Mask, exposure method and touch display panel

A mask is provided. The mask includes a plurality of light blocking strips configured to block light and bounding spaces through which light is allowed to pass. The plurality of light blocking strips are arranged in a mesh shape, and include first light blocking strips located in at least one side edge of the mask, and second light blocking strips, and each of the first light blocking strips has a greater width than each of the second light blocking strips. An exposure method using the mask, and a touch display panel manufactured by the exposure method are also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a mask, an exposure method using the mask, and a touch display panel manufactured by the exposure method.

BACKGROUND

With a continual development of display technology, a size of a display panel or touch display panel continues to increase. In order to produce a larger-sized display panel or touch display panel, there is a need to produce a large-sized display panel or touch display panel by means of a low-generation production line.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mask including: a plurality of light blocking strips configured to block a light and bounding spaces through which a light is allowed to pass,

wherein the plurality of light blocking strips are arranged in a mesh shape, and include first light blocking strips located in at least one side edge of the mask, and second light blocking strips, and each of the first light blocking strips has a greater width than each of the second light blocking strips.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask is configured to be used in a splicing exposure process including at least two exposures, each of the first light blocking strips has a first width, each of the second light blocking strips has a second width, a difference between the first width and the second width is in direct proportion to a position deviation of the mask between the two exposures in the splicing exposure process.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, first light blocking strips are located in two side edges of the mask in a splicing direction, or first light blocking strips are located in four side edges of the mask.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the width of each of the second light blocking strips is less than or equal to 6 μm.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a spacing between two adjacent ones of the second light blocking strips is in a range of 100-300 μm.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask further includes at least one alignment mark.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first light blocking strips of the mask are configured to form a common pattern in a first exposure region and a second exposure region of a substrate which are adjacent to each other.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an exposure method, the exposure method performs a splicing exposure process on a substrate including a first exposure region and a second exposure region by means of the above mask, the exposure method including steps of:

aligning the mask with the first exposure region of the substrate to perform a first exposure;

moving the mask relative to the substrate; and

aligning the mask with the second exposure region of the substrate to perform a second exposure.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, performing the first exposure includes:

forming a first pattern in the first exposure region by means of the first light blocking strips of the mask; and

forming a second pattern in the first exposure region by means of the second light blocking strips of the mask,

wherein the first pattern has a greater line width than the second pattern.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, in the second exposure, an orthogonal projection of the first light blocking strips of the mask on the substrate partially overlaps an orthogonal projection of the first pattern on the substrate, and an overlap between the orthogonal projection of the first light blocking strips on the substrate and the orthogonal projection of the first pattern on the substrate has a width equal to the width of each of the second light blocking strips.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, aligning the mask with the first exposure region of the substrate to perform the first exposure includes:

disposing a first alignment mark on the mask;

disposing a second alignment mark on the substrate; and

aligning the first alignment mark with the second alignment mark so that the mask is aligned with the first exposure region of the substrate.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, aligning the mask with the second exposure region of the substrate to perform the second exposure includes:

disposing a third alignment mark on the substrate; and

aligning the first alignment mark with the third alignment mark so that the mask is aligned with the second exposure region of the substrate.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate has long and short sides, and the mask has a maximum alignment distance that is a maximum one of distances between a position of the mask where the first alignment mark is capable of being disposed and the long and short sides of the mask, the exposure method further including:

comparing the short side of the substrate with the maximum alignment distance; and

when the maximum alignment distance is greater than a length of the short side and a difference between the maximum alignment distance and the length of the short side is greater than a first threshold, the first exposure and the second exposure are performed only in a long side direction of the substrate.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first exposure region and the second exposure region are contiguous to each other, and have the first pattern common to them.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, aligning the mask with the second exposure region of the substrate to perform the second exposure includes:

aligning the first light blocking strips with the first pattern.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, after the second exposure, a difference between the line width of the first pattern and the line width of the second pattern is less than a second threshold.

In a further aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch display panel including:

a substrate;

a touch drive electrode disposed on the substrate; and

a touch sense electrode disposed on the substrate,

wherein the touch drive electrode and/or the touch sense electrode have/has a metal mesh structure, and are/is manufactured by the above exposure method.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the metal mesh structure includes a plurality of metal lines which are arranged in a mesh and each of which has a line width less than or equal to 5 μm, and a spacing between every two adjacent ones of the plurality of metal lines is in a range of 150-250 μm.

It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily plotted to scale, but are only schematically shown without an adverse influence on a reader in understanding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order that objects, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure become more apparent, a clear and complete description of the technical solutions of the present disclosure will be made as below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are some of the embodiments of the present disclosure rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments derived by those skilled in the art based on the following embodiments of the present disclosure without making a creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

In order to produce a large-sized display panel or touch display panel, for example, a size of a mask also needs to be increased accordingly. At present, an exposure machine imposes a restriction on the size of the mask, and a large-sized mask has disadvantages such as difficulty in manufacturing, high cost, and inconvenience in routine storage and use. Therefore, when the large-sized display panel or touch display panel is manufactured, generally a large-sized substrate needs to be divided into a plurality of regions, and the regions are sequentially exposed with a mask, thereby forming the large-sized display panel or touch display panel. This process is referred as to a splicing exposure process. For example, taking a G6 production line of the BOE touch display panel factory as an example, a mask has an effective exposure area of 1100 mm×752 mm, a large-sized touch display panel has overall dimensions that exceed the effective exposure area of the mask. For example, a 65″ touch display panel has overall dimensions of 1460 mm×831 mm, and a 75″ touch display panel has overall dimensions of 1687 mm×957 mm. Therefore, only if a plurality of exposures, i.e. the splicing exposure process, needs to be performed, a desired pattern can be formed.

FIG. 1schematically shows a structure of a metal mesh electrode. With a rapid development of a touch display panel industry, a demand for transparent conductors such as indium tin oxide (ITO) has also increased greatly. However, disadvantages of ITO such as high price, low efficiency, fragility and low conductivity, have forced researchers to constantly try to find an electrode material or an electrode structure that can substitute for ITO. A metal mesh electrode is electrode structure that can substitute for ITO. As shown inFIG. 1, the metal mesh10includes a plurality of metal lines1which are arranged in a mesh shape. Each metal line1has a width Wegreater than zero, and there is a space Sebetween every two adjacent metal lines1. When the metal mesh electrode is used as a touch electrode of the touch display panel, the metal line has a very low resistance, and most of an area of the metal mesh (i.e. an area where the space is located) does not have any light blocking object so that a light can completely pass through the metal mesh electrode, thereby increasing a transmittance.

The metal mesh electrode can be applied in the large-sized touch display panel to be used as at least one of a touch drive electrode and a touch sense electrode. Taking an one-glass solution (OGS) touch display panel as an example, as shown inFIG. 2, the touch display panel20may include: a substrate21; a black matrix22disposed on the substrate21; a first covering layer (overcoat (OC))23disposed on the substrate21and covering the black matrix22; a touch sense electrode24disposed on the first covering layer23; a second covering layer25disposed on the touch sense electrode24; a touch drive electrode26disposed on the second covering layer25; and a third covering layer27disposed on the touch drive electrode26. At least one of the touch sense electrode24and the touch drive electrode26may include the metal mesh structure shown inFIG. 1.

It should be noted that herein the covering layer is a layer for the purpose of insulating or protecting, and is generally a transparent optical material layer.

A patterning process may be used in order to form the touch sense electrode24or the touch drive electrode26on the substrate21. For example, the patterning process may include steps such as an evaporation of a metal, an application of a photoresist, an exposure using a mask, a development, and an etch.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate21may be a large-sized substrate, for example a 65″ substrate having overall dimensions of 1460 mm×831 mm or for example a 75″ substrate having overall dimensions of 1687 mm×957 mm. The splicing exposure process needs to be performed in an exposure step in order to form the touch sense electrode24or the touch drive electrode26on the large-sized substrate21.

The splicing exposure process will be described in more detail as below by taking a splicing exposure process including two exposures as an example. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the splicing exposure process in the embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the splicing exposure process including two exposures, and may include more exposures such as three exposures, four exposures, six exposures, or the like.

In order to form, on the substrate21, the touch sense electrode24or the touch drive electrode26having the metal mesh structure shown inFIG. 1, a mask corresponding to the metal mesh structure needs to be used in the exposure step.FIG. 3shows a mask according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 3, the mask30includes a light blocking part31and a light transmitting part32. The light blocking part31includes a plurality of light blocking strips311which are arranged in a mesh shape and each of which has a width Wm. The light transmitting part32is formed by the spaces bounded by the plurality of light blocking strips311. There is a spacing Smbetween every two adjacent light blocking strips311. In an example, the light blocking strip311may be made of an opaque material (such as a metal). When an exposure is performed by means of the mask30, a light can pass through the light transmitting part32but is blocked by the light blocking part31, so that a pattern corresponding to the mask30is formed on the substrate.

The substrate21is divided into two regions, i.e. a first region21A and a second region21B as shown inFIG. 4. In a first exposure process, an exposure is performed on the first region21A by means of the mask30. In a second exposure process, an exposure is performed on the second region21B by means of the mask30. A complete pattern of the touch sense electrode24or the touch drive electrode26is formed on the substrate21by means of the two exposures, thereby satisfying the need to produce the large-sized display panel or touch display panel by means of the low-generation production line.

The inventors found that in the above exposure processes, an area of the first region21A adjacent to the second region21B will be subjected to the two exposure processes, i.e. the first exposure and the second exposure. The area may be referred to as a substrate splicing exposure area, while an exposure area of the substrate21except the substrate splicing exposure area may be referred to as a substrate normal exposure area.FIG. 4schematically shows a substrate splicing exposure area21C for easy understanding. Theoretically, the metal mesh10shown inFIG. 1can be formed after the splicing exposure, and each metal line1has a width We, and there is a space Sebetween every two adjacent metal lines1. However, actually a line width of the metal line1formed in the substrate splicing exposure area21C is less than the width We. As a result, in a display panel or touch display panel formed finally, the substrate splicing exposure area has a higher transmittance than the substrate normal exposure area, so that the substrate splicing exposure area has a greater luminance in displaying than the substrate normal exposure area. In other words, a mura phenomenon is generated.

It was found by a further analysis that a reason for the generation of the mura phenomenon is an alignment deviation between the two exposure processes. Specifically,FIGS. 5A-5Care partial enlarged views schematically showing a substrate splicing exposure area in two exposure processes. As shown inFIG. 5A, in a first exposure process, a first metal line51having the width Weis formed in the substrate splicing exposure area due to a light blocking effect of the light blocking strip311of the mask30. Then, as shown inFIG. 5B, in a second exposure process, due to a restriction imposed by factors such as a positioning accuracy of an exposure machine, the positional relationship in which the light-shielding strip311of the mask30and the first metal line51are completely aligned with each other as shown inFIG. 5Awill not reproduced, but a position deviation δ between the light-shielding strip311of the mask30and the first metal line51will be generated. As a result, in the second exposure process, a portion of the first metal line51which is not shielded by the light blocking strip311will be exposed. The first metal line51formed finally is as shown inFIG. 5C. Since the portion of the first metal line51which is not shielded by the light blocking strip311is exposed in the second exposure process, a line width We′ of the first metal line51formed finally is less than the width We. A difference between the line width We′ and the width Weis in direct proportion to the position deviation between the two exposure processes.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a mask. As shown inFIG. 6, the mask60includes a light blocking part61and a light transmitting part62. In the mask, the light blocking part61is configured to prevent a light from passing through the light blocking part61and the light transmitting part62is configured to allow a light to pass through the light transmitting part62. The light blocking part61includes a plurality of light blocking strips which are arranged in a mesh shape, and the light transmitting part62is formed by spaces among the plurality of light blocking strips. The plurality of light blocking strips may include first light blocking strips611′ and second light blocking strips611. Each of the first light blocking strips611′ corresponding to the substrate splicing exposure area has a first width Wm1. Each of the second light blocking strips611corresponding to the substrate normal exposure area has a second width Wm2. For example, the first light blocking strips611′ corresponding to the substrate splicing exposure area may be light blocking strips located in at least one side edge of the mask60. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first light blocking strips611′ corresponding to the substrate splicing exposure area are light blocking strips located in two side edges of the mask60in a first direction (a left-right direction inFIG. 6).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first light blocking strips611′ corresponding to the substrate splicing exposure area may be light blocking strips located in two side edges of the mask60in the first direction (the left-right direction inFIG. 6) and located in two side edges of the mask60in a second direction (an up-down direction inFIG. 6).

In the present embodiment, the first light blocking strips611′ may be located in at least one side edge of the mask60, and all the other light blocking strips of the light blocking strips except the first light blocking strips611′ are the second light blocking strips611. For example, the second light blocking strips611may be located in a non-side-edge part of the mask60. Referring toFIG. 6, the mask60includes four side edges, and the other positions of the mask60except the four side edges may be referred to as non-side-edge positions of the mask60.

In the present embodiment, the first width Wm1is greater than the second width Wm2. For example, the second width Wm2may be equal to the width Wm, while the first width Wm1is greater than the width Wm.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure,FIG. 7is an enlarged view showing the first light blocking strip and the second light blocking strip. As shown inFIG. 7, the first light blocking strip611′ is formed by unilaterally extending the second light blocking strip611by a width Wp. Herein, “unilaterally extending” means that an edge of the second light blocking strip on one side of the second light blocking strip is extended in a direction away from a central line of the second light blocking strip. For example, a left edge of the second light blocking strip611is extended leftwards, or a right edge of the second light blocking strip611is extended rightwards. In this case, there is a following relation between the first width Wm1of the first light blocking strip611′ and the second width Wm2of the second light blocking strip611:
Wm1=Wm2+2Wp.

It should be noted that the unilaterally extended width Wpis in direct proportion to the position deviation between the two exposure processes.

FIG. 8is a schematic view schematically showing a performance of a splicing exposure process on a substrate21using the mask60, andFIGS. 9A-9Care partial enlarged views schematically showing a splicing exposure region in two exposure processes. Referring toFIGS. 8 to 9C, in a first exposure process, an exposure is performed on the first region21A by means of the mask60, and in a second exposure process, an exposure is performed on the second region21B by means of the mask60. A complete pattern of the touch sense electrode24or the touch drive electrode26is formed on the substrate21by means of the two exposures. As shown inFIG. 9A, in the first exposure process, a first metal line51having a width We′ is formed in the substrate splicing exposure area21C due to a light blocking effect of the first light blocking strip611′ of the mask60. Since the first width Wm1of the first light blocking strip611′ is greater than the width Wm, the width We′ of the formed first metal line51is greater than the width We. Then, as shown inFIG. 9B, in the second exposure process, due to a restriction imposed by factors such as a positioning accuracy of an exposure machine, a position deviation δ between the first light-shielding strip611′ of the mask60and the first metal line51will be generated. However, the first light blocking strip611′ has the first width Wm1which is relatively wide, and the first metal line51has the width We′ which is relatively wide. Therefore, in the second exposure process, although there is still a case where the first metal line51and the first light blocking strip611′ partially overlap each other, with a design, an overlap between the first light blocking strip611′ and the first metal line51which are relatively wide may have a width that is equal to a width of the light blocking strip in the substrate normal exposure area, i.e. the second width Wm2of the second light blocking strip611. The first metal line51formed finally is as shown inFIG. 9Cand has a line width equal to the width We. Therefore, a design in which some of the light blocking strips of the mask are widened can compensate for the position deviation between the two exposures so that in a display panel or touch display panel formed finally, such that the line width of the metal line in the substrate splicing exposure area is equal to the line width of the metal line in the substrate normal exposure area, thereby alleviating or even eliminating the mura phenomenon.

Based on a G6 production line of the BOE touch display panel factory, the inventors carried out a plurality of sets of tests by varying a plurality of sets of unilaterally extended widths Wp, as shown in the following Table 1.

TABLE 1(which is a table of a relationship of a difference between the unilaterallyextended width Wpand the line width of the metal line)Unilaterally Extended Width Wp(μm)10121416Difference Between Line Widths Of Metal≤1.3≤1.2≤0.8≤10.5Lines In Substrate Normal Exposure AreaAnd Substrate Splicing Exposure Area (μm)

According to the test data in Table 1, when the unilaterally extended width Wpis 10 μm, the difference between the line widths of the metal lines in the substrate normal exposure area and the substrate splicing exposure area, which are finally formed, is less than or equal to 1.3 μm. In this case, the mura phenomenon in displaying is alleviated. With a gradual increase of the unilaterally extended width Wp, the difference between the line widths of the metal lines in the substrate normal exposure area and the substrate splicing exposure area, which are finally formed, gradually decreases. When the unilaterally extended width Wpis 16 μm, the difference between the line widths of the metal lines in the substrate normal exposure area and the substrate splicing exposure area, which are finally formed, is less than or equal to 0.5 μm. In this case, in the display panel or touch display panel formed finally, the substrate splicing exposure area has substantially the same transmittance as the substrate normal exposure area, so that the substrate splicing exposure area has substantially the same luminance in displaying as the substrate normal exposure area. In other words, the mura phenomenon is substantially eliminated. In other words, when the unilaterally extended width Wpis greater than or equal to 16 μm, the substrate splicing exposure area has substantially or completely the same transmittance in displaying as the substrate normal exposure area, so that the mura phenomenon is eliminated.

Referring back toFIG. 6, the second light blocking strip611of the mask60corresponding to the substrate normal exposure area has a second width Wm2. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the second width Wm2may be about 6 μm. In this way, when a touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode having a metal mesh structure is formed by performing an exposure process by means of the mask60, a line width of a metal line of a formed metal mesh may be less than or equal to 5 μm. It was found by the inventors that a stripe eliminating effect of a touch display panel can be improved by forming a metal mesh electrode having such a small line width.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, in the mask60, a spacing between every two adjacent light blocking strips611,611′ may be in a range of 100-300 μm, and according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the spacing may be in a range of 145-255 μm. In the case where the spacing between every two adjacent light blocking strips611,611′ is in the range of 145-255 μm, a spacing between every two adjacent metal lines of the formed metal mesh may be in a range of 150-250 μm when the touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode having the metal mesh structure is formed by performing the exposure process by means of the mask60. The stripe eliminating effect of the touch display panel can be further improved by forming the metal mesh electrodes having a small line width and a small spacing.

The inventors carried out comparative tests on a relationship between the stripe eliminating effect and the line width and spacing. A metal mesh for a first set of tests as shown inFIG. 10Ahas a line width of 8 μm and a spacing of 420 μm. A metal mesh for a second set of tests as shown inFIG. 10Bhas a line width of 5 μm and a spacing of 180 μm. A result of the comparative tests is as shown in the following Table 2.

TABLE 2(which is a table of the relationship between the stripe eliminatingeffect and the line width and spacing)Line WidthSpacingStripe Eliminating Effect8 μm420 μmSubstantially Visible5 μm180 μmInvisible

According to test data in the Table 2, a metal line of the metal mesh is substantially visible to a naked eye when the metal mesh has the line width of 8 μm and the spacing of 420 μm, and a metal line of the metal mesh is invisible to the naked eye when the metal mesh has the line width of 5 μm and the spacing of 180 μm.

Furthermore, in a conventional process of forming a large-sized touch display panel by a splicing exposure, generally a mask is aligned with a substrate by means of a laser alignment. However, it was found by research by the inventors that the laser alignment has an alignment error in a range of ±150 μm so that a relative position between a metal mesh of a touch drive electrode and a metal mesh of a touch sense electrode of a produced touch display panel is unstable, thereby producing a moire.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, in a splicing exposure, a mask is aligned with a substrate by means of a mark alignment. Referring back toFIG. 6, the mask60is provided with a plurality of first alignment marks64. For example, the first alignment mark64may be an alignment hole. Referring back toFIG. 4, the substrate21is provided with a plurality of second alignment marks214. For example, the second alignment mark214may be a cross alignment mark.

Referring toFIGS. 11A and 11B, a performance of a splicing exposure by means of a mark alignment will be described in more detail by still taking a splicing exposure including two exposures as an example.

In a first exposure process, the mask60is provided on its at least one side with a plurality of first alignment marks64, and the first region21A of the substrate21is provided in its at least one side edge with a plurality of second alignment marks214. The substrate21is placed under the mask60, so that the first alignment marks64are aligned with the corresponding second alignment marks214, respectively, thereby aligning the mask60with the first exposure region of the substrate21. Then, a first exposure is performed. After that, the substrate21is moved in a direction (i.e. a splicing direction), so that the plurality of first alignment marks64of the mask60are aligned with a plurality of second alignment marks214provided in at least one side edge of the second region21B of the substrate21, respectively, thereby aligning the mask60with the second exposure region of the substrate21. Next, a second exposure is performed. Referring toFIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, for example, the mask60is aligned with the second exposure region of the substrate21, so that the light blocking strips311or the first light blocking strips611′ are aligned with a pattern of the first metal line51of the substrate splicing exposure area (referring toFIG. 5B). Due to a process restriction, the light blocking strips311or the first light blocking strips611′ cannot be completely or accurately aligned with the pattern of the first metal line51of the substrate splicing exposure area. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the light blocking strips311or the first light blocking strips611′ of the mask60are configured to form a pattern of the common first metal line51in the first exposure region and the second exposure region of the substrate which are adjacent to each other (the pattern of the first metal line51in the substrate splicing exposure area). In other words, the first exposure region and the second exposure region are contiguous to each other, and have the pattern of the first metal line51common to them (the pattern of the first metal line51in the substrate splicing exposure area). After the second exposure, a difference between a line width of the pattern of the first metal line51in the substrate splicing exposure area and a line width of the pattern of the first metal line51in the substrate normal exposure area may be less than a second threshold such as 0.5 μm.

By means of the mark alignment, an alignment error between the mask and the substrate is in a range of ±3 μm. Therefore, a relative position between a metal mesh of a touch drive electrode and a metal mesh of a touch sense electrode of a produced touch display panel is relatively stable, thereby effectively avoiding the moire.

An application of the mark alignment in a production of a large-sized touch display panel will be described in detail as below by taking the G6 production line of the BOE touch display panel factory as an example. As shown inFIG. 12, in the G6 production line, a region (a region1202indicated by inclined lines in the figure) of the mask where it is possible to dispose the alignment mask is relatively fixed, and a distance L between an edge of the mask and the region where it is possible to place the alignment mask is about 858 mm. Considering restrictive factors such as a size of the alignment mark itself and a placement of a camera on a platform of an exposure machine and further, in an actual process, generally an edge of a mask being not just aligned with an edge of a substrate, when a dimension of a short side of the substrate is less than 835 mm, i.e. when a difference between a size of the short side of the substrate and the distance L between the edge of the mask and the region where it is possible to place the alignment mask is greater than 20 mm, the substrate may be placed with the short side of the substrate in a long side direction of the mask. In other words, a splicing exposure may not need to be performed in a short side direction.

In the present embodiment, the substrate has long and short sides, and the mask120has a maximum alignment distance L that is a maximum one of distances between a position1202of the mask where the alignment mark is capable of being disposed on the mask120and the sides of the mask120. For example, inFIG. 12, distances between four positions1202of the mask in each of which the alignment mark is capable of being disposed and corresponding four sides of the mask120are calculated, respectively, and then a maximum one of the distances is found as the maximum alignment distance L. After that, in the splicing exposure process, the short side of the substrate is compared with the maximum alignment distance L. When the maximum alignment distance L is greater than a length of the short side and a difference between the maximum alignment distance L and the length of the short side is greater than a first threshold (for example 20 mm), a splicing exposure process does not need to be performed in the short side direction of the substrate, and a splicing exposure process including a plurality of exposures needs to be performed only in a long side direction of the substrate. When the maximum alignment distance L is less than the length of the short side or the difference between the maximum alignment distance L and the length of the short side is less than the first threshold (for example 20 mm), a splicing exposure process needs to be performed in each of the short side direction and the long side direction of the substrate.

For example, a 65″ touch display panel has overall dimensions of 1460 mm×831 mm. In this case, a substrate of the 65″ touch display panel may be placed with a short side of the substrate along the long side of the mask120. A splicing exposure may not need to be performed in the short side direction, and three exposures are performed in the long side direction. All the three exposures may be performed by means of the mark alignment. Thereby, a required pattern is formed on the substrate of the 65″ touch display panel, as shown inFIG. 13.

For example, a 75″ touch display panel has overall dimensions of 1687 mm×957 mm, and its short side has the size of 957 mm greater than 835 mm. In this case, a splicing exposure also needs to be performed on the substrate of the touch display panel in the short side direction. Specifically, two exposures need to be performed in the short side direction, and three exposures need to be performed in the long side direction. In other words, a total of six exposures need to be performed. Thereby, a required pattern is formed on the substrate of the 75″ touch display panel. All the six exposures may also be performed by means of the mark alignment, as shown inFIG. 14.

Referring toFIG. 15A, a 65″ touch display panel manufactured by means of a laser alignment is shown, and it can be seen that an apparent moire phenomenon occurs in the 65″ touch display panel. Referring toFIG. 15B, a 65″ touch display panel manufactured by means of the mark alignment is shown, and it can be seen that no moire phenomenon occurs in the 65″ touch display panel.

FIG. 16is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a one-glass solution (OGS) touch display panel. The splicing exposure process according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is used in the method. The method of manufacturing the OGS touch display panel is described in detail as below with reference toFIGS. 16 and 2.

In a step S1601, a black matrix22is formed on a substrate21. For example, a pattern of the black matrix22may be formed by a first patterning process. The first patterning process may include a photoresist applying step, an exposing step and a developing step.

In a step S1602, a first covering layer23covering the black matrix22is formed on the substrate21. For example, a pattern of the first covering layer23may be formed by a second patterning process. The second patterning process may include a photoresist applying step, an exposing step and a developing step.

In a step S1603, a touch sense electrode24is formed on the first covering layer23. The touch sense electrode24may have a metal mesh structure. For example, a pattern of the touch sense electrode24may be formed by a third patterning process. The third patterning process may include a metal evaporating step, a photoresist applying step, an exposing step, a developing step and an etching step. For example, the above splicing exposure may be used in the exposure of the third patterning process.

In a step S1604, a second covering layer25is formed on the touch sense electrode24. For example, a pattern of the second covering layer25may be formed by a fourth patterning process. The fourth patterning process may include a photoresist applying step, an exposing step and a developing step.

In a step S1605, a touch drive electrode26is formed on the second covering layer25. The touch drive electrode26may have a metal mesh structure. For example, a pattern of the touch drive electrode26may be formed by a fifth patterning process. The fifth patterning process may be the same as the third patterning process and may include a metal evaporating step, a photoresist applying step, an exposing step, a developing step and an etching step. For example, the above splicing exposure may be used in the exposure of the fifth patterning process.

In a step S1606, a third covering layer27is formed on the touch drive electrode26. For example, a pattern of the third covering layer27may be formed by a sixth patterning process. The sixth patterning process may include a photoresist applying step, an exposing step and a developing step.

Taking a glass-glass (GG) touch display panel as an example, as shown inFIG. 17, the touch display panel170may include: a first substrate171; a touch drive electrode172disposed on the first substrate171; a first covering layer (overcoat (OC))173disposed on the touch drive electrode172; a touch sense electrode174disposed on the first covering layer173; a second covering layer175disposed on the touch sense electrode174; an adhesive material layer176disposed on the second covering layer175; and a second substrate177disposed on the adhesive material layer176. At least one of the touch sense electrode174and the touch drive electrode172may include the metal mesh structure. The first substrate171and the second substrate177may be glass substrates.

FIG. 18is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing the GG touch display panel. The splicing exposure process according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied in the method. The method of manufacturing the GG touch display panel is described in detail as below with reference toFIGS. 17 and 18.

In a step S1801, a touch drive electrode172is formed on a first substrate171. The touch drive electrode172may have a metal mesh structure. For example, a pattern of the touch drive electrode172may be formed by a first patterning process. The first patterning process may include a metal evaporating step, a photoresist applying step, an exposing step, a developing step and an etching step. For example, the above splicing exposure process may be used in the exposure step of the first patterning process.

In a step S1802, a first covering layer173is formed on the touch drive electrode172. For example, a pattern of the first covering layer173may be formed by a second patterning process. The second patterning process may include a photoresist applying step, an exposing step and a developing step.

In a step S1803, a touch sense electrode174is formed on the first covering layer173. The touch sense electrode174may have a metal mesh structure. For example, a pattern of the touch sense electrode174may be formed by a third patterning process. The third patterning process may include a metal evaporating step, a photoresist applying step, an exposing step, a developing step and an etching step. For example, the above splicing exposure process may be used in the exposure of the third patterning process.

In a step S1804, a second covering layer175is formed on the touch sense electrode174. For example, a pattern of the second covering layer175may be formed by a fourth patterning process. The fourth patterning process may include a photoresist applying step, an exposing step and a developing step.

In a step S1805, an adhesive material layer176is applied on the second covering layer175.

In a step S1806, the second substrate177is adhered to the first substrate171through the adhesive material layer176.

FIG. 19is a schematic view showing a structure of a mask19according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG. 20is a schematic view showing a structure of a mask19according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG. 21is a schematic view showing a structure of a mask19according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG. 22is a schematic view showing a structure of a mask19according to a still further embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG. 23is a partial enlarged view of the portion A of each of the masks19shown inFIGS. 19 and 20.

Referring toFIGS. 19 to 23, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a mask19. The mask19includes: a plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191configured to block a light and bounding spaces through which a light is allowed to pass. The plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191are arranged in a mesh shape, and include first light blocking strips191′ located in a side edge of the mask, and second light blocking strips191, and each of the first light blocking strips191′ has a greater width than each of the second light blocking strips191.

Referring toFIGS. 19 to 23, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: a mask normal exposure area190; and a mask splicing exposure area190′ constituted by the side edge of the mask19and adjoining the mask normal exposure area190. There is a boundary line192between the mask splicing exposure area190′ and the mask normal exposure area190, the first light blocking strips191′ of the plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191are located in the mask splicing exposure area190′ and are disposed crosswise in a mesh shape, and the second light blocking strips191of the plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191are located in the mask normal exposure area190and are disposed crosswise in a mesh shape.

According to still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a mask19. As shown inFIGS. 19 to 23, the mask19includes a light blocking part and a light transmitting part. In the mask, the light blocking part is configured to prevent a light from passing through the light blocking part and the light transmitting part is configured to allow a light to pass through the light transmitting part. The light blocking part includes a plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191arranged in a mesh shape. The light transmitting part is formed by spaces among the plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191. The plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191may include first light blocking strips191′ and second light blocking strips191. The first light blocking strips191′ corresponding to the mask splicing exposure area190′ each have a first width Wm1. The second light blocking strips191corresponding to the mask normal exposure area190each have a second width Wm2. For example, the first light blocking strips191′ corresponding to the mask splicing exposure area190′ may be light blocking strips191′ located in at least one side edge of the mask19.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 19, the first light blocking strips191′ corresponding to the mask splicing exposure area190′ are light blocking strips191′ located in a left side edge of the mask19in a first direction (a left-right direction inFIG. 19). In the embodiment shown inFIG. 20, the first light blocking strips191′ corresponding to the mask splicing exposure area190′ are light blocking strips191′ located in two side edges of the mask19in the first direction (the left-right direction inFIG. 20). In the embodiment shown inFIG. 21, the first light blocking strips191′ corresponding to the mask splicing exposure area190′ are light blocking strips191′ located in two side edges of the mask19in the first direction (the left-right direction inFIG. 21) and light blocking strips191′ located in two side edges of the mask19in a second direction (an up-down direction inFIG. 21). Further, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 22, the first light blocking strips191′ corresponding to the mask splicing exposure area190′ are light blocking strips191′ located in two adjacent side edges (an upper side edge and a left side edge) of the mask19. In the present embodiment, the first light blocking strips191′ may be located in at least one side edge of the mask19, and all the other light blocking strips191of the light blocking strips except the first light blocking strips191′ are the second light blocking strips191. For example, in the example shown inFIG. 21, the second light blocking strips191may be located in a non-side-edge part of the mask19. Referring toFIGS. 19 to 22, the mask19includes four side edges, and the other positions of the mask19except the four side edges may be referred to as non-side-edge positions of the mask19.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask splicing exposure area190′ may be disposed in the mask19according to exposure requirements and is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. In addition, the side edge of the mask19may have a rectangular shape, the mask splicing exposure area190′ may have a rectangular shape, the mask19may have a rectangular shape, and the mask normal exposure area190may have a rectangular shape.

In the present embodiment, the first width Wm1is greater than the second width Wm2. For example, the second width Wm2may be equal to the width Wm, while the first width Wm1is greater than the width Wm.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure,FIG. 23is an enlarged view showing the first light blocking strip191′ and the second light blocking strip191. As shown inFIG. 23, the first light blocking strip191′ is formed by unilaterally extending the second light blocking strip191by a width Wp. In this way, there is a following relation between the first width Wm1of the first light blocking strip191′ and the second width Wm2of the second light blocking strip191:
Wm1=Wm2+2Wp.

It should be noted that the unilaterally extended width Wpis in direct proportion to the position deviation between the two exposure processes.

Referring toFIG. 23, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the second light blocking strips191of the mask19corresponding to the mask normal exposure area190each have a second width Wm2. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the second width Wm2may be about 6 μm. In this way, when a touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode having a metal mesh structure is formed by performing an exposure process by means of the mask19, a line width of a metal line of a formed metal mesh may be less than or equal to 5 μm. A stripe eliminating effect of a touch display panel can be improved by forming a metal mesh electrode having such a small line width.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, in the mask19, a spacing between every two adjacent light blocking strips191′,191may be in a range of 100-300 μm, and according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the spacing may be in a range of 145-255 μm. In the case where the spacing between every two adjacent light blocking strips191′,191is in the range of 145-255 μm, a spacing between every two adjacent metal lines of the formed metal mesh may be in a range of 150-250 μm when the touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode having the metal mesh structure is formed by performing the exposure process by means of the mask19. The stripe eliminating effect of the touch display panel can be further improved by forming the metal mesh electrodes having a small line width and a small spacing.

FIG. 28shows a substrate21of a touch display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The substrate21includes a first exposure region21A and a second exposure region21B adjacent to each other, and a substrate splicing exposure area21C. The substrate splicing exposure area21C is an overlap area where the first exposure region21A and the second exposure region21B overlap each other. When a touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode having a metal mesh structure is manufactured, a metal layer is formed on the substrate21formed with other layers or no other layer. Then, a photoresist layer is applied to the metal layer, a splicing exposure process is performed on the photoresist layer by means of the mask19, and the exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a photoresist pattern. After that, the metal layer is etched by means of the photoresist pattern, thereby forming the touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode having the metal mesh structure. When the splicing exposure process is performed, an exposure is performed on the first exposure region21A by means of the mask19, and then an exposure is performed on the second exposure region21B by means of the mask19. Each of the first exposure region21A and the second exposure region21B is subjected to one exposure except the substrate splicing exposure area21C, while the substrate splicing exposure area21C is subjected to two exposures. The substrate21of the touch display panel may have a rectangular shape. An embodiment in which the splicing exposure processes need to be performed on the substrate21of the touch display panel in two directions respectively is similar to the above embodiment and is no longer described for the sake of brevity.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, referring toFIGS. 19 to 22 and 28, the light blocking strips191′ or the first light blocking strips191′ of the mask19are configured to form a pattern of the common metal line of a touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode, having a metal mesh structure, in the first exposure region21A and the second exposure region21B of the substrate21which are adjacent to each other (the pattern of the metal line in the substrate splicing exposure area21C). After the second exposure, a difference between a line width of the pattern of the metal line in the substrate splicing exposure area and a line width of the pattern of the metal line in the substrate normal exposure area may be less than a second threshold value such as 0.5 μm.

As shown inFIGS. 19 to 28, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a mask19. The mask19includes: a plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191arranged in a mesh shape; a mask normal exposure area190; and a mask splicing exposure area190′ constituted by a side edge of the mask19and adjoining the mask normal exposure area190. There is a boundary line192between the mask splicing exposure area190′ and the mask normal exposure area190. The plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191include: a plurality of first light blocking strips191′ located in the mask splicing exposure area190′ and disposed crosswise in a mesh shape; and a plurality of second light blocking strips191located in the mask normal exposure area190and disposed crosswise in a mesh shape. Furthermore, each of the plurality of first light blocking strips191′ has a greater width than each of the plurality of second light blocking strips191. The mask19may have a rectangular shape, and the mask splicing exposure area190′ may have a rectangular shape.

As shown inFIGS. 19 to 28, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: an overlap region1901. At least a portion of the overlap region1901is constituted by a part of the mask normal exposure area190, the overlap region1901has a same size as the mask splicing exposure area190′, and center lines193of the light blocking strips191located in the overlap region1901and including the second light blocking strips191or center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the mask splicing exposure area190′. For example, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the light blocking strips191located in the overlap region1901and including the second light blocking strips191or the center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19includes the overlap region1901including at least the second light blocking strips191, and the mask splicing exposure area190′ including only the first light blocking strips191′. When the splicing exposure process is performed on the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate, one exposure is performed on at least most of the substrate splicing exposure area21C by means of the second light blocking strips191in the overlap region1901, and one exposure is performed on at least most of the substrate splicing exposure area21C by means of the mask splicing exposure area190′. Thereby, a touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode having a metal mesh structure is formed. A line width of the pattern of the metal line of the touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode in the substrate splicing exposure area21C is substantially the same as a line width of the pattern of the metal line of the touch drive electrode or touch sense electrode in the substrate normal exposure area, and will not be too wide or two narrow. The line width of the pattern of the metal line in the substrate splicing exposure area21C is probably too wide if two exposures are performed on the substrate splicing exposure area21C only by means of the mask splicing exposure area190′, and the line width of the pattern of the metal line in the substrate splicing exposure area21C is probably too narrow if two exposures are performed on the substrate splicing exposure area21C only by means of the mask normal exposure area190.

As shown inFIGS. 19 to 28, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first light blocking strips191′ include: first light blocking strips191′ extending in a first direction; and first light blocking strips191′ extending in a second direction, and the second light blocking strips191include: second light blocking strips191extending in the first direction; and second light blocking strips191extending in the second direction, and center lines193of the plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191include: first center lines193extending in the first direction; and second center lines193extending in the second direction, and the first center lines193and the second center lines193are disposed crosswise in a uniform mesh shape. According to an example of the present disclosure, referring toFIG. 23, one of the first light blocking strips191′ and one of the second light blocking strips191, intersecting the boundary line192at a same point of intersection194and extending in a same one of the first direction and the second direction, have a common center line193.

As shown inFIG. 19, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: an overlap region1901constituted by a part of the mask normal exposure area190. The overlap region1901and the mask splicing exposure area190′ are constituted by two opposite side edges of the mask19, respectively, and have a same size, and center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the overlap region1901form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the mask splicing exposure area190′. For example, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the overlap region1901, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed.

As shown inFIG. 20, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19includes two mask splicing exposure areas190′ respectively constituted by two opposite side edges of the mask19, the two mask splicing exposure areas190′ include a first mask splicing exposure area190′ and a second mask splicing exposure area190′, the mask normal exposure area190is located between the first mask splicing exposure area190′ and the second mask splicing exposure area190′, there is a first boundary line192between the first mask splicing exposure area190′ and the mask normal exposure area190, there is a second boundary line192between the second mask splicing exposure area190′ and the mask normal exposure area190, and the first boundary line192and the second boundary line192constitute a boundary line192between the two mask splicing exposure areas190′ and the mask normal exposure area190. According to an example of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: a first overlap region1901constituted by a part of the mask normal exposure area190, wherein the first overlap region1901adjoins the first mask splicing exposure area190′ and has a same size as the second mask splicing exposure area190′, and center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the first overlap region1901form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′; and a second overlap region1901constituted by another part of the mask normal exposure area190, wherein the second overlap region1901adjoins the second mask splicing exposure area190′ and has a same size as the first mask splicing exposure area190′, and center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the second overlap region1901form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′. For example, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the first overlap region1901, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the second overlap region1901, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed.

As shown inFIG. 21, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19has a rectangular shape and includes four mask splicing exposure areas190′ respectively constituted by four side edges of the mask19, every two adjacent ones of the four mask splicing exposure areas190′ overlap at a corner of the mask19, the four mask splicing exposure areas190′ as a whole have a rectangular ring shape, the four mask splicing exposure areas190′ include: a first mask splicing exposure area190′ and a second mask splicing exposure area190′ opposite to each other; and a third mask splicing exposure area190′ and a fourth mask splicing exposure area190′ opposite to each other, the mask normal exposure area190is surrounded by the four mask splicing exposure areas190′, and there is a rectangular boundary line192between the four mask splicing exposure areas190′ and the mask normal exposure area190. According to an example of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: a first overlap region1901and a second overlap region1901opposite to each other; and a third overlap region1901and a fourth overlap region1901opposite to each other. The first overlap region1901adjoins the first mask splicing exposure area190′ and has a same size as the second mask splicing exposure area190′, and center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the first overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′. The second overlap region1901adjoins the second mask splicing exposure area190′ and has a same size as the first mask splicing exposure area190′, and center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the second overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′. The third overlap region1901adjoins the third mask splicing exposure area190′ and has a same size as the fourth mask splicing exposure area190′, and center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the third overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the fourth mask splicing exposure area190′. Further the fourth overlap region1901adjoins the fourth mask splicing exposure area190′ and has a same size as the third mask splicing exposure area190′, and center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the fourth overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the third mask splicing exposure area190′. For example, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the first overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the second overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the third overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the fourth mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the fourth overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the third mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed.

As shown inFIG. 22, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19has a rectangular shape and includes two mask splicing exposure areas190′ respectively constituted by two adjacent side edges of the mask19, the two mask splicing exposure areas190′ overlap at a corner of the mask19, the two mask splicing exposure areas190′ include a first mask splicing exposure area190′ and a second mask splicing exposure area190′, the two mask splicing exposure areas190′ as a whole have an L shape, and there is an L-shaped boundary line192between the two mask splicing exposure areas190′ and the mask normal exposure area190. According to an example of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: a first overlap region1901, wherein the first overlap region1901and the first mask splicing exposure area190′ are constituted by two opposite side edges of the mask19, respectively, and have a same size, and center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the first overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′; and a second overlap region1901, wherein the second overlap region1901and the second mask splicing exposure area190′ are constituted by two opposite side edges of the mask19, respectively, and have a same size, and center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the second overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′. For example, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the first overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the light blocking strips191′ and191located in the second overlap region1901and including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed.

Referring toFIGS. 19 to 22, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the side edge of the mask19may be referred to as the mask splicing exposure area190′, and the light blocking strips191′ located in the mask splicing exposure area190′ are the first light blocking strips191′. The other effective exposure area190of the mask19is referred to as the mask normal exposure area190and the light blocking strips191located in the mask normal exposure area190are the second light blocking strips191.

Referring toFIG. 19,FIG. 22andFIG. 23, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask splicing exposure area190′ has a substantially rectangular shape, and there is a boundary line192between the mask splicing exposure area190′ and the mask normal exposure area190. The mask splicing exposure area190′ has a width Ws. For example, the width Ws may be in a range of 6 mm to 10 mm, or in a range of 3 mm to 5 mm.

Referring toFIGS. 20, 21 and 23, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask splicing exposure area190′ has a substantially rectangular shape, and there is a boundary line192between the mask splicing exposure area190′ and the mask normal exposure area190. The two or four mask splicing exposure areas190′ have a same width, and each of the two or four mask splicing exposure areas190′ has a width Ws. For example, the width Ws may be in a range of 3 mm to 5 mm. For example, the width Ws may be 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, or 5 mm.

Referring toFIGS. 19 and 23, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: an overlap region1901constituted by a part of the mask normal exposure area190. The overlap region1901and the mask splicing exposure area190′ are constituted by two opposite side edges of the mask19, respectively. When the splicing exposure process is performed, the overlap region1901cooperates with the mask splicing exposure area190′ to form the pattern of the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate21shown inFIG. 28. In other words, in order to form the pattern of the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate21, one exposure is performed on the substrate splicing exposure area21C by means of the overlap region1901, and one exposure is performed on the substrate splicing exposure area21C by means of the mask splicing exposure area190′. A width of the overlap region1901may be equal to the width Ws of the mask splicing exposure area190′. Center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the overlap region1901form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the mask splicing exposure area190′. The pattern formed by the center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the overlap region1901, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the mask splicing exposure area190′ coincide with each other when superposed. Each of the width of the overlap region1901and the width of the mask splicing exposure area190′ is equal to the width of the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate21.

Referring toFIGS. 20 and 23, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: a first overlap region1901constituted by a part of the mask normal exposure area190; and a second overlap region1901constituted by another part of the mask normal exposure area190. The two overlap regions1901adjoin the two mask splicing exposure areas190′, respectively. When the splicing exposure process is performed, referring toFIG. 24, the left overlap region1901and the left mask splicing exposure area190′ of the mask19cooperates respectively with the right mask splicing exposure area190′ and the right overlap region1901of the mask19to form the pattern of the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate21shown inFIG. 28. In other words, in order to form the pattern of the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate21, one exposure is performed on the substrate splicing exposure area21C by means of the right mask splicing exposure area190′ and the right overlap region1901of the mask19, and one exposure is performed on the substrate splicing exposure area21C by means of the left overlap region1901and the left mask splicing exposure area190′ of the mask19. The width of the overlap region1901may be equal to the width Ws of the mask splicing exposure area190′. Center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the left overlap region1901of the mask19form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the right mask splicing exposure area190′ of the mask19, and center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the left mask splicing exposure area190′ of the mask19form a same pattern as center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the right overlap region1901of the mask19. The pattern formed by the center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the left overlap region1901of the mask19, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the right mask splicing exposure area190′ of the mask19coincide with each other when superposed, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the left mask splicing exposure area190′ of the mask19, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the right overlap region1901of the mask19coincide with each other when superposed. A total width of the left overlap region1901and the left mask splicing exposure area190′ of the mask19is equal to a total width of the right mask splicing exposure area190′ and the right overlap region1901of the mask19, and is equal to the width of the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate21.

A manner in which a splicing exposure process is performed by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 22is similar to the manner in which the splicing exposure process is performed by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 19, but the splicing exposure process can be performed in two directions perpendicular to each other by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 22. In addition, A manner in which a splicing exposure process is performed by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 21is similar to the manner in which the splicing exposure process is performed by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 20, but the splicing exposure process can be performed in two directions perpendicular to each other by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 21.

Referring toFIGS. 19 to 23, in embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first light blocking strips191′ in the mask splicing exposure area190′ makes an angle of less than 90 degrees with a side of the mask19. For example, each of the first light blocking strips191′ in the mask splicing exposure area190′ is inclined. The mask19has a rectangular shape, and has four sides. Each of the first light blocking strips191′ in the mask splicing exposure area190′ makes an angle of less than 90 degrees with one of the four sides of the mask19, or each of the first light blocking strips191′ in the mask splicing exposure area190′ is inclined to one of the four sides of the mask19. Further, each of the second light blocking strips191in the mask normal exposure area190makes an angle of less than 90 degrees with the side of the mask19. For example, each of the second light blocking strips191in the mask normal exposure area190is inclined. Each of the second light blocking strips191in the mask normal exposure area190of the mask19makes an angle of less than 90 degrees with one of the four sides of the mask19, or each of the second light blocking strips191in the mask normal exposure area190is inclined to one of the four sides of the mask19.

Referring toFIGS. 19 to 23, in embodiments of the present disclosure, a difference between a spacing between two adjacent and parallel ones of the first light blocking strips191′ in the mask splicing exposure area190′ and a spacing between two adjacent and parallel ones of the second light blocking strips191in the mask normal exposure area190is equal to a difference 2Wpbetween a line width of each of the first light blocking strips191′ and a line width of each of the second light blocking strips191. A spacing between the center lines193of two adjacent and parallel ones of the first light blocking strips191′ is equal to a spacing between the center lines193of two adjacent and parallel ones of the second light blocking strips191.

Referring toFIGS. 19 to 23, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the center lines193of the plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191include: first center lines193extending in the first direction and arranged at equal intervals; and second center lines193extending in the second direction and arranged at equal intervals, as shown inFIG. 22, and the first center lines193and the second center lines193are disposed crosswise in a uniform mesh shape. Referring toFIG. 23, for example, one of the first light blocking strips191′ and one of the second light blocking strips191, intersecting the boundary line192at a same point of intersection194and extending in a same one of the first direction and the second direction, have a common center line193. The first light blocking strip191′ is symmetrical about the common center line193in a cross section of the first light blocking strip191′ perpendicular to the common center line193, and the second light blocking strip191is symmetrical about the common center line193in a cross section of the second light blocking strip191perpendicular to the common center line193.

Referring toFIGS. 20 and 23, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the center lines193of the plurality of light blocking strips191′ and191including the first light blocking strips191′ and the second light blocking strips191include: first center lines193extending in the first direction and arranged at equal intervals; and second center lines193extending in the second direction and arranged at equal intervals, as shown inFIG. 23, and the first center lines193and the second center lines193are disposed crosswise in a uniform mesh shape. Referring toFIGS. 20 and 23, for example, one of the first light blocking strips191′ and one of the second light blocking strips191, intersecting a same one of the first boundary line192and the second boundary line192at a same point of intersection194and extending in a same one of the first direction and the second direction, have a common center line193. The first light blocking strip191′ is symmetrical about the common center line193in a cross section of the first light blocking strip191′ perpendicular to the common center line193, and the second light blocking strip191is symmetrical about the common center line193in a cross section of the second light blocking strip191perpendicular to the common center line193.

FIG. 24is a partial top view schematically showing a relation between positions of the mask19in two successive exposures when a splicing exposure process is performed by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 20;FIG. 25is a perspective view schematically showing the relation between the positions of the mask19in the two successive exposures when the splicing exposure process is performed by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 20;FIG. 26is a front view schematically showing the relation between the positions of the mask19in the two successive exposures when the splicing exposure process is performed by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 20; andFIG. 27is a top view schematically showing the relation between the positions of the mask19in the two successive exposures when the splicing exposure process is performed by means of the mask19shown inFIG. 20.

InFIGS. 24 to 27, for the sake of clarity, “-L” is added to the reference sign of the left mask splicing exposure area (the first mask splicing exposure area), “-R” is added to the reference sign of the right mask splicing exposure area (the second mask splicing exposure area), “-L” is added to the reference sign of the left boundary line (the first boundary line), “-R” is added to the reference sign of the right boundary line (the second boundary line), “-L” is added to the reference sign of the left overlap region (the first overlap region), and “-R” is added to the reference sign of the right overlap region (the second overlap region); and “-1” is added to the reference signs of the mask19and the components of the mask19in the first exposure, and “-2” is added to the reference signs of the mask19and the components of the mask19in the second exposure. It should be noted that the mask shown inFIGS. 24 to 27is only used to illustrate a relation between positions of the projections formed by the mask by means of an exposure light source in the two successive exposures, rather than a relation between actual positions of the mask. Therefore, the mask shown inFIGS. 24 to 27can be understood as the projection formed by the mask by means of the exposure light source to a certain extent.

InFIGS. 24 to 27, the left mask19-1represents the mask19-1positioned in the first exposure in the two successive exposures, and the right mask19-2represents the mask19-2positioned in the second exposure in the two successive exposures. The mask splicing exposure area190′-R-1of the mask19-1in the first exposure, and the mask splicing exposure area190′-L-2of the mask19-2in the second exposure are located in the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate21shown inFIG. 28.FIG. 24shows only a portion of the mask19-2in the second exposure. Referring toFIGS. 20 to 21, the width of the substrate splicing exposure area21C of the substrate21shown inFIG. 28may be substantially equal to two times as large as the width Ws of the mask splicing exposure area190′ of the mask19.

Referring toFIGS. 24 to 27, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, in the first exposure process, an exposure is performed on the first region of the substrate by means of the mask19-1, and in the second exposure process, an exposure is performed on the second region of the substrate by means of the mask19-2. A complete pattern of the touch sense electrode or the touch drive electrode is formed on the substrate by means of the two exposures. Therefore, a design in which some of the light blocking strips of the mask19are widened can compensate for the position deviation between the two exposures so that in a display panel or touch display panel formed finally, the line width of the metal line in the substrate splicing exposure area is equal to the line width of the metal line in the substrate normal exposure area, thereby alleviating or even eliminating the mura phenomenon.

Referring toFIGS. 20, and 24 to 27, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: a first mask splicing exposure area190′-L, a second mask splicing exposure area190′-R, and a mask normal exposure area190. The first mask splicing exposure area190′-L and the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R are constituted by two opposite side edges of the mask19, respectively, and each of the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L and the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R has a rectangular shape. The mask normal exposure area190is located between the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L and the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R. There is a first boundary line192-L between the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L and the mask normal exposure area190, and there is a second boundary line192-R between the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R and the mask normal exposure area190. The first light blocking strips191′ are located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L and the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R of the mask19, and the second light blocking strips191are located in the mask normal exposure area190.

Referring toFIGS. 23 and 24, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask19further includes: a first overlap region1901-L constituted by a part of the mask normal exposure area190; and a second overlap region1901-R constituted by another part of the mask normal exposure area190. The first overlap region1901-L adjoins the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L and has a same size as the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R, and center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the first overlap region1901-L form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R. For example, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the first overlap region1901-L, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R coincide with each other when superposed. Furthermore, the second overlap region1901-R adjoins the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R and has a same size as the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L, and center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the second overlap region1901-R form a same pattern as center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L. For example, the pattern formed by the center lines193of the second light blocking strips191located in the second overlap region1901-R, and the pattern formed by the center lines193of the first light blocking strips191′ located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L coincide with each other when superposed.

Referring toFIGS. 19 to 27, in embodiments of the present disclosure, a projection, on the substrate, of the first boundary line192-L-2of the mask19-2in the second exposure coincides with a projection, on the substrate, of the second boundary line192-R-1of the mask19-1in the first exposure. For example, a projection formed on the substrate by the first boundary line192-L-2of the mask19-2by means of an exposure light source in the second exposure coincides with a projection formed on the substrate by the second boundary line192-R-1of the mask19-1by means of the exposure light source in the first exposure. For example, since the mask19is translated from a position for the first exposure to a position for the second exposure, the first boundary line192-L-2of the mask19-2in the second exposure coincides with the second boundary line192-R-1of the mask19-1in the first exposure.

A projection, on the substrate, of the first light blocking strips191′ in the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L-2of the mask19-2in the second exposure partially overlaps a part (formed by the second light blocking strips191in the second overlap region1901-R-1shown inFIG. 24) of a projection, on the substrate, of the second light blocking strips191in the mask normal exposure area190-1of the mask19-1in the first exposure, and the part (formed by the second light blocking strips191in the second overlap region1901-R-1shown inFIG. 24) of the projection of the second light blocking strips191adjoins a projection, on the substrate, of the second boundary line192-R-1of the mask19-1in the first exposure. For example, a projection formed on the substrate by the first light blocking strips191′, located in the first mask splicing exposure area190′-L-2of the mask19-2, by means of the exposure light source in the second exposure partially overlaps a part (formed by the second light blocking strips191in the second overlap region1901-R-1shown inFIG. 24) of a projection formed on the substrate by the second light blocking strips191, located in the mask normal exposure area190-1of the mask19-1, by means of the exposure light source in the first exposure.

A part (formed by the second light blocking strips191in the first overlap region1901-L-2shown inFIG. 24) of a projection, on the substrate, of the second light blocking strips191in the mask normal exposure area190-2of the mask19-2in the second exposure partially overlaps a projection, on the substrate, of the first light blocking strips191′ in the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R-1of the mask19-1in the first exposure, and the part (formed by the second light blocking strips191in the first overlap region1901-L-2shown inFIG. 24) of the projection of the second light blocking strips191adjoins a projection, on the substrate, of the first boundary line192-L-2of the mask19-2in the second exposure. For example, a part (formed by the second light blocking strips191in the first overlap region1901-L-2shown inFIG. 24) of a projection formed on the substrate by the second light blocking strips191, located in the mask normal exposure area190-2of the mask19-2, by means of the exposure light source in the second exposure partially overlaps a projection formed on the substrate by the first light blocking strips191′, located in the second mask splicing exposure area190′-R-1of the mask19-1, by means of the exposure light source in the first exposure.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the splicing exposure process including two exposures is used to satisfy a need to produce a large-sized display panel or touch display panel by means of a low-generation production line. For the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is also to be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with one another to obtain new embodiments unless they conflict.

While the first light blocking strips in the side edge of the mask is shown inFIGS. 6, 8, and 11A to 14, they may be replaced with the first light blocking strips191′ arranged in a mesh shape in the mask splicing exposure area190′ (i.e. the side edge) of the mask19shown inFIGS. 19 to 27.

Further, the mask splicing exposure areas190′ may have a same width or different widths, the overlap regions1901may have a same width or different widths, and the mask splicing exposure areas190′ and the overlap regions1901may have a same width.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the splicing exposure process including two exposures is used to satisfy a need to produce a large-sized display panel or touch display panel by means of a low-generation production line. For the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is also to be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with one another to obtain new embodiments unless they conflict.

Although some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown above, it would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that modifications may be made therein without departing from the principle and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.