Patent Publication Number: US-2023165125-A1

Title: Display panel, display module, and display device

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present application relates to the display field, in particular to a display panel, a display module, and a display device. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     With development of terminal display technology, users have increasingly higher demands for narrow bezel of display devices such as mobile phones. Therefore, a way in which electronic components such as a camera are placed on the bezel can no longer satisfy the demands of users. In current technology, in order to achieve the demands of narrow bezel, an irregular-shaped screen is obtained by carrying out irregular-shaped cutting of a display panel, such as a notch screen, a water drop screen, etc. Then, the electronic components are disposed in a special-shaped area. However, such narrow bezel technology requires cutting the display panel, while the process is complicated and the cutting area cannot emit light. That is, the current narrow bezel technology has a technical problem that the display panel needs to be cut. 
     Technical Problem 
     The present application provides a display panel, a display module, and a display device to solve the technical problem of current narrow bezel technology that requires cutting the display panel. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     To solve the above problems, the technical solutions provided by this application are as follows: 
     The present application provides a display panel, including: a flexible substrate; a driving circuit layer and a light-emitting functional layer disposed on the flexible substrate; wherein the flexible substrate includes a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, and an inorganic layer between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, the first flexible substrate is disposed on one side of the second flexible substrate away from the driving circuit layer; and the first flexible substrate is provided with a first through-hole corresponding to a lighting path of an electronic component. 
     In the display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application, the first through-hole extends to the inorganic layer and penetrates the inorganic layer. 
     In the display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application, the first through-hole extends to the second flexible substrate and does not penetrate the second flexible substrate. 
     In the display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application, the inorganic layer is provided with an annular opening, and an outer boundary of the annular opening coincides with a boundary of the first through-hole. 
     In the display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application, the first through-hole is one of circular and square. 
     In the display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application, the material of the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate is polyimide. 
     An embodiment of the present application provides a display module including a display panel. The display panel includes: a flexible substrate; a driving circuit layer and a light-emitting functional layer disposed on the flexible substrate; wherein the flexible substrate includes a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, and an inorganic layer between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, the first flexible substrate is disposed on one side of the second flexible substrate away from the driving circuit layer; and the first flexible substrate is provided with a first through-hole corresponding to a lighting path of an electronic component; a support film attached to the first flexible substrate and configured to support the display panel. 
     In the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application, the support film is provided with a second through-hole, and there is an overlapping area between the first through-hole and the second through hole in the lighting path of the electronic component. 
     In the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application, the support film includes a support layer and an adhesive layer, and the support layer is bonded to the first flexible substrate by the adhesive layer. 
     In the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application, the material of the support layer is ethylene terephthalate or polyimide. 
     In the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application, the material of the adhesive layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an optical adhesive. 
     In the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application, the first through-hole and the second through-hole are circular, and a diameter of the first through-hole is less than a diameter of the second through-hole. 
     In the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application, the first through-hole and the second through-hole are square, and a side length of the first through-hole is less than a side length of the second through-hole. 
     An embodiment of the present application provides a display device, including a display module, wherein the display module includes a display panel and a support film; an electronic component disposed below the display module. 
     In the display device provided by an embodiment of the present application, the support film is provided with a second through-hole, and there is an overlapping area between the first through-hole and the second through hole in the lighting path of the electronic component. 
     In the display device provided by an embodiment of the present application, all or part of the lighting unit of the electronic component is placed in the second through-hole. 
     In the display device provided by an embodiment of the present application, the support film includes a support layer and an adhesive layer, and the support layer is bonded to the first flexible substrate by the adhesive layer. 
     In the display device provided by an embodiment of the present application, the material of the support layer is ethylene terephthalate or polyimide. 
     In the display device provided by an embodiment of the present application, the material of the adhesive layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an optical adhesive. 
     In the display device provided by an embodiment of the present application, the first through-hole and the second through-hole are circular, and a diameter of the first through-hole is less than a diameter of the second through-hole. 
     Beneficial Effect 
     Beneficial effects of the present application: The present application provides a display panel, a display module, and a display device. The display panel includes a flexible substrate; and a driving circuit layer and a light-emitting functional layer disposed on the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate includes a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, and an inorganic layer between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, the first flexible substrate is disposed on one side of the second flexible substrate away from the driving circuit layer, and the first flexible substrate is provided with a first through-hole corresponding to a lighting path of an electronic component. Based on the through-hole, light transmittance of the display panel is increased, so that electronic components such as a camera can be disposed below the display panel, and a narrow bezel design is realized. In addition, based on the second flexible substrate, there is no need to cut the display panel, which solves the technical problem of the current narrow bezel technology that requires cutting the display panel. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In order to more clearly explain the embodiments or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts. 
         FIG.  1    is a first schematic structural diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG.  2    is a second schematic structural diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG.  3    is a third schematic structural diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG.  4    is a fourth schematic structural diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG.  5    is a fifth schematic structural diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic structural diagram of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG.  7    to  FIG.  14    are schematic diagrams of assembly of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the embodiments is provided to illustrate the specific embodiments of the invention. Directional terminology mentioned in the application, such as “above”, “under”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, “side”, etc., are only refer to the directions of the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terminology is to illustrate and understand this application, not to limit this application. In the drawings, structurally similar units are denoted by the same reference numerals. 
     The present application addresses the technical problem that the current narrow bezel technology needs to cut the display panel, which can be solved by the embodiments of this application. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , an embodiment of the present application provides a display panel. The display panel  10  includes a flexible substrate  11 ; and a driving circuit layer  12  and a light-emitting functional layer  13  disposed on the flexible substrate  11 , wherein the flexible substrate  11  includes a first flexible substrate  111 , a second flexible substrate  112 , and an inorganic layer  113  between the first flexible substrate  111  and the second flexible substrate  112 , the first flexible substrate  111  is disposed on one side of the second flexible substrate  112  away from the driving circuit layer, and the first flexible substrate  111  is provided with a first through-hole  114  corresponding to a lighting path of an electronic component  30 . 
     The present application provides a display panel. The display panel includes a flexible substrate; and a driving circuit layer and a light-emitting functional layer disposed on the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate includes a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, and an inorganic layer between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, the first flexible substrate is disposed on one side of the second flexible substrate away from the driving circuit layer, and the first flexible substrate is provided with a first through-hole corresponding to a lighting path of an electronic component. Based on the through-hole, light transmittance of the display panel is increased, so that electronic components such as a camera can be disposed below the display panel, and a narrow bezel design is realized. In addition, based on the second flexible substrate, there is no need to cut the display panel, which solves the technical problem of the current narrow bezel technology that requires cutting the display panel. 
     In one embodiment, the center of the lighting path coincides with the center of the first through-hole  114 , which can reduce the area of the first through-hole  114 . 
     In one embodiment, in order to enhance the light transmission effect, the first through-hole  114  extends to the inorganic layer  113  and does not penetrate the inorganic layer  113 . Based on this structure, the inorganic layer  113  is thinner in the lighting path of the electronic component, which reduces blockage of light by the inorganic layer  113 . 
     In one embodiment, in order to enhance the light transmission effect, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the first through-hole  114  extends to the inorganic layer  113  and penetrates the inorganic layer  113 . Based on this structure, the inorganic layer  113  does not exist in the lighting path of the electronic component, which prevents the inorganic layer  113  from blocking light. 
     In one embodiment, in order to enhance the light transmission effect, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the first through-hole  114  extends to the second flexible substrate  112  and does not penetrate the second flexible substrate  114 . Based on processes such as laser processing, a desired shape can be obtained, and the film layer is flat. Based on this structure, the second flexible substrate  112  is thinner in the lighting path of the electronic component, which reduces blockage of light by the second flexible substrate  112  and improves the working effect of the electronic component. 
     In one embodiment, the first through-hole  114  extends to one-third to two-thirds of the thickness of the second flexible substrate  112 . 
     In one embodiment, in order to reduce process requirements, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the inorganic layer  113  is provided with an annular opening  115  whose outer boundary coincides with a boundary of the first through-hole  114 . 
     In one embodiment, in order to reduce the processing difficulty, a shape of the first through-hole  113  is one of circular or square. 
     In one embodiment, a material of the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate is one of organic materials such as polyimide or ethylene terephthalate, so as to reduce costs and enhance flexibility. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the cross-section of the first through-hole  114  is stepped, which reduces the difficulty of the process. 
     In one embodiment, the flexible display panel  10  provided in this embodiment includes: a flexible substrate  11  including a first flexible substrate  111 , a second flexible substrate  112 , and an inorganic layer  113  between the first flexible substrate  111  and the second flexible substrate  112 , wherein the first flexible substrate  111  is disposed on one side of the second flexible substrate  112  away from the driving circuit layer  12 ; a driving circuit layer  12  including a buffer layer, an active layer, a gate insulating layer, a gate metal layer, an interlayer insulating layer, a source-drain metal layer, and a passivation layer; and a light-emitting functional layer  13  including an anode metal layer, a pixel definition layer, an OLED light-emitting layer, and an encapsulation layer. A through-hole is formed in the interlayer insulating layer, and the source-drain metal layer communicates with the active layer by the through-hole. 
     In one embodiment, material of the pixel definition layer is a macromolecule organic polymer with high Young&#39;s modulus. 
     In one embodiment, the macromolecule organic polymer is polydimethylsiloxane. Polydimethylsiloxane has a high Young&#39;s modulus, can play a good role in supporting the flexible display device, disperse applied stress (compressive/bending stress), and can protect the flexible display panel. 
     In one embodiment, the pixel definition layer further includes a black dye. The black dye is used to form the black pixel definition layer, and the black pixel definition layer is beneficial for blocking lateral light leakage between adjacent sub-pixels, thereby improving a contrast of the flexible display panel. 
     In one embodiment, the pixel definition layer is prepared by a nano-transfer method. 
     In one embodiment, the through-hole penetrates the interlayer insulating layer and stops at the active layer. Forming the through-hole in the interlayer insulating layer is mainly for communicating the source-drain metal layer with the active layer. 
     In one embodiment, the OLED light-emitting layer includes a red sub-pixel light-emitting layer, a green sub-pixel light-emitting layer, and a blue sub-pixel light-emitting layer. 
     In one embodiment, a material of the buffer layer is one or both of silicon nitride or silicon oxide, and a thickness of the buffer layer is 2000 to 3000 angstroms. 
     In one embodiment, a material of the gate insulating layer is silicon nitride or silicon oxide, and a thickness of the gate insulating layer is 800 to 1000 angstroms. 
     In one embodiment, a thickness of the interlayer insulating layer is 2000 to 3000 angstroms. 
     In one embodiment, a material of the source-drain metal layer is titanium or titanium aluminum alloy. 
     In one embodiment, a material of the gate metal layer is molybdenum or the like. 
     In one embodiment, a material of the anode metal layer is indium tin oxide or the like. 
     In one embodiment, the encapsulation layer includes a first inorganic encapsulation layer, a first organic encapsulation layer, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer that are stacked. A material of the first inorganic encapsulating layer is one or a combination of any two or more of silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, and zirconium dioxide. A material of the second inorganic encapsulation layer is same as the material of the first inorganic encapsulation layer. 
     In one embodiment, in the lighting path of the electronic component  30 , a third through-hole is formed in the driving circuit layer  12  and the light-emitting functional layer  13 , and the first inorganic encapsulation layer is formed on the second flexible substrate  112  to further enhance light transmission effect. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , one embodiment of the present application provides a display module. The display module  60  includes a display panel  10 . The display panel  10  includes: a flexible substrate  11 ; a driving circuit layer  12  and a light-emitting functional layer  13  disposed on the flexible substrate  11 , wherein the flexible substrate  11  includes a first flexible substrate  111 , a second flexible substrate  112 , and an inorganic layer  113  between the first flexible substrate  111  and the second flexible substrate  112 , the first flexible substrate  111  is disposed on a side of the second flexible substrate  112  away from the driving circuit layer  12 , and the first flexible substrate  111  is provided with a first through-hole  114  corresponding to a lighting path of an electronic component  30 ; and a support film  20  attached to the first flexible substrate  111  and configured to support the display panel  10 . 
     The display panel in the display module includes a flexible substrate, a driving circuit layer, and a light-emitting functional layer provided on the flexible substrate. The flexible substrate includes a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, and an inorganic layer between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate. The first flexible substrate is disposed on a side of the second flexible substrate away from the driving circuit layer. The first flexible substrate is provided with a first through-hole in the lighting path of the electronic component. Based on the through-hole, light transmittance of the display panel is increased, so that electronic components such as a camera can be placed under the display panel, a narrow bezel design is realized, and based on the second flexible substrate, there is no need to cut the display panel. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the support film  20  includes a support layer  21  and an adhesive layer  22 . The support layer  21  is bonded to the first flexible substrate  111  by the adhesive layer  22 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the support film  20  is provided with a second through-hole  23 . In the lighting path of the electronic component  30 , there is an overlapping area between the first through-hole  114  and the second through-hole  23  to further enhance the lighting effect of the electronic component. 
     In one embodiment, a material of the support layer  21  is one of ethylene terephthalate or polyimide. 
     In one embodiment, a material of the adhesive layer  22  is one of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an optical adhesive. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the first through-hole  114  and the second through-hole  23  are circular, and a diameter of the first through-hole  114  is less than a diameter of the second through-hole  23 . 
     In one embodiment, the first through-hole and the second through-hole are square, and a side length of the first through-hole is less than a side length of the second through-hole. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the first through-hole  114  is located in an area where the second through-hole  23  is defined. 
     In one embodiment, the display module  70  further includes a polarizer, a touch panel, etc. disposed on the display panel  10  to achieve complete touch and display functions. 
     In one embodiment, the present application provides a display device. As shown in  FIG.  6   , the display device  70  includes a display module  60 . The display module  60  includes a display panel  10 , a support film  20 , and an electronic component  30  disposed below the display module. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the support film  20  is provided with a second through-hole  23 , and there is an overlapping area between the first through-hole  114  and the second through-hole  23  in the lighting path of the electronic component  30 . 
     In one embodiment, all or part of the lighting unit of the electronic component  30  is placed in the second through-hole to further reduce the thickness of the display device. 
     In one embodiment, the electronic component  30  is a camera module, and the lighting unit of the camera module is a lens. The lens is placed completely or partially in the second through-hole. 
     Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the present application provides a method for assembling a display device, including following steps: 
     Step 1, providing a display module. 
     In one embodiment, the display module includes a display panel and a support film. The display panel includes a flexible substrate; and a driving circuit layer and a light-emitting functional layer disposed on the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate includes a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, and an inorganic layer between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, the first flexible substrate is disposed on a side of the second flexible substrate away from the driving circuit layer, and the first flexible substrate is provided with a first through-hole corresponding to a lighting path of an electronic component. The support film is provided with a second through-hole, and there is an overlapping area between the first through-hole and the second through hole in the lighting path of the electronic component. 
     Step 2, assembling the electronic component and the display module. 
     In one embodiment, the electronic component is a camera module, the lighting unit of the camera module is a lens, and the lens is placed completely or partially in the second through-hole. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  7    to  FIG.  10   , the step of providing a display module includes following steps: 
     Step a1, as shown in  FIG.  7   , the support film  20  and the display panel  10  are bonded together and placed upside down on the machine table. 
     The flexible display panel  10  provided in this step has not formed a first through-hole, and the flexible support film  20  has not formed a second through-hole. 
     Step a2, as shown in  FIG.  8   , laser cutting the support film  20 , wherein a cutting method is using a laser to cut a circular shape, a cutting depth is a total thickness of the support film  20 , and the support film  20  in the cutting area is then torn off to form a second through-hole  23 . 
     Step a3, as shown in  FIG.  9   , performing a first laser processing on the first flexible substrate for the purpose of separating the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate. 
     Step a4, as shown in  FIG.  10   , performing a second laser processing on the first flexible substrate, wherein a processing method is cutting, a cutting shape is circular, and a cutting depth is a sum of thicknesses of the first flexible substrate  111  and the inorganic layer  112 . After the cutting is completed, the first flexible substrate  111  is tom off to form the first through-hole  114 . 
     In this embodiment, an advantage of using a laser process to process the flexible substrate to form the first through-hole  114  is that the bottom of a groove formed by the first through-hole and the second flexible substrate is flat, which can effectively reduce haze of the flexible substrate and effectively improve visible light transmittance. 
     In one embodiment, an opening area of the second through-hole  23  is greater than an opening area of the first through-hole  114 , which facilitates laser processing and material removal of the first through-hole  114 . 
     In one embodiment, a processing area of the second laser processing is greater than a processing area of the first laser processing, so that a ring-shaped opening  115  is formed in an inorganic layer  113 , which prevents the first flexible substrate from being separated from the inorganic layer at the site of the first through-hole  114 . The width of the ring-shaped opening  115  may meet the requirement of the tearing process of the first flexible substrate, for example, the width may be 50 nm to 1000 nm. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  11    to  FIG.  14   , the step of providing a display module includes following steps: 
     Nom Step b1, as shown in  FIG.  11   , the display panel is placed upside down on the machine table, and the first flexible substrate is subjected to the first laser processing for the purpose of separating the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate. 
     Step b2, as shown in  FIG.  12   , performing a second laser processing on the first flexible substrate. 
     A processing method is cutting, a cutting shape is circular, and a cutting depth is a sum of the thicknesses of the first flexible substrate  111  and the inorganic layer  112 . After the cutting is completed, the first flexible substrate  111  is torn off to form the first through-hole  114 . 
     Step b3, as shown in  FIG.  13   , providing a support film. 
     As shown in  FIG.  13   , the support film  20  with the second through-hole is provided, that is, the support film  20  with a hole is used to reduce laser processing. 
     Step b4, as shown in  FIG.  14   , the support film  20  and the display panel  10  are bonded together. 
     According to the above embodiment, the present application provides a display panel, a display module, and a display device. The display panel includes a flexible substrate; and a driving circuit layer and a light-emitting functional layer disposed on the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate includes a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, and an inorganic layer between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, the first flexible substrate is disposed on a side of the second flexible substrate away from the driving circuit layer, and the first flexible substrate is formed with a first through-hole corresponding to a lighting path of an electronic component. Based on the through-hole, light transmittance of the display panel is increased, so that electronic components such as a camera can be disposed below the display panel, and a narrow bezel design is realized. In addition, based on the second flexible substrate, there is no need to cut the display panel, which solves the technical problem of the current narrow bezel technology that requires cutting the display panel. 
     In summary, although the present application has been disclosed above with the preferred embodiments, the preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the scope defined by the claims.