Patent Description:
With development of Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display technology, OLED display devices are widely used. In order to meet requirements of users on a thickness of a product and a touch experience, in a production process, a touch functional layer is manufactured on an encapsulation layer of an OLED display panel.

<CIT> discloses a flexible display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and a flexible display apparatus. The flexible display panel includes: a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate including a display area, a peripheral area, a welding area and a bending area, and the bending area including a first edge; and the flexible display panel further includes: a barrier and an organic insulation layer, wherein the peripheral area includes a peripheral transition area between the bending area and the display area, the organic insulation layer in the peripheral transition area is provided with a first groove, the first groove is on one side of the barrier distal to the display area and extends along a direction substantially parallel to a bending axis, and the first groove is on one side of the first edge proximal to the display area. By disposing the first groove in the organic insulation layer in the peripheral transition area, it is easier to release a bending stress and prevent fracture of the bending area.

<CIT> discloses an OLED panel comprising: on an upper side of a base substrate, an OLED element; and a seal portion covering the OLED element, the seal portion including: a light-transmitting conductive film; a first sealing film formed on a lower side of the light-transmitting conductive film; and a second sealing film formed on an upper side of the first sealing film, wherein the OLED panel includes a bank overlapping an edge of the second sealing film, in plan view, an edge of the light-transmitting conductive film is located outside an edge of the first sealing film, and in plan view, the edge of the light-transmitting conductive film is located outside the bank.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display panel and a display device.

According to a first aspect of the claimed invention, there is provided a display panel according to claim <NUM>, including:.

In some implementations, the distance between the first boundaries of any two adjacent sub-insulating structures ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In some implementations, the sub-insulating structures of the organic insulating structure include:.

In some implementations, a space exists between the first boundary of the sub-insulating structure and the single-sided barrier structure.

In some implementations, the display panel further includes: an encapsulation layer arranged on a side of the organic insulating structure away from the substrate; the touch electrode pattern and the touch signal line are both positioned on a side of the encapsulation layer away from the substrate.

In some implementations, the encapsulation layer includes:.

In some implementations, a recess is formed between the organic insulating structure and the single-sided barrier structure, and an orthographic projection of the encapsulation layer on the substrate simultaneously covers an orthographic projection of the organic insulating structure on the substrate, an orthographic projection of the recess on the substrate, and an orthographic projection of the single-sided barrier structure on the substrate, the single-sided barrier structure being located between the substrate and the encapsulation layer.

In some implementations, the display panel further includes: a touch insulating layer arranged on a side of the encapsulation layer away from the substrate;
the touch electrode pattern includes a plurality of touch driving electrodes and a plurality of touch sensing electrodes, the touch driving electrodes intersect with the touch sensing electrodes, the touch driving electrodes and the touch sensing electrodes are insulated and spaced from each other by the touch insulating layer at intersection positions between the touch driving electrodes and the touch sensing electrodes, and each of the touch driving electrode and the touch sensing electrode is correspondingly coupled to one touch signal line.

In some implementations, the touch driving electrodes include: a plurality of driving electrode elements arranged along a first direction and coupling parts coupled between every two adjacent driving electrode elements;.

In some implementations, the touch signal line includes a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion, the first transmission portion is located between the touch insulating layer and the encapsulation layer, the second transmission portion is located on a side of the touch insulating layer away from the encapsulation layer, and the second transmission portion is electrically coupled to the first transmission portion through a via hole penetrating through the touch insulating layer.

In some implementations, the display area includes a plurality of pixel units each having a light emitting element disposed therein, and the display panel further includes a power supply line electrically coupled to the light emitting element, where the power supply line is located between the organic insulating structure and the substrate, and an orthogonal projection of the power supply line on the substrate overlaps an orthogonal projection of the first boundary on the substrate.

In some implementations, the barrier includes:.

In some implementations, the substrate is a flexible substrate and further includes a bending area between the peripheral area and the welding area.

In some implementations, the display panel further includes:.

According to a second aspect of the claimed invention, there is provided a display panel according to claim <NUM>, including:.

In some implementations, the slope angle of the slope surface ranges from <NUM>° to <NUM>°.

In some implementations, a plurality of sub-insulating structures of the organic insulating structure includes:.

In some implementations, a space exists between the first side surface and the single-sided barrier structure.

In some implementations, the display panel further includes: an encapsulation layer arranged on a side of the organic insulating structure away from the substrate;
the touch electrode pattern and the touch signal line are both positioned on a side of the encapsulation layer away from the substrate.

In some implementations, the display area includes a plurality of pixel units, each of the pixel units having a light emitting element disposed therein, and the display panel further includes a power supply line electrically coupled to the light emitting element, where the power supply line is located between the organic insulating structure and the substrate, and an orthogonal projection of the power supply line on the substrate overlaps an orthogonal projection of the first side surface on the substrate.

In some implementations, the substrate is a flexible substrate further including a bending area between the peripheral area and the welding area.

According to a third aspect of the claimed invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim <NUM>, including:.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of this specification, are used to explain the present disclosure in conjunction with the following specific embodiments, but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the drawings:.

To make objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more apparent, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the described embodiments are only a few embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the described embodiments of the present disclosure without creative labor, are within the protective scope of the present disclosure.

The terminologies used herein to describe embodiments of the present disclosure are not intended to limit and/or define the scope of the present disclosure. For example, unless defined otherwise, technical or scientific terms used in the present disclosure should have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It should be understood that the terms "first", "second", and the like, as used in the present disclosure, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The singular forms "a", "an", or "the" and similar referents do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The word "include" or "including", and the like, means that the element or item appearing in front of the word "include" or "including" includes the element or item listed after the word "include" or "including" and its equivalents, and does not exclude other elements or items. The terms "coupled" or "coupling" and the like are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", and the like are used merely to indicate relative positional relationships, which may be changed accordingly when an absolute position of the object being described changes.

In the following description, when an element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, coupled to, or intervening elements or layers may be present. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display panel, which includes a substrate, and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of an area division of the substrate of the display panel according to an embodiment of the claimed invention, and as shown in <FIG>, the substrate SUB includes: a display area DA, a peripheral area PA and a welding area WA, where the peripheral area PA surrounds the display area DA, and the welding area WA is located on a side of the peripheral area PA away from the display area DA. Elements for displaying an image, for example, pixel circuits, scan lines GL, data lines DL, light emitting elements, and the like may be disposed in the display area DA. In addition, the display area DA may further be provided with a touch electrode pattern to implement a touch function. The welding area WA is located on a side of the peripheral area PA away from the display area DA, and includes a plurality of contact pads (or welding pads) PAD, each of which is configured to be electrically coupled to a signal line extending from the display area DA or the peripheral area PA. For example, a data line DL may be coupled to the contact pad through a data coupling line. The contact pads PAD may be exposed on a surface of the welding area WA, i.e., not covered by any layer, so as to facilitate being electrically coupled to a flexible print circuit board (FPCB). The flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) is electrically coupled to an external controller, and configured to transmit a signal from the external controller. The contact pads PAD are electrically coupled to signal lines, thereby achieving mutual communication between the signal lines and the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). It should be understood that the number and an arrangement of the contact pads PAD in <FIG> are only illustrative and do not constitute a limitation on the contact pads PAD.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the claimed invention, <FIG> is an enlarged view of an area Q1 in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A' line in <FIG>, with reference to <FIG>, the display panel <NUM> further includes at least one barrier <NUM>, an organic insulating structure <NUM>, a touch electrode pattern, and a touch signal line TL.

The barrier <NUM> is disposed on the substrate SUB, and the barrier <NUM> is located in the peripheral area PA and surrounds the display area DA. The barrier <NUM> serves to block external moisture or oxygen from entering the display area DA, thereby preventing an influence on the display effect. The barrier <NUM> includes a single-sided barrier structure between the display area DA and the peripheral area PA. As a specific example, as shown in <FIG>, the barrier <NUM> includes a first barrier <NUM> and a second barrier <NUM> surrounding the first barrier <NUM>, the first barrier <NUM> includes a first barrier part <NUM> and a second barrier part <NUM> between the display area DA and the peripheral area PA, and the second barrier <NUM> includes a third barrier part <NUM> and a fourth barrier part <NUM> between the display area DA and the peripheral area PA, and at this time, the first barrier <NUM> and the third barrier <NUM> constitute the single-sided barrier structure.

The organic insulating structure <NUM> is disposed on the substrate SUB, the organic insulating structure <NUM> includes a plurality of sub-insulating structures <NUM> disposed in a stacked manner, a portion of each sub-insulating structure <NUM> is located in the display area DA, and another portion of each sub-insulating structure <NUM> is located in the peripheral area PA, for example, an orthographic projection of the sub-insulating structure <NUM> on the substrate SUB extends from the display area DA to between the display area DA and the barrier <NUM>. Each of the sub-insulating structures <NUM> has a first boundary E1, and, for any two adjacent sub-insulating structures <NUM>, the first boundary E1 of the sub-insulating structure <NUM> on a side away from the substrate SUB is closer to the display area DA than the first boundary E1 of the sub-insulating structure <NUM> on a side proximal to the substrate SUB, thereby forming a step shape (see <FIG>). A distance d between first boundaries E1 of any two adjacent sub-insulating structures <NUM> is greater than or equal to <NUM>. It should be noted that, in order to clearly illustrate a position relationship between the first boundaries E1 of the sub-insulating structures <NUM>, <FIG> only enlarges the area Q1 in <FIG>, but it should be understood that each first boundary E1 is not only located in the area Q1 in <FIG>, but corresponds to an entire lower edge of the display area DA in <FIG>, that is, the first boundary E1 extends from a left end to a right end of an area Q in <FIG>. Accordingly, the organic insulating structure <NUM> is formed as a step-like topography in <FIG> not only in the area Q1 but also in the entire area Q.

The touch electrode pattern is disposed on a side of the organic insulating structure <NUM> away from the substrate SUB. The touch electrode pattern is configured to detect occurrence of touch in the display area DA. For example, the touch electrode pattern includes a touch driving electrode TX and a touch sensing electrode RX shown in <FIG>.

The touch signal line TL is disposed on a side of the organic insulating structure <NUM> away from the substrate SUB, and a terminal of the touch signal line TL is electrically coupled to the touch electrode pattern, and another terminal of the touch signal line TL is coupled to the welding area WA, so as to be electrically coupled to the contact pad in the welding area WA, where an orthographic projection of a portion of the touch signal line TL in the peripheral area PA on the substrate SUB intersects with the first boundary E1 of each sub-insulating structure <NUM>.

When the distance d between the first boundaries E1 of any two adjacent sub-insulating structures <NUM> is relative small (e.g., d is less than or equal to <NUM>), the touch signal line TL is located on a steep slope, and in this case, when touch signal lines TL are formed by using an etching process, residues of conductive substances are easily generated between the touch signal lines TL, thereby causing a short-circuit between the touch signal lines TL. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, among the sub-insulating structures <NUM> of the organic insulating structure <NUM>, the distance d between the first boundaries E1 of any two adjacent sub-insulating structures <NUM> is relative large, so that the touch signal lines TL are located on a gentle slope, which is beneficial to reduce residues of conductive substances between touch signal lines TL, and further reducing or preventing the short-circuit between the touch signal lines TL.

In some implementations, the distance d between the first boundaries E1 of any two adjacent sub-insulating structures <NUM> ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, so as to narrow a bezel of the display panel <NUM> while reducing residues of conductive substances as much as possible. For example, d is <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>.

The display panel provided in the embodiment of the claimed invention is specifically described below with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the barrier <NUM> includes: a first barrier <NUM> and a second barrier <NUM>. The first barrier <NUM> is positioned in the peripheral area PA and surrounds the display area DA. The second barrier <NUM> is positioned in the peripheral area PA and surrounds the first barrier <NUM>, so that external moisture or oxygen may be further prevented from entering the display area DA, which provides a double protection to the display area DA. In some implementations, a vertical distance from an end of the first barrier <NUM> away from the substrate SUB to the substrate SUB is smaller than a vertical distance from an end of the second barrier <NUM> away from the substrate SUB to the substrate SUB, so as to extend a path for external moisture and oxygen to enter the display area DA, thereby improving a blocking capability of the barrier <NUM>. The first barrier <NUM> includes a first barrier part <NUM> and a second barrier part <NUM>, where the first barrier part <NUM> is located at a side of the display area DA proximal to a bending area (i.e., a portion of the first barrier <NUM> located below the display area DA and extending laterally in <FIG>), the second barrier part <NUM> is a remaining portion of the first barrier <NUM> except the first barrier part <NUM>, the second barrier <NUM> includes a third barrier part <NUM> and a fourth barrier part <NUM>, the third barrier part <NUM> is located at a side of the display area DA proximal to the bending area (i.e., a portion of the second barrier <NUM> located below the display area DA and extending laterally in <FIG>), and the fourth barrier part <NUM> is a remaining portion of the second barrier <NUM> except the third barrier part <NUM>. The first barrier part <NUM> and the third barrier part <NUM> constitute the single-sided barrier structure described above.

In some implementations, the substrate SUB is a flexible substrate, which may be made of a flexible organic material. For example, the organic material is a resin material such as polyimide, polycarbonate, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyethylene naphthalate. The substrate SUB further includes a bending area BA located between the peripheral area PA and the welding area WA. The bending area BA is configured to bend along a bending axis BX. By bending the bending area BA, the welding area WA can be located at a back side of the display panel <NUM> (where a display side of the display panel <NUM> is a front side and a side opposite to the display side is the back side), so that a space utilization rate can be improved and a bezel width of a display product can be reduced.

In some implementations, the display area DA includes a plurality of pixel units P defined by intersections of scan lines GL and data lines DL. The scan lines GL are coupled to a gate driving circuit in the peripheral area PA, and each of the data lines DL may be coupled to the contact pads in the welding area WA through data coupling lines. A light emitting element <NUM> and a pixel circuit are provided in each pixel unit P. The light emitting element <NUM> may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) which may emit, for example, red, green, blue or white light. <FIG> is an equivalent schematic diagram of a pixel circuit in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and as shown in <FIG>, the pixel circuit includes: a driving transistor Td, a switching transistor Ts and a storage capacitor Cs, where a gate electrode of the switching transistor Ts is coupled to the scanning line GL, a first electrode of the switching transistor Ts is coupled to the data line DL, and a second electrode of the switching transistor Ts is coupled to a gate electrode of the driving transistor Td. Both terminals of the storage capacitor Cs are coupled to a first power supply line VDD and the gate electrode of the driving transistor Td, respectively. A first electrode of the driving transistor Td is coupled to the first power supply line VDD, a second electrode of the driving transistor Td is coupled to a first electrode of the light emitting element <NUM>, and a second electrode of the light emitting element <NUM> is coupled to a second power supply line VSS. Each transistor in the embodiment may be a thin film transistor, a field effect transistor, or any other devices having the same characteristics. Since a source electrode and a drain electrode of the transistor are symmetrical, there is no difference between the source electrode and the drain electrode. To distinguish the source electrode and the drain electrode of the transistor, one of the source electrode and the drain electrode is referred to herein as the first electrode and the other one is referred to as the second electrode.

The first power supply line VDD is coupled from the welding area WA to the display area DA, thereby transmitting a voltage signal to each pixel unit. The second power supply line VSS includes a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is located in the peripheral area PA and surrounds the display area DA in an open loop manner. The second portion of the second power supply line VSS is coupled between the first portion and the contact pad of the welding area WA. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an orthogonal projection of the first boundary E1 of each sub-insulating structure <NUM> on the substrate SUB overlaps with an orthogonal projection of the second power supply line VSS on the substrate SUB.

In some implementations, the touch electrode pattern may adopt a mutual capacitance type structure, and may also adopt a self-capacitance type structure. The embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated with the mutual capacitive structure as an example. As shown in <FIG>, the touch electrode pattern includes a plurality of touch driving electrodes TX and a plurality of touch sensing electrodes RX, the touch driving electrodes TX and the touch sensing electrodes RX are arranged to intersect with each other, and the touch driving electrodes TX and the touch sensing electrodes RX are insulated and spaced from each other by a touch insulating layer TLD at intersection positions between the touch driving electrodes TX and the touch sensing electrodes RX. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of <FIG>, and in conjunction with <FIG> and <FIG>, the touch driving electrodes TX include: a plurality of driving electrode elements TX1 arranged along a first direction and coupling parts TX2 coupled between the driving electrode elements TX1, the touch sensing electrodes RX include a plurality of sensing electrode elements RX1 arranged along a second direction and bridge parts RX2 coupled between the sensing electrode elements RX1, where the first direction intersects with the second direction, for example, the first direction is an up-down direction in <FIG>, and the second direction is a left-right direction in <FIG>. The driving electrode elements TX1, the coupling parts TX2, and the sensing electrode elements RX1 are all located on a side of the touch insulating layer TLD away from the substrate SUB, the driving electrode elements TX1, the coupling parts TX2, and the sensing electrode elements RX1 may be disposed in a single layer, and the bridge parts RX2 are located on a side of the touch insulating layer TLD proximal to the substrate SUB. The bridge parts RX2 intersect with the coupling parts TX2 and they are spaced apart from each other by the touch insulating layer TLD. The sensing electrode element RX1 is coupled to the bridge part RX2 through a via hole in the touch insulating layer TLD. It should be noted that the touch driving electrodes TX and the touch sensing electrodes RX shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are only exemplary and do not limit the present disclosure. For example, the bridge parts RX2 may be located on a side of the touch insulating layer TLD away from the substrate SUB, and the coupling parts may be located on a side of the touch insulating layer TLD proximal to the substrate SUB. For another example, every adjacent ones of the driving electrode elements TX1 are coupled by the bridge parts provided in a layer different from that the driving electrode elements TX1 are located, and every adjacent ones of the sensing electrode elements RX1 are coupled by the coupling parts in a layer the same as that the sensing electrode elements RX1 are located.

Each of the touch driving electrodes TX and each of the touch sensing electrodes RX each may be correspondingly coupled to one touch driving line TL. When the touch signal line TL passes through the peripheral area PA, an orthogonal projection of a portion, in the peripheral area PA, of the touch signal line TL on the substrate SUB intersects with the first boundary E1 of each sub-insulating structure <NUM>. In an example, the touch insulation layer TLD further covers at least a portion of the peripheral area PA between the display area DA and the welding area WA, and the touch signal line TL in the portion of the peripheral area PA between the display area DA and the welding area WA is located on the touch insulation layer TLD. In an example, a thickness of the touch insulating layer TLD ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, such as <NUM> or <NUM> or <NUM>.

In some implementations, as shown in <FIG>, the touch signal line TL has a double-layer structure and includes a first transmission portion TL1 and a second transmission portion TL2, the first transmission portion TL1 is located on a side of the touch insulating layer TLD proximal to the substrate SUB, and the second transmission portion TL2 is located on a side of the touch insulating layer TLD away from the substrate SUB. The second transmission portion TL2 is electrically coupled to the first transmission portion TL1 through a via hole penetrating through the touch insulation layer TLD. Note that, <FIG> only illustrates one via hole in order to schematically illustrate a coupling manner between the second transmission portion TL2 and the first transmission portion TL1, but actually, a plurality of via holes may be provided at other positions so that the second transmission portion TL2 is coupled in parallel with the first transmission portion TL1 through the plurality of via holes. The first transmission portion TL1 may be disposed in the same layer as the bridge parts RX2, and the second transmission portion TL2 may be disposed in the same layer as the driving electrode elements TX1, the coupling parts TX2, and the sensing electrode elements RX <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a first buffer layer BFL1 is disposed on the substrate SUB for preventing or reducing diffusion of metal atoms and/or impurities from the substrate SUB into an active layer of the transistor. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first buffer layer BFL1 may expose an upper surface of a portion of the substrate SUB located in the bending area BA to facilitate bending of the substrate SUB. For example, the first buffer layer BFL1 may include an inorganic material such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), and/or silicon oxynitride (SiON), and may be formed as a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

A semiconductor layer is disposed on the first buffer layer BFL1. A material of the semiconductor layer may include, for example, an inorganic semiconductor material (e.g., polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, or the like), an organic semiconductor material, an oxide semiconductor material. The semiconductor layer includes an active layer <NUM> of each transistor <NUM>, the active layer <NUM> including a channel portion and source and drain coupling portions on both sides of the channel portion, the source coupling portion being coupled to a source electrode <NUM> of the transistor <NUM>, and the drain coupling portion being coupled to a drain electrode <NUM> of the transistor <NUM>. Each of the source coupling portion and the drain coupling portion may be doped with an impurity (e.g., an N-type impurity or a P-type impurity) having a higher impurity concentration than that of the channel portion. The channel portion faces the gate electrode <NUM> of the transistor <NUM>, and when a voltage signal applied to the gate electrode <NUM> reaches a predetermined value, a carrier path is formed in the channel portion, and the source electrode <NUM> and the drain electrode <NUM> of the transistor <NUM> are electrically coupled to each other, that is, the transistor <NUM> is turned on.

A first gate insulating layer GI1 is disposed on the semiconductor layer, where the first gate insulating layer GI1 may expose an upper surface of a portion of the substrate SUB located in the bending area BA to facilitate bending of the substrate SUB. A material of the first gate insulating layer GI1 may include a silicon compound and a metal oxide. For example, the material of the first gate insulating layer GI1 includes silicon oxynitride (SiON), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxycarbide (SiOxCy), silicon carbonitride (SiCxNy), aluminum oxide (AlOx), aluminum nitride (AlNx), tantalum oxide (TaOx), hafnium oxide (HfOx), zirconium oxide (ZrOx), titanium oxide (TiOx), and the like. In addition, the first gate insulating layer GI1 may be a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

A first gate electrode layer G1 is disposed on the first gate insulating layer GI1. The first gate electrode layer G1 includes the gate electrode <NUM> of each transistor <NUM> and a first electrode <NUM> of a capacitor <NUM>. A material of the first gate electrode layer G1 may include, for example, a metal alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, or the like. For example, the first gate electrode layer G1 may include gold (Au), an alloy of gold, silver (Ag), an alloy of silver, aluminum (Al), an alloy of aluminum, aluminum nitride (AlNx), tungsten (W), tungsten nitride (WNx), copper (Cu), an alloy of copper, nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), chromium nitride (CrNx), molybdenum (Mo), an alloy of molybdenum, titanium (Ti), titanium nitride (TiN x), platinum (Pt), tantalum (Ta), tantalum nitride (TaNx), neodymium (Nd), scandium (Sc), strontium ruthenium oxide (SRO), zinc oxide (ZnOx), TiN oxide (SnOx), indium oxide (InOx), gallium oxide (GaOx), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or the like. The first gate electrode layer G1 may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

As shown in <FIG>, a second gate insulating layer GI2 is disposed on the first gate electrode layer G1, and the second gate insulating layer GI2 may expose an upper surface of a portion of the substrate SUB in the bending area BA. A material of the second gate insulating layer GI2 may include, for example, a silicon compound or a metal oxide. For example, the material of the second gate insulating layer GI2 may include silicon oxynitride (SiON), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxycarbide (SiOxCy), silicon carbonitride (SiCxNy), aluminum oxide (AlOx), aluminum nitride (AlNx), tantalum oxide (TaOx), hafnium oxide (HfOx), zirconium oxide (ZrOx), titanium oxide (TiOx), and the like. The second gate insulating layer GI2 may be formed as a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

As shown in <FIG>, a second gate electrode layer G2 is disposed on the second gate insulating layer GI2. The second gate electrode layer G2 may include a second electrode <NUM> of the capacitor <NUM>. A material of the second gate electrode layer G2 may include, for example, a metal alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, or the like. For example, the gate electrode layer may include gold (Au), an alloy of gold, silver (Ag), an alloy of silver, aluminum (Al), an alloy of aluminum, aluminum nitride (AlNx), tungsten (W), tungsten nitride (WNx), copper (Cu), an alloy of copper, nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), chromium nitride (CrNx), molybdenum (Mo), an alloy of molybdenum, titanium (Ti), titanium nitride (TiNx), platinum (Pt), tantalum (Ta), tantalum nitride (TaNx), neodymium (Nd), scandium (Sc), strontium ruthenium oxide (SRO), zinc oxide (ZnOx), tin oxide (SnOx), indium oxide (InOx), gallium oxide (GaOx), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or the like. The second gate electrode layer G2 may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

As shown in <FIG>, an interlayer insulating layer ILD, which may expose an upper surface of a portion of the substrate SUB located in the bending area BA, is disposed on the second gate electrode layer G2. A material of the interlayer insulating layer ILD may include, for example, a silicon compound, a metal oxide, and the like. In particular, the silicon compound and the metal oxide may be selected from those listed above and will not be described in detail here.

A first source-drain conductive layer SD1 is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer ILD. The first source-drain conductive layer SD1 may include a source electrode <NUM> and a drain electrode <NUM> of each transistor in the display area DA, the source electrode <NUM> being electrically coupled to the source coupling portion, the drain electrode <NUM> being electrically coupled to the drain coupling portion. The first source-drain conductive layer SD1 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc., for example, the first source-drain conductive layer SD1 may be a single-layer or multi-layer structure of a metal, such as Mo/Al/Mo or Ti/Al/Ti. The transistor <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes the gate electrode <NUM>, the source electrode <NUM>, the drain electrode <NUM> and the active layer <NUM>, and the transistor <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be the driving transistor Td of the pixel circuit shown in <FIG>, but it should be noted that when the pixel circuit adopts other circuit structure, the driving transistor Td is not necessarily directly coupled to the light emitting element <NUM>, and at this time, the driving transistor Td is not necessarily corresponding to the transistor shown in <FIG>. In addition, the first source-drain conductive layer SD1 may further include a first power supply line VDD and a second power supply line VSS.

A passivation layer PVX is disposed on the first source-drain conductive layer SD1, and the passivation layer PVX may expose a surface of a portion of the substrate SUB in the bending area BA. A material of the passivation layer PVX may include a compound of silicon, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride.

In some implementations, as shown in <FIG>, the sub-insulating structures <NUM> of the organic insulating structure <NUM> include: a first planarization layer PLN1, a second planarization layer PLN2, and a pixel defining layer PDL. The first planarization layer PLN1, the second planarization layer PLN2, and the pixel defining layer PDL each include a portion located in the display area DA and a portion located between the display area DA and the barrier <NUM>. The second planarization layer PLN2 is located on a side of the first planarization layer PLN1 away from the substrate SUB. The pixel defining layer PDL is located on a side of the second planarization layer PLN2 away from the substrate SUB. The first buffer layer BFL1, the semiconductor layer, the first gate insulating layer GI1, the first gate electrode layer G1, the second gate insulating layer GI2, the second gate electrode layer G2, the interlayer insulating layer ILD, the first source-drain conductive layer SD1, and the passivation layer PVX are all located between the first planarization layer PLN1 and the substrate SUB. A surface of the first planarization layer PLN1 away from the substrate SUB is substantially flat. The first planarization layer PLN1 is made of an organic insulating material, for example, the organic insulating material includes resin materials such as polyimide, epoxy resin, acryl, polyester, photoresist, polyacrylate, polyamide, and siloxane. As another example, the organic insulating material includes an elastic material, such as urethane, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), or the like.

In an example, the first planarization layer PLN1 and the second planarization layer PLN2 each have a thickness between <NUM> and <NUM>, e.g., the first planarization layer PLN1 and the second planarization layers PLN2 each have a thickness of <NUM>. A thickness of the pixel defining layer PDL is between <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, is <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a second source-drain conductive layer SD2 is disposed on the first planarization layer PLN <NUM>. The second source-drain conductive layer SD2 may include a transfer electrode <NUM> positioned within the display area DA, where the transfer electrode <NUM> is electrically coupled to the drain electrode <NUM> through a via hole penetrating through the first planarization layer PLN1 and the passivation layer PVX, and simultaneously, the transfer electrode <NUM> is also electrically coupled to the first electrode <NUM> of the light emitting element <NUM> through a via hole penetrating through the second planarization layer PLN <NUM>. The transfer electrode <NUM> can prevent a formation of a via hole having a relatively large aperture directly in the first planarization layer PLN1 and the second planarization layer PLN2, thereby improving a quality of an electrical coupling through the via hole. A material of the second source-drain conductive layer SD2 may include metal, alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, transparent conductive material, or the like, for example, the second source-drain conductive layer SD2 may be a single-layer or multi-layer structure made of metal, such as Mo/Al/Mo or Ti/Al/Ti. The material of the second source-drain conductive layer SD2 may be the same as or different from the material of the first source-drain conductive layer SD <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a second planarization layer PLN2 is disposed on the second source-drain conductive layer SD2, the second planarization layer PLN2 covers the transfer electrode, and an upper surface of the second planarization layer PLN2 is substantially flat. The second planarization layer PLN2 is made of an organic insulating material, for example, the organic insulating material includes resin materials such as polyimide, epoxy resin, acryl, polyester, photoresist, polyacrylate, polyamide, and siloxane. As another example, the organic insulating material includes an elastic material, such as urethane, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), or the like. The material of the second planarization layer PLN2 may be the same as or different from the material of the first planarization layer PLN1.

A first electrode layer is disposed on the second planarization layer PLN2, where the first electrode layer includes a plurality of first electrodes, which may be anodes of light emitting elements <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the light emitting element <NUM> includes a first electrode <NUM>, a light emitting layer <NUM>, and a second electrode <NUM>, the first electrode <NUM> being disposed on the second planarization layer PLN2. The first electrode <NUM> is electrically coupled to the transit electrode <NUM>, and thus to the drain electrode <NUM> of the transistor <NUM>, through a via hole penetrating through the second planarization layer PLN2. The first electrode <NUM> may be made of a material such as a metal, a metal alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, or the like. The first electrode <NUM> may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

The pixel defining layer PDL is disposed on the second planarization layer PLN2. The pixel defining layer PDL includes pixel openings in one-to-one correspondence with the pixel units, and each of the pixel openings exposes a portion of the first electrode <NUM> corresponding thereto. Light emitting layers <NUM> are disposed in the pixel openings in a one-to-one correspondence mode, and the light emitting layers <NUM> may include a small molecule organic material or a polymer molecule organic material, such as a fluorescent light emitting material or a phosphorescent light emitting material, may emit red light, green light, blue light, or may emit white light. A material of the pixel defining layer PDL may include an organic insulating material such as polyimide, polyphthalamide, acrylic resin, benzocyclobutene, or phenol resin. In addition, spacers (not shown in <FIG>) may be further disposed on the pixel defining layer PDL, and a material of the spacers may be the same as that of the pixel defining layer PDL.

The second electrode <NUM> is located on a side of the light emitting layer <NUM> away from the substrate SUB, and the second electrode <NUM> may be made of metal, metal alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, transparent conductive material, or the like. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the light emitting element <NUM> may employ a top emission type structure or a bottom emission type structure. When the top emission type structure is employed, the first electrode <NUM> includes a conductive material having a light reflection property or includes a light reflection film, and the second electrode <NUM> includes a transparent or translucent conductive material. When the bottom emission type structure is employed, the second electrode <NUM> includes a conductive material having a light reflection property or includes a light reflection film, and the first electrode <NUM> includes a transparent or translucent conductive material. Second electrodes <NUM> of light emitting elements <NUM> of the respective pixel units may be integrally coupled to form a second electrode layer.

It should be noted that the light emitting element <NUM> may further include other film layers, for example, further include: a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer between the first electrode <NUM> and the light emitting layer <NUM>, and an electron transport layer and an electron injection layer between the light emitting layer <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the display panel <NUM> further includes an encapsulation layer EPL disposed on the pixel defining layer PDL, and the encapsulation layer EPL covers the pixel defining layer PDL and the light emitting element <NUM> to encapsulate the light emitting element <NUM>, so as to prevent moisture and/or oxygen in the external environment from corroding the light emitting element <NUM>. In some implementations, the encapsulation layer EPL includes a first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1, a second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2, and an organic encapsulation layer IJP, the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2 being located on a side of the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 away from the substrate SUB, the organic encapsulation layer IJP being located between the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2. In some implementations, the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2 extend to the peripheral area PA and cover the barrier <NUM>; the organic encapsulation layer IJP extends to the peripheral area PA and is located within a range surrounded by the barrier <NUM>. The first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2 may be made of inorganic materials with high compactness, such as silicon oxynitride (SiON), silicon oxide (SiOx), and silicon nitride (SiNx). The organic encapsulation layer IJP may be made of a polymer material containing a desiccant or a polymer material capable of blocking water vapor. For example, a polymer resin is used, so that a stress of the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2 can be relieved, and a water-absorbing material such as a desiccant can be included to absorb substances such as water, oxygen and the like which intrude inside.

In an example, the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2 each have a thickness between <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the thickness of the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 is <NUM>, and the thickness of the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2 is <NUM>. The thickness of the organic encapsulation layer IJP in the display area DA is between <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, is <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>.

The second buffer layer BFL2 is disposed on the encapsulation layer EPL, and the second buffer layer BFL2 is positioned in the display area DA and extends to the peripheral area PA to cover the encapsulation layer EPL. The second buffer layer BFL2 may use the same material as the first buffer layer BFL1 aforementioned, and thus, will not be described again. The touch electrode pattern is located on a side of the encapsulation layer EPL away from the substrate SUB, the bridge parts RX2 of the touch electrode pattern are arranged on the encapsulation layer EPL, the touch insulating layer TLD is located on a side of the encapsulation layer EPL away from the substrate SUB, and covers the bridge parts RX2, and the sensing electrode elements RX1 of the touch driving electrode TX and the touch sensing electrode RX are located on the touch insulating layer TLD. In order not to affect display, the driving electrode elements TX1 and the sensing electrode elements RX1 each have a structure with good light transmittance, for example, are made of a transparent conductive material (e.g., indium tin oxide) or adopt a metal mesh structure.

The touch electrode pattern and the touch insulating layer TLD are both located on a side of the encapsulation layer EPL away from the substrate SUB, and the bridge parts RX2 in the touch electrode pattern is located between the touch insulating layer TLD and the encapsulation layer EPL. The bridge parts RX2 and the first transmission portion TL1 are both located between the touch insulating layer TLD and the second buffer layer BFL2.

As shown in <FIG>, a space exists between the first boundary of each sub-insulating structure <NUM> and the single-sided barrier structure, that is, each sub-insulating structure <NUM> does not contact the single-sided barrier structure. At this time, a recess is formed between the organic insulating structure <NUM> and the single-sided barrier structure, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a recess between the organic insulating structure and the single-sided barrier structure in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in <FIG> after the organic insulating structure <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> are formed and before the encapsulation layer EPL is formed. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an orthographic projection of the encapsulation layer EPL on the substrate SUB covers an orthographic projection of the organic insulating structure <NUM> on the substrate SUB, an orthographic projection of the recess V1 on the substrate SUB, and an orthographic projection of the single-sided barrier structure on the substrate SUB at the same time.

An upper cover layer OC is arranged on a side of the touch electrode pattern away from the substrate SUB. The upper cover layer OC extends from the display area DA to the peripheral area PA, and may protect the touch signal line TL in the peripheral area PA. A material of the upper cover layer OC may include an inorganic insulating material or an organic insulating material.

The flexible substrate SUB of the embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with the first gate insulating layer GI1, the second gate insulating layer GI2, the first buffer layer BFL1, and the second buffer layer BFL2, however, it is understood that, in some examples, these layers may be deleted or added according to actual needs, which is not specifically limited by the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' in <FIG>, in which in order to illustrate a structure of the barrier <NUM> for simplicity and clarity, <FIG> shows only a cross-sectional structure of the barrier <NUM> and the first inorganic encapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer on the barrier <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the first barrier part <NUM>, the second barrier part <NUM>, the third barrier part <NUM> and the fourth barrier part <NUM> includes a first barrier layer 11a and a second barrier layer 11b on the first barrier layer 11a, where the first barrier layer 11a and the second planarization layer PLN2 are disposed in a single layer and have a same material, and the second barrier layer 11b and the pixel defining layer PDL are disposed in a single layer and have a same material. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the third barrier part <NUM> further includes a third barrier layer 11c, and the third barrier layer 11c and the first planarization layer PLN1 are disposed in a single layer and have a same material. As shown in <FIG>, the second barrier part <NUM> includes the first barrier layer 11a, the second barrier layer 11b, and a fourth barrier layer 11d, and the fourth barrier layer 11d and the spacers on the pixel defining layer PDL are disposed in a single layer and have a same material. The fourth barrier part <NUM> includes the first barrier layer 11a, the second barrier layer 11b, a third barrier layer 11c, and the fourth barrier layer 11d.

It should be noted that "disposed in a single layer" in the embodiment of the present disclosure means that two structures are formed by a same material layer through a patterning process, and therefore, the two structures are located in the same layer in a layer-to-layer relationship, which does not mean that distances between one of the two structures and the substrate SUB and between the other of the two structures and the substrate SUB must be the same. In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2 in the encapsulation layer EPL each extend onto the first barrier <NUM> and the second barrier <NUM>.

In some implementations, the peripheral area PA of the substrate SUB includes a first fan-out area FA1, the first fan-out area FA1 is located between the display area DA and the bending area BA, and the data coupling line is coupled to the data line DL and then extends to the welding area WA passing through the first fan-out area FA1 and the bending area BA. The substrate SUB further includes a second fan-out area FA2, the second fan-out area FA2 being located between the bending area BA and the welding area WA and adjoining the bending area BA, i.e., the second fan-out area FA2 is adjacent to and directly coupled to the bending area BA, no other area exists between the second fan-out area FA2 and the bending area BA. A test area DTA, a control circuit area CCA, a third fan-out area FA3 and an integrated circuit area IC are further arranged between the second fan-out area and the welding area WA of the substrate SUB. In at least one example, the test area DTA is configured to be coupled to an external test device to detect a screen, a broken line of the bending area BA, and the like. In at least one example, the control circuit area CCA includes a selector MUX to switch between an input circuit and an output circuit.

Another embodiment of the claimed invention provides a display pane according to claim <NUM>, including: a substrate, a barrier, an organic insulating structure, a touch control electrode pattern and a touch control signal line, where the substrate includes: a display area, a peripheral area and a welding area, the peripheral area surrounds the display area, and the welding area is positioned on a side of the peripheral area away from the display area. The barrier is disposed on the substrate, the barrier being in the peripheral area and surrounding the display area, the barrier including a single-sided barrier structure between the display area and the welding area. The organic insulating structure is arranged on the substrate, and a portion of the organic insulating structure is located in the display area, and another portion of the organic insulating structure is located in the peripheral area.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in <FIG> according to an embodiment of the claimed invention, <FIG> is a structural diagram of the organic insulating structure in <FIG>, and <FIG> is another structural diagram of the organic insulating structure in Dig. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the organic insulating structure <NUM> has a bottom surface BS facing the substrate SUB, a top surface TS opposite to the bottom surface BS, and a first side surface LS coupled between the bottom surface BS and the top surface TS and facing the single-sided barrier structure, where the first side surface LS is between the display area and the barrier and is a slope surface, and a slope angle of the slope surface ranges from <NUM>° to <NUM>°.

Here, the "slope surface" refers to a surface gradually approaching the display area DA in a direction away from the substrate SUB. The slope surface may be an inclined plane (as shown in <FIG>) or an inclined arc surface (as shown in <FIG>). When the slope surface is a plane, the slope angle refers to an included angle θ1 between the slope surface and the bottom surface BS of the organic insulating structure <NUM>; when the slope surface is an arc surface, the slope angle refers to a maximum value θ2 of an included angle between a tangent of the arc surface and the bottom surface BS of the organic insulating structure <NUM>. It should be noted that the slope surface is not only located in the Q1 area, but extends from a left end to a right end of the Q area.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the touch electrode pattern (i.e., the pattern including the touch driving electrodes TX and the touch sensing electrodes RX in <FIG>) is disposed on a side of the organic insulating structure <NUM> away from the substrate SUB. The touch signal line TL is disposed on a side of the organic insulating structure <NUM> away from the substrate SUB, and a terminal of the touch signal line TL is electrically coupled to the touch electrode pattern and another terminal of the touch signal line TL is coupled to the welding area WA. An orthographic projection of a portion of the touch signal line TL in the peripheral area PA on the substrate SUB passes through an orthographic projection of the slope surface on the substrate SUB.

In some implementations, the slope angle of the slope surface is between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, so that a bezel of a display product is prevented from being too wide while residues of conductive substances are reduced. For example, the slope angle may be <NUM>° or <NUM>° or <NUM>° or <NUM>° or <NUM>°.

As shown in <FIG>, the organic insulating structure <NUM> includes a plurality of sub-insulating structures <NUM> arranged in a stacked manner, and the sub-insulating structures <NUM> include: a first planarization layer PLN1, a second planarization layer PLN2, and a pixel defining layer PDL. The first planarization layer PLN1 is disposed on the substrate SUB. The second planarization layer PLN2 is located on a side of the first planarization layer PLN1 away from the substrate SUB. The pixel defining layer PDL is located on a side of the second planarization layer PLN2 away from the substrate SUB.

An encapsulation layer EPL, a second buffer layer BFL2, and a touch insulating layer TLD are further provided on the organic insulating structure <NUM>. The encapsulation layer EPL includes a first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1, a second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2, and an organic encapsulation layer IJP. The second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2 is located on a side of the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 away from the substrate SUB; the organic encapsulation layer IJP is located between the first inorganic encapsulation layer CVD1 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer CVD2.

In the present embodiment, the touch insulating layer TLD and the touch signal line TL are arranged in the manner as described in the above embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the touch electrode pattern includes touch driving electrodes TX and touch sensing electrodes RX, the touch driving electrodes TX intersect with the touch sensing electrodes RX, and the touch driving electrodes TX and the touch sensing electrodes RX are insulated and spaced from each other by the touch insulating layer TLD at intersection positions between the touch driving electrodes TX and the touch sensing electrodes RX. Each of the touch driving electrode TX and the touch sensing electrode RX is electrically coupled to one touch signal line TL. The touch signal line TL includes a first transmission portion TL1 and a second transmission portion TL2, the first transmission portion TL1 is located between the touch insulating layer TLD and the encapsulation layer EPL, the second transmission portion TL2 is located on a side of the touch insulating layer TLD away from the substrate SUB, and the second transmission portion TL2 is electrically coupled to the first transmission portion TL1 through a via hole penetrating through the touch insulating layer TLD. The touch electrode pattern and the touch signal line TL are both located on a side of the encapsulation layer EPL away from the substrate SUB.

A space exists between the first side surface LS and the single-sided barrier structure, for example, a space is provided between an end of the first side surface LS proximal to the substrate SUB and the single-sided barrier structure, and a space is provided between an end of the first side surface LS away from the substrate SUB and the single-sided barrier structure. A recess is formed between the organic insulating structure <NUM> and the single-sided barrier structure, and an orthographic projection of the encapsulation layer EPL on the substrate SUB covers an orthographic projection of the organic insulating structure <NUM> on the substrate SUB, an orthographic projection of the recess on the substrate SUB and an orthographic projection of the single-sided barrier structure on the substrate SUB at the same time, and the single-sided barrier structure is located between the substrate SUB and the encapsulation layer EPL.

The display area DA includes a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit has a light emitting element <NUM> disposed therein, and the display panel <NUM> further includes a second power supply line VSS electrically coupled to the light emitting element <NUM>, where the second power supply line VSS is located between the organic insulating structure <NUM> and the substrate SUB, and an orthographic projection of the first side surface LS on the substrate SUB overlaps with an orthographic projection of the second power supply line VSS on the substrate SUB.

The barrier <NUM> includes a first barrier <NUM> and a second barrier <NUM>, the first barrier <NUM> being located in the peripheral area PA and surrounding the display area DA, and the second barrier <NUM> being located in the peripheral area PA and surrounding the first barrier <NUM>. The specific structures of the first barrier <NUM> and the second barrier <NUM> are described in the above embodiment, and will not be described in detail here. The substrate SUB is further provided with structures such as a first buffer layer BFL1, a semiconductor layer, a first gate insulating layer GI1, a first gate electrode layer G1, a second gate insulating layer GI2, an interlayer insulating layer ILD, a first source-drain conductive layer SD1, a passivation layer PVX, and a second source-drain conductive layer SD2, and structures and positions of such layers are described in the above embodiment, which are not described herein again. The substrate SUB in the embodiment is a flexible substrate, and further includes a bending area BA between the peripheral area PA and the welding area WA, and further includes other areas such as a test area DTA and a control circuit area CCA, and a positional relationship between such areas is described in the above embodiment, and is not described again here.

In the display panel of this embodiment of the claimed invention, the first side surface of the organic insulating structure <NUM> is a slope surface, and the slope of the slope surface is relatively small, so that when touch signal lines are manufactured by subsequent etching processes, residues of conductive substances can be reduced, and a short-circuit between the touch signal lines TL can be reduced or prevented.

An embodiment of the claimed invention further provides a method according to claim <NUM> for manufacturing a display panel, which includes a substrate, a barrier, an organic insulating structure, a touch electrode pattern, and a touch signal line. The substrate includes: a display area, a peripheral area and a welding area, where the peripheral area surrounds the display area, and the welding area is positioned on a side of the peripheral area away from the display area. The barrier is disposed on the substrate, the barrier is in the peripheral area and surrounds the display area, and the barrier includes a single-sided barrier structure between the display area and the welding area. The organic insulating structure is arranged on the substrate and includes a plurality of sub-insulating structures which are arranged in a stacked mode, a portion of each sub-insulating structure is located in the display area, and another portion of each sub-insulating structure is located in the peripheral area. Each of the sub-insulating structures has a first boundary between the display area and the single-sided barrier structure, and each of the remaining sub-insulating structures except the sub-insulating structure farthest from the substrate SUB includes an extension, the extension is formed between the display area and the barrier, and for any two adjacent sub-insulating structures, the extension of the sub-insulating structure proximal to the substrate SUB is located between the first boundary of the sub-insulating structure away from the substrate SUB and the single-sided barrier structure. The touch electrode pattern is arranged on a side of the organic insulating structure away from the substrate, and is located in the display area. The touch signal line is arranged on a side of the organic insulating structure away from the substrate, a terminal of the touch signal line is electrically coupled to the touch electrode pattern, another terminal of the touch signal line is coupled to the welding area, and an orthographic projection of a portion, in the peripheral area, of the touch signal line on the substrate overlaps with an orthographic projection of the extension of each sub-insulating structure on the substrate.

The sub-insulating structure with the extension is formed by patterning an organic material layer by using a two-tone mask plate, where when a process of patterning is performed, an area where the extension is to be formed corresponds to a semi-light-transmitting area of the two-tone mask plate.

In some implementations, the sub-insulating structures of the organic insulating structure include: a first planarization layer, a second planarization layer, and a pixel defining layer. The first planarization layer is arranged on the substrate; the second planarization layer is positioned on a side of the first planarization layer away from the substrate; the pixel defining layer is located on a side of the second planarization layer away from the substrate.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating a process for manufacturing a sub-insulating structure with an extension according to an embodiment of the claimed invention, and the process for manufacturing the sub-insulating structure with the extension is described below as an example. The sub-insulating structure may be a first planarization layer or a second planarization layer.

As shown in <FIG>, an organic insulating material layer <NUM> is formed, wherein the organic insulating material layer <NUM> is a photosensitive organic material layer, such as a positive photoresist layer.

As shown in <FIG>, the photoresist layer is exposed by using a two-tone mask plate M. The two-tone mask plate M is a gray tone mask plate or a half tone mask plate. The two-tone mask plate M includes a full light-transmitting area M1, a non-light-transmitting area M3 and a semi-light-transmitting area M2, where a light transmittance of the semi-light-transmitting area M2 is less than that of the full light-transmitting area M1. Taking the organic insulating material layer <NUM> being the positive photoresist layer as an example, during exposure, the semi-light-transmitting area M2 of the two-tone mask plate M corresponds to an area where the extension is to be formed, the full light-transmitting area M1 of the two-tone mask plate M corresponds to an area where the organic insulating material layer <NUM> needs to be completely removed, and the non-light-transmitting area M3 of the two-tone mask plate M corresponds to other areas. After exposure, a portion of the organic insulating material layer <NUM> corresponding to the non-light-transmitting area is not exposed, a portion of the organic insulating material layer <NUM> corresponding to the full light-transmitting area is completely exposed, and a portion of the organic insulating material layer <NUM> corresponding to the semi-light-transmitting area is partially exposed.

Thereafter, the organic insulating material layer <NUM> is developed, such that the portion of the organic insulating material layer <NUM> corresponding to the full light-transmitting area M1 is completely removed, the portion of the organic insulating material layer <NUM> corresponding to the semi-light-transmitting area M2 is partially removed, the portion of the organic insulating material layer <NUM> corresponding to the non-light-transmitting area M3 is completely remained, and the formed pattern is the sub-insulating structure <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The portion of the sub-insulating structure <NUM> corresponding to the semi-light-transmitting area M2 is an extension 21a, and a surface of the extension 21a is a gentle slope.

It should be understood that in the process of patterning described above, a negative photoresist layer may also be used, in such case, a pattern of mask plate to be used is complementary to that of the two-tone mask plate M described above.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sub-insulating structure <NUM> having the extension 21a is formed by performing a process of patterning on the organic material layer <NUM> by using a two-tone mask plate, and during exposure, an area where the extension 21a is to be formed corresponds to the semi-light-transmitting area M2 of the two-tone mask plate M, so that the formed extension 21a has a slope, and therefore, an entire side surface of the organic insulating structure <NUM> is relatively flat, and when touch signal lines are subsequently manufactured by an etching process, residues of conductive substances can be reduced, thereby reducing or preventing a short-circuit between the touch signal lines.

In the embodiment, the structure of the barrier <NUM>, the structure and the material of the pixel defining layer PDL, the structure and the material of the first planarization layer PLN1, and the structure and the material of the second planarization layer PLN2 may all refer to the description in the above embodiment, and will not be described herein again.

In addition, in the embodiment, an encapsulation layer and a touch insulating layer are further disposed on the organic insulating structure. A light emitting element may further be provided in the display area of the substrate, and the light emitting element is coupled to a second power supply line. The specific structure and the material of the encapsulation layer, the arrangement manner and the material of the touch insulating layer, the structure and the material of the light emitting element, and the arrangement manner of the second power supply line and the touch signal line may refer to the descriptions in the above embodiment, and are not described herein again.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a display device, which includes the display panel of the above embodiment. The display device may be any product or component with a display function, such as an OLED panel, a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a television, a display, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame, a navigator and the like.

Claim 1:
A display panel (<NUM>), comprising:
a substrate (SUB), a display area (DA), a peripheral area (PA) and a welding area (WA), wherein the peripheral area (PA) surrounds the display area (DA), and the welding area (WA) is positioned on a side of the peripheral area (PA) away from the display area (DA);
at least one barrier (<NUM>) disposed on the substrate (SUB), the barrier (<NUM>) being located in the peripheral area (PA) and surrounding the display area (DA), the barrier (<NUM>) comprising a single-sided barrier structure located between the display area (DA) and the welding area (WA);
an organic insulating structure (<NUM>) disposed on the substrate (SUB), the organic insulating structure (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of sub-insulating structures (<NUM>) disposed in a stacked manner, a portion of each of the sub-insulating structures (<NUM>) being located in the display area (DA), each of the sub-insulating structures (<NUM>) having a first boundary (E1) located between the display area (DA) and the single-sided barrier structure, wherein, for any adjacent two of the sub-insulating structures (<NUM>), the first boundary (E1) of the sub-insulating structure (<NUM>) on a side away from the substrate (SUB) is closer to the display area (DA) than the first boundary (E1) of the sub-insulating structure (<NUM>) on a side proximal to the substrate (SUB); a distance between first boundaries (E1) of any adjacent two of the sub-insulating structures (<NUM>) is greater than or equal to <NUM>;
a touch electrode pattern arranged on a side of the organic insulating structure (<NUM>) away from the substrate (SUB);
a touch signal line (TL) arranged on a side of the organic insulating structure (<NUM>) away from the substrate (SUB), a terminal of the touch signal line (TL) is electrically coupled to the touch electrode pattern, another terminal of the touch signal line (TL) is coupled to the welding area (WA), and an orthographic projection of a portion, in the peripheral area (PA), of the touch signal line (TL) on the substrate (SUB) intersects with the first boundary (E1) of each of the sub-insulating structures (<NUM>).