundant pattern 433 is connected to the adjacent third pattern 423.

[0207] The shape of the orthographic projection of the redundant pattern 43 onto the plane of the display panel 100 can be selected and set as needed, and the embodiments disclosed herein do not limit this.

[0208] For example, as shown in FIG20, the shape of the orthographic projection of the first redundant pattern 431 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is the same as the shape of the orthographic projection of the first pattern 421 connected to the first redundant pattern 431 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, for example, both are rectangles.

[0209] For example, as shown in FIG18, the shape of the orthographic projection of the second redundant pattern 432 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is the same as the shape of the orthographic projection of the second pattern 422 connected to the second redundant pattern 432 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, for example, both are rectangles.

[0210] For example, as shown in FIG21, the second redundant pattern 432 is connected to two adjacent second patterns 422, and the shape of the orthographic projection of the second redundant pattern 432 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is trapezoidal.

[0211] For example, as shown in FIG22, the shape of the orthographic projection of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is the same as the shape of the orthographic projection of the third pattern 423 connected to the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, for example, both are rectangles.

[0212] Therefore, the connected first redundant pattern 431 and the first pattern 421 can be formed from the same opening in the first mask, simplifying the preparation process of the first redundant pattern 431. Furthermore, the opening corresponding to the first redundant pattern 431 can be used to adjust the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the first mask, reducing or avoiding the difference between the first pattern 421 in the main display area A1 and the first pattern 421 in the sub-display area A2. This reduces the difference in the displayed images of the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, which is beneficial to improving the uniformity of the displayed image of the display panel 100. Similarly, the second redundant pattern 432 can be used to reduce the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the second mask, and the third redundant pattern 433 can be used to reduce the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the third mask, thereby reducing the difference in the displayed images of the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, which is beneficial to improving the uniformity of the displayed image of the display panel 100.

[0213] For example, as shown in FIG19, the second redundant pattern 432 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the adjacent first redundant pattern 431 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, the second redundant pattern 432 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the adjacent third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, and the first redundant pattern 431 and the adjacent third redundant pattern 433 do not overlap in their orthographic projections on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0214] Therefore, the area of ​​the second redundant pattern 432 can be relatively large, which allows for greater flexibility in the design area of ​​the first redundant pattern 431, the second redundant pattern 432, and the third redundant pattern 433, avoiding space constraints. This reduces the constraints on the adjustment of the material mass distribution of the first, second, and third masks, which helps to reduce the difference in the displayed images between the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, and improves the uniformity of the displayed images on the display panel 100.

[0215] In other embodiments, as described above, the second luminescent pattern group 41B includes two adjacent first subgroups 410B. Each first subgroup 410B includes a first pattern 421, a second pattern 422, and a third pattern 423. In the first subgroup 410B, the line connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the first pattern 421, the second pattern 422, and the third pattern 423 onto the plane of the display panel 100 forms a triangle.

[0216] For example, as shown in Figure 23, in the second luminescent pattern group 41B, two third patterns 423 are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0217] In some examples, as shown in Figure 23, the first redundant pattern 431 and the first pattern 421 are arranged alternately, and the first redundant pattern 431 and the two first patterns 421 of the second light-emitting pattern group 41B are connected by a line at the center of the orthographic projection on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, forming a triangle.

[0218] Therefore, the first redundant pattern 431 can correspond to a single opening in the mask. The opening corresponding to the first redundant pattern 431 can be used to adjust the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the mask, reduce or avoid the difference between the first pattern 421 in the main display area A1 and the first pattern 421 in the sub-display area A2, thereby reducing the difference between the displayed images in the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, which is beneficial to improving the quality of the displayed image of the display panel 100.

[0219] In other examples, as shown in Figure 23, the second redundant pattern 432 and the second pattern 422 are arranged alternately, and the line connecting the center of the orthographic projection of the second redundant pattern 432 and the two second patterns 422 of the second luminous pattern group 41B on the plane where the display panel 100 is located forms a triangle.

[0220] Therefore, the second redundant pattern 432 can correspond to a single opening in the mask. The opening corresponding to the second redundant pattern 432 can be used to adjust the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the mask, reduce or avoid the difference between the second pattern 422 in the main display area A1 and the second pattern 422 in the sub-display area A2, thereby reducing the difference between the displayed images in the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, which is beneficial to improving the quality of the displayed image of the display panel 100.

[0221] In some other examples, as shown in Figure 23, the first redundant pattern 431 and the first pattern 421 are spaced apart. A line connecting the first redundant pattern 431 and the centers of the two first patterns 421 of the second luminous pattern group 41B on the plane of the display panel 100 forms a triangle. Furthermore, the second redundant pattern 432 and the second pattern 422 are spaced apart. A line connecting the second redundant pattern 432 and the centers of the two second patterns 422 of the second luminous pattern group 41B on the plane of the display panel 100 forms a triangle.

[0222] Therefore, the differences between the first pattern 421 in the main display area A1 and the first pattern 421 in the sub-display area A2, as well as the differences between the second pattern 422 in the main display area A1 and the second pattern 422 in the sub-display area A2, can be reduced or avoided, thereby reducing the differences in the displayed images in the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, which is beneficial to improving the uniformity of the displayed images in the display panel 100.

[0223] For example, as shown in FIG24, the shape of the orthographic projection of the first redundant pattern 431 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is the same as the shape of the orthographic projection of the first pattern 421, which is spaced apart from the first redundant pattern 431, on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, for example, both are circles.

[0224] For example, as shown in FIG25, the shape of the orthographic projection of the second redundant pattern 432 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is the same as the shape of the orthographic projection of the second pattern 422, which is spaced apart from the second redundant pattern 432, on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, for example, both are circles.

[0225] For example, as shown in FIG23, the third redundant pattern 433 is connected to two adjacent third light-emitting patterns 41. The first redundant pattern 431 and the second redundant pattern 432 at least partially overlap with the orthographic projection of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane of the display panel 100. For example, the overlapping portion does not affect the transmission of light.

[0226] For example, two adjacent third patterns 423 connected to the third redundant pattern 433 can be interconnected, as shown in Figure 26. Alternatively, two adjacent third patterns 423 connected to the third redundant pattern 433 can be spaced apart.

[0227] For example, the first redundant pattern 431 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, and the orthographic projection of the second redundant pattern 432 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is within the orthographic projection range of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0228] For example, the orthographic projection of the first redundant pattern 431 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is within the orthographic projection range of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, and the orthographic projection portions of the second redundant pattern 432 and the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located overlap.

[0229] For example, the first redundant pattern 431 and the second redundant pattern 432 overlap with the orthographic projection portion of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0230] For example, as shown in Figure 23, the orthographic projection of the first redundant pattern 431 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is within the orthographic projection range of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located, and the orthographic projection of the second redundant pattern 432 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located is within the orthographic projection range of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located.

[0231] Therefore, the connected third redundant pattern 433 and third pattern 423 can correspond to the same opening in the mask, that is, they can be formed through the same opening in the mask, simplifying the preparation process of the third redundant pattern 433. Moreover, the opening corresponding to the third redundant pattern 433 can be used to adjust the uniformity of the material mass distribution in different areas of the mask, reduce or avoid the difference between the third pattern 423 in the main display area A1 and the third pattern 423 in the sub-display area A2, thereby reducing the difference between the displayed images in the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, which is beneficial to improving the quality of the displayed image of the display panel 100.

[0232] Furthermore, the first redundant pattern 431 and the second redundant pattern 432 at least partially overlap with the orthographic projection of the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane of the display panel 100. This allows the area of ​​the third redundant pattern 433 to be set relatively large, giving greater flexibility in the design area of ​​the first redundant pattern 431, the second redundant pattern 432, and the third redundant pattern 433. This avoids space constraints and reduces the constraints on the adjustment of the material mass distribution of the first mask, the second mask, and the third mask. It also helps to reduce the difference in the displayed images between the main display area A1 and the sub-display area A2, and improves the uniformity of the displayed images on the display panel 100.

[0233] For example, as shown in FIG26, two adjacent third patterns 423 are connected and connected to a third redundant pattern 433. The shape of the overall structure formed by the two connected third patterns 423 and the third redundant pattern 433 on the plane of the display panel 100 is a trapezoidal or other irregular shape. This shape is set so that the spacing between the two adjacent structures (the overall structure here refers to the overall structure formed by the two connected third patterns 423 and the third redundant pattern 433) is appropriate, so that the spacing between the two openings in the third mask for preparing the two adjacent structures is small, thereby making the mass of the solid material between the two openings small, and making the difference between the mass of the solid material per unit area corresponding to the sub-display area A2 and the mass of the solid material per unit area corresponding to the main display area A1 small, thereby reducing the difference between the light emission pattern of the sub-display area A2 and the light emission pattern of the main display area A1, and thus improving the uniformity of the image displayed by the display panel 100.

[0234] It should be noted that the aforementioned irregular shapes are only used to distinguish them from other shapes. Irregular shapes can be irregular closed shapes composed of arc segments and straight line segments, or they can be irregular shapes composed of multiple straight line segments.

[0235] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A display panel having a display area; the display area comprising: Main display area and secondary display area; The secondary display area is located on at least one side of the main display area; the display panel includes a defining layer and a light-emitting layer stacked together. The defining layer has a plurality of first openings located in the main display area and the sub-display area, and a plurality of light-transmitting portions located in the sub-display area; The light-emitting layer includes a plurality of light-emitting patterns, at least one of the plurality of light-emitting patterns including a first sub-part and a second sub-part connected to each other; the first sub-part is located within the first opening, and the second sub-part is located on the defining layer; Multiple light-emitting patterns located in the main display area and used to emit light of different colors constitute a first light-emitting pattern group, and multiple light-emitting patterns located in the sub-display area and used to emit light of different colors constitute a second light-emitting pattern group; the arrangement density of the multiple first light-emitting pattern groups in the main display area is greater than the arrangement density of the multiple second light-emitting pattern groups in the sub-display area; The number of light-emitting patterns included in the first light-emitting pattern group is different from the number of light-emitting patterns included in the second light-emitting pattern group; the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts in the first light-emitting pattern group onto the plane where the display panel is located is greater than the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts in the second light-emitting pattern group onto the plane where the display panel is located.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein, The sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts in the first luminous pattern group onto the plane of the display panel is 2 to 4 times the sum of the areas of the orthographic projections of the plurality of first sub-parts in the second luminous pattern group onto the plane of the display panel.

3. The display panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of light-emitting patterns include: a plurality of first patterns, a plurality of second patterns, and a plurality of third patterns for emitting light of different colors; The first luminescent pattern group includes a first pattern, two second patterns, and a third pattern; in the first luminescent pattern group, the line connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the two second patterns on the plane where the display panel is located intersects the line connecting the centers of the orthographic projections of the first pattern and the third pattern on the plane where the display panel is located. The second luminescent pattern group includes two adjacent first subgroups; the first subgroup includes a first pattern, a second pattern and a third pattern; in the first subgroup, the line connecting the centers of the first pattern, the second pattern and the third pattern on the plane of the display panel forms a triangle.

4. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein, In the second luminescent pattern group, one of the second pattern and the third pattern is the target pattern, and the other is a non-target pattern; In the second group of luminous patterns, the multiple luminous patterns are arranged in two rows. The two target patterns are arranged in the first row, and the two non-target patterns and the two first patterns are arranged alternately in the second row along the direction of the row. The centers of the orthographic projections of the adjacent first pattern onto the plane of the display panel and the centers of the orthographic projections of the non-target pattern onto the plane of the display panel are offset from the centers of the orthographic projections of the target pattern onto the plane of the display panel in a first direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the row direction and parallel to the plane of the display panel.

5. The display panel according to claim 4, wherein, In the second luminescent pattern group, the spacing between the first sub-parts of the two target patterns ranges from 6 μm to 13 μm.

6. The display panel according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The second sub-parts of the two target patterns are interconnected.

7. The display panel according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The dimension of the first sub-part of the target pattern along the row direction is greater than or equal to the dimension of the first sub-part of the target pattern along the first direction.

8. The display panel according to claim 7, wherein, In the first subgroup, in the first direction, the first sub-part of the target pattern is directly opposite to the first sub-part of the first pattern and the first sub-part of the non-target pattern, respectively.

9. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein, In the second luminous pattern group, the orthographic projections of the two first subgroups on the plane of the display panel are centrally symmetrical about the center point of the orthographic projection of the second luminous pattern group on the plane of the display panel.

10. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, In the second luminous pattern group, the shape of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part on the plane of the display panel includes a rectangle, a square, a circle, or a curved circle; the curved circle includes the arc edge of a connected semicircle and the arc edge of a semiellipse, and the major axis of the semiellipse is equal to the diameter of the semicircle.

11. The display panel according to claim 10, wherein, In the curved circle, the arc edge of the semi-ellipse is farther away from the center of the second luminous pattern group than the arc edge of the semi-circle.

12. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, In the second group of light-emitting patterns, within the same light-emitting pattern, the second sub-part surrounds the first sub-part, and the shape of the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the second sub-part of the light-emitting pattern onto the plane where the display panel is located is the same as the shape of the outer boundary line of the orthographic projection of the first sub-part of the light-emitting pattern onto the plane where the display panel is located.

13. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, In the sub-display area, the orthographic projection of at least one of the second sub-parts onto the plane of the display panel partially overlaps or does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the light-transmitting part onto the plane of the display panel.

14. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, Multiple second light-emitting pattern groups are arranged in multiple rows; in two adjacent rows of second light-emitting pattern groups, two adjacent second light-emitting pattern groups located in different rows are staggered, and two adjacent second light-emitting device groups located in the same row are separated by the light-transmitting portion.

15. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The light-emitting layer includes multiple redundant patterns; the multiple redundant patterns are located in the sub-display area, and the redundant patterns at least cover a portion of one of the light-transmitting portions; at least one redundant pattern is connected to an adjacent light-emitting pattern.

16. The display panel according to claim 15, wherein, The plurality of redundant patterns include: a plurality of first redundant patterns, a plurality of second redundant patterns, and a plurality of third redundant patterns; the plurality of light-emitting patterns include: a plurality of first patterns, a plurality of second patterns, and a plurality of third patterns for emitting light of different colors; The light-emitting layer includes a first light-emitting layer, a second light-emitting layer, and a third light-emitting layer; the first pattern and the first redundant pattern are located on the first light-emitting layer, the second pattern and the second redundant pattern are located on the second light-emitting layer, and the third pattern and the third redundant pattern are located on the third light-emitting layer.

17. The display panel according to claim 16, wherein, The second luminescent pattern group includes two adjacent first subgroups; the first subgroup includes a first pattern, a second pattern, and a third pattern; in the first subgroup, the line connecting the centers of the first pattern, the second pattern, and the third pattern on the orthographic projection of the plane where the display panel is located forms a triangle; The first redundant pattern is spaced apart from the first pattern, and a line connecting the center of the first redundant pattern and the two first patterns of the second luminous pattern group on the plane of the display panel forms a triangle, and / or, the second redundant pattern is spaced apart from the second pattern, and a line connecting the center of the center of the orthogonal projection of the second redundant pattern and the two second patterns of the second luminous pattern group on the plane of the display panel forms a triangle.

18. The display panel according to claim 17, wherein, The third redundant pattern is connected to two adjacent third patterns; the first redundant pattern and the second redundant pattern and the third redundant pattern at least partially overlap on the orthographic projection of the third redundant pattern on the plane of the display panel.

19. The display panel according to claim 16, wherein, The second luminescent pattern group includes two adjacent first subgroups; the first subgroup includes a first pattern, a second pattern, and a third pattern; and in the first subgroup, the line connecting the centers of the first pattern, the second pattern, and the third pattern on the orthographic projection of the plane where the display panel is located forms a triangle; the two second patterns are arranged adjacent to each other; The first redundant pattern is connected to an adjacent first pattern; the second redundant pattern is connected to one or two adjacent second patterns; the third redundant pattern is connected to an adjacent third pattern; the second redundant pattern overlaps with the orthographic projection of the adjacent first redundant pattern on the plane of the display panel; the second redundant pattern overlaps with the orthographic projection of the adjacent third redundant pattern on the plane of the display panel; and the first redundant pattern and the adjacent third redundant pattern do not overlap in their orthographic projections on the plane of the display panel.

20. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The luminescent pattern includes: a first pattern, a second pattern, and a third pattern for emitting different colors of light; The first pattern is used to emit red light, the second pattern is used to emit green light, and the third pattern is used to emit blue light; or, the first pattern is used to emit red light, the second pattern is used to emit blue light, and the third pattern is used to emit green light.

21. A display device, comprising: The display panel and optical element as described in any one of claims 1 to 20; The optical element is located in the sub-display area of ​​the display panel and is located on the non-light-emitting side of the display panel.

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