Display panel, manufacturing method thereof and display device

A display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device are provided. The display panel includes a display region and a lens region, wherein the lens region comprises a common electrode and a deflection electrode arranged opposite each other, and a first liquid crystal layer arranged therebetween, the deflection electrode is configured for providing at least two different deflection voltages, and the at least two different deflection voltages are configured for deflecting the first liquid crystal layer. According to the display panel, the manufacturing method thereof and the display device in the embodiments of the present disclosure, it may drive the liquid crystals to deflect, so as to achieve the function of zooming of the camera. In addition, the camera is integrated with the display panel, so as to improve the integration level of the display device, and facilitate the utilization and the manufacturing of the display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national phase of PCT Application No. PCT/CN2021/094523 filed on May 19, 2021, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010590545.8 filed in China on Jun. 24, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to display technical fields, in particular to a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device.

BACKGROUND

With the development of technology, cameras are applied in more and more display devices. However, in the prior art, the camera typically is an independent component and achieves zooming through a mechanical structure. The integration of the camera with other components in display device is low, and the installation and use of the camera are inconvenient.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a display panel including a display region and a lens region, wherein the lens region includes a common electrode and a deflection electrode arranged opposite each other, and a first liquid crystal layer arranged between the common electrode and the deflection electrode, the deflection electrode is configured for providing at least two different deflection voltages, and the at least two different deflection voltages are configured for deflecting the first liquid crystal layer.

Optionally, the deflection electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode that are insulated from each other and spaced apart from each other, and the second sub-electrode is arranged around the first sub-electrode.

Optionally, the first sub-electrode is of a circle and the second sub-electrode is of a ring.

Optionally, t the display region of the display panel includes a second liquid crystal layer, the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer are arranged at a same layer, and the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer are separated from each other by an isolation structure.

Optionally, the isolation structure includes a barrier that is formed of sealant.

Optionally, the isolation structure further includes a photo spacer, the photo spacer being arranged at a side of the barrier proximate to the first liquid crystal layer.

Optionally, the display panel includes an array substrate and a color filter substrate that are arranged oppositely to form a cell, and one of the common electrode and the deflection electrode is arranged on the array substrate, and the other is arranged on the color filter substrate.

Optionally, the array substrate further includes a display region common electrode arranged on the display region;the common electrode is arranged on the array substrate, and the common electrode and the display region common electrode are arranged at a same layer and made of a same material; orthe deflection electrode is arranged on the array substrate, and the deflection electrode and the display region common electrode are arranged at a same layer and made of a same material.

Optionally, the display panel further includes a black matrix and an electrode line that are arranged on a color filter substrate, the common electrode and/or the deflection electrode being electrically connected to the electrode line, the orthographic projection of the electrode line on the color filter substrate being within the range of the orthographic projection of the black matrix on the base substrate.

Optionally, the display panel includes an array substrate, the array substrate includes a base substrate and a driving circuit arranged on the base substrate, and an elevation layer that is arranged on the display region and arranged between the driving circuit and the base substrate.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a display device including the display panel of any one of the above.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a display panel including a step of manufacturing a display region of a display panel, and a step of manufacturing a lens region of the display panel, wherein the lens region includes a common electrode and a deflection electrode that are arranged opposite each other, and a first liquid crystal layer arranged between the common electrode and the deflection electrode, the deflection electrode is configured for providing at least two different deflection voltages, and the at least two different deflection voltages are configured for deflecting the first liquid crystal layer.

Optionally, the step of manufacturing the display region of the display panel and the step of manufacturing the lens region of the display panel includes:forming, on the display panel through a single patterning process, a display region common electrode and a lens electrode of the display panel, and the lens electrode of the display panel is either the common electrode or the deflection electrode.

Optionally, the step of manufacturing the lens region of the display panel includes:arranging, between the lens region and the display region, an isolation structure for isolating liquid crystals; andsubjecting the lens region to a One Drop Filling (ODF) process for the liquid crystals, to form the first liquid crystal layer.

Optionally, the arranging, between the lens region and the display region, the isolation structure for isolating the liquid crystals includes:providing sealant for surrounding the lens region, to form the isolation structure; orforming a photo spacer on a region corresponding to the black matrix of the lens region, to form the isolation structure, and coating sealant on a side of the photo spacer distal to the first liquid crystal layer.

Optionally, the display panel includes an array substrate and a color filter substrate, and the step of manufacturing the lens region of the display panel includes:subjecting, on a side of the array substrate, the first liquid crystal layer to an ODF process for a portion of the liquid crystals, and subjecting, on a side of the color filter substrate, the first liquid crystal layer to an ODF process for another portion of the liquid crystals.

As compared with the related art, according to the display panel, the manufacturing method thereof and the display device in the embodiments of the present disclosure, it may drive the liquid crystals to deflect, so as to achieve the function of zooming of the camera. In addition, the camera is integrated with the display panel, so as to improve the integration level of the display device, and facilitate the use and the manufacturing of the display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a display panel.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the display panel includes a display region A and a lens region B.

The display region A is configured for realizing a display function, and the lens region B functions as a liquid crystal lens, which can be used as a lens of a camera.

The lens region B includes a deflection electrode401and a common electrode402arranged opposite to each other, and a first liquid crystal layer310arranged between the common electrode402and the deflection electrode401, the deflection electrode401being configured for providing at least two different deflection voltages, and the at least two different deflection voltages being configured for deflecting the first liquid crystal layer310.

The liquid crystal lens uses the properties of the optical anisotropy and the electrical anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules to drive, by a gradual change voltage, the liquid crystal molecules to form a gradual change arrangement. For example, the liquid crystal molecules may be in a hemispherical arrangement to provide a convex lens effect, or may be in a bowl-shaped arrangement to provide a concave lens effect, so as to implement the gradual change of the refractive index and realize the refraction of light.

The liquid crystal lens can utilize vertical electric field and plane electric field. The vertical electric field is typically used to control the liquid crystal molecules more conveniently. To achieve gradual change arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules, multiple electric fields of different values are required to implement the control.

When the deflection voltages are different, the degrees of deflections of the liquid crystal molecules are also different. Since the deflection electrode401is able to simultaneously provide at least two deflection voltages of different values, the at least two voltages function to drive at positive and negative frame frequencies respectively, whose frequencies are controlled to be typically at 0.5-10 KHz (Kilohertz).

By adjusting the values of the two voltages, continuous adjustment of the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules can be achieved, i.e., continuous adjustments of a positive lens and a negative lens are achieved, and the zooming of the camera is achieved accordingly. Thus, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer310can be deflected at different degrees, thereby achieving the refraction of the light and the lens zooming function of the camera.

In addition, the camera is integrated with the display panel, and an independent camera is not required, so as to improve the integration level of the display device, and facilitate the use and the manufacturing of the display device.

In some embodiments, the deflection electrode401includes a first sub-electrode4011and a second sub-electrode4012that are insulated from each other and spaced apart from each other, and the second sub-electrode4012is arranged around the first sub-electrode4011. For example, the first sub-electrode4011may have a circle shape, and the second sub-electrode4012may have a ring shape.

When the first sub-electrode4011and the second sub-electrode4012provide deflection voltages with different values respectively, the degree of deflection of the liquid crystal molecule corresponding to the first sub-electrode4011and the degree of deflection of the liquid crystal molecule corresponding to the second sub-electrode4012are also different; and since the second sub-electrode4012is arranged around the first sub-electrode4011, i.e., the degree of deflection of the central portion of the first liquid crystal layer310is different from the degree of deflection of the peripheral portion of the first liquid crystal layer310, the different portions of the first liquid crystal layer310may have different light refraction effect, thereby achieving the light refraction effect of the lens.

In some embodiments, the number of deflector electrodes can be increased to further improve the control of the deflection of the liquid crystal molecules. For example, a ring deflector sub-electrode may be provided besides the second liquid electrode4012to provide a deflection voltage, so as to improve the accuracy of the deflection control for the first liquid crystal layer310.

In some embodiments, the display region A of the display panel includes a second liquid crystal layer320, the first liquid crystal layer310and the second liquid crystal layer320are arranged at a same layer, and the first liquid crystal layer310and the second liquid crystal layer320are separated by an isolation structure.

In order to facilitate production, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first liquid crystal layer310and the second liquid crystal layer320are arranged at a same layer, and it can be understood that the first liquid crystal layer310and the second liquid crystal layer320are located at the same layer in a direction parallel to the display panel, so that during the manufacturing process, the ODF process of the first liquid crystal layer310and the ODF process of the second liquid crystal layer320can be implemented in the same step, thus simplifying the manufacturing procedure.

Since the liquid crystals of the first liquid crystal layer310of the lens region B and the liquid crystals of the second liquid crystal layer320of the display region A are different, an isolation structure is arranged in the embodiments of the present disclosure to separate the first liquid crystal layer310from the second liquid crystal layer320.

The first liquid crystal layer310may be made of any one of the liquid crystal materials in respective different modes, including but not limited to an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) mode, a VA (Vertically Aligned) mode, etc. For example, the first liquid crystal layer310may be made of the liquid crystal material in the ECB mode. In addition, the alignment direction of the first liquid crystal layer310may be same as that of display region A for ease of the utilization.

In the case where the first liquid crystal layer310and the second liquid crystal layer320adopt the same alignment direction, the initial TBA of the liquid crystal molecules of the first liquid crystal layer310is ˜0.5°, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the deflection voltage provided by the deflection electrode401may be adjusted as needed to provide deflection driving forces with different values.

In some embodiments, the isolation structure includes a barrier formed by the sealant403; and during the implementation, the barrier is formed by arranging the sealant403surrounding the lens region B, so as to prevent the liquid crystals from entering other regions.

In other embodiment, the isolation structure further includes a Photo Spacer404(PS), the photo spacer404being arranged at a side of the barrier proximate to the first liquid crystal layer310.

During the implementation, firstly a photo spacer404surrounding the lens region B is provided to prevent the diffusion of the liquid crystals, and then the sealant403is provided as the side of the photo spacer404distal to the first liquid crystal layer310to improve the sealing and isolation effects for the liquid crystals.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display panel includes the array substrate200and the color filter substrate100that are arranged oppositely to form a cell, and one of the common electrode402and the deflection electrode401is arranged on the array substrate200and the other is arranged on the color filter substrate100.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.2, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the common electrode402is arranged on the array substrate200, and the deflection electrode401is arranged on the color filter substrate100; during the implementation, the deflection control for the first liquid crystal layer310can also be achieved by exchanging the positions of the two, i.e., the common electrode402is arranged on the color filter substrate100and the deflection electrode401is arranged on the array substrate200.

It should be understood that the common electrode402and the deflection electrode401should be made of a transparent material, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), since the lens region B needs to ensure light transmission.

At the positions between the deflection electrode401and the liquid crystal layer, and between the common electrode402and the liquid crystal layer, the Polyimide (PI) can be coated to form an orientation layer405, and the Polyimide (PI) can be selected from an Oriented Attachment (OA) type or a rubbing type. Considering that there is a gap between the lens region B and the display region A, the OA orientation is more preferable.

Further, it is also necessary to form a high-impedance layer406and a first insulation layer407between the alignment layer405and the lens electrode, the high-impedance layer406is configured for smoothing the electric field, the thicknesses of the high-impedance layer406may be in a range from 0.4 to 2 microns, the high-impedance layer406and the first insulation layer407may be formed on either the side of the color filter substrate100or the side of the array substrate200.

As shown inFIG.2, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the high-impedance layer406and the first insulation layer407may be formed on the side of the color filter substrate100.

A first insulation layer407needs to be provided between the high-impedance layer406and the lens electrode. For example, the first insulation layer407may be made of silicon oxide.

Here, the lens electrode refers to the common electrode402and the deflection electrode401of the liquid crystal lens, and the lens electrode on the array substrate200refers to one of the common electrode402and the deflection electrode401that is arranged on the array substrate200.

Further, a second insulation layer409is provided between the lens electrode of the array substrate200and the transparent base408. In the embodiment shown inFIG.2, the lens electrode of the array substrate200specifically refers to the common electrode402.

In some embodiments, the arrange substrate200further includes a display region common electrode413arranged on the display region A, and the common electrode402and the lens electrode arranged on the array substrate200may be made of a same material and arranged at a same layer.

Specifically, in an example where the common electrode402is arranged on the array substrate200, the common electrode402and the display region common electrode413are arranged at the same layer and made of the same material. In practice, the formations of the common electrode402and the display region common electrode413of the lens region B may be implemented through a single patterning process.

When the deflection electrode401is arranged on the array substrate200, the deflection electrode401and the display region common electrode413are arranged at the same layer and made of the same material, only the structure of the mask needs to be adjusted accordingly, which will not be further described in detail herein.

In some embodiments, the display panel further includes an electrode line4013and a black matrix411arranged on the color filter substrate100, the common electrode402and/or the deflection electrode401is electrically connected to the electrode line4013, the orthographic projection of the electrode line4013on the color filter substrate100is within the orthographic projection of the black matrix411on the color filter substrate100.

During the implementation, the positions of the electrode lines4013may be adjusted according to the number of the electrode lines4013and the width of the electrode line4013, so as to cover the electrode line4013by the black matrix411, and prevent the electrode line4013from shielding the opening region of the display panel, which may reduce the adverse influence on the display effect.

In some embodiments, the lens region B is of a square region having a width of 5 to 15 mm, wherein the aperture portion of the lens is of a circle with approximate 1.5 to 8 mm. Obviously, the size and shape thereof are not limited thereto, and may be further adjusted according to actual needs.

The aperture portion is the transparent region of the lens region B, and the external region is controlled to be covered by the black matrix411. The electrode line4013extends out of the edge of the light-transmitting area and extends to the region covered by the black matrix411, and the number of the electrode lines4013can be adjusted and selected according to the width of the wiring area and the width of each electrode line4013, which is not further defined and described herein.

In some embodiments, a display panel includes an array substrate200, the array substrate200includes a transparent base408and a driving circuit arranged on the transparent base408, and an elevation layer410is provided between the driving circuit and the transparent base408.

It should be understood that the liquid crystal cell of the lens region B is relatively thick. In general, the cell thickness of the liquid crystal cell of the lens region B may be around 8 to 30 microns, while the cell thickness of the liquid crystal cell of the display region A is typically less than 3.5 microns. In order to improve the consistency of the processes, in the portion of the array substrate200corresponding to the display region A, an elevation layer410is formed before the formation of the driving circuit layer, wherein the thickness of each layer in the elevation layer410can be controlled to be at 4-8 microns, and an appropriate number of elevation layers410may be selected to compensate for the thicknesses of the display region A.

During the implementation, one or more elevation layers410are formed on the array substrate200, and then a driving circuit layer is further formed on the elevation layers410, so that the thicknesses of the display region A and the lens region B are substantially consistent.

In addition, for example, a flat layer414and a protective layer415may be further formed the display region A if required, which can refer to the prior art and will not be further described in detail herein.

Furthermore, in order to further satisfy the thickness of the lens region B, a photo spacer404can be further provided on the portion of the lens region B shielded by the black matrix411, and at the same time, the thicknesses of the photo spacer404of the lens region B and the height of the photo spacer404of the lens region A can be kept consistent. In addition, a pixel structure412is also formed in that region, which is coated with Overcoating (OC). Since the pixel structure is located in the region covered by the black matrix411, the pixel of the region does not have a display function, but is mainly configured for supporting the thickness of the cell, and maintaining the consistency of the thickness of the lens region B and the thickness of the display region A.

In the aperture region of the lens region B, there is no need to provide a pixel structure, and the OC may or may not be coated on the color filter substrate100of the aperture region.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a display device including the display panel of any one of the above.

Since the display device of the embodiments of the present disclosure includes all the technical features of the above-mentioned display panel, at least all the above-mentioned technical effects can be achieved, which will not be further described in detail herein.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a manufacturing method for a display panel, including a step of manufacturing a display region A of the display panel and a step of manufacturing a lens region B of the display panel, wherein the manufactured display panel is any one of the above-mentioned display panels and can achieve the same or similar technical effects, which will not be further described in detail herein.

In some embodiments, the step of manufacturing the display region of the display panel A and the step of manufacturing the lens region B of the display panel includes:forming, on an array substrate200, a display region common electrode413located in the display panel and the lens electrode of the display panel through a single patterning process, the lens electrode of the display panel being either one of the common electrode402and the deflection electrode401.

Here, the lens electrode refers to the common electrode402and the deflection electrode401of the liquid crystal lens, and the lens electrode on the array substrate200refers to one of the common electrode402and the deflection electrode401that is arranged on the array substrate200in.

For example, if the common electrode402is arranged on the array substrate200, the lens electrode on the array substrate200refers to the common electrode402, and if the deflection electrode401is arranged on the array substrate200, the lens electrode on the array substrate200refers to the deflection electrode401.

During the implementation, manufacturing the display region common electrode413and the electrode of the lens region B through the single patterning process may reduce the number of the manufacturing procedures and the number of the masks to be used, and save the manufacturing cost.

In some embodiments, the step of manufacturing the lens region B of the display panel includes:arranging, between the lens region B and the display region A, an isolation structure for isolating liquid crystals; andsubjecting the lens region B to an ODF process for the liquid crystals, to form the first liquid crystal layer310.

Since the first liquid crystal layer310and the second liquid crystal layer320utilize respective different liquid crystals, and they utilize separate drippers, which is more convenient for controlling the dripping of the liquid crystals.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, firstly the isolation structure is arranged, and then the lens region B is subjected to the ODF process for the liquid crystals, to form the first liquid crystal layer310, and the diffusion of first liquid crystal layer310can be prevented through by the isolation structure.

In some embodiments, the arranging, between the lens region B and the display region A, an isolation structure for isolating liquid crystals includes:providing sealant403for surrounding the lens region, to form the isolation structure; orforming a photo spacer404on a region corresponding to the black matrix411of the lens region B, to form the isolation structure, and coating sealant403on a side of the photo spacer404distal to the first liquid crystal layer310.

The isolation structure can be made of the sealant403or the photo spacer404, and obviously, the two can also be used in combination, i.e., the isolation structure is formed by the photo spacer404, and then the sealant403is further coated to improve the isolation and sealing effect.

In some embodiments, the display panel includes an array substrate200and a color filter substrate100, and the step of manufacturing a lens region B of the display panel includes:subjecting, on a side of the first liquid crystal layer310proximate to the array substrate200, the first liquid crystal layer310to an ODF process for a portion of the liquid crystals, and subjecting, on a side of the first liquid crystal layer310proximate to the color filter substrate100, the first liquid crystal layer310to the ODF process for another portion of the liquid crystals.

In some other embodiments, a portion of liquid crystals is instilled on the side of array substrate200, and the other portion of liquid crystals is instilled on the side of the color filter substrate100, so as to reduce the number of liquid crystals on the single side and shorten the diffusion distance of the liquid crystals.

The above are only specific embodiments of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art familiar with the present technical field can easily conceive changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure, and all of these should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.