Patent Publication Number: US-2023157136-A1

Title: Display panel, display device, and manufacturing method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2021/123048, filed on Oct. 11, 2021, which claims priority to China Patent Application No. 202011372383.7 filed on Nov. 30, 2020, the disclosure of both of which are incorporated by reference herein in entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a display panel, a display device and a manufacturing method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With the increasingly diverse applications of a display panel, there are higher and higher appearance and profile requirements of the display panel. Especially for the non-display border area, with the ultimate pursuit of screen ratio, the border area will be further narrowed. An OLED (Organic light Emitting Diode) display device generally uses a thin film encapsulation structure to ensure the water and oxygen barrier property of the OLED devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a display panel is provided. The comprises: a substrate comprising a display area and a non-display area on at least one side of the display area, wherein the substrate has a first groove in the non-display area; a driver circuit layer on a side of the display area of the substrate; a display function layer on a side of the driver circuit layer away from the substrate; an encapsulation layer on a side of the display function layer away from the driver circuit layer, wherein the encapsulation layer comprises an inorganic encapsulation layer, the inorganic encapsulation layer extending to the non-display area, and a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer being in the first groove; and a dam on the non-display area of the substrate, wherein an orthographic projection of the dam on the substrate is between the first groove and the display area, and the dam is covered by the inorganic encapsulation layer. 
     In some embodiments, an angle formed between a sidewall of the first groove and an upper surface of the substrate is greater than 90 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, a width of an opening of the first groove is greater than a width of a bottom of the first groove. 
     In some embodiments, the substrate comprises: a first substrate, a first buffer layer on the first substrate, a second substrate on a side of the first buffer layer away from the first substrate, and a second buffer layer on a side of the second substrate away from the first buffer layer, wherein the first groove is at least disposed on the second substrate. 
     In some embodiments, a bottom of the first groove exposes a portion of the first buffer layer, and the portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer in the first groove is in contact with the portion of the first buffer layer. 
     In some embodiments, a width of an opening of the first groove in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the first groove is 10 microns to 100 microns. 
     In some embodiments, the substrate comprises a plurality of first grooves, wherein the plurality of first grooves are substantially arranged along an extension direction of an edge of the substrate, and any two of the plurality of first grooves are not connected with each other. 
     In some embodiments, the first groove extends substantially along an extension direction of an edge of the substrate. 
     In some embodiments, the dam comprises a first dam and a second dam on a side of the first dam away from the display area, wherein an orthographic projection of the second dam on the substrate is between an orthographic projection of the first dam on the substrate and the first groove. 
     In some embodiments, the inorganic encapsulation layer comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer on a side of the display function layer away from the driver circuit layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer on a side of the first inorganic encapsulation layer away from the display function layer; and the encapsulation layer further comprises an organic encapsulation layer between the first inorganic encapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer. 
     In some embodiments, the non-display area comprises: a first non-display area, a second non-display area, a third non-display area and a fourth non-display area all around the display area, wherein the first non-display area is adjacent to the second non-display area, the third non-display area is opposite to the first non-display area, and the fourth non-display area is opposite to the second non-display area; a first corner area is arranged between the first non-display area and the second non-display area, a second corner area is arranged between the second non-display area and the third non-display area, a third corner area is arranged between the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area, and a fourth corner area is arranged between the first non-display area and the fourth non-display area; and the first groove is in at least one of the first corner area, the second corner area, the third corner area or the fourth corner area, or at least one of the first non-display area, the second non-display area, the third non-display area or the fourth non-display area. 
     In some embodiments, the display area comprises a stretchable display area, the first corner area, the second corner area, the third corner area and the fourth corner area being arranged on a side of the stretchable display area. 
     In some embodiments, the substrate further has a second groove on a side of the first groove away from the dam, wherein an angle formed between a sidewall of the second groove and an upper surface of the substrate is less than 90 degrees, and another portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer is in the second groove. 
     In some embodiments, the substrate further has a second groove on a side of the first groove away from the dam, wherein an angle formed between a sidewall of the second groove and a bottom of the second groove is less than 90 degrees, and another portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer is in the second groove. 
     In some embodiments, a width of an opening of the second groove is less than a width of a bottom of the second groove. 
     In some embodiments, the another portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer in the second groove forms a slit at a bottom corner of the second groove. 
     In some embodiments, the second groove extends substantially along an extension direction of an edge of the substrate. 
     In some embodiments, a depth of the second groove is approximately equal to a depth of the first groove. 
     According to another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device is provided. The display device comprises the display panel as described above. 
     According to another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a manufacturing method of a display panel is provided. The manufacturing method comprises: providing a substrate comprising a display area and a non-display area on at least one side of the display area; forming a driver circuit layer on a side of the display area of the substrate; forming a dam on the non-display area of the substrate; forming a display function layer on a side of the driver circuit layer away from the substrate; etching the non-display area of the substrate to form a first groove in the non-display area, the first groove being on a side of the dam away from the display area; and forming an encapsulation layer on a side of the display function layer away from the driver circuit layer, wherein the encapsulation layer comprises an inorganic encapsulation layer, the inorganic encapsulation layer extending to the non-display area and covering the dam, and a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer being in the first groove. 
     In some embodiments, the providing of the substrate comprises: providing a first substrate; forming a first buffer layer on the first substrate; forming a second substrate on a side of the first buffer layer away from the first substrate; and forming a second buffer layer on a side of the second substrate away from the first buffer layer; and the etching of the non-display area of the substrate comprises: etching the second buffer layer and the second substrate to form the first groove exposing a portion of the first buffer layer; wherein the portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer in the first groove is in contact with the portion of the first buffer layer in the forming of the encapsulation layer. 
     In some embodiments, the etching of the non-display area of the substrate further comprises: etching the second buffer layer and the second substrate to form a second groove exposing another portion of the first buffer layer, the second groove being on a side of the first groove away from the dam; wherein another portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer is in the second groove and is in contact with the another portion of the first buffer layer in the forming of the encapsulation layer. 
     Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings which constitute part of this specification, illustrate the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with this specification, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. 
       The present disclosure may be more explicitly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a top view showing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a portion of the display panel at a circle  101  in  FIG.  1    according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of the display panel taken along a line A-A′ in  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a portion of the display panel at a circle  101  in  FIG.  1    according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of the display panel taken along a line B-B′ in  FIG.  4    according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure at a stage in a manufacturing process of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure at another stage in a manufacturing process of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure at another stage in a manufacturing process of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure at another stage in a manufacturing process of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure at another stage in a manufacturing process of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first groove of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to the actual scale. In addition, the same or similar reference signs are used to denote the same or similar components. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The description of the exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative and is in no way intended as a limitation to the present disclosure, its application or use. The present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms, which are not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noticed that: relative arrangement of components and steps, material composition, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments, unless specifically stated otherwise, should be explained as merely illustrative, and not as a limitation. 
     The use of the terms “first”, “second” and similar words in the present disclosure do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are merely used to distinguish between different parts. A word such as “comprise”, “include”, or the like means that the element before the word covers the element(s) listed after the word without excluding the possibility of also covering other elements. The terms “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, or the like are used only to represent a relative positional relationship, and the relative positional relationship may be changed correspondingly if the absolute position of the described object changes. 
     In the present disclosure, when it is described that a particular device is located between the first device and the second device, there may be an intermediate device between the particular device and the first device or the second device, and alternatively, there may be no intermediate device. When it is described that a particular device is connected to other devices, the particular device may be directly connected to said other devices without an intermediate device, and alternatively, may not be directly connected to said other devices but with an intermediate device. 
     All the terms (comprising technical and scientific terms) used in the present disclosure have the same meanings as understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure unless otherwise defined. It should also be understood that terms as defined in general dictionaries, unless explicitly defined herein, should be interpreted as having meanings that are consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and not to be interpreted in an idealized or extremely formalized sense. 
     Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, these techniques, methods, and apparatuses should be considered as part of this specification. 
     The inventors of the present disclosure have found that the thin-film encapsulation structure is generally an inorganic/organic laminated structure. In an edge area of an OLED device, a certain length of the inorganic encapsulation layer must be provided to ensure the encapsulation characteristic of the device (that is, the water and oxygen barrier property of the OLED device) as much as possible, which however is not conducive to the narrowing of the border of the display device. 
     In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display panel to improve the water and oxygen barrier property of the OLED device for a display device with a narrow border, that is, to improve the encapsulation characteristic of the OLED device, thereby facilitating the narrowing of the border of the display device. 
       FIG.  1    is a top view showing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  2    is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a portion of the display panel at a circle  101  in  FIG.  1    according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  3    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of the display panel taken along a line A-A′ in  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  3   . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the display panel comprises a substrate  110 . The substrate  110  comprises a display area  111  and a non-display area  112  on at least one side of the display area  111 . For example, the non-display area  112  is around the display area  111 . The substrate  110  has a first groove  1101  in the non-display area. For example, the first groove  1101  is between a cutting line  201  and the display area  111 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel further comprises a driver circuit layer  120  on a side of the display area  111  of the substrate. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the driver circuit layer  120  comprises a first insulating layer  121  on the substrate  110 , a second insulating layer  122  on a side of the first insulating layer  121  away from the substrate  110 , an interlayer dielectric layer  123  on a side of the second insulating layer  122  away from the substrate  110 , an active layer and a conductive layer (not shown) for forming a thin film transistor, etc. For example, materials of the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122 , and the interlayer dielectric layer  123  comprise silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or the like. 
     Here, known structures can be adopted for the active layer, the conductive layer, and the like in the driver circuit layer. For example, the active layer may be located on the substrate  110 . The active layer may comprise a semiconductor layer. The active layer can be covered by the first insulating layer  121 . The conductive layer may comprise a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. For example, the gate electrode is located on the first insulating layer  121 . The gate electrode is covered by the second insulating layer  122 . The source electrode and the drain electrode are spaced apart from each other, and are on a side of the interlayer dielectric layer  123  away from the substrate. The source electrode can be electrically connected to the active layer through a conductive via passing through the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123 , and the drain electrode can be electrically connected to the active layer through another conductive via passing through the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123 . Of course, those skilled in the art can understand that the driver circuit layer may further comprise other known structural layers, which will not be described in detail here. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel further comprises a display function layer  130  on a side of the driver circuit layer  120  away from the substrate  110 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the display function layer  130  comprises a first electrode layer (e.g., an anode layer)  131  on the driver circuit layer  120 , a light emitting layer  132  on a side of the first electrode layer  131  away from the substrate, and a second electrode layer (e.g., a cathode layer)  133  on a side of the light emitting layer  132  away from the substrate. The first electrode layer  131  may be electrically connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode. The light emitting layer  132  is electrically connected to the first electrode layer  131  and the second electrode layer  133 , respectively. For example, a material of the first electrode layer  131  comprises a conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), silver (Ag), or the like. For example, the first electrode layer may adopt a structure of ITO/Ag/ITO. For example, a material of the second electrode layer  133  comprises a conductive material such as metal (e.g., magnesium, silver or an alloy thereof, etc.), or the like. Of course, those skilled in the art can understand that the display function layer  130  may further comprise another structural layer, such as an electron transport layer, a hole transport layer, an electron blocking layer and a hole blocking layer, etc. These structural layers may adopt known structures, which will not be described in detail here. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel further comprises an encapsulation layer  140  on a side of the display function layer  130  away from the driver circuit layer  120 . The encapsulation layer  140  comprises an inorganic encapsulation layer. The inorganic encapsulation layer extends to the non-display area  112  and a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer is in the first groove  1101 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the inorganic encapsulation layer  140  comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  on a side of the display function layer  130  away from the driver circuit layer  120  and a second inorganic encapsulation layer  142  on a side of the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  away from the display function layer  130 . For example, materials of the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142  comprise silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or the like. A portion of the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  and a portion of the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142  are in the first groove  1101 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the encapsulation layer  140  further comprises an organic encapsulation layer  143 . The organic encapsulation layer  143  is between the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142 . For example, a material of the organic encapsulation layer  143  comprises PMMA (poly (methyl methacrylate), also known as acrylic) or the like. In addition,  FIG.  3    shows that a portion of the organic encapsulation layer  143  on the non-display area  112  has a length L 1 . The length L 1  can be specified according to actual needs. For example, the organic encapsulation layer  143  does not cross a dam (as described below). 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel further comprises a dam  150  on the non-display area  112  of the substrate  110 . An orthographic projection of the dam  150  on the substrate  110  is between the first groove  1101  and the display area  111 . The dam  150  is covered by the inorganic encapsulation layer. For example, the dam  150  is covered by the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the dam  150  may comprise a first dam  151  and a second dam  152  on a side of the first dam  151  away from the display area  111 . An orthographic projection of the second dam  152  on the substrate  110  is between an orthographic projection of the first dam  151  on the substrate  110  and the first groove  1101 . That is, the first groove  1101  is on a side of the second dam  152  away from the first dam  151 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel may further comprise a pixel defining layer  134  between the encapsulation layer and the driver circuit layer. The pixel defining layer  134  is formed with an opening in which the light emitting layer  132  is located. In some embodiments, a material of the pixel defining layer  134  is the same as a material of the dam  150 . For example, in the process of forming the pixel defining layer  134 , the dam  150  can be formed simultaneously in the same patterning process. 
     Heretofore, a display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. The display panel comprises: a substrate comprising a display area and a non-display area on at least one side of the display area, wherein the substrate has a first groove in the non-display area; a driver circuit layer on a side of the display area of the substrate; a display function layer on a side of the driver circuit layer away from the substrate; an encapsulation layer on a side of the display function layer away from the driver circuit layer, wherein the encapsulation layer comprises an inorganic encapsulation layer, the inorganic encapsulation layer extending to the non-display area and a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer being in the first groove; and a dam on the non-display area of the substrate, wherein an orthographic projection of the dam on the substrate is between the first groove and the display area, and the dam is covered by the inorganic encapsulation layer. In the display panel, since a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer is located in the first groove, the length of the inorganic encapsulation layer can be extended, so that the water and oxygen barrier property of the display panel can be improved for the display device with a narrow border. That is, the encapsulation characteristic of the display panel can be improved, thereby facilitating the narrowing of the border of the display device. 
     In other words, in a limited border area, the encapsulation layer can be extended due to the first groove described above, so the width of the border can be reduced, and the width of the display area can be increased, thereby increasing the screen ratio of the display panel. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the non-display area  112  comprises: a first non-display area  1121 , a second non-display area  1122 , a third non-display area  1123  and a fourth non-display area  1124  all around the display area  111 . The first non-display area  1121  is adjacent to the second non-display area  1122 , the third non-display area  1123  is opposite to the first non-display area  1121 , and the fourth non-display area  1124  is opposite to the second non-display area  1122 . A first corner area  11201  is arranged between the first non-display area  1121  and the second non-display area  1122 , a second corner area  11202  is arranged between the second non-display area  1122  and the third non-display area  1123 , a third corner area  11203  is arranged between the third non-display area  1123  and the fourth non-display area  1124 , and a fourth corner area  11204  is arranged between the first non-display area  1121  and the fourth non-display area  1124 . The first groove  1101  is in at least one of the first corner area  11201 , the second corner area  11202 , the third corner area  11203  or the fourth corner area  11204 . The four corner areas can have stretchable structures. Designing the first groove on the peripheral border of the stretchable structure can ensure the encapsulation effect of the stretchable area as much as possible, and at the same time, maximize the display area and minimize the non-display area as much as possible. 
     In other embodiments, the first groove  1101  is in at least one of the first non-display area  1121 , the second non-display area  1122 , the third non-display area  1123  or the fourth non-display area  1124 . This can facilitate the narrowing of the border of the display device. 
     In some embodiments, the display layer  111  comprises a stretchable display area. The first corner area  11201 , the second corner area  11202 , the third corner area  11203  and the fourth corner area  11204  is on a side of the stretchable display area. For example, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the stretchable display area comprises a first stretchable display area  1111 , a second stretchable display area  1112 , a third stretchable display area  1113  and a fourth stretchable display area  1114 . The first corner area  11201  is on a side (e.g., outside) of the first stretchable display area  1111 , the second corner area  11202  is on a side (e.g., outside) of the second stretchable display area  1112 , the third corner area  11203  is on a side (e.g., outside) of the third stretchable display area  1113 , and the fourth corner area  11204  is on a side (e.g., outside) of the fourth stretchable display area  1114 . 
     The number of the first grooves can be set according to the requirement of the border, for example, it can be set to be greater than or equal to one. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the substrate  110  may comprise a plurality of first grooves  1101 . The plurality of first grooves  1101  are substantially arranged along an extension direction of an edge of the substrate. Any two of the plurality of first grooves  1101  are not connected with each other. That is, the first grooves may be a discontinuous structure, which is beneficial to improve the stability of the structure of the first groove. Of course, those skilled in the art can understand that the first groove can also be a continuous structure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the first groove  1101  extends substantially along an extension direction of an edge of the substrate. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , an angle α formed between a sidewall of the first groove  1101  and an upper surface of the substrate  110  (e.g., an upper surface of the second substrate  212 ) is greater than 90 degrees. That is, the angle α is an obtuse angle. As shown in  FIG.  3   , a width of an opening of the first groove  1101  is greater than a width of a bottom of the first groove  1101 . In this way, in the process of forming the inorganic encapsulation layer, the portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer located in the first groove can be grown more uniformly and densely, which is beneficial to improve the water and oxygen barrier property of the display panel. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2   , a width of an opening of the first groove  1101  in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction  251  of the first groove is 10 microns to 100 microns. For example, the width of the opening of the first groove  1101  is 10 microns to 30 microns. In some embodiments, a depth of the first groove  1101  ranges from 5 microns to 20 microns. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the substrate  110  comprises: a first substrate  211 , a first buffer layer  221  on the first substrate  211 , a second substrate  212  on a side of the first buffer layer  221  away from the first substrate  211 , and a second buffer layer  222  on a side of the second substrate  212  away from the first buffer layer  221 . For example, the first substrate  211  and the second substrate  212  each is a PI (Polyimide) substrate. The first groove  1101  is at least disposed on the second substrate. For example, in a case that the first groove  1101  does not penetrate through the second substrate  212  (i.e., a depth of the first groove is less than a thickness of the second substrate), the first groove is provided on the second substrate. 
     In some embodiments, a bottom of the first groove  101  exposes a portion of the first buffer layer  221 , and the portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer (e.g., the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  or the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142 ) in the first groove  1101  is in contact with the portion of the first buffer layer  221 . That is, the depth of the first groove  1101  may be equal to the thickness of the second substrate  212 . The first groove penetrates through the second substrate. In the embodiment, the inorganic encapsulation layer is in direct contact with the first buffer layer  221  (for example, a material of the first buffer layer is an inorganic insulating material), which can increase the adhesion at the interface therebetween and further improve the water and oxygen barrier property of the display panel. 
     Certainly, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the structure of the substrate  110  described above is only exemplary, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the substrate  110  may comprise a single substrate layer and a buffer layer on the single substrate layer. The first groove  1101  is in the single substrate layer. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel further comprises a planarization layer  124  on a side of the driver circuit layer  120  away from the substrate  110 . For example, the planarization layer  124  comprises an organic material. The planarization layer  124  covers the interlayer dielectric layer  123 . The planarization layer  124  has a through hole exposing the driver circuit layer  120 , and the first electrode layer  131  is electrically connected to the driver circuit layer  120  through the through hole. For example, the planarization layer  124  has a through hole exposing the source electrode or the drain electrode (not shown in  FIG.  3   ) of the thin film transistor of the driver circuit layer  120 , and the first electrode layer  131  is electrically connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode through the through hole. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel further comprises a first conductive layer  127  on a side of the interlayer dielectric layer  123  away from the substrate  110 . The first conductive layer  127  is in the non-display area  112 . The first conductive layer  127  is isolated from the first electrode layer  131 . The first conductive layer  127  is in contact with the second electrode layer  133 . For example, a material of the first conductive layer  127  is the same as a material of the first electrode layer  131 . For example, the first conductive layer  127  and the first electrode layer  131  can be formed in the same patterning process. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel further comprises a second conductive layer  128  on a side of the interlayer dielectric layer  123  away from the substrate  110 . The second conductive layer  128  is in the non-display area  112 . The second conductive layer  128  is in contact with a portion of the first conductive layer  127 . For example, a material of the second conductive layer  128  comprises metal. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the display panel further comprises a gate driving circuit  160  and a control driving circuit  170  located on the non-display area  112 . The gate driving circuit  160  and the control driving circuit  170  are formed in the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123 . The gate driving circuit  160  and the control driving circuit  170  adopt known circuit structures, which will not be described in detail here. 
       FIG.  4    is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a portion of the display panel at a circle  101  in  FIG.  1    according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  5    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of the display panel taken along a line B-B′ in  FIG.  4    according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, some structures of the display panel in  FIG.  5    that are similar to those shown in  FIG.  3    will not be described herein. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the substrate  110  further has a second groove  1102  on a side of the first groove  1101  away from the dam  150 . That is, an orthographic projection of the first groove  1101  on the substrate  110  is between an orthographic projection of the dam  150  on the substrate and an orthographic projection of the second groove  1102  on the substrate  110 . An angle β formed between a sidewall of the second groove  1102  and an upper surface of the substrate  110  (e.g., an upper surface of the second substrate  212 ) is less than 90 degrees. That is, the angle β is an acute angle. A width of an opening of the second groove  1102  is less than a width of a bottom of the second groove  1102 . Another portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer (e.g., the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142 ) is in the second groove  1102 . For example, the another portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer in the second groove  1102  forms a slit (not shown in the figure) at a bottom corner of the second groove  1102 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  5   , an angle θ formed between a sidewall of the second groove  1102  and a bottom of the second groove  1102  is less than 90 degrees. That is, the angle θ is an acute angle. 
     In the above structure, the second groove is recessed into the substrate to form an inverted groove. In this way, during the growth of the inorganic encapsulation layer on the structure, it is difficult for the airflow to reach the narrow area at the bottom corner of the second groove. Therefore, in the area of the bottom corner of the second groove, the inorganic encapsulation layer will become thinner, and may form a sharp-corner slit at the bottom corner. Such a structure can serve as a crack stop structure. For example, if a crack extends to the point, it will break at the bottom corner and cannot extend further, which can cut off the tendency of water and oxygen intrusion. Furthermore, with the stop structure, an opening of a mask used in a chemical vapor deposition process for forming the inorganic encapsulation layer can be set outside the cutting line  201  to ensure the thickness uniformity of the film layer in the entire encapsulation area, which can further improve the encapsulation performance. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the bottom of the second groove  1102  exposes another portion of the first buffer layer  221 , and the portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer (e.g., the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  or the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142 ) in the second groove  1102  is in contact with the another portion of the first buffer layer  221 . In the embodiment, the inorganic encapsulation layer is in direct contact with the first buffer layer  221  (for example, a material of the first buffer layer is an inorganic insulating material), which can increase the adhesion at the interface therebetween, and thereby improve the water and oxygen barrier property of the display panel to a certain extent. 
     In some embodiments, a depth of the second groove  1102  ranges from 5 microns to 20 microns. For example, the depth of the second groove  1102  is approximately equal to the depth of the first groove  1101 . 
     In some embodiments, the second groove  1102  may be a continuous structure (as shown in  FIG.  4   ), or may be a discontinuous structure. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the second groove  1102  extends substantially along an extension direction of an edge of the substrate. 
     In some embodiments, the second groove  1102  is in at least one of the first corner area  11201 , the second corner area  11202 , the third corner area  11203 , or the fourth corner area  11204 , or at least one of the first non-display area  1121 , the second non-display area  1122 , the third non-display area  1123  or the fourth non-display area  1124 . 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the border area of the display panel, the organic encapsulation layer generally does not exceed the dam structure, and the inorganic encapsulation layer may exceed the dam structure to ensure the water and oxygen barrier property of the encapsulation layer. The longer the extension length of the inorganic encapsulation layer is, the stronger the water and oxygen barrier property of the encapsulation layer is. A first groove structure is arranged on a flexible substrate with the segment structure, and the inorganic encapsulation layer grows along the first groove structure, which can extend the extension length of the inorganic encapsulation layer, and in conjunction with the inverted second groove, can prevent cracks from growing along the inorganic encapsulation layer, that is, can break the growth path of cracks, and thereby further improving the encapsulation characteristic. The above structure can reduce the width of the border and increase the size of the display area, thereby increasing the screen ratio. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device is further provided. The display device comprises the display panel as described above. For example, the display device may be any product or component having a display function, such as a display panel, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a display, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame, a navigator, or the like. 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  6   , the manufacturing method comprises steps S 602  to S 612 . 
     In step S 602 , a substrate is provided, wherein the substrate comprises a display area and a non-display area on at least one side of the display area. 
     In step S 604 , a driver circuit layer is formed on a side of the display area of the substrate. 
     In step S 606 , a dam is formed on the non-display area of the substrate. 
     In step S 608 , a display function layer is formed on a side of the driver circuit layer away from the substrate. 
     In step S 610 , the non-display area of the substrate is etched to form a first groove in the non-display area, the first groove being on a side of the dam away from the display area. In other words, an orthographic projection of the dam on the substrate is between the first groove and the display area. 
     In step S 612 , an encapsulation layer is formed on a side of the display function layer away from the driver circuit layer, wherein the encapsulation layer comprises an inorganic encapsulation layer, the inorganic encapsulation layer extending to the non-display area and covering the dam, and a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer being in the first groove. 
     Heretofore, a manufacturing method of a display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. In the manufacturing method, the first groove is formed in the non-display area of the substrate, and during the process of forming the encapsulation layer, the inorganic encapsulation layer of the encapsulation layer extends to the non-display area, and a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer is in the first groove. In this way, in the case of a display device having a narrow border, the water and oxygen barrier property of the display panel can be improved, that is, the encapsulation characteristic of the display panel can be improved. 
       FIGS.  7  to  11    and  FIG.  5    are schematic cross-sectional views showing structures at several stages of a manufacturing process of a display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The manufacturing method of the display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  7  to  11    and  FIG.  5   . 
     First, as shown in  FIG.  7   , a substrate  110  is provided, wherein the substrate  110  comprises a display area  111  and a non-display area  112  on at least one side of the display area  111 . For example, the step of providing the substrate comprises: providing a first substrate  211 ; forming a first buffer layer  221  on the first substrate  211 ; forming a second substrate  212  on a side of the first buffer layer  221  away from the first substrate  211 ; and forming a second buffer layer  222  on a side of the second substrate  212  away from the first buffer layer  221 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG.  8   , a driver circuit layer  120  is formed on a side of the display area  111  of the substrate  110 . For example, in the process of forming the driver circuit layer  120 , a first insulating layer  121  on the substrate  110 , a second insulating layer  122  on a side of the first insulating layer  121  away from the substrate  110 , an interlayer dielectric layer  123  on a side of the second insulating layer  122  away from the substrate  110 , an active layer and a conductive layer for forming a thin film transistor (not shown) can be formed by processes such as deposition and patterning. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  8   , in the process of forming the driver circuit layer  120 , a gate driving circuit  160  and a control driving circuit  170  may also be formed. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  8   , a second conductive layer  128  on a side of the interlayer dielectric layer  123  away from the substrate  110  and a planarization layer  124  on a side of the driver circuit layer  120  away from the substrate  110  may also be formed. 
     the above processes of forming the driver circuit layer  120 , the gate driving circuit  160 , the control driving circuit  170 , the second conductive layer  128  and the planarization layer  124  can adopt known techniques, which will not be described in detail here. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG.  9   , a dam  150  is formed on the non-display area  112  of the substrate  110 . For example, a first electrode layer  131  on the driver circuit layer  120  and a first conductive layer  127  on a side of the interlayer dielectric layer  123  away from the substrate  110  can be formed through deposition and patterning processes. The first conductive layer  127  is located on the non-display area. Then, a pixel defining layer  134  on a side of the planarization layer  124  away from the substrate and a dam  150  on the non-display area are formed through deposition and patterning processes. For example, the dam  150  may comprise a first dam  151  and a second dam  152  on the first conductive layer  127 . The pixel defining layer  134  has an opening. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG.  10   , a display function layer  130  is formed on a side of the driver circuit layer  120  away from the substrate  110 . For example, a light emitting layer  132  in the opening of the pixel defining layer  134  and a second electrode layer  133  covering the pixel defining layer  134  and in contact with the light emitting layer  132  can be formed. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG.  11   , the non-display area  112  of the substrate  110  is etched to form a first groove  1101  in the non-display area  112 , the first groove  1101  being on a side of the dam  150  away from the display area  111 . 
     For example, the step of etching the non-display area of the substrate comprises: etching the second buffer layer  222  and the second substrate  212  to form the first groove  1101  exposing a portion of the first buffer layer  221 . If the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123  are also formed on the non-display area  112  of the substrate  110  in the processes of forming the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123 , the etching process for forming the first groove also needs to etch a portion of the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123  on the non-display area  112 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  10   , the step of etching the non-display area of the substrate further comprises: etching the second buffer layer  222  and the second substrate  212  to form a second groove  1102  exposing another portion of the first buffer layer  221 , the second groove  1102  being on a side of the first groove  1101  away from the dam. Similarly, if the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123  are also formed on the non-display area  112  of the substrate  110  in the processes of forming the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123 , the etching process for forming the second groove also needs to etch another portion of the first insulating layer  121 , the second insulating layer  122  and the interlayer dielectric layer  123  on the non-display area  112 . 
     In some embodiments, the etching process for forming the first groove and the second groove may be dry etching or laser etching (or referred to as laser ablation). For example, a groove with an obtuse angle or an acute angle can be formed by controlling different flow rates of an etching gas. For another example, a groove structure can be formed on a flexible substrate by a laser etching process, and then an inorganic film layer can be deposited thereon. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG.  5   , an encapsulation layer  140  is formed on a side of the display function layer  130  away from the driver circuit layer  120 . For example, the encapsulation layer  140  comprises an inorganic encapsulation layer. The inorganic encapsulation layer may comprise a first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  on a side of the display function layer  130  away from the driver circuit layer  120  and a second inorganic encapsulation layer  142  on a side of the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  away from the display function layer  130 . For example, the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142  can be formed by a chemical vapor deposition process. The inorganic encapsulation layer extends to the non-display area and covers the dam  150 , and a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer is in the first groove  1101 . 
     In some embodiments, the portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer in the first groove  1101  is in contact with the portion of the first buffer layer  221  in the forming of the encapsulation layer. In other embodiments, another portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer is in the second groove  1102  and is in contact with the another portion of the first buffer layer  221  in the forming of the encapsulation layer. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  5   , in the process of forming the encapsulation layer, an organic encapsulation layer  143  located between the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142  can also be formed. For example, the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141  can be formed first, then the organic encapsulation layer  143  can be formed on the first inorganic encapsulation layer  141 , and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  142  can be formed on the organic encapsulation layer  143 . 
     Heretofore, a manufacturing method of a display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. In the manufacturing method, the first groove and the second groove are formed in the non-display area of the substrate, and a portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer extends into the first groove and the second groove. In the manufacturing method, the first groove can improve the water and oxygen barrier property of the display panel for a display device having a narrow border, and the second groove can play the role of blocking cracks. 
       FIG.  12    is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first groove of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG.  12   , a width W 1  of an opening of the first groove  1101  is 10 microns, the angle α is 120°, and a thickness H 1  of the second substrate  212  may be 10 microns. Thus, the cross-section of the first groove  1101  may be approximated to an equilateral triangle, and widths W 2  and W 3  of two sidewalls of the first groove may be 10 microns, respectively. Since the inorganic encapsulation layer covers the two sidewalls, the extension length of the portion of the inorganic encapsulation layer in the first groove is 20 microns. This can make the extension length of the inorganic encapsulation layer 10 microns longer than that in the related art. Currently, this is only an effect of one first groove, and as the number of the first grooves increases, the extension length of the inorganic encapsulation layer can further increase. 
     Heretofore, various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail. In order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the present disclosure, some details known in the art are not described. Based on the above description, those skilled in the art can understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein. 
     Although some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail by way of example, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are only for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications to the above-described embodiments or equivalently substitution of part of the technical features may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.