SUBSTRATE ASSEMBLY AND DISPLAY DEVICE

A substrate assembly and a display device are provided. The substrate assembly includes a substrate including a peripheral area, a light blocking layer, a sealant layer and a protection layer. The light blocking layer is disposed on the substrate and comprising a recess disposed in the peripheral area. The sealant layer is disposed on the substrate in the peripheral area and overlapping the recess. The protection layer has a first part and a second part. The first part is disposed between the sealant layer and the light blocking layer. The second part is inside the recess and contacts a part of the substrate which is exposed by the recess.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The disclosure relates in general to a substrate assembly and a display device, and more particularly to a substrate assembly and a display device having recess design in a peripheral area.

Description of the Related Art

People’s pursuit after high brightness and high color saturation for the display quality dominates the development and application of the color display technology. In everyday life, the applications of display such as advertising board, TV, and vehicle navigation can be seen everywhere. From the cathode ray tube (CRT) screen, plasma screen to the liquid crystal screen, many types of display screens have been provided. Therefore, how to provide a display device with good quality or manufacturing competiveness has become a prominent task for the industries.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is directed to a substrate assembly and a display device.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a substrate assembly is provided. The substrate assembly includes a substrate including a peripheral area, a light blocking layer, a sealant layer and a protection layer. The light blocking layer is disposed on the substrate and including a recess disposed in the peripheral area. The sealant layer is disposed on the substrate in the peripheral area and overlapping the recess. The protection layer has a first part and a second part. The first part is disposed between the sealant layer and the light blocking layer. The second part is inside the recess and contacts a part of the substrate which is exposed by the recess.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a display device is provided. The display device includes a substrate assembly. The display device is a liquid crystal display device.

The above and other aspects of the disclosure will become preferred but non-limiting embodiment(s). The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A number of embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed below with reference to accompanying drawings. However, the structure and content disclosed in the embodiments are for exemplary and explanatory purposes only, and the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. Designations common to the accompanying drawings and embodiments are used to indicate identical or similar elements. Anyone skilled in the technology field of the disclosure will be able to make suitable modifications or changes based on the specification disclosed below to meet actual needs.

FIG.1is a top view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2Ais an enlarged view of the region 2A ofFIG.1.FIG.2Bis a cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line 2B-2B′ ofFIG.2A.FIG.3Ais an enlarged view of the region 3A ofFIG.1. It should be noted that some of the structural details are omitted in the top view but are represented in the enlarged view.

As indicated inFIG.1,FIG.2AtoFIG.2BandFIG.3A, the display device10includes a substrate100, a plurality of sub-pixels and a covering layer300. The substrate100includes a display area100A and a peripheral area100B adjacent to the display area100A. The sub-pixels200B are disposed in the display area100A and arranged along a first direction D1. The sub-pixels200B have a first color, and adjacent sub-pixels200B have a first pixel pitch P1 along the first direction D1. The covering layer300is disposed in the peripheral area100B and has a first recess310. The first recess310has a first portion310A extended along a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1. In one embodiment, the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1. The first portion310A has a first width W1 along the first direction D1. A ratio of the first width W1 to the first pixel pitch P1 (that is, W1/P1) is greater than or equal to 0.05 and less than or equal to 0.7. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1, and this represents that the angel between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is about 85-95°. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion310A is extended along the second direction D2, and this represents that the first portion310A is substantially a straight recess extended along the second direction D2 or a curved recess extended along the second direction D2.

In the present disclosure, the display area100A may be defined as an illuminating area of the sub-pixels. In other words, the display area100A may be defined as a virtual outermost boundary of the sub-pixels which could illuminate lights (as indicated by dash lines and labeled with100A). In other words, the display device10may further include multiple dummy sub-pixels (not illustrated) which cannot illuminate but are disposed in the peripheral area100B. In some embodiments, the display device may comprise liquid crystal (LC), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), quantum dots (QD), a fluorescence material, a phosphor material, light-emitting diodes (LED), micro light-emitting diodes, mini light-emitting diodes, quantum dots light-emitting diodes (QLED) or other display media, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the display device may be realized by a flexible display, a touch display, a curved display or a tiled display, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, when the covering layer comprises a material (such as black matrix) with better conductivity, charges may be accumulated at the boundary between the peripheral area100B and the display area100A. Since the liquid crystal of the display device10is driven by the electric field to form the bright/dark state of the display frame, accumulation of charges in the peripheral area100B may interfere with the electric field at the boundary of the display area100A to cause abnormalities of the display frame (for example, the light may pass through even when the display frame is in the dark state) and affect the driving of the liquid crystal in the display area100A. Conversely, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the covering layer300disposed in the peripheral area100B has a first recess310which may interfere with the charges of the covering layer300to move to the display area100A from the peripheral area100B. Thus, the liquid crystal of the display area100A is less interfered with by the electric field generated by the charges of the peripheral area100B, and the abnormalities of the display frame may be decreased.

In an embodiment, the first recess310may interfere with the moisture entering the display area100A from the peripheral area100B and therefore prolong the lifespan of the display device (such as the organic light-emitting diode display device or the liquid crystal display device). In an embodiment, the covering layer may comprise an organic insulating layer, an inorganic insulating layer, a planarization layer, a pixel defined layer, or a black photoresist, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When the covering layer is a black photoresist, the covering layer also provides a light blocking effect, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments as indicated inFIG.2AtoFIG.2B, the first width W1 is greater than or equal to 5 µm and less than or equal to 100 µm (i.e. 5 µm ≤W1≤100 µm). In some other embodiments, the first width W1 is greater than or equal to 10 µm and less than or equal to 50 µm (i.e. 10 µm ≤W1≤50 µm).

When the first width W1 of the first recess310is greater than 100 µm or a ratio of the first width W1 to the first pixel pitch P1 (that is, W1/P1) is greater than 0.7, the area of the peripheral area100B might become too large to realize narrow border display device, or the size of the first recess310relative to the pixel size might be too large to be visible to human eyes.

When the first width W1 of the first recess310is less than 5 µm or a ratio of the first width W1 to the first pixel pitch P1 (that is, W1/P1) is less than 0.05, the size of the first recess310might be too small, and the moisture or charges of the peripheral area100B may cross over the first recess310and interfere with the display quality at the boundary between the peripheral area100B and the display area100A. If the size of the first recess310relative to the pixel size is too small, the manufacturing process may reach its limit and increase the difficulties of manufacturing process.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the ratio of the first width W1 to the first pixel pitch P1 (that is, W1/P1) is greater than or equal to 0.05 and less than or equal to 0.7, the first recess310may interfere with the moisture or charges of the covering layer300to move to the display area100A from the peripheral area100B, or reduce the abnormalities of the display frame. The first recess310may not be invisible to human eyes (for example, the first recess310is invisible or unnoticeable to human eyes) or may be feasible to manufacturing process.

As indicated inFIG.2AtoFIG.2B, the display device10further includes a first filler layer400. At least a part of the first filler layer400is disposed in the first recess310. The first filler layer400may provide a light blocking effect to the first recess310.

In some embodiments as indicated inFIG.2AtoFIG.2B, the first filler layer400includes a middle portion410and an extending portion420. The middle portion410is disposed in the first recess310and connected to the extending portion420. The extending portion420covers a part of the covering layer300. In other words, the part of the first filler layer400disposed in the first recess310is defined as the middle portion410, and the part of the first filler layer400disposed on the covering layer300is defined as the extending portion420.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the middle portion410of the first filler layer400is disposed in the first recess310, the extending portion420of the first filler layer400is extended outside the first recess310and disposed on a part of the covering layer300on the two sides of the first recess310to assure that the first filler layer400completely fills the first recess310, and the deviation or error of the manufacturing process will not affect the light blocking effect inside the first recess310.

In some embodiments, when the first filler layer400comprises a low translucent material, a low conducting material, a light-absorption material, or a metal material, the first filler layer400may have a light blocking effect or interfere with the moisture or charges of the covering layer300to move to the display area100A from the peripheral area100B. The first filler layer400may comprise a material with an optical density (OD) greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 3.5 (i.e. 0.1≤OD≤3.5), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, if the first filler layer comprises a material with a poor light blocking effect, a covering layer (such as a metal layer or metal traces) may be disposed on a corresponding position of other layers or the opposite substrate to help blocking the light or increase the invisibility of the first recess310to the human eyes.

In some embodiments, the first filler layer400may include a first photoresist. For example, the first filler layer400includes at least one of a red photoresist and a blue photoresist. In some embodiments, the first filler layer400may further include a second photoresist, that is, include at least two photoresists. For example, the first photoresist and the second photoresist respectively are a red photoresist or a blue photoresist. In some embodiments, the first filler layer400and the sub-pixels of the display area100A may be formed in the same manufacturing process or multiple manufacturing processes.

In an embodiment as indicated inFIG.2AtoFIG.2B, the display device10further includes a protection layer500disposed on the covering layer300and the first filler layer400. In some embodiments, the protection layer500may be used as the planarization layer, such that after the covering layer300and the first filler layer400are formed, the substrate100may have a relatively planarization surface to benefit the subsequent manufacturing process (such as the alignment layer). In some embodiments, the protection layer500may comprise an organic insulating layer, an inorganic insulating layer or a combination thereof to reduce the sub-pixels of the display area100A being affected by moisture or oxygen.

In some embodiments, the first recess310may have an enclosed structure and surround the display area100A. In an embodiment as indicated inFIG.1, the first recess310may have an enclosed, oblong structure and surround the display area100A to provide a better effect for interfering charges or moisture or oxygen.

As indicated inFIG.2A, a first distance S1 extended along the first direction D1 is formed between the first recess310and the display area100A. In an embodiment, the first distance S1 is the greatest distance between the first recess310and the display area100A. The first distance S1 is greater than the first pixel pitch P1. In an embodiment, the first pixel pitch P1 represents the distance between the centers of two adjacent sub-pixels of the same color along the first direction D1, or the distance between the same side of two adjacent sub-pixels of the same color (as indicated inFIG.2A, such as the distance from the underside of the first sub-pixel to the underside of the second sub-pixel), or the distance between the same part of two adjacent sub-pixels of the same color (such as the distance from the top-left corner of the first sub-pixel to the top-left corner of the second sub-pixel).

As indicated inFIG.1,FIG.2AtoFIG.2B, the sub-pixels200B have a second pixel pitch P2 along the second direction D2. In an embodiment, the second pixel pitch P2 represents the distance between the centers of two adjacent sub-pixels of the same color along the second direction D2, or the distance between the same side of two adjacent sub-pixels of the same color (such as the distance from the left-side of the first sub-pixel to the left-side of the second sub-pixel), or the distance between the same part of two adjacent sub-pixels of the same color (as indicated inFIG.2A, such as the distance from the top-left corner of the first sub-pixel to the top-left corner of the second sub-pixel). In an embodiment, the first pixel pitch P1 and the second pixel pitch P2 may substantially be the same, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first pixel pitch P1 and the second pixel pitch P2 may be different. Also, the first recess310includes several portions respectively disposed outside the display area100A, wherein two or more of those portions can be separately disposed or connected to each other. As shown inFIG.2B, the first recess310further has a second portion310B along the first direction D1. The second portion310B has a second width W2 along the second direction D2. A ratio of the second width W2 to the second pixel pitch P2 (W2/P2) is greater than or equal to 0.05 and less than or equal to 0.7. In an embodiment, the first portion310A may connect the second portion310B; for example, the junction between the first portion310A and the second portion310B inFIG.2Bmay further include a third portion310C used for connecting the first portion310A and the second portion310B. In an embodiment, the first portion310A and the second portion310B may be designed as recesses of different widths, the first width W1 or the second width W2 may be designed as the minimum width in a local region.

The display device10may include sub-pixels200B,200G and200R of different colors. The sub-pixels200B may be blue sub-pixels. The sub-pixels200G may be green sub-pixels. The sub-pixels200R may be red sub-pixels. Three sub-pixels200B,200G and200R may form a pixel unit. The three sub-pixels200B,200G and200R may have identical or different sizes or shapes. The first pixel pitch P1 or the second pixel pitch P2 may be defined by the sub-pixels of any color selected from the three sub-pixels200B,200G and200R. In some embodiments, the sub-pixels in the display area100A may comprise photoresists of different colors, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the sub-pixels in the display area100A may comprise organic light-emitting diodes, quantum dots, a fluorescence material, a phosphor material, light-emitting diodes, micro light-emitting diodes, mini light-emitting diodes, quantum dot light-emitting diodes or other display media, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As indicated inFIG.2A, a second distance S2 extended along the second direction D2 and greater than the second pixel pitch P2 is formed between the first recess310and the display area100A.

In some embodiments as indicated inFIG.2AtoFIG.2B, the second width W2 is greater than or equal to 5 µm and less than or equal to 100 µm (i.e. 5 µm ≤W2≤100 µm). In some other embodiments, the second width W2 is greater than or equal to 10 µm and less than or equal to 50 µm (i.e. 10 µm ≤W1≤50 µm). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second width W2 may be designed to have functions similar with the first width W1, and the similarities are not repeated again.

As indicated inFIG.1,FIG.3AtoFIG.3B, the covering layer300further has a second recess320. At least a part of the first recess310is disposed between the display area100A and the second recess320.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second recess320could also interfere with the charges or moisture or oxygen moving to the display area100A.

In some embodiments as indicated inFIG.3AtoFIG.3B, the second recess320has a third width W3 along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction (such as the second direction D2 in the embodiment inFIG.3A). The third width W3 is greater than or equal to 5 µm and less than or equal to 100 µm (i.e. 5 µm ≤W3≤100 µm). In some other embodiments, the third width W3 of the second recess320is greater than or equal to 10 µm and less than or equal to 50 µm (i.e. 10 µm ≤W3≤50 µm).

In some embodiments, the second recess320may have an enclosed structure and surround the first recess310. Or, the second recess320may have multiple separated sections respectively disposed outside the first recess310. In an embodiment as indicated inFIG.1, the second recess320has an enclosed, polygonal structure and surrounds the first recess310to enhance the effect of interfering the charges or moisture or oxygen moving to the display area100A.

The first width W1, the second width W2, the first pixel pitch P1, the second pixel pitch P2, the first distance S1, the second distance S2 of the first recess310and the third width W3 of the second recess320of the display device10according to some examples of the embodiment are listed in Table 1. The length unit of different designs in Table 1 is micrometer (µm). Although several examples of the embodiments are listed in Table 1, it should be noted that these design parameters are not disclosed for limiting the present disclosure. Anyone skilled in the technical field of the disclosure will be able to make suitable modifications or changes based on the specification disclosed above to meet actual needs without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

As indicated in Table 1, the parameter design of embodiments 1-2 may be used in the display device with lower requirement of pixel resolution, and the parameter design of embodiment 3-7 may be used in the display device with higher requirement of pixel resolution, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As indicated inFIG.3AtoFIG.3B, the display device10further includes a sealant layer600disposed on the second recess320.

In some embodiments as indicated inFIG.3B, the sealant layer600may include a plurality of filling particles610and an adhesive layer620. The filling particles610are mixed in the adhesive layer620. In some embodiments, the filling particles610, such as inorganic particles, has better mechanical strength and provides better support than the adhesive layer620. In some embodiments, the filling particles610or the adhesive layer620comprise a light-absorption material. When the sealant layer600with light-absorption effect is disposed above the second recess320, the light blocking effect at the second recess320of the covering layer300could be enhanced.

In some embodiments, the protection layer500is disposed on the covering layer300but inside the second recess320, and the sealant layer600is disposed on the protection layer500.

In some embodiments as indicated inFIG.1,FIG.2AtoFIG.2BandFIG.3AtoFIG.3B, the display device10may further include a light blocking structure900disposed in the display area100A. The light blocking structure900is used for separating multiple sub-pixels in the display area100A to reduce the phenomenon of light mixing between sub-pixels of different colors. In an embodiment, the light blocking structure900and the covering layer300may comprise the same or different materials by the same or different manufacturing processes. In some embodiments, the light blocking structure900and the covering layer300may be formed by the same manufacturing process and advantageously have a simplified manufacturing process.

FIG.4Ais a top view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.4Bis an enlarged view of the region 4B ofFIG.4A. It should be noted that some of the structural details are omitted in the top view but are illustrated in the enlarged view. For elements of the present embodiment similar or identical to that of above embodiments, similar or identical designations are used. Relevant descriptions of similar or identical elements which may be obtained with reference to above disclosure are not repeated again.

In some embodiments, the second recess320may have an enclosed structure and surrounds the display area100A (as indicated inFIG.1) or the second recess320may have multiple separate sections disposed outside the first recess310. As indicated inFIG.4AtoFIG.4B, the first recess310of the covering layer300of the display device20has an enclosed structure and surrounds the display area100A, and the second recess320of the covering layer300includes two separate sections both having an arced structure.

FIG.5Ais a top view of a display device according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.5Bis an enlarged view of the region 5B ofFIG.5A.FIG.5Cis a cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line 5C-5C′ ofFIG.5B. It should be noted that some of the structural details are omitted in the top view but are represented in the enlarged view. For elements of the present embodiment similar or identical to that of above embodiments, similar or identical designations are used. Relevant descriptions of similar or identical elements which may be obtained with reference to above disclosure are not repeated here.

As indicated inFIG.5AtoFIG.5C, the covering layer300further has a third recess330, the third recess330is disposed between the first recess310and the second recess320. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the covering layer300in the peripheral area100B disposed outside the display area100A has multiple recesses (such as the first recess310, the second recess320and/or the third recess330) each having an enclosed structure or multiple separate sections. The recesses interfere with the moisture or charges of the covering layer300to move to the display area100A from the peripheral area100B. Thus, the liquid crystal of the display area100A is less interfered with by charges or moisture, and the abnormalities of the display frame may be decreased.

As indicated inFIG.5BtoFIG.5C, the display device30may further include a second filler layer800disposed in the third recess330. In some embodiments, the material selection of the second filler layer800and the disposition of the second filler layer800with respect to the third recess330are similar to the design of the first filler layer400and the first recess310as disclosed in above embodiments, and the similarities are not repeated again.

In some embodiments, the width W4 of the third recess330is greater than or equal to 5 µm and less than or equal to 100 µm (i.e. 5 µm ≤W4≤100µm). In some other embodiments, the width W4 of third recess330is greater than or equal to 10 µm and less than or equal to 50 µm (i.e.10 µm ≤W4≤50µm).