Display panel and display apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a display panel and a display apparatus. A display region of the display panel is provided with a plurality of light-emitting pixel units, and a non-display region is provided with at least one dummy pixel unit. The area of the dummy pixel unit is greater than that of the light-emitting pixel units, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the dummy pixel unit is greater than that of the light-emitting pixel units, so as to improve the film-forming uniformity of the light-emitting pixel units in the display region.

Description

Display panel and display device Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly to a display panel and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays have become a research hotspot in the field of optoelectronic display technology due to their advantages such as self-illumination, wide viewing angle, high contrast, low power consumption, extremely fast response speed, ultra-lightweight and thin design, flexible display, rollable screen, strong temperature adaptability, and simple manufacturing process. There are two main methods for forming the light-emitting pixels in OLED displays: vapor deposition and solution processing. Vapor deposition is already in mass production; however, its high material cost and low material utilization rate contribute to the high manufacturing cost of OLED displays. Solution processing, including spin coating, inkjet printing, and nozzle coating, is suitable for polymer materials and soluble small molecule materials. Solution processing equipment has lower costs, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of OLED displays.

[0003] However, when using inkjet printing to form light-emitting pixels, the characteristics of the printing ink and the drying uniformity of the vacuum drying equipment result in poor film uniformity, which affects the lifespan and light-emitting quality of the light-emitting pixels. Invention Overview

[0004] This application provides a display panel and a display device to alleviate the technical problem of poor film uniformity when using inkjet printing technology to form light-emitting pixels.

[0005] The technical solution provided in this application is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a display panel, which includes a display area and a non-display area located on at least one side of the display area, the display panel further including:

[0007] substrate;

[0008] A light-emitting material layer is disposed on the substrate, the light-emitting material layer including a plurality of light-emitting pixel units formed in the display area and at least one virtual pixel unit formed in the non-display area;

[0009] The virtual pixel unit has a larger area than the light-emitting pixel unit, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit.

[0010] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a display device, which includes the display panel described in one of the foregoing embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a planar structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the M-M' direction in Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the detailed structure of the substrate in Figure 2.

[0015] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another planar structure of the display panel provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0016] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another planar structure of the display panel provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another planar structure of the display panel provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation curve of the two first color emitting pixel units in Figure 5 in the second direction.

[0019] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation curve of the two second color emitting pixel units in Figure 5 in the second direction.

[0020] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation curve of the two third-color emitting pixel units in Figure 5 in the second direction.

[0021] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation curve of two virtual pixel units in the first sub-region of Figure 5 in the second direction. Embodiments of the present invention

[0022] The following descriptions of the embodiments are based on the accompanying illustrations, illustrating specific embodiments in which this application can be implemented. Directional terms used in this application, such as [up], [down], [front], [back], [left], [right], [inner], [outer], [side], etc., are merely for reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustration and understanding of this application, and not for limiting this application. In the figures, structurally similar units are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the figures, the thickness of some layers and regions is exaggerated for clarity and ease of description. That is, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the figures are arbitrarily shown, but this application is not limited thereto.

[0023] To address the issue of poor film uniformity when using inkjet printing to form light-emitting pixels, the inventors of this application discovered that due to the characteristics of the printing ink and the influence of the drying uniformity of the vacuum drying equipment, the film uniformity at the corners and edges of the display panel is poor, with the corners exhibiting a more pronounced problem than the edges. To address this, dummy pixels can be set in the non-display area outside the display area. Both the dummy pixels in the non-display area and the light-emitting pixels in the display area are formed by printing the same ink onto the substrate using inkjet printing and drying. The size and shape of the dummy pixels match those of the light-emitting pixels. The area containing the dummy pixels can serve as the edge of the light-emitting pixels in the display area, thus ensuring that uneven film thickness at the edges after drying is located within the dummy pixel area, guaranteeing the uniformity of the film formation and brightness of the light-emitting pixels in the display area. Both dummy pixels and light-emitting pixels are actual structures existing on the display panel. The difference lies in that light-emitting pixels emit light for displaying images, while dummy pixels do not emit light and are primarily used to improve the uniformity of the film formation in the display area.

[0024] To ensure that the four corners and edges of the uneven film thickness are all within the area where the virtual pixels are located, a large number of virtual pixels need to be set in the non-display area as a buffer. However, a large number of virtual pixels require a large space, and since virtual pixels are not used for light emission, the area where virtual pixels are located is an ineffective area for light emission. This results in a large area of ​​non-display area, which makes it difficult to achieve a narrow bezel on the display panel.

[0025] Therefore, the inventors of this application propose a display panel and a display device.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a planar structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram along the M-M' direction in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a detailed structural schematic diagram of the substrate in Figure 2. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the display panel 100 includes a display area AA and a non-display area NA located on at least one side of the display area AA. The display area AA is used to display an image, and the non-display area NA does not display an image. The display panel 100 also includes a substrate 10 and a light-emitting material layer 20 disposed on the substrate 10. The light-emitting material layer 20 includes a plurality of light-emitting pixel units 21 formed in the display area AA and at least one virtual pixel unit 22 formed in the non-display area NA.

[0027] The area of ​​the virtual pixel unit 22 is larger than the area of ​​the light-emitting pixel unit 21, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21. Thus, when inkjet printing the film-forming light-emitting material layer 20, the area forming the large-area virtual pixel unit 22 can accommodate more printing ink, creating a large solvent atmosphere in that area to eliminate the effects of uneven vacuum drying, thereby improving the uniformity of film formation of the light-emitting pixel units 21 within the display area AA. Furthermore, by setting a large-area virtual pixel unit 22 larger than the area of ​​the light-emitting pixel units 21 in the display area AA, compared to setting a larger number of virtual pixels matching the shape and size of the light-emitting pixels in the display area AA, the same film-forming uniformity can be achieved while reducing the area of ​​the non-display area NA occupied by the dam used to enclose the virtual pixels, thus facilitating the achievement of a narrow bezel. Both the virtual pixel unit 22 and the light-emitting pixel unit 21 are structures that actually exist on the display panel 100. The difference is that the light-emitting pixel unit 21 emits light for displaying images on the display panel 100, while the virtual pixel unit 22 does not emit light.

[0028] The term "large-area virtual pixel unit 22" refers to a virtual pixel unit 22 whose area is much larger than that of each light-emitting pixel unit 21. For example, the area of ​​a single virtual pixel unit 22 is three times or more the area of ​​a single light-emitting pixel unit 21. In other words, the area of ​​each virtual pixel unit 22 is three times or more the area of ​​each light-emitting pixel unit 21, such as 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, 6 times, 10 times, 20 times, 30 times, etc. The upper limit of the area of ​​the virtual pixel unit 22 can be determined by the actual narrow bezel size requirement of the display panel 100.

[0029] The maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 is two times or more than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21, such as 2 times, 2.1 times, 2.5 times, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, 6 times, 7 times, etc. In one embodiment, the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 is greater than 400 nanometers, such as 401 nanometers, 410 nanometers, 420 nanometers, 450 nanometers, 480 nanometers, 500 nanometers, 600 nanometers, etc.; the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 is less than 80 nanometers, such as 79 nanometers, 75 nanometers, 70 nanometers, 65 nanometers, 60 nanometers, 55 nanometers, 50 nanometers, 40 nanometers, 30 nanometers, 20 nanometers, 10 nanometers, etc.

[0030] Wherein, the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 refers to the difference between the maximum film thickness and the minimum film thickness of the virtual pixel unit 22 after the light-emitting material layer 20 forms the virtual pixel unit 22. Correspondingly, the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 refers to the difference between the maximum film thickness and the minimum film thickness of the light-emitting pixel unit 21.

[0031] Optionally, a plurality of the light-emitting pixel units 21 are arranged in a row of light-emitting pixels in a first direction X, and a plurality of the light-emitting pixel units 21 are arranged in a column of light-emitting pixels in a second direction Y. The first direction X and the second direction Y are intersecting, for example, the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular, the first direction X is a horizontal direction, and the second direction Y is a vertical direction. The length of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 in the first direction X is greater than its length in the second direction Y.

[0032] The plurality of light-emitting pixel units 21 include a first color light-emitting pixel unit 21-R, a second color light-emitting pixel unit 21-G, and a third color light-emitting pixel unit 21-B. Optionally, the first color light-emitting pixel unit 21-R is a red light-emitting pixel unit 21, the second color light-emitting pixel unit 21-G is a green light-emitting pixel unit 21, and the third color light-emitting pixel unit 21-B is a blue light-emitting pixel unit 21.

[0033] The first color emitting pixel unit 21-R, the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G, and the third color emitting pixel unit 21-B have the same area. The maximum film-forming height difference of the first color emitting pixel unit 21-R is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the third color emitting pixel unit 21-B. The maximum film-forming height difference of the first color emitting pixel unit 21-R is less than 50 nanometers, such as 49 nanometers, 40 nanometers, 30 nanometers, 20 nanometers, 10 nanometers, etc.; the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G is less than 60 nanometers, such as 59 nanometers, 55 nanometers, 50 nanometers, 40 nanometers, 30 nanometers, 20 nanometers, 10 nanometers, etc.; and the maximum film-forming height difference of the third color emitting pixel unit 21-B is less than 80 nanometers, such as 79 nanometers, 75 nanometers, 70 nanometers, 65 nanometers, 60 nanometers, 55 nanometers, 50 nanometers, 40 nanometers, 30 nanometers, 20 nanometers, etc.

[0034] The first color light-emitting pixel unit 21-R, the second color light-emitting pixel unit 21-G, and the third color light-emitting pixel unit 21-B are arranged sequentially in the second direction Y. Multiple first color light-emitting pixel units 21-R are arranged in a row of light-emitting pixels in the first direction X. Multiple second color light-emitting pixel units 21-G are arranged in a row of light-emitting pixels in the first direction X. Multiple third color light-emitting pixel units 21-B are arranged in a row of light-emitting pixels in the first direction X. That is, light-emitting pixel units 21 of the same color are arranged in a row of light-emitting pixels in the first direction X. Thus, inkjet printing technology can be used to print the same color of ink on the row of light-emitting pixels to achieve linear inkjet printing, improve the efficiency of inkjet printing, and reduce the risk of color crosstalk between adjacent light-emitting pixel units 21 during inkjet printing.

[0035] In this application, the printing ink is formed by mixing organic light-emitting materials of the corresponding color into a low-boiling-point solvent. For example, in this application, the printing ink for forming the red light-emitting pixel unit 21 is formed by mixing red organic light-emitting materials into a low-boiling-point solvent, the printing ink for forming the green light-emitting pixel unit 21 is formed by mixing green organic light-emitting materials into a low-boiling-point solvent, and the printing ink for forming the blue light-emitting pixel unit 21 is formed by mixing blue organic light-emitting materials into a low-boiling-point solvent. The low-boiling-point solvent refers to a solvent with a boiling point below 100°C, such as dipropylene glycol, cyclohexylbenzene, dimethyl diacetone formate, etc.

[0036] It should be noted that Figure 1 only shows a portion of the first color light-emitting pixel unit 21-R, the second color light-emitting pixel unit 21-G, and the third color light-emitting pixel unit 21-B, but this application is not limited to this. Moreover, the arrangement of the light-emitting pixel units 21 in this embodiment is only an example, and this application is not limited to this either. For example, the light-emitting pixel units 21 of the same color in this application can also be arranged in a pixel column in the second direction Y, while the light-emitting pixel units 21 of different colors can be arranged in a pixel row in the first direction X.

[0037] Referring again to Figure 1, the non-display area NA includes a first sub-area NA1 and a second sub-area NA2 arranged opposite to each other. The display area AA is adjacent to the first sub-area NA1 and the second sub-area NA2. Virtual pixel units 22 are disposed within both the first sub-area NA1 and the second sub-area NA2, and the virtual pixel units 22 in the first sub-area NA1 and the second sub-area NA2 are centrally symmetrical. In the second direction Y, the row of light-emitting pixels is located between the first sub-area NA1 and the second sub-area NA2, that is, the first sub-area NA1 and the second sub-area NA2 are spaced apart in the second direction Y.

[0038] The non-display area NA also includes a third sub-area NA3 and a fourth sub-area NA4 arranged opposite to each other. Both the third sub-area NA3 and the fourth sub-area NA4 are located between the first sub-area NA1 and the second sub-area NA2. Virtual pixel units 22 are disposed within both the third sub-area NA3 and the fourth sub-area NA4. The virtual pixel units 22 within the first sub-area NA1, the third sub-area NA3, the second sub-area NA2, and the fourth sub-area NA4 surround the display area AA. For example, the virtual pixel units 22 within the first sub-area NA1, the third sub-area NA3, the second sub-area NA2, and the fourth sub-area NA4 are sequentially connected end-to-end to form a ring of virtual pixel units 22, maximizing the narrow bezel.

[0039] The length of the virtual pixel unit 22 in the first sub-region NA1 and the second sub-region NA2 in the first direction X is greater than its length in the second direction Y, and the length of the virtual pixel unit 22 in the third sub-region NA3 and the fourth sub-region NA4 in the first direction X is less than its length in the second direction Y. The length of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 in the first direction X is greater than its length in the second direction Y. Optionally, the length of the virtual pixel unit 22 in the first sub-region NA1 and the second sub-region NA2 in the second direction Y is greater than or equal to the length of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 in the second direction Y; the length of the virtual pixel unit 22 in the third sub-region NA3 and the fourth sub-region NA4 in the first direction X is greater than or equal to the length of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 in the second direction Y.

[0040] The maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 in the first sub-region NA1 along the second direction Y is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 along the second direction Y. Similarly, the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 in the second sub-region NA2 along the second direction Y is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 along the second direction Y. The maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 in the third sub-region NA3 along the first direction X is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 along the second direction Y. The maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 along the second direction Y is greater than its maximum film-forming height difference along the first direction X.

[0041] Referring to FIG2, the display panel 100 further includes a first dam 30 and a second dam 40 disposed on the substrate 10. The first dam 30 is located in the display area AA, and the second dam 40 is located in the display area AA and extends from the display area AA to the non-display area NA. In the display area AA, the second dam 40 crosses the first dam 30 and forms a first opening 401 with the first dam 30. The light-emitting pixel unit 21 is located in the first opening 401 and is disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the first opening 401, that is, one light-emitting pixel unit 21 is disposed in each first opening 401, and one light-emitting pixel unit 21 is located in one first opening 401.

[0042] In the non-display area NA, the second dam 40 forms a second opening 402. The virtual pixel unit 22 is located within the second opening 402 and is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with the second opening 402. That is, one virtual pixel unit 22 is set within each second opening 402, and one virtual pixel unit 22 is located within one second opening 402. The opening area of ​​the second opening 402 is much larger than the opening area of ​​the first opening 401. For example, the opening area of ​​the second opening 402 is 3 times or more than the opening area of ​​the first opening 401, such as 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, 6 times, 10 times, 20 times, 30 times, etc.

[0043] In the thickness direction of the display panel 100, the thickness of the second dam 40 is greater than the thickness of the first dam 30, and the thickness of the second dam 40 located in the non-display area NA is greater than the thickness of the second dam 40 located in the display area AA. This increases the accommodating space of the second opening 402, allowing it to hold more printing ink. While ensuring the same film uniformity, the opening area of ​​the second opening 402 can be appropriately reduced, thereby further reducing the bezel width of the display panel 100 and facilitating the achievement of a narrow bezel. Both the first dam 30 and the second dam 40 can be formed of organic materials.

[0044] Referring again to FIG2, the display panel 100 further includes a first electrode layer 50 and a second electrode layer 60. The first electrode layer 50 is disposed between the substrate 10 and the light-emitting material layer 20. The first electrode layer 50 includes a plurality of first electrodes 51 formed in the display area AA and virtual electrodes 52 formed in the non-display area NA. The light-emitting pixel units 21 are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the first electrodes 51, and the virtual pixel units 22 are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the virtual electrodes 52. That is, one first electrode 51 corresponds to one light-emitting pixel unit 21, and one first electrode 51 corresponds to one first opening 401, the first opening 401 exposing at least a portion of the first electrode 51; one virtual electrode 52 corresponds to one virtual pixel unit 22, and one second electrode corresponds to one second opening 402, the second opening 402 exposing at least a portion of the virtual electrode 52.

[0045] The second electrode layer 60 is disposed on the side of the light-emitting material layer 20 away from the substrate 10, and the second electrode layer 60 is disposed throughout the entire layer. Optionally, the first electrode 51 is an anode, the second electrode layer 60 is a cathode, the light-emitting pixel unit 21 emits light under the combined action of the first electrode 51 and the second electrode layer 60, while the virtual pixel unit 22 does not emit light.

[0046] Referring to FIG3, the substrate 10 includes a substrate 11 and a first transistor 12 and a second transistor 13 disposed on the substrate 11. The first transistor 12 is formed in the display area AA, and the second transistor 13 is formed in the non-display area NA. The first transistor 12 is disposed corresponding to the first electrode 51, and the first electrode 51 is electrically connected to the first transistor 12. The second transistor 13 is disposed corresponding to the virtual electrode 52, and the virtual electrode 52 is electrically isolated from the second transistor 13.

[0047] Optionally, the substrate 10 further includes a bridging electrode disposed between the first transistor 12 and the first electrode 51, wherein the first electrode 51 is connected to the corresponding first transistor 12 through the bridging electrode.

[0048] The substrate 11 includes a first sub-substrate 111, a barrier layer 112, a second sub-substrate 113, and a buffer layer 114 stacked together. The materials of the first sub-substrate 111 and the second sub-substrate 113 include polyimide, etc., and the materials of the barrier layer 112 and the buffer layer 114 include inorganic materials such as silicon oxide and silicon nitride.

[0049] The first transistor 12 includes an active layer 121, a first gate 122, a third electrode 123, a source 124, and a drain 125. Naturally, the substrate 10 also includes multiple insulating layers, such as a first gate insulating layer 141 located between the active layer 121 and the first gate 122, a second gate insulating layer 142 located between the first gate 122 and the third electrode 123, an interlayer insulating layer 143 located between the third electrode 123 and the source 124 and drain 125, a first planarization layer 144 located between the source 124, drain 125, and the bridging electrode, and a second planarization layer 145 located between the bridging electrode and the first electrode 51. The first dam 30 and the second dam 40 are located on portions of the first electrode 51 and the second planarization layer 145. The structure of the second transistor 13 is the same as that of the first transistor 12, and will not be described again here.

[0050] The difference between the substrate 10 in the non-display area NA and the display area AA is that the second planarization layer 145 forms a first via in the display area AA, but does not form a corresponding via in the non-display area NA. The first electrode 51 is connected to the bridging electrode through the first via. The first planarization layer 144 forms a second via in the display area AA, but does not form a corresponding via in the non-display area NA. The bridging electrode is connected to the first transistor 12 through the second via. The first planarization layer 144 and the second planarization layer 145 are located between the virtual electrode 52 and the second transistor 13, so that the virtual electrode 52 is electrically isolated from the second transistor 13.

[0051] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 1 to 4, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another planar structure of the display panel 100 provided in this application embodiment. Referring to Figure 4, the difference between the display panel 100 exemplified in Figure 1 and the non-display area NA of the display panel 100 includes a first sub-area NA1 and a second sub-area NA2, but does not have a third sub-area NA3 and a fourth sub-area NA4, in order to further reduce the border of the display panel 100. The virtual pixel unit 22 is located within the first sub-area NA1 and the second sub-area NA2. The first sub-area NA1, the display area NA1, and the second sub-area NA2 are arranged sequentially in the second direction Y. Other descriptions are as described in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0052] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 1 to 5, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another planar structure of the display panel 100 provided in this application embodiment. Referring to Figure 5, the difference from the display panel 100 exemplified in Figure 1 is that multiple virtual pixel units 22 are provided in both the first sub-region NA1 and the third sub-region NA3. Correspondingly, multiple virtual pixel units 22 are also provided in both the second sub-region NA2 and the fourth sub-region NA4. The multiple virtual pixel units 22 are arranged in a virtual pixel row in the first direction X and in a virtual pixel column in the second direction Y.

[0053] It should be noted that Figure 5 schematically shows two virtual pixel rows and two virtual pixel columns set in the first sub-region NA1 and the second sub-region NA2, and three virtual pixel rows and two virtual pixel columns set in the third sub-region NA3 and the fourth sub-region NA4. However, this application is not limited to this. In this application, more or fewer virtual pixel units 22 may be set in the first sub-region NA1, the second sub-region NA2, the third sub-region NA3 and the fourth sub-region NA4, thereby forming fewer or more virtual pixel rows and / or virtual pixel columns. Furthermore, the surface shapes of the multiple virtual pixel units within each sub-region (including the first sub-region NA1, the second sub-region NA2, the third sub-region NA3, and the fourth sub-region NA4) are the same, for example, they are all rectangular. Of course, the shape of the virtual pixel unit 22 is not limited to the rectangle shown in Figure 5, and the virtual pixel unit 22 can also be other regular or irregular shapes. The arrangement rules of the multiple virtual pixel units within each sub-region (including the first sub-region NA1, the second sub-region NA2, the third sub-region NA3, and the fourth sub-region NA4) are the same, for example, the multiple virtual pixel units within each sub-region are arranged in an array. Of course, the arrangement of the virtual pixel unit 22 is not limited to the array arrangement shown in Figure 5, and the virtual pixel unit 22 can also be arranged in other ordered or disordered ways.

[0054] The length of each virtual pixel unit 22 in the first sub-region NA1 and the second sub-region NA2 in the first direction X is greater than its length in the second direction Y, and the length of each virtual pixel unit 22 in the third sub-region NA3 and the fourth sub-region NA4 in the first direction X is less than its length in the second direction Y.

[0055] The maximum film-forming height difference of each virtual pixel unit 22 in the first sub-region NA1 in the second direction Y is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 in the second direction Y. Similarly, the maximum film-forming height difference of each virtual pixel unit 22 in the second sub-region NA2 in the second direction Y is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 in the second direction Y. The maximum film-forming height difference of each virtual pixel unit 22 in the third sub-region NA3 in the first direction X is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 in the second direction Y. The maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21 in the second direction Y is greater than its maximum film-forming height difference in the first direction X.

[0056] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 1 to 6, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another planar structure of the display panel 100 provided in the embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 6, the difference from the display panel 100 exemplified in Figure 5 is that a plurality of virtual pixel units 22 are provided in both the first sub-region NA1 and the third sub-region NA3. In the first sub-region NA1, the plurality of virtual pixel units 22 include a first type of virtual pixel unit 22-1 and a second type of virtual pixel unit 22-2 arranged in the first direction X. The second type of virtual pixel unit 22-2 is located at the connection between the first sub-region NA1 and the third sub-region NA3. In the third sub-region NA3, the plurality of virtual pixel units 22 include a plurality of third type of virtual pixel units 22-3 arranged in the second direction Y.

[0057] In the second direction Y, the width of the third type of virtual pixel unit 22-3 is smaller than the width of the first type of virtual pixel unit 22-1 and smaller than the width of the second type of virtual pixel unit 22-2, and the width of the second type of virtual pixel unit 22-2 is greater than the width of the first type of virtual pixel unit 22-1.

[0058] The maximum film-forming height difference of the third type of virtual pixel unit 22-3 is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the first type of virtual pixel unit 22-1, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the third type of virtual pixel unit 22-3 is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the second type of virtual pixel unit 22-2.

[0059] The following uses the display panel 100 shown in Figure 5 as an example to illustrate the difference in the maximum film height between the virtual pixel unit 22 and the light-emitting pixel unit 21. Referring to Figures 1 to 10, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation of the two first-color light-emitting pixel units 21-R in the second direction Y in Figure 5; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation of the two second-color light-emitting pixel units 21-G in the second direction Y in Figure 5; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation of the two third-color light-emitting pixel units 21-B in the second direction Y in Figure 5; and Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation of the two virtual pixel units 22 in the first sub-region NA1 in Figure 5 in the second direction Y. In Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, the horizontal axis refers to the length value of the corresponding light-emitting pixel unit and virtual pixel unit in a certain direction, and the vertical axis refers to the film thickness at the corresponding length value position.

[0060] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the maximum film height difference of the first color emitting pixel unit 21-R in the second direction Y is less than 50 nanometers, that is, the maximum film height difference of the first color emitting pixel unit 21-R on the cross-section line E is less than 50 nanometers; wherein, Figure 7(a) is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation of the first color emitting pixel unit 21-R in the second direction Y, and Figure 7(b) is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation of another first color emitting pixel unit 21-R in the second direction Y.

[0061] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the maximum film height difference of the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G in the second direction Y is less than 60 nanometers, that is, the maximum film height difference of the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G on the cross-section line E is less than 60 nanometers; wherein, Figure 8(a) is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation of the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G in the second direction Y, and Figure 8(b) is a schematic diagram of the film thickness variation of another second color emitting pixel unit 21-G in the second direction Y.

[0062] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the maximum film height difference of the third color emitting pixel unit 21-B in the second direction Y is less than 80 nanometers, that is, the maximum film height difference of the third color emitting pixel unit 21-B on the cross-section line E is less than 80 nanometers. Figure 9(a) is a schematic curve showing the film thickness variation of the third color emitting pixel unit 21-B in the second direction Y, and Figure 7(b) is another schematic curve showing the film thickness variation of the third color emitting pixel unit 21-B in the second direction Y.

[0063] As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the maximum film-forming height difference of the first color emitting pixel unit 21-R is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color emitting pixel unit 21-G is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the third color emitting pixel unit 21-B.

[0064] As shown in Figures 5 and 10, the maximum film height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 in the second direction Y is greater than 400 nanometers, that is, the maximum film height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 on the section line F is greater than 400 nanometers; wherein, Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram of the film thickness change curve of the pseudo-pixel unit 22 closer to the display area AA in the second direction Y among the two virtual pixel units 22 at the position of section line E in Figure 5; Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram of the film thickness change curve of the pseudo-pixel unit 22 farther from the display area AA in the second direction Y among the two virtual pixel units 22 at the position of section line E in Figure 5.

[0065] As shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21. Specifically, the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the first color light-emitting pixel unit 21-R, greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color light-emitting pixel unit 21-G, and greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the third color light-emitting pixel unit 21-B. The maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit 22 is twice or more than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit 21.

[0066] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a display device, which includes the display panel 100 described in one of the foregoing embodiments. This display device can be an organic light-emitting diode display device or other display device, as well as any large-size product or component with display function, such as a television, mobile phone, tablet computer, or laptop computer that includes this display device; this embodiment is not limited to these.

[0067] As can be seen from the above embodiments:

[0068] In a display panel and display device provided in this application, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area located on at least one side of the display area. The display area is provided with a plurality of light-emitting pixel units, and the non-display area is provided with at least one virtual pixel unit. The area of ​​the virtual pixel unit is larger than the area of ​​the light-emitting pixel units in the display area, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel units is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel units. Thus, when inkjet printing is used to form a film-forming light-emitting material layer, the area forming a large area of ​​virtual pixel units can accommodate more printing ink, thereby creating a large solvent atmosphere in the area to eliminate the influence of uneven vacuum drying, and thus improving the uniformity of film formation of the light-emitting pixel units in the display area.

[0069] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0070] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the technical solutions and core ideas of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A display panel comprising a display area and a non-display area located on at least one side of the display area, the display panel further comprising: substrate; A light-emitting material layer is disposed on the substrate, the light-emitting material layer including a plurality of light-emitting pixel units formed in the display area and at least one virtual pixel unit formed in the non-display area; The virtual pixel unit has a larger area than the light-emitting pixel unit, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein, The maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit is twice or more than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein, The area of ​​a single virtual pixel unit is three times or more the area of ​​a single luminous pixel unit.

4. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein, The maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel unit is greater than 400 nanometers, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel unit is less than 80 nanometers.

5. The display panel according to claim 4, wherein, The plurality of light-emitting pixel units include a first color light-emitting pixel unit, a second color light-emitting pixel unit, and a third color light-emitting pixel unit. The maximum film-forming height difference of the first color light-emitting pixel unit is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color light-emitting pixel unit, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color light-emitting pixel unit is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the third color light-emitting pixel unit. Wherein, the first color emitting pixel unit is a red emitting pixel unit, the second color emitting pixel unit is a green emitting pixel unit, and the third color emitting pixel unit is a blue emitting pixel unit.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein, The maximum film-forming height difference of the first color emitting pixel unit is less than 50 nanometers, the maximum film-forming height difference of the second color emitting pixel unit is less than 60 nanometers, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the third color emitting pixel unit is less than 80 nanometers.

7. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein, The non-display area includes a first sub-area and a second sub-area that are arranged opposite to each other. The display area is adjacent to the first sub-area and the second sub-area. The virtual pixel unit is provided in both the first sub-area and the second sub-area. The virtual pixel unit in the first sub-area is centrally symmetrical with the virtual pixel unit in the second sub-area.

8. The display panel according to claim 7, wherein, A plurality of light-emitting pixel units are arranged in a row of light-emitting pixels in a first direction, and a plurality of light-emitting pixel units are arranged in a column of light-emitting pixels in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction intersect. The length of the light-emitting pixel unit in the first direction is greater than its length in the second direction. In the second direction, the row of light-emitting pixels is located between the first sub-region and the second sub-region.

9. The display panel according to claim 8, wherein, The non-display area further includes a third sub-area and a fourth sub-area that are arranged opposite to each other. The third sub-area and the fourth sub-area are both located between the first sub-area and the second sub-area. The virtual pixel units are arranged in both the third sub-area and the fourth sub-area. The virtual pixel units in the third sub-area and the fourth sub-area are centrally symmetrical. The virtual pixel units in the first sub-area, the third sub-area, the second sub-area, and the fourth sub-area surround the display area.

10. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein, The virtual pixel units in the first sub-region, the third sub-region, the second sub-region, and the fourth sub-region are connected end to end in sequence.

11. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein, The length of the virtual pixel unit in the first sub-region and the second sub-region in the second direction is greater than or equal to the length of the light-emitting pixel unit in the second direction; the length of the virtual pixel unit in the third sub-region and the fourth sub-region in the first direction is greater than or equal to the length of the light-emitting pixel unit in the second direction.

12. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein, The length of the virtual pixel unit in the first sub-region in the first direction is greater than its length in the second direction, and the length of the virtual pixel unit in the third sub-region in the first direction is less than its length in the second direction; The maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel units in the first sub-region in the second direction is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel units in the second direction; The maximum film-forming height difference of the virtual pixel units in the third sub-region in the first direction is greater than the maximum film-forming height difference of the light-emitting pixel units in the second direction.

13. The display panel according to claim 12, wherein, Both the first sub-region and the third sub-region are provided with a plurality of virtual pixel units. The plurality of virtual pixel units are arranged in a virtual pixel row in the first direction and in a virtual pixel column in the second direction.

14. The display panel according to claim 12, wherein, Both the first sub-region and the third sub-region are provided with a plurality of virtual pixel units. The surface shapes of the plurality of virtual pixel units in each sub-region are the same, and the arrangement pattern is the same.

15. The display panel according to claim 12, wherein, Both the first sub-region and the third sub-region are provided with a plurality of virtual pixel units. In the first sub-region, the plurality of virtual pixel units include a first type of virtual pixel unit and a second type of virtual pixel unit arranged in the first direction. The second type of virtual pixel unit is located at the connection between the first sub-region and the third sub-region. In the third sub-region, the plurality of virtual pixel units include a plurality of third type of virtual pixel units arranged in the second direction. In the second direction, the width of the third type of virtual pixel unit is smaller than the width of the first type of virtual pixel unit and smaller than the width of the second type of virtual pixel unit, and the width of the second type of virtual pixel unit is greater than the width of the first type of virtual pixel unit.

16. The display panel according to claim 15, wherein, The maximum film-forming height difference of the third type of virtual pixel unit is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the first type of virtual pixel unit, and the maximum film-forming height difference of the third type of virtual pixel unit is less than the maximum film-forming height difference of the second type of virtual pixel unit.

17. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The display panel also includes: The first dam is disposed on the substrate and located in the display area; The second dam is disposed on the substrate and spans the first dam, forming a first opening with the first dam. The light-emitting pixel units are located inside the first opening and are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the first opening. The second dam extends from the display area to the non-display area and forms a second opening in the non-display area. The virtual pixel unit is located in the second opening and is set in a one-to-one correspondence with the second opening.

18. The display panel according to claim 17, wherein, In the thickness direction of the display panel, the thickness of the second dam is greater than the thickness of the first dam, and the thickness of the second dam located in the non-display area is greater than the thickness of the second dam located in the display area.

19. The display panel according to claim 17, wherein, The display panel also includes: A first electrode layer is disposed between the substrate and the light-emitting material layer. The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first electrodes formed in the display area and a virtual electrode formed in the non-display area. The light-emitting pixel units are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the first electrodes, and the virtual pixel units are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the virtual electrodes. The second electrode layer is disposed on the side of the light-emitting material layer away from the substrate; The substrate includes a first transistor formed in the display area and a second transistor formed in the non-display area. The first transistor is disposed corresponding to the first electrode and is electrically connected to the first electrode. The second transistor is disposed corresponding to the virtual electrode and is electrically isolated from the second transistor.

20. A display device comprising a display panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.

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