The present application claims priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202111523845.5, filed on Dec. 14, 2021, in China National Intellectual Property Administration, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The present disclosure relates to the field of electroluminescence, and in particular to a display panel and a method of manufacturing a display panel.
In the field of display technologies, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device has advantages of actively emitting light, having a high response speed, having a wide viewing angle, having high brightness, having high colour saturation, being thin, being bendable, having low cost, and so on. The OLED display devices are gradually replacing liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to be major displays in the flat panel display technology. According to a direction in which light is emitted, an OLED substrate may include a bottom-emitting OLED (the light is emitted downwardly relative to a substrate) and a top-emitting OLED (the light is emitted upwardly relative to the substrate) and so on. For the top-emitting OLED, the direction in which the light is emitted is on a cathode side, and therefore, configuration of the cathode may significantly affect display performance.
However, in the art, it may be difficult to enable the cathode to have high light transmission, and at the same time, to meet requirements of proper electrical conductivity. For example, in order to achieve the high light transmission, thickness of the cathode may be thin. However, resistance of the thin cathode may be large, leading to an increased voltage and increased power consumption. Further, the voltage may be unevenly distributed on various regions of the cathode, causing uneven brightness.
According to a first aspect, a display panel is provided and includes an array substrate. The array substrate has a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels includes an opening region and a non-opening region. An anode layer, a light emitting layer and a portion of a cathode layer are laminated in sequence in the opening region of the pixel. An auxiliary cathode layer and another portion of the cathode layer are laminated in sequence in the non-opening region of the pixel. The portion of the cathode layer in the opening region and the another portion of the cathode layer in the non-opening region of the pixel are connected, and the auxiliary cathode layer is spaced apart from the anode layer.
According to a second aspect, an electronic device is provided and includes: a circuit substrate and the display panel of the first aspect. The display panel is arranged on and electrically connected to the circuit substrate. The circuit substrate is configured to supply power and a drive voltage for the display panel.
According to a third aspect, a method of manufacturing a display panel is provided and includes: providing an array substrate, forming an anode layer and an auxiliary cathode layer on the array substrate, wherein the anode layer and the auxiliary cathode layer are spaced apart from each other; forming a light emitting layer on the anode layer; and forming a cathode layer on the light emitting layer and the auxiliary cathode layer.
According to the present disclosure, the display panel is arranged with an auxiliary cathode layer and a cathode layer laminated in sequence in the non-opening region of the pixels. The cathode layer in the opening region of the pixels is connected to the cathode layer in the non-opening region of the pixels. The auxiliary cathode layer is spaced apart from the anode layer. In this way, electrical conductivity of the cathode layer may be effectively increased due to connection with the auxiliary cathode layer to reduce an overall impedance of the cathode layer, and the thickness of the cathode layer does not need to be increased to increase the electrical conductivity of the display panel. Therefore, the cathode layer has high light transmission and good electrical conductivity, ensuring a better display effect.
In order to illustrate more clearly technical solutions in embodiments of the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings for the description of the embodiments will be briefly described in the following. Apparently, the following are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings can be obtained based on the following drawings without creative work by any ordinary skilled person in the art.
Technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below by referring to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the embodiments described are only a part of but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained without creative work by any ordinary skilled person in the art shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
As shown in
In detail, the array substrate 11 may have a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels may include an opening region 110a and a non-opening region 110b. The anode layer 12, the light emitting layer 15 and the cathode layer 16 are arranged in sequence in the opening region 110a of the pixel.
Further, the auxiliary cathode layer 13 and the cathode layer 16 may be arranged in sequence in the non-opening region 110b of the pixel. The cathode layer 16 in the opening region 110a and the cathode layer 16 in the non-opening region 110b of the pixel are connected. Therefore, the cathode layer 16 may be connected to the auxiliary cathode layer 13, and the auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be spaced apart from the anode layer 12.
To be noted that, the opening region 110a of the pixel may refer to a light transmission region that light behind a wiring portion and a transistor portion (usually hidden by a black matrix) of each pixel can pass through. The non-opening region 110b may refer to a partial region that the light behind the wiring portion and the transistor portion (usually hidden by the black matrix) of each pixel cannot pass through, and therefore, the non-opening region 110b may be the non-transmitted region.
In the above embodiment, the cathode layer 16 may be connected to the auxiliary cathode layer 13, and the auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be spaced from the anode layer 12. The electrical conductivity of the cathode layer 16 may be effectively increased, and an overall impedance of the cathode layer 16 may be reduced. Therefore, thickness of the cathode layer 16 does not need to be increased to achieve the electrical conductivity of the display panel 10. Therefore, the cathode layer 16 may have high light transmission and better electrical conductivity, ensuring a better display effect.
In an embodiment, the array substrate 11 may specifically include a thin film transistor (TFT) layer 111 and a substrate 112, such as a glass substrate 112 or any other substrate 112 made from appropriate material. The array substrate 11 may specifically be configured to drive each pixel in the display panel 10. Therefore, a corresponding anode layer 12 may specifically be arranged on a side of the array substrate 11 to be able to receive a signal input correspondingly sent by the array substrate 11.
In an embodiment, the pixel may further include a plurality of sub-pixels. Specifically, the sub-pixels are a R sub-pixel, a G sub-pixel and a B sub-pixel. Each of the sub-pixels may correspond to one opening region 110a and one non-opening region 110b. The auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be arranged in the non-opening region 110b corresponding to each of the sub-pixels. Adjacent auxiliary cathode layers 13 may be connected with each other to form an auxiliary cathode ring, surrounding each sub-pixel. A plurality of auxiliary cathode rings may form a grid of auxiliary cathode layer 13.
In an embodiment, the anode layer 12 may specifically include a plurality of anodes. The plurality of anodes may be spaced apart from each other and may be arranged on the array substrate 11. The light emitting layer 15 may further include a plurality of light emitting subunits, and the plurality of light emitting subunits are in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of sub-pixels. Each of the plurality of light emitting subunits may be arranged on one anode.
It shall be understood that, as shown in
Further, the sub-pixels may be the R sub-pixel, the G sub-pixel, the B sub-pixel and a W sub-pixel. Each sub-pixel may correspond to one opening region 110a and one non-opening region 110b. The R sub-pixel, the G sub-pixel, the B sub-pixel and the W sub-pixel may be arranged next to each other in sequence and arranged in a plurality of rows, forming an array. The auxiliary cathode layer 13 may further be arranged in the non-opening region 110b between sub-pixels of two adjacent rows. Alternatively, a sub-pixel at an edge row may have a non-opening region 110b at an edge, and the auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be arranged in the non-opening region 110b at the edge.
It shall be understood that, as shown in
In an embodiment, the display panel 10 may further include a pixel defining layer 14, arranged on the array substrate 11. The pixel definition layer 14 may define a first through hole 342, exposing the anode layer 12. The anode layer 12 may be arranged at a bottom of the first through hole 342. The light emitting layer 15 may further be arranged on the anode layer 12. That is, the light emitting layer 15 may be arranged on the bottom of the first through hole 342 and a side wall of the first through hole 342. The cathode layer 16 may further be arranged on the light emitting layer 15.
Further, in an embodiment, the pixel defining layer may define a second through hole 343, exposing at least part of the auxiliary cathode layer 13. The auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be arranged at a bottom of the second through hole 343. The cathode layer 16 may further be arranged on the auxiliary cathode layer 13. That is, the cathode layer 16 may be arranged on the bottom of the second through hole 343 and on a side wall of the second through hole 343. In this way, the cathode layer 16 may be connected to the auxiliary cathode layer 13.
Further, in an embodiment, the anode layer 12 may include a plurality of anodes. The plurality of anodes may be spaced apart from each other and may be arranged on the array substrate 11. The light emitting layer 15 may further include a plurality of light emitting subunits, and the plurality of light emitting subunits may be in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of subpixels. Each of the plurality of light emitting subunits may be arranged on one anode and the side wall of the first through hole 342 corresponding to the anode.
In some embodiments, the pixel defining layer may define the second through hole 343, exposing entirety of the auxiliary cathode layer 13, and the auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be arranged at the bottom of the second through hole 343. The cathode layer 16 may further be arranged on the auxiliary cathode layer 13 and the side wall of the second through hole 343.
It shall be understood that, the pixel defining layer may define the second through hole 343 corresponding to the auxiliary cathode layer 13. In this way, the anode layer 12 which is arranged apart from the auxiliary cathode layer 13, i.e., every two adjacent light emitting subunits arranged on the plurality of anodes, may be separated effectively. Interference of light mixing of adjacent subpixels may be effectively blocked by defining the recess, ensuring the display panel 10 to have a better display effect.
In an embodiment, a conductive via 343a may be defined in the pixel defining layer and correspond to the auxiliary cathode layer 13, or a conductive metal post may be arranged on the pixel defining layer and correspond to the auxiliary cathode layer 13. Further, the cathode layer 16 may be received in the conductive via 343a or connected to the conductive metal post. For example, the conductive metal post may be a conductive copper post or a conductive aluminum post. The cathode layer 16 may be connected to the auxiliary cathode layer 13 through the conductive via 343a or the conductive metal post.
In an embodiment, the auxiliary cathode layer 13 and the anode layer 12 may be arranged on a same layer and may be spaced apart from each other. In this way, when the cathode layer 16 is connected to the auxiliary cathode layer 13, the impedance of the cathode layer 16 may be reduced effectively. In other embodiments, the auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be arranged between the anode layer 12 and a side of the pixel defining layer away from the array substrate 11. The present disclosure does not limit the location of the auxiliary cathode layer 13, as long as the above functions can be achieved.
In an embodiment, the cathode layer 16 may specifically be arranged on the side of the pixel defining layer 14 away from the array substrate 11. The entire the cathode layer 16 may cover the auxiliary cathode layer 13, the pixel defining layer 14, the side wall of the first through hole 342, the side wall of the second through hole 343, and the light emitting layer 15, such that the cathode layer 16 may be connected to the auxiliary cathode layer 13 correspondingly.
In an embodiment, material of the auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be the same as that of the anode layer 12, such that the anode layer 12 and the auxiliary cathode layer 13 may be made simultaneously by performing a same preparation process, an overall preparation cost of the display panel 10 may be reduced as much as possible.
In an embodiment, the display panel 10 may further include an encapsulation layer 17. The encapsulation layer 17 may be arranged on the cathode layer 16 to achieve encapsulation protection of the cathode layer 16 and to insulate the cathode layer 16 from water and oxygen.
The present disclosure further provides a method of manufacturing a display panel, as shown in
In an operation S21, an array substrate may be provided, and the anode layer and the auxiliary cathode layer may be formed on the array substrate and may be spaced apart from each other.
In detail, as shown in
In an embodiment, the array substrate 31 may specifically include a thin film transistor layer 311 and a substrate 312. For example, the array substrate 31 may be a glass substrate 312 or any other substrate 312 made of appropriate material. The array substrate 31 may specifically be configured to drive each pixel in the display panel. Therefore, the corresponding anode layer 32 may specifically be arranged on a side of the array substrate 31 to be able to receive the signal input correspondingly sent by the array substrate 31.
The array substrate 31 may have a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels may include an opening region and a non-opening region. The anode layer 32 may be arranged in the opening region of the pixel, and the auxiliary cathode layer 33 may be arranged in the non- opening region of the pixel.
In an operation S22, a light emitting layer may be formed on the anode layer.
Further, as shown in
In an operation S23, a cathode layer may be formed on the light emitting layer and the auxiliary cathode layer.
Further, as shown in
Further, in an embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
In an operation S41, an array substrate may be provided, the anode layer and the auxiliary cathode layer are formed on the array substrate and are spaced apart from each other.
The operations S41 and S42 may be identical to the operations S21 and S22 in
In an operation S42, a pixel defining layer may be formed on the array substrate, a first through hole 342 may be defined in the pixel defining layer to expose the anode layer and to directly face the anode layer, and a second through hole 343 may be defined in the pixel defining layer to expose at least part of the auxiliary cathode layer and to directly face the auxiliary cathode layer.
In detail, as shown in
In an operation S43, a light emitting layer may be formed on the anode layer.
Further, as shown in
In an embodiment, the pixel may further include a plurality of sub-pixels. Specifically, the sub-pixels are a R sub-pixel, a G sub-pixel and a B sub-pixel. Each of the sub-pixels may correspond to one opening region and one non-opening region. The auxiliary cathode layer 33 may be formed in the non-opening region corresponding to each of the sub-pixels. Adjacent auxiliary cathode layers 33 may be connected with each other to form an auxiliary cathode ring, surrounding each sub-pixel. A plurality of auxiliary cathode rings may form a grid of auxiliary cathode layer 33.
In an embodiment, the anode layer 32 may specifically include a plurality of anodes. The plurality of anodes may be spaced apart from each other and may be formed on the array substrate 31. The light emitting layer 35 may further include a plurality of light emitting subunits, and the plurality of light emitting subunits are in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of sub-pixels. Each of the plurality of light emitting subunits may be arranged on one anode.
It shall be understood that, as shown in
Further, the sub-pixels may be the R sub-pixel, the G sub-pixel, the B sub-pixel and a W sub-pixel. Each sub-pixel may correspond to one opening region and one non-opening region. The R sub-pixel, the G sub-pixel, the B sub-pixel and the W sub-pixel may be arranged next to each other in sequence and arranged in a plurality of rows, forming an array. The auxiliary cathode layer 33 may further be arranged in the non-opening region between sub-pixels of two adjacent rows. Alternatively, a sub-pixel at an edge row may have a non-opening region at an edge, and the auxiliary cathode layer 33 may be arranged in the non-opening region at the edge.
It shall be understood that, as shown in
In an operation S44, the cathode layer may be arranged on the light emitting layer, the pixel defining layer, the side wall of the first through hole 342, the side wall of the second through hole 343 and the auxiliary cathode layer.
Further, as shown in
In other embodiments, a conductive via 343a may be defined in the pixel defining layer and correspond to the auxiliary cathode layer 33, or a conductive metal post may be arranged on the pixel defining layer and correspond to the auxiliary cathode layer 33. Further, the cathode layer 36 may be received in the conductive via 343a or connected to the conductive metal post. For example, the conductive metal post may be a conductive copper post or a conductive aluminum post. The cathode layer 36 may be connected to the auxiliary cathode layer 33 through the conductive via 343a or the conductive metal post.
Further, in an embodiment, the operation S43 may specifically further include: depositing a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a first hole blocking layer and an electron blocking layer in sequence on the anode layer 32 and the side wall of the first through hole 342 corresponding to the anode layer 32, enabling the light emitting layer 35 to be arranged on the electron blocking layer.
Further, in an embodiment, the operation S44 may further include: depositing in sequence a second hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer on the auxiliary cathode layer 33, the pixel defining layer 34, the side wall of the first through hole 342, the side wall of the second through hole 343, and the light emitting layer 35, enabling the cathode layer 36 to be arranged on the electron injection layer.
The present disclosure further provides an electronic device, as shown in
To be noted that, the circuit substrate 511 may specifically be configured to supply power and a drive voltage for the display panel 512, and provide circuit logic lines for electrical connection with external devices or components. The display panel 512 described in the present embodiment may be the display panel 10 described in any of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.
According to the present disclosure, the display panel is arranged with an auxiliary cathode layer and a cathode layer laminated in sequence in the non-opening region of the pixels. The cathode layer in the opening region of the pixels is connected to the cathode layer in the non-opening region of the pixels. The auxiliary cathode layer is spaced apart from the anode layer. In this way, electrical conductivity of the cathode layer may be effectively increased due to connection with the auxiliary cathode layer to reduce an overall impedance of the cathode layer, and the thickness of the cathode layer does not need to be increased to increase the electrical conductivity of the display panel. Therefore, the cathode layer has high light transmission and good electrical conductivity, ensuring a better display effect.
The above description shows only embodiments of the present disclosure and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation performed based on the specification and accompanying drawings, applied directly or indirectly in other related fields, shall be equally covered by the scope of the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202111523845.5 | Dec 2021 | CN | national |