Patent Publication Number: US-2023165075-A1

Title: Display panel and manufacturing method thereof and electronic device

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to the technical field of display, and more particularly, to the technical field of a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     A conventional organic light-emitting diode display panel comprises a plurality of light-emitting units, a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of data lines, and further comprises a first power line and a second power line. 
     Taking a single light-emitting unit as an example, as shown in  FIG.  1   , each light-emitting unit comprises a first transistor T 1  and a second transistor M 1 . A gate of the first transistor T 1  is connected to the scan lines  11 , and a source is connected to the data lines  12 . The gate of the second transistor M 1  is connected to the drain of the first transistor T 1 , the source of the second transistor M 1  is connected to the second power line  14 , the source of the second transistor M 1  is connected to the second end of the light-emitting device D 1 , and a first end of the light-emitting device D 1  is connected to the first power line  13 . In order to ensure the driving stability, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOS) tube is typically used as the second transistor M 1 . However, due to the high cost of patch processing of the MOS tube, the manufacturing costs are relatively high. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a display panel, a method of manufacturing thereof, and an electronic device, which may reduce the manufacturing cost. 
     To solve the technical problems described above, the present disclosure provides a display panel. The display panel comprises a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of to-be-driven regions, and a plurality of drive modules. Each of the to-be-driven regions comprises a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in an array. Each row of the light-emitting units in the plurality of to-be-driven regions are disposed corresponding to the scan lines, and each column of the light-emitting units in the plurality of to-be-driven regions is respectively disposed corresponding to the data lines, a first power line, and a second power line. Each of the light-emitting units comprises a light-emitting device and a control module. The control module is connected to the data lines and the scan lines corresponding to each of the corresponding light-emitting units, and a first end of the light-emitting device is connected to the first power line corresponding to the corresponding light-emitting unit. Each of the drive modules is disposed corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions. Each of the drive modules is connected to the second power line corresponding to each of the light-emitting units in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions, each of the control modules in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions, and a second end of the light-emitting device. 
     The present disclosure further provides an electronic device. The electronic device comprises the display panel described above. 
     The present disclosure further provides a method of manufacturing a display panel. The method of manufacturing a display panel comprises:
         disposing a first metal layer on a base substrate, and patterning the first metal layer to form a first connection portion and a gate;   sequentially disposing a first insulation layer and a semiconductor layer on the first connection portion and the gate, patterning the semiconductor layer to respectively form a first sub-portion, a second sub-portion, and a third sub-portion, and forming a first via hole on the first sub-portion, wherein the first via hole penetrates the semiconductor layer and the first insulation layer;   disposing a second metal layer in the first via hole and on the first sub-portion, the second sub-portion, and the third sub-portion, and patterning the second metal layer to respectively form a second connection portion at a position corresponding to the first sub-portion, and form a source and a drain at a position corresponding to the second sub-portion, and forming a third connection portion at a position corresponding to the third sub-portion, wherein the second connection portion is connected to the first connection portion through the first via hole;   disposing a second insulation layer on the second connection portion, the third connection portion, the source, and the drain, and patterning the second insulation layer to respectively form an opening at a position corresponding to the third connection portion, and form a second via hole at a position corresponding to the second connection portion, wherein the opening is used to expose the third connection portion, and the second via hole is used to expose the second connection portion; and   binding a light-emitting device on the third connection portion and connecting external signals to the second connection portion.       

     The display panel, a method of manufacturing thereof, and an electronic device of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of to-be-driven regions, and a plurality of drive modules. Each of the to-be-driven regions comprises a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in an array. Each row of the light-emitting units in the plurality of to-be-driven regions are disposed corresponding to the scan lines, and each column of the light-emitting units in the plurality of to-be-driven regions is respectively disposed corresponding to the data lines, a first power line, and a second power line. Each of the light-emitting units comprises a light-emitting device and a control module. The control module is connected to the data lines and the scan lines corresponding to each of the corresponding light-emitting units, and a first end of the light-emitting device is connected to the first power line corresponding to the corresponding light-emitting unit. Each of the drive modules is disposed corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions. Each of the drive modules is connected to the second power line corresponding to each of the light-emitting units in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions, each of the control modules in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions, and a second end of the light-emitting device. Since the plurality of light-emitting units share one drive module, patch processing cost of the MOS tube may be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In order to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or in the prior art, the following briefly describes the drawings used in the embodiments. The drawings described below are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For a person ordinarily skilled in the art may obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative work. 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view of a conventional display panel. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic view of a display panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic view of a display panel according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a flow chat of a manufacturing process of the display panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely in combined with the drawings shown in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only one part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person skilled in the art without making creative efforts fall within the claim scope of the present disclosure. 
     In the present disclosure, it is appreciated that the terms “center,” “longitudinal,” “transverse,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” and other directions or positional relationships indicated are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. The directions or positional relationships are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure. Moreover, the terms “first” and “second” are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be interpreted as indicating or implying relative significance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Accordingly, the defined “first” and “second” features may comprise one or more of the technical features explicitly or implicitly. In the description of the present disclosure, “a plurality of” means two or more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms “disposed,” “connected,” and “connection” should be interpreted in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. It may be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or may communicate with each other. It may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediary. It may be the intercommunication between two elements or the interaction between two elements. A person ordinarily skilled in the art may understand the specific meanings of the technical terms described above in the present disclosure according to specific conditions. 
     In the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature being “above” or “below” the second feature may comprise a condition that the first feature is direct contact with the second feature directly, or may also comprise a condition that the first feature is not direct contact with the second feature, but through an additional feature between the first feature and the second feature. Moreover, the first feature is “on,” “above,” and “upon” the second feature comprises a condition that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than the horizontal height of the second feature. The first feature is “below,” “under,” and “beneath” the second feature comprises a condition that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than the horizontal height of the second feature. 
     The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for archiving different structures of the present disclosure. To simplify the disclosure of the present disclosure, the components and dispositions of specific examples are described below. Certainly, they are only examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numbers and/or reference letters in different examples, and such repetition is for the purpose of simplification and clarity, and does not indicate the relationship between the various implementations and/or disposition as discussed. In addition, the present disclosure provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but a person ordinarily skilled in the art may anticipate the application of other processes and/or the use of other materials. 
     Please refer to  FIG.  2    to  FIG.  4   .  FIG.  2    is a schematic view of the display panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the display panel  100  of the present embodiment comprises a plurality of scan lines  11 , a plurality of data lines  12 , a plurality of to-be-driven regions  20 , and a plurality of drive modules  30 . Each of the to-be-driven regions  20  comprises a plurality of light-emitting units  21  arranged in an array. Each row of the light-emitting units  21  in the plurality of to-be-driven regions  20  are disposed corresponding to the scan lines  11 , and each column of the light-emitting units  21  in the plurality of to-be-driven regions  20  is respectively disposed corresponding to the data lines  12 , a first power line  13 , and a second power line  14 . In one embodiment, each row of the light-emitting units in the plurality of to-be-driven regions  20  is corresponding one to one to each of the data lines  12 , and each column of the light-emitting units  21  in the plurality of to-be-driven regions  20  is corresponding one to one to the data lines  12 , a first power line  13 , and a second power line  14 . Certainly, the above corresponding relationship is not limited to this. 
     Each of the light-emitting units  21  comprises a light-emitting device D 2  and a control module  211 . The control module  211  is connected to the corresponding data lines  12  and the scan lines  11 , and a first end of the light-emitting device D 2  is connected to the first power line  13  corresponding to the corresponding light-emitting units  21 . 
     Each of the drive modules  30  is disposed corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions  20 . Each of the drive modules  30  is connected to the second power line  14  corresponding to each of the light-emitting units  21  in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20 , each of the control modules  211  in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20 , and a second end of the light-emitting device D 2 . For example, in one embodiment, the first end of the light-emitting device D 2  is an anode, and the second end of the light-emitting device D 2  is a cathode. In one embodiment, in order to enhance uniformity of brightness and display effect, the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20  may be disposed in one-to-one correspondence to the drive modules  30 . 
       FIG.  2    shows that each of the to-be-driven regions  20  comprises two rows and two columns of the light-emitting units  21 . Each row of the of the light-emitting units  21  is disposed corresponding to the scan lines  11 , each column of the light-emitting units  21  is disposed corresponding to the data lines  12 , the first power line  13 , and the second power line  14 .  FIG.  2    is taken as an example for explanation and cannot not limit the present disclosure. 
     To enhance the driving efficiency, in one embodiment, referring to  FIG.  3   , the control module  211  comprises a main control terminal  31 , an input terminal  32 , and a main output terminal  33 . The main control terminal  31  is connected to the corresponding scan lines  11  (i.e., the scan lines corresponding to the corresponding light-emitting unit  21 ), and the input terminal  32  is connected to the corresponding data lines  12  (i.e., the data lines corresponding to the corresponding light-emitting unit  21 ); 
     Each of the drive modules  30  comprises a plurality of auxiliary control terminals  34 , a plurality of auxiliary output terminals  35 , and a plurality of power input terminals  36 . Each of the auxiliary control terminals  34  is connected to the main output terminal  33  of each control module  211  in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20 . Each of the auxiliary output terminals  35  is connected to the second end of each light-emitting device D 2  in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20 . Each of the power input terminals  36  is connected to the second power line  14  corresponding to each light-emitting device  21  in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20 . In one embodiment, each of the drive modules  30  is an integrated module of four MOS tubes. Certainly, the specific structure of each drive modules  30  is not limited to this. 
     The voltage connected to the first power line  13  is such as VDD, and the voltage connected to the second power line  14  is such as VSS. VDD is greater than VSS. Certainly, it is appreciated that each of the drive modules  30  may also comprise two power input terminals  36 . Each of the auxiliary control terminals  34  is disposed corresponding to the main control terminal  31  in each of the to-be-driven regions  20 . Each of the auxiliary output terminals  35  is disposed corresponding to the second end of the light-emitting device D 2  in each of the to-be-driven regions  20 . Each of the power input terminals  36  is disposed corresponding to the second power line  14  corresponding to each light-emitting device D 2  in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20 . Certainly, it is appreciated that the number of the auxiliary control terminals  34 , the auxiliary output terminals  35 , and the power input terminals  36  is not limited to this, and the specific number thereof may be determined based on actual requirements. 
     In one embodiment, to further reduce the area of the light-emitting unit, and thereby further enhance the resolution, each of the to-be-driven regions  20  comprises a gap region (not shown in the figures). The gap region is formed by an interspace between two adjacent light-emitting units  21 . Each of the drive modules  30  is disposed in the gap region. That is, each of the drive modules  30  is disposed corresponding to the gap region. In one embodiment, to further reduce the length of a connection line between each of the drive modules and each of the corresponding light-emitting unit  21 , each of the to-be-driven regions  20  has a geometric center. For example, each of the to-be-driven regions  20  is rectangular, and the geometric center of each of the to-be-driven regions  20  overlaps with the geometric center of the rectangle. The position of each of the drive modules  30  corresponds to the position of the geometric center of each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20 . The position of each of the drive modules  30  is disposed corresponding to the position of the geometric center of the corresponding to-be-driven regions  20 , so that the voltage drop may be reduced and the uniformity of brightness may be enhanced. Certainly, the position of each of the drive modules  30  is not limited thereto. 
     In one embodiment, to further reduce the length of the connection line between each of the drive modules and each of the data lines as well as each of the scan lines, an orthographic projection of all of the second power line  14  corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions  20  projected on a setting plane partially overlaps an orthographic projection of each of the drive modules  30  projected on the setting plane, and/or an orthographic projection of all of the first power line  13  corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions  20  projected on the setting plane partially overlaps the orthographic projection of each of the drive modules  30  projected on the setting plane. Certainly, in other embodiments, the orthographic projection of one part of the second power line  14  corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions  20  projected on the setting plane partially overlaps the orthographic projection of each of the drive modules  30  projected on the setting plane, and/or the orthographic projection of at least one part of the first power line  13  corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions  20  projected on the setting plane partially overlaps the orthographic projection of each of the drive modules  30  projected on the setting plane. For example, in one embodiment, the second power line  14  corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions  20  is disposed adjacently, and is located between two adjacent columns of the light-emitting units  21 . The plurality of first power lines  13  corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions  20  may also be located between two adjacent columns of the light-emitting units  21 . 
     In one embodiment, to reduce the length of the connection line between the input terminal  32  of the control module  211  and each of the data lines  12 , two adjacent data lines  12  corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions  20  are symmetrically disposed with respect to the corresponding to-be-driven region  20 . In one embodiment, two adjacent scan lines  11  may also be symmetrically disposed with respect to one of the to-be-driven regions  20 . 
     Though  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    merely show two to-be-driven regions and two drive modules, the number of the to-be-driven regions and the drive modules of the present disclosure may be greater than or equal to two. 
     Despite  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    show that each of the to-be-driven regions  20  comprises two rows and two columns of the light-emitting devices  21 , they cannot limit the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , in another embodiment, each of the to-be-driven regions  20  comprises three rows and two columns of the light-emitting units  21 . In another embodiment, each of the to-be-driven regions  20  comprises two rows and three columns of the light-emitting units. In another embodiment, each of the to-be-driven regions  20  comprises four rows and four columns of the light-emitting units, i.e., the drive chip  30  may drive two rows and two columns of the light-emitting units or more light-emitting units. When each of the to-be-driven regions  20  comprises two rows and two columns of the light-emitting units  21 , it is convenient to reduce the length of the connection line with each of the drive modules  30 , thereby enhancing the uniformity of brightness. 
     The present disclosure also provides an electronic device, which comprises any of the display panels described above. The electronic device comprises, but is not limited to, mobile phones, notebooks, computer monitors, game consoles, televisions, display screens, wearable devices, and other home appliances or household appliances with display functions. 
     The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a display panel, as shown in  FIG.  5   , which comprises steps of: 
     S 101 : disposing a first metal layer  42  on a base substrate  41 , and patterning the first metal layer  42  to form a first connection portion  421  and a gate  422 . For example, the base substrate  41  may be a glass substrate, and the material of the first metal layer  42  may comprise at least one of a transparent conductive material, Mo, Cu, Al, and Ti. 
     S 102 : sequentially disposing a first insulation layer  43  and a semiconductor layer  44  on the first connection portion  421  and the gate  422 , patterning the semiconductor layer  44  to respectively form a first sub-portion  441 , a second sub-portion  442 , and a third sub-portion  4433 , and forming a first via hole  51  on the first sub-portion  441 . The first via hole  51  penetrates the semiconductor layer  44  and the first insulation layer  43 . For example, the material of the first insulation layer  43  may include, but is not limited to, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, and aluminum nitride. The material of the semiconductor layer  44  may be amorphous silicon or polysilicon. 
     S 103 : disposing a second metal layer  45  in the first via hole  51  and on the first sub-portion  441 , the second sub-portion  442 , and the third sub-portion  443 , patterning the second metal layer  45  to respectively form a second connection portion  451  at a position corresponding to the first sub-portion  441 , and form a source  453  and a drain  454  at a position corresponding to the second sub-portion  442 , and forming a third connection portion  452  at a position corresponding to the third sub-portion  443 . The second connection portion  451  is connected to the first connection portion  421  through the first via hole  51  to form a signal line, which may be used as a first power line or a second power line. For example, the material of the second metal layer  45  comprises at least one of a transparent conductive material, Mo, Cu, Al, and Ti. Preferably, the material is a metal material not easily oxidized, such as Ti. 
     S 104 : disposing a second insulation layer  46  on the second connection portion  451 , the third connection portion  452 , the source  453 , and the drain  454 , patterning the second insulation layer  46  to form a second via hole  461  at a position corresponding to the second connection portion  451 , and form an opening  462  at a position corresponding to the third connection portion  452 . The opening  462  is used to expose the third connection portion  452 , and the second via hole  461  is used to expose the second connection portion  452 . External signals are such as power supply voltage VSS or VDD. The material of the second insulation layer  46  may include, but is not limited to, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, and aluminum nitride. 
     S 105 : binding a light-emitting device on the third connection portion  452  and connecting the external signals to the second connection portion. 
     The light-emitting device may comprise an organic light-emitting diode or a micro-light-emitting diode. When the light-emitting device is a micro-light-emitting diode, the display effect may be further enhanced. The second connection portion  451  is connected to an external signal, such as a power supply voltage VSS or VDD. 
     In one embodiment, each of the drive modules  30  is fixed to the display panel  100  by a patch. Certainly, the specific process of disposing each of the drive modules  30  is not limited. 
     Since a plurality of light-emitting units share one drive module, the p cost of patch processing of the MOS tube may be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Moreover, the area of the light-emitting unit may also be reduced, thereby enhancing the resolution. 
     The display panel and a method of manufacturing thereof, and an electronic device of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of to-be-driven regions, and a plurality of drive modules. Each of the to-be-driven regions comprises a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in an array. Each row of the light-emitting units in the plurality of to-be-driven regions are disposed corresponding to the scan lines, and each column of the light-emitting units in the plurality of to-be-driven regions is respectively disposed corresponding to the data lines, a first power line, and a second power line. Each of the light-emitting units comprises a light-emitting device and a control module. The control module is connected to the data lines and the scan lines corresponding to each of the corresponding light-emitting units, and a first end of the light-emitting device is connected to the first power line corresponding to the corresponding light-emitting unit. Each of the drive modules is disposed corresponding to each of the to-be-driven regions. Each of the drive modules is connected to the second power line corresponding to each of the light-emitting units in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions, each of the control modules in each of the corresponding to-be-driven regions, and a second end of the light-emitting device. Since the plurality of light-emitting units share one drive module, patch processing cost of the MOS tube may be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs. 
     In summary, although the present disclosure has been disclosed as above in preferred embodiments, the above-mentioned preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure. A person ordinarily skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the concept and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the claimed scope of the present disclosure based on the scope defined by the claims.