Patent Description:
Flexible display devices have recently become a commercially viable and promising avenue of research in the field of display technologies, possessing desirable features such as bendability, versatility, and economy of space. Flexible display devices are characterized by a specialized display panel protected by a transparent cover.

The present disclosure aims to solve or alleviate at least some of the issues existing in the prior art. As described herein, embodiments of a display panel, display device, and manufacturing methods thereof are proposed which may improve flatness of an organic encapsulation layer and reduce peeling between the organic encapsulation layer and a substrate on which it is disposed, thereby improving an overall quality of the finished display panel incorporating the organic encapsulation layer and the substrate.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display panel which is defined by appended claim <NUM>.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device which is defined by appended claim <NUM>.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a display panel which is defined by appended claim <NUM>.

It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure. Additionally, the summary above does not constitute an admission that the technical problems and challenges discussed were known to anyone other than the inventors.

The following description relates to a display panel, a display device having the display panel, and manufacturing methods thereof. The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not restrictive.

Related flexible display devices include a transparent cover disposed on a display panel, wherein the display panel is packaged by a thin-film encapsulation (TFE) process during a manufacture thereof. As such, the display panel includes a flexible substrate, a display functional film layer, and an encapsulation layer, wherein the encapsulation layer includes an organic encapsulation layer and an inorganic encapsulation layer in a staggered arrangement. The encapsulation layer is typically formed by way of an encapsulation process such as the aforementioned TFE process, which alternately forms organic thin films and inorganic films to obtain the encapsulation layer. During formation of the organic portions of the encapsulation layer, organic material is liable to have a non-uniform thickness, or level difference, as a result of a leveling process. Peeling may therefore occur between the formed organic encapsulation layer and a substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer is disposed. Display devices comprising such an organic encapsulation layer are e.g. disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>.

Referring to <FIG>, a top view <NUM> is depicted of an encapsulation layer <NUM> formed on a related display panel by way of a TFE process. A dashed line delimits a display area G of the related display panel. Lines A1-A2 and B1-B2 define axes for a first cross-sectional view <NUM> and a second cross-sectional view <NUM>, respectively, depicted by <FIG>, respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, the encapsulation layer <NUM> includes a first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>, an organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> which are sequentially stacked. As is apparent from <FIG>, due to a non-uniform thickness, or level difference, of an organic material during a manufacturing process of the encapsulation layer <NUM>, the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> has a sawtooth structure, resulting in a low flatness <NUM> of the entire encapsulation layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of the related display panel is depicted. As shown, the related display panel includes the encapsulation layer <NUM>, a flexible substrate <NUM>, a buffer layer <NUM>, a first wire layer <NUM>, an insulating layer <NUM>, a second wire layer <NUM>, a flat, or planarization, layer <NUM>, a third wire layer <NUM>, a display structure layer <NUM>, a second flat, or planarization, layer <NUM>, and a dam structure <NUM>. In some examples, the dam structure <NUM> may further include a first dam substructure 41a and a second dam substructure 41b. As described with reference to <FIG>, the encapsulation layer <NUM> further includes the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>, the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, and the second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>. Since the contact area between the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> and a given substrate (e.g., the second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>) is relatively small, peeling between the two may occur, which may further affect an overall quality of the related display panel.

In current applications, the encapsulation layer typically includes a first inorganic encapsulation layer, an organic encapsulation layer, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer. During the encapsulation process, organic material used to form the organic encapsulation layer is leveled in a non-display area of the display panel (in this context, "leveling" refers to the effect of surface tension on the flow speed of the organic material after the organic material is coated, but before the organic material has been dried into a film). The leveling process results in non-uniform thickness of the organic encapsulation layer, that is, the formed organic encapsulation layer may not be flat enough, resulting in low display brightness uniformity of the finished display panel. Simultaneously, since the contact area of the formed organic encapsulation layer with the substrate on which it is disposed is relatively small, peeling occurs between the organic encapsulation layer and the substrate, which may further affect the quality of the finished display panel. As an example, the substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer is disposed may be a film layer located between the organic encapsulation layer and the flexible substrate, and in contact with the organic encapsulation layer.

As such, and as will be described below with reference to <FIG>, a display panel is provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a first example of a display panel <NUM> is depicted. Mutually perpendicular axes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> define a three-dimensional space for the diagram <NUM>, where the axis <NUM> and the axis <NUM> define a plane of <FIG> and the axis <NUM> is normal to the plane of <FIG>. It will be appreciated that <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> (described in more detail below) are depicted in the same plane as <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> (described in more detail below) are depicted in planes which are mutually perpendicular to one another and to the plane of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. Further a direction X may be parallel with the axis <NUM> and a direction Y may be parallel with the axis <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> includes a flexible substrate <NUM> having a display area, or effective display area, or active area, D and a non-display area C. The non-display area C may be an annular area fitting to a perimeter, or shape, of the display area D and thereby encompassing the display area D. Each of the display area D and the non-display area C is in a plane defined by the axes <NUM> and <NUM> (that is, perpendicular to the plane of <FIG>). As an example, the shape of the display area D may be a rectangle and a shape of the non-display area C may be an annular rectangle. As another example, the shape of the display area D may be a circle and the shape of the non-display area C may be an annular circle, or ring. The non-display area C may further include a first annular region, or outgas region, C1 and a second annular region C2.

The display panel <NUM> further includes a dam structure <NUM>, one or more grooves <NUM>, and an organic encapsulation layer <NUM>. The dam structure <NUM> is located in the non-display area C and disposed around, for example, outside the perimeter of, the display area D. The one or more grooves <NUM> are disposed in the non-display area C between the display area D and the dam structure <NUM>. The organic encapsulation layer <NUM> covers the display area D, at least a portion of the non-display area C, and the one or more grooves <NUM>. The organic encapsulation layer <NUM> may be made of a polyimide material, for example.

In some examples, the one or more grooves <NUM> are already formed when the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is formed. During a manufacturing process of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, organic material may be drained via the one or more grooves <NUM> to improve a flatness of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>. As such, a contact area of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> with a substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is disposed may be increased, thereby reducing peeling between the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> and the substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is disposed, and improving an overall quality of the display panel <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a second example of the display panel <NUM> is depicted. The display panel <NUM> may further include a display structure layer, or organic display structure layer, <NUM>, which is located in the display area D of the flexible substrate <NUM>. For example, the organic display structure layer <NUM> may include a plurality of organic light-emitting devices <NUM>, wherein each of the organic light-emitting devices <NUM> includes a first pole or electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a second pole or electrode. In some examples, each of the organic light-emitting devices <NUM> includes a first pole anode and a second pole cathode. In some examples, each of the organic light-emitting devices <NUM> includes a first pole cathode and a second pole anode. In some examples, each of the organic light-emitting devices <NUM> further includes a hole injection layer (HIL) and a hole transport layer (HTL) located between the anode and the light-emitting layer, and an electron transport layer (ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL) located between the cathode and the light-emitting layer. Each of the organic light-emitting devices <NUM> is used to emit light of one color, for example, red, green, or blue. In some examples, the organic display structure layer <NUM> further includes a pixel definition layer, where the pixel definition layer is used to define an area of a pixel in the display panel.

As an example, the organic display structure layer <NUM> may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) structural layer, and the corresponding organic light-emitting device <NUM> may be an OLED device. As a further example, the display structure layer <NUM> may be a quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED) structural layer, and the corresponding light-emitting device <NUM> may be a QLED device.

Referring now to each of <FIG>, schematic structural diagrams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are depicted, respectively. Further, the schematic structural diagrams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> correspond to third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh examples of the display panel <NUM>, respectively. The display panel <NUM> may further include a flat layer, or first flat layer, or planarization layer, or first planarization layer, <NUM> covering at least the display area D. The flat layer <NUM> can flatten a given encapsulation layer formed on a side thereof away from the flexible substrate <NUM>, thereby improving the flatness of the display panel <NUM> and concomitantly improving the overall quality of the display panel <NUM>. In some examples, the flat layer <NUM> may be made of a polyimide material.

In one example, the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) may be classified according to different regions where grooves may be disposed in the flexible substrate <NUM>. For example, the one or more grooves <NUM> may include one or both of one or more first grooves <NUM> and one or more second grooves <NUM>. In the present invention, the grooves <NUM> are a plurality of grooves arranged at intervals, such that each groove of the plurality of grooves <NUM> may be spaced apart from each adjacent groove in the plurality of grooves <NUM>. In some examples, the plurality of grooves may be of various types. In one example, the plurality of grooves may be classified according to different regions where grooves may be disposed in the flexible substrate <NUM>. In the present invention, the plurality of grooves include a plurality of first grooves <NUM> and a plurality of second grooves <NUM>.

In the present invention, the first grooves <NUM> are located between the display area D and an edge of the flat layer <NUM>. Said another way, the first grooves <NUM> are located in a first area between an edge of the display area D and the edge of the flat layer <NUM>. In one example, the first area may include the first annular region C1. The second grooves <NUM> are located in a second area between the edge of the flat layer <NUM> and the dam structure <NUM>, and may be disposed around the flat layer <NUM>. In one example, the second area may include the second annular region C2.

The display panel <NUM> may further include a buffer layer <NUM> on a side of the flexible substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the buffer layer <NUM> may be made of silicon dioxide or silicon nitride. The buffer layer <NUM> may be included to alleviate damage to the flexible substrate <NUM> by an external force. The buffer layer <NUM> may further prevent impurities from entering a semiconductor active layer of a thin film transistor (TFT) to avoid performance degradation of the TFT.

The display panel <NUM> may further include a second wire layer <NUM> located on a side of the buffer layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the second wire layer <NUM> may be a common wire, or com wire, layer, including a plurality of common lines for introducing an external signal. In some examples, the second wire layer <NUM> may be made of a polysilicon material.

The display panel <NUM> may further include an insulating layer <NUM> located on a side of the second wire layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate <NUM>, and a third wire layer <NUM> located on a side of the display structure layer <NUM> closest to the flexible substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the third wire layer <NUM> may be a cathode wire layer, including a plurality of cathode wires for connecting to a cathode layer in the display structure layer <NUM>. In some examples, the third wire layer <NUM> may be made of metallic silver.

The display panel <NUM> may further include a second flat layer, or second planarization layer, <NUM> located on a side of the display structure layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. The second flat layer <NUM> may flatten a given encapsulation film layer located on a side thereof away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the second flat layer may be made of a polyimide material.

The outgas region C1 of the display panel <NUM> may be located between the edge of the display structure layer <NUM> and the edge of the flat layer <NUM>. In some examples, the third wire layer <NUM> and the second flat layer <NUM> may be provided with an air outlet hole in the outgas region C1, where gas generated in film layers covered by the third wire layer <NUM> and the second flat layer <NUM> during the manufacturing process can be released, thereby improving product yield.

As shown in <FIG>, an encapsulation layer <NUM> includes an organic encapsulation layer <NUM>. In some examples, the encapsulation layer <NUM> may further include a first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> located on side of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> closest to the flexible substrate <NUM>, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> located on a side of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. The inorganic encapsulation layers <NUM>, <NUM> may block moisture and oxygen, further ensuring the overall quality of the display panel <NUM>. Further, the inorganic encapsulation layers <NUM>, <NUM> may have a threshold hardness which may prevent the layers from being damaged during use of the display panel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the flexible substrate <NUM> in the display panel <NUM> may include a first organic layer <NUM>, a first inorganic layer <NUM>, a second organic layer <NUM>, and a second inorganic layer <NUM> which are sequentially stacked, and which may ensure toughness, or hardness, of the flexible substrate <NUM>, thereby facilitating coating of other layers. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate <NUM> in the display panel <NUM> may include a first organic layer <NUM>, a first inorganic layer <NUM>, and a second organic layer <NUM>.

In some examples, each of the first organic layer <NUM> and the second organic layer <NUM> may be made of a polyimide material. In some examples, each of the first inorganic layer <NUM> and the second inorganic layer <NUM> may be made of silicon nitride or silicon oxide. In some examples, the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> may be made of silicon oxynitride. As such, the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> may have high contact energy with the second flat layer <NUM> and may thereby be firmly disposed on the second flat layer <NUM>. In some examples, the second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> may be made of silicon nitride.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, one or more first grooves <NUM> may surround the display area D, and may be disposed in the flat layer <NUM> or in the flexible substrate <NUM> in the first annular region C1 between the display area D and the edge of the flat layer <NUM>. As an example, and as shown in <FIG>, three first grooves 141a, 141b, and 141c are disposed in the flat layer <NUM> in the first annular region C1. As another example, and as shown in <FIG>, one first groove 141d is disposed in the second organic layer <NUM> of the flexible substrate <NUM> in the first annular region C1.

As shown in <FIG>, one or more second grooves <NUM> may surround the flat layer <NUM> (and, therefore, surround the display area D), and may be disposed in the flexible substrate <NUM> in the second annular region C2 between the edge of the flat layer <NUM> and the dam structure <NUM>. As an example, and as shown in <FIG>, two second grooves 142a and 142b are disposed in the second organic layer <NUM> of the flexible substrate <NUM> in the second annular region C2.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, one or more first grooves <NUM> may surround the display area D, and may be disposed in the flat layer <NUM> or in the flexible substrate <NUM> in the first annular region C1 between the display area D and the edge of the flat layer <NUM>. Additionally, one or more second grooves <NUM> may surround the flat layer <NUM> (and, therefore, surround the display area D), and may be disposed in the flexible substrate <NUM> in the second annular region C2 between the edge of the flat layer <NUM> and the dam structure <NUM>. As an example, and as shown in <FIG>, three first grooves 141e, 141f, and <NUM> are disposed in the flat layer <NUM> in the first annular region C1, and two second grooves 142c and 142d are disposed in the second organic layer <NUM> of the flexible substrate <NUM> in the second annular region C2. The following example is not according to the invention and is present for illustration purposes only. As shown in <FIG>, one first groove <NUM> is disposed in the second organic layer <NUM> of the flexible substrate <NUM> in the first annular region C1, and two second grooves 142e and 142f are disposed in the second organic layer <NUM> of the flexible substrate <NUM> in the second annular region C2.

Referring now to <FIG>, the flat layer <NUM> may be made of an organic material. Further, when one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) are disposed in the flat layer <NUM>, a contact area of the flat layer <NUM> with a given encapsulation layer, such as the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>, disposed thereon is increased. As such, when the display panel <NUM> is deformed from outside, stress, or mechanical stress, generated by the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>, is effectively released to the flat layer <NUM>. Thus, the flat layer <NUM> serves a buffering function to prevent damage to the display panel <NUM> by an external force. Said another way, when outside stress deforms the display panel <NUM>, an interaction force is generated between film layers in the display panel <NUM>. In some examples, a Young's modulus of the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> may be about <NUM> to <NUM> times larger than a Young's modulus of the flat layer <NUM>.

In a manufacturing process, a thickness of the flat layer <NUM> is typically around <NUM> to <NUM>, and a depth of the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) in the flat layer <NUM> is relatively shallow. In some examples, the thickness of the flat layer <NUM> is around <NUM>. As such, a flow rate of organic material can be slowed down during formation of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, such that the formed organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is relatively flat and a slope angle of an edge of the formed organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is relatively small.

The flexible substrate <NUM> may have a plurality of hierarchical structures. As an example, the flexible substrate <NUM> may include an organic layer, such as the first organic layer <NUM> or the second organic layer <NUM>. As another example, the flexible substrate may include the organic layer and an inorganic layer, such as the first inorganic layer <NUM> or the second inorganic layer <NUM>, which are disposed in a stacked manner. When the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) are disposed in the flexible substrate <NUM>, the grooves <NUM> may be disposed in the organic layer of the flexible substrate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the flexible substrate <NUM> may include the first organic layer <NUM>, the first inorganic layer <NUM>, the second organic layer <NUM>, and the second inorganic layer <NUM> which are sequentially stacked. When the one or more grooves <NUM> are disposed in the flexible substrate <NUM>, one or both of the one or more first grooves <NUM> and the one or more second grooves <NUM> may be located in a surface of the second organic layer <NUM> adjacent to the second inorganic layer <NUM>. Since the second organic layer <NUM> is made of an organic material, when the one or more grooves <NUM> are disposed in the second organic layer <NUM>, a contact area of the second inorganic layer <NUM> with the second organic layer <NUM> is increased. When the display panel <NUM> is deformed from the outside, stress generated by the second inorganic layer <NUM> is thus effectively released to the second organic layer <NUM> so that the second organic layer <NUM> plays a buffering role to prevent damage of the display panel <NUM> by an external force. In some examples, a Young's modulus of the second inorganic layer <NUM> may be about <NUM> to <NUM> times larger than a Young's modulus of the second organic layer <NUM>.

A thickness of the second organic layer <NUM> is typically around <NUM>, and a depth (defined with respect to the direction Y) of the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) disposed therein is relatively deep. As such, the flow rate of the organic material can be quickly slowed down during formation of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, and thereby prevent the organic material from overflowing the dam structure <NUM> which defines the edge of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>.

In the invention, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the one or more first grooves <NUM> are a plurality of first grooves, the plurality of first grooves gradually decrease in depth (defined with respect to the direction Y) in the direction X away from the display area D. Similarly, and as shown in <FIG>, the one or more second grooves <NUM> are a plurality of second grooves, the plurality of second grooves gradually decrease in depth in the direction X away from the display area D. In a process of encapsulating the display panel <NUM> with an organic material, in examples wherein the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) gradually decrease in depth, each groove <NUM> can drain the organic material. As such, the flow rate of the organic material may be gradually slowed away from the display structure layer <NUM> located in the display area D. Because the one or more grooves <NUM> may gradually decrease in depth as described above, a groove <NUM> with a deepest depth firstly contacts the organic material with a faster flow rate, and a groove <NUM> with a shallowest depth finally contacts the organic material with a slower contact flow rate. The thickness of the organic material thus becomes more uniform, reducing the level difference such that the organic material is uniformly distributed in various regions of the non-display area C, thereby ensuring the flatness of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> formed therefrom.

Further, a width of an opening of each groove (e.g., <NUM>) in the display panel <NUM> is larger than a width of a bottom of the groove <NUM>. For example, a cross section thereof (that is, the cross section defined by the axes <NUM> and <NUM>) has an inverted trapezoidal shape, such as an isosceles trapezoid, which narrows in the direction Y towards the flexible substrate <NUM>. Such a shape of the groove <NUM> not only facilitates drainage of organic material in forming the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, but also increases the contact area of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> with a given substrate, ensure flatness of the display panel <NUM>, and reduce peeling of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, the substrate, or other film layers of the display panel <NUM> when subjected to an external force. Thus, the overall quality of the display panel <NUM> is improved.

In some examples, the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) may include one or both of a discontinuous, or non-annular, groove and a non-interrupted, or continuous, or annular, groove.

Referring now to <FIG>, a top view <NUM> is depicted of the one or more first grooves <NUM> and the one or more second grooves <NUM> of the display panel <NUM> having the display area D and the non-display area C. The one or more grooves are disposed in the non-display area C, and include two first grooves 141i and 141j and one second groove <NUM>. The first grooves 141i and 141j are disposed in the first annular region C1 and the second groove <NUM> is disposed in the second annular region C2. The first groove 141i and the second groove <NUM> are non-interrupted grooves and the first groove 141j is a discontinuous groove. In one example, the first groove 141j is a discontinuous groove such that a flow rate of organic material to the second annular region C2 may be relatively decreased. During an encapsulation process, each type of groove allows organic material to flow into the groove in directions along the axes <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby draining the organic material. It will be appreciated that an arrangement of grooves depicted in <FIG> is only an example, and differing arrangements may be utilized within the scope of this disclosure. Further, the width of the opening of each groove may be equal or unequal to the width of the opening of any other groove.

Referring now to <FIG>, a related display device may include the related display panel and a transparent cover. The related display device may be a 3D display device, such as a curved display device, and the transparent cover may be a 3D transparent cover, such as a curved transparent cover. Since the flatness <NUM> at an edge of the encapsulation layer <NUM> is low and a slope angle <NUM> is large, the 3D transparent cover is easily damaged. Further, the 3D transparent cover is easily peeled off from the encapsulation layer <NUM> by an external force, which may separate the 3D transparent cover from the related display panel in the related display device.

Referring now to <FIG>, a first cross-sectional view <NUM> and a second cross-sectional view <NUM> are shown of the encapsulation layer <NUM>, respectively. Lines E1-E2 and F1-F2 define axes for the first cross-sectional view <NUM> and the second cross-sectional view <NUM>, respectively. Further, the line E1-E2 is parallel to the axis <NUM> and the line F1-F2 is parallel to the axis <NUM>. As described in more detail with reference to <FIG>, the encapsulation layer <NUM> includes the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>, the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, and the second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>, which are sequentially stacked.

In the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) surrounding the display area (e.g., D) of the display panel <NUM> are disposed in the non-display area (e.g., C) between the edge of the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) and the dam structure (e.g., <NUM>), such that organic material may be drained through the one or more grooves <NUM> during a manufacturing process. The edge of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> thereby formed thus has a smaller slope angle and a higher flatness as compared to the encapsulation layer <NUM> of <FIG>. As such, the encapsulation layer <NUM> including the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> has a correspondingly small slope angle <NUM> and high flatness <NUM>. Further, when a 3D transparent cover is placed on a side of the display panel <NUM> having the encapsulation layer <NUM>, peeling the cover off from the encapsulation layer <NUM> under external force is more difficult, thereby preventing separation of the 3D transparent cover from the display panel <NUM> in, for example, a display device.

Referring to <FIG>, in order to improve a degree of integration of the related display device described above, the related display device may further integrate a touch function. As such, the transparent cover of the related display device typically includes a transparent substrate and a polarizer superimposed on the transparent substrate, and a touch line, or touch unit, or touch sensor, for implementing the touch function. After a manufacturing process of the related display panel is completed, a side of the transparent cover provided with the touch line is placed in face-sharing contact with a side of the related display panel having the encapsulation layer <NUM> to obtain the related display device.

However, since the flatness <NUM> of the edge of the encapsulation layer <NUM> is low and the slope angle <NUM> is large, the touch line is difficult to manufacture on a surface of the encapsulation layer <NUM>. Even if the touch line is disposed on the surface of the encapsulation layer <NUM>, the touch line is easily damaged, and is easily peeled off from the encapsulation layer <NUM> by an external force.

In the present disclosure, a flexible multilayering on cell (FMLOC) process is proposed, in which a touch line originally manufactured on a transparent cover is disposed on the display panel (e.g., <NUM>), that is, the touch line is disposed on the encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>). As such, a touch function may be provided to a display device including the display panel <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the edge of the encapsulation layer <NUM> of the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) has a high flatness <NUM> and a small slope angle <NUM>, which provides an ideal manufacturing environment for the FMLOC process. Further, the touch line can be effectively formed on the encapsulation layer <NUM>, or on the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, while avoiding damage to the touch line and reducing a risk of peeling off from the encapsulation layer <NUM>, or from the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, under an external force. Thus, in some examples, the display panel <NUM> further includes the touch line located on the side of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>).

In summary, the display panel <NUM> provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure and described with reference to <FIG> includes the flexible substrate <NUM> having the display area D and the non-display area C, and the one or more grooves <NUM> disposed in the non-display area C between the display area D and the dam structure <NUM>. When the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is formed, the one or more grooves <NUM> can drain organic material, thereby increasing the flatness of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, which further increases the flatness <NUM> and reduces the slope angle <NUM> of the edge of the encapsulation layer <NUM> as a whole. Further, via such draining by the one or more grooves <NUM>, the contact area of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> with a substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is disposed can be increased, thereby reducing peeling between the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> and the substrate, and improving the overall quality of the display panel <NUM>. In some examples, fabrication of the touch line is also facilitated.

Further, and as will be described below with reference to <FIG>, a display device is provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that the direction X and the direction Y as depicted by <FIG> are defined in a manner equivalent to the direction X and the direction Y as depicted by <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a first example of a display device <NUM> is depicted. The display device <NUM> includes the display panel <NUM> provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure and a transparent cover <NUM>, where the transparent cover <NUM> is in face-sharing contact with the display panel <NUM>.

As described hereinabove, the display device <NUM> may be integrated with a touch function. The touch line, such as touch line <NUM> described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, for implementing the touch function may be disposed in the transparent cover <NUM> or the display panel <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a second example of the display device <NUM> and a first example of a manufacturing process thereof is depicted. The transparent cover <NUM> includes a transparent substrate <NUM>, and a polarizer <NUM> and a touch line <NUM> disposed on the transparent substrate <NUM>. As such, during a manufacturing process of the display device <NUM>, the display panel <NUM> is not initially provided with the touch line <NUM>. A side of the transparent substrate <NUM> on which the polarizer <NUM> and the touch line <NUM> are disposed is in face-sharing contact with the display panel <NUM>, that is, with the encapsulation layer <NUM> of the display panel <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a third example of the display device <NUM> and a second example of a manufacturing process thereof is depicted. The transparent cover <NUM> includes the transparent substrate <NUM>, and the polarizer <NUM> disposed on the transparent substrate <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> further includes the touch line <NUM> on the encapsulation layer <NUM>. Further, a side of the transparent substrate <NUM> on which the polarizer <NUM> is disposed is in face-sharing contact with the display panel <NUM>.

The display device <NUM> is manufactured by placing the transparent cover <NUM> on the display panel <NUM>. As described hereinabove with reference to <FIG>, the display panel <NUM> includes a flexible substrate <NUM> having a display area D and a non-display area C, and the one or more grooves <NUM> disposed in the non-display area C between the display area D and the dam structure <NUM>. When the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is formed, the one or more grooves <NUM> can drain organic material, thereby increasing the flatness of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, which further increases the flatness <NUM> and reduces the slope angle <NUM> of the edge of the encapsulation layer <NUM> as a whole. Further, via such draining by the one or more grooves <NUM>, the contact area of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> with a substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is disposed can be increased, thereby reducing peeling between the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> and thesubstrate, and improving the overall quality of the display panel <NUM> and therefore the display device <NUM> including the display panel <NUM>.

As an example, and as shown in <FIG>, the side of the transparent cover <NUM> on which the polarizer <NUM> and the touch line <NUM> are disposed may be placed in the Y direction onto the encapsulation layer <NUM> of the display panel <NUM> to form the display device <NUM>. As another example, and as shown in <FIG>, the side of the transparent cover <NUM> on which the polarizer <NUM> is disposed may be placed in the Y direction onto the display panel <NUM> to form the display device <NUM>. In the examples described above, the touch line <NUM> is thereby disposed between the polarizer <NUM> of the transparent cover <NUM> and the encapsulation layer <NUM> of the display panel <NUM>. In some examples, such as the examples depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the transparent cover <NUM> may be a 3D cover, a curved cover, or a flat cover.

In some examples, the display device <NUM>, including the display panel <NUM>, may be any product or component having a display function, such as a liquid crystal panel, electronic paper, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a television, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame, a navigator, and the like. In some examples, the display device <NUM> may be a flexible display device.

In summary, the display device <NUM> is formed by placing the transparent cover <NUM> on the display panel <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> includes the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>) having the display area (e.g., D) and the non-display area (e.g., C), and the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) disposed in the non-display area C between the display area D and the dam structure (e.g., <NUM>). When the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is formed, the one or more grooves <NUM> can drain organic material, thereby increasing the flatness of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, which further increases the flatness (e.g., <NUM>) and reduces the slope angle (e.g., <NUM>) of the edge of the encapsulation layer <NUM> as a whole. Further, via such draining by the one or more grooves <NUM>, the contact area of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> with a substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is disposed can be increased, thereby reducing peeling between the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> and the substrate, and improving the overall quality of the display panel <NUM> and therefore the display device <NUM> including the display panel <NUM>.

Further, and as will be described below with reference to <FIG>, methods of manufacturing the display panel are provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that elements of the described methods of <FIG> may be combined with one another to obtain more specific embodiments. For example, aspects of the method described with reference to <FIG> may be utilized in the method described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram <NUM> of a first method of manufacturing the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) is depicted.

At <NUM>, the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>) having the display area (e.g., D) and the non-display area (e.g., C) is formed on a rigid substrate, such as rigid substrate <NUM> described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, <NUM> may further include all or part of a method for forming the flexible substrate <NUM> on the rigid substrate as described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram <NUM> of a method of forming the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>) on the rigid substrate, such as rigid substrate <NUM> described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>, is depicted.

At <NUM>, the first organic layer (e.g., <NUM>), the first inorganic layer (e.g., <NUM>), and the second organic layer (e.g., <NUM>) may be sequentially formed on the rigid substrate. In some examples, wherein the one or more first grooves (e.g., <NUM>) and the one or more second grooves (e.g., <NUM>) are located in the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>), one or both of the one or more first grooves <NUM> and the one or more second grooves <NUM> may be located in the second organic layer <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the second inorganic layer (e.g., <NUM>) may be conformally formed on a side of the second organic layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the first inorganic layer (e.g., <NUM>) to form the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>) on the rigid substrate. As used herein, "conformally" refers to maintaining a shape. For example, conformally forming a first film layer on a second film layer means that a shape of a surface of the first film layer is equivalent to a shape of a surface of the second film layer, such that the surface of the first film layer is in face-sharing contact with the surface of the second film layer.

Referring now to <FIG>, optionally after <NUM>, at <NUM>, the flat layer (e.g., <NUM>), the buffer layer (e.g., <NUM>), the second wire layer (e.g., <NUM>), the insulating layer (e.g., <NUM>), and the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) may be sequentially formed on the flexible substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the display structure layer <NUM> may be an organic display structure layer, such as an OLED structural layer, or a QLED structural layer. In some examples, the display structure layer <NUM> may cover at least the display area D.

At <NUM>, the dam structure (e.g., <NUM>) is formed in the non-display area (e.g., C) and around the display area (e.g., D).

At <NUM>, the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) are formed in the non-display area (e.g., C) between the display area (e.g., D) and the dam structure (e.g., <NUM>). In some examples, the one or more grooves <NUM> may include one or both of a discontinuous, or non-annular, groove and a non-interrupted, or continuous, or annular, groove. In some examples, the width of the opening of each groove of the one or more grooves <NUM> may be greater than the width of the bottom of the groove. According to the invention, the one or more grooves include a plurality of first grooves (e.g., <NUM>) and a plurality of second grooves (e.g., <NUM>). In the present invention, the first grooves are formed in the flat layer (e.g., <NUM>). Furthermore, the first grooves gradually decrease in depth in the direction (e.g., X) away from the display area D. In the present invention, the second grooves <NUM> are formed in the flexible substrate <NUM>. Furthermore, the second grooves gradually decrease in depth in the direction X away from the display area D.

At <NUM>, the organic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) is formed on the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>). In some examples, each of the first inorganic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) and the second inorganic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) may be further formed on the side of the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>). In some examples, the encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) may be formed from a sequential covering, or stacking, of the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>, the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, and the second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>. In some examples, the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, or the encapsulation layer <NUM>, may cover the display area (e.g., D), at least a portion of the non-display area (e.g., C), and the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>).

At <NUM>, the rigid substrate is peeled off.

In summary, the first method of manufacturing the display panel <NUM> includes forming the flexible substrate <NUM> having the display area D and the non-display area C on the rigid substrate. The dam structure <NUM> is then formed in the non-display area C and around the display area D. The one or more grooves <NUM> are then formed in the non-display area C between the display area D and the dam structure <NUM>. The flexible substrate <NUM> is then covered with the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>. When the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is formed, the one or more grooves <NUM> can drain organic material, thereby increasing the flatness of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, which further increases the flatness (e.g., <NUM>) and reduces the slope angle (e.g., <NUM>) of the edge of the encapsulation layer <NUM> as a whole. Further, via such draining by the one or more grooves <NUM>, the contact area of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> with a substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is disposed can be increased, thereby reducing peeling between the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> and the substrate, and improving the overall quality of the display panel <NUM>. The rigid substrate is then peeled off.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram <NUM> of a second method of manufacturing the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) is depicted. In one example, the display panel <NUM> thus formed is the display panel <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. As such, the grooves (e.g., <NUM>) include the three first grooves 141e, 141f, and <NUM> and the two second grooves 142c and 142d. Further, the first grooves 141e, 141f, and <NUM> are located in the flat layer <NUM> and the second grooves 142c and 142d are located in the flexible substrate <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>) having the display area (e.g., D), the non-display area (e.g., C), and the second grooves (e.g., <NUM>) are formed on the rigid substrate, such as rigid substrate <NUM> described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, the display area D may be an implementation area of a display function of the display panel <NUM>, and the non-display area C may be an area outside of the display area D. Further details of forming of the flexible substrate <NUM> on the rigid substrate may be described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a first example step of the manufacturing process of the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) is depicted. The first organic layer <NUM>, the first inorganic layer <NUM>, and the second organic layer <NUM> are sequentially formed on the rigid substrate <NUM> by deposition, coating, sputtering, or the like. Once formed, the thickness of the second organic layer <NUM> may be around <NUM>. Further, once the second organic layer <NUM> is formed, a portion of the second organic layer <NUM> corresponding to the non-display area C is etched using a gray mask process, or grayscale mask process, to obtain the second grooves 142c and 142d of different depths. As used herein, the gray mask process may refer to a photolithography process, or composition process, or graphic process, using a gray mask, which includes photoresist coating, exposure, development, etching, and photoresist stripping. A transmittance, or light transmittance, of an area of the gray mask corresponding to where the second grooves 142c and 142d are located is different. For example, the photoresist may be a positive photoresist. As such, assuming that a first area is an area of the gray mask corresponding to where the second groove 142c having a deeper depth is located, and a second area is an area of the gray mask corresponding to where the second groove 142d having a shallower depth is located, then the light transmittance of the first area is greater than that of the second area.

After the second grooves 142c and 142d are formed in the second organic layer <NUM>, the second inorganic layer <NUM> is conformally formed by depositing, coating, or sputtering (or the like) on the side of the second organic layer <NUM> away from the first organic layer <NUM> to form the flexible substrate <NUM> having the second grooves 142c and 142d.

Referring now to <FIG>, at <NUM>, the flat layer (e.g., <NUM>) is formed on the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>). In some examples, the flat layer <NUM> may cover at least the display area (e.g., D). In some examples, and as described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>, prior to forming the flat layer <NUM>, further film layers that may assist in one or more functions of the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) may be conformally formed on the flexible substrate <NUM> by way of deposition, coating, sputtering, or the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a second example step of the manufacturing process of the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) is depicted. The buffer layer <NUM>, the second wire layer <NUM>, and the insulating layer <NUM> are sequentially and conformally coated on the side of the second inorganic layer <NUM> away from the first organic layer <NUM>.

Further, the flat layer <NUM> covering at least the display area D may be formed on the side of the insulating layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the thickness of the flat layer <NUM> may be around <NUM> to <NUM>. In some examples, the thickness of the flat layer <NUM> may be around <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, at <NUM>, one or more first grooves (e.g., <NUM>) are formed in the flat layer (e.g., <NUM>). Further details of forming of the one or more first grooves <NUM> in the flat layer <NUM> may be described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a third example step of the manufacturing process of the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) is depicted. The non-display area C of the flat layer <NUM> is etched using a gray mask process, such as the gray mask process described hereinabove with reference to <FIG>, to obtain the first grooves 141e, 141f, and <NUM> of different depths.

Referring now to <FIG>, at <NUM>, the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) is formed in the display area (e.g., D) on the side of the flat layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>). Further details of forming of the display structure layer <NUM> in the flat layer <NUM> may be described hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of a fourth example step of the manufacturing process of the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) is depicted. In some examples, a first wire layer (not shown in <FIG>) is formed on the side of the insulating layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate <NUM> by deposition, coating, sputtering, or the like, and then performing a photolithography process. In some examples, the first wire layer may be a source/drain wire layer including a source wire and a drain wire. In some examples, the first wire layer may not overlap with the flat layer <NUM>. In some examples, the first wire layer may be made of titanium or aluminum. The third wire layer <NUM> is then formed on the side of the flat layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate <NUM> by deposition, coating, sputtering, or the like, and then performing a photolithography process. In some examples, the third wire layer <NUM> may be a cathode wire layer. The display structure layer <NUM> is then formed in the display area D on the side of the third wire layer <NUM> away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the display structure layer <NUM> may be an OLED structure layer, where the OLED structure layer includes a plurality of OLED devices <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, at <NUM>, a dam structure (e.g., <NUM>) is formed at the edge of the non-display area (e.g., C). In some examples, the dam structure <NUM> may be in an annular, or ring, shape. In an example process, after the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) is formed, a film layer may be formed on the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>) by deposition, coating, sputtering, or the like. The film layer may then undergo a photolithography process to obtain the dam structure <NUM>.

In some examples, the dam structure <NUM> may be simultaneously formed when the display structure layer <NUM> is formed such that forming the dam structure <NUM> and forming the display structure layer <NUM> share at least one patterning process. For example, the dam structure <NUM> may include a first structural layer and a second structural layer. The first structural layer may be formed in the same layer as the pixel definition layer in the display structure layer <NUM>, that is, formed by the same photolithography process. Further, the second structural layer may be formed in the same layer as the light-emitting layer in the display structure layer <NUM>. As such, a manufacturing process of the dam structure <NUM> and a manufacturing process of the display structure layer <NUM> may share two patterning processes.

At <NUM>, the organic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) is formed on the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>). The organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, or the encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>), covers the display area (e.g., D), at least a portion of the non-display area (e.g., C), and the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>). The organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, or the encapsulation layer <NUM>, covers the one or more first grooves (e.g., <NUM>) and the one or more second grooves (e.g., <NUM>) on the side of the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the flexible substrate <NUM>.

In some examples, each of the first inorganic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) and the second inorganic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) may be further formed on the side of the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>). In some examples, the encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) may be formed from a sequential covering, or stacking, of the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>, the organic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>), and the second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM>. For example, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process may be used to deposit the first inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> on the side of the second flat layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. The organic encapsulation layer <NUM> may then be formed by an inkjet printing (IJP) process. The second inorganic encapsulation layer <NUM> may then be formed using a CVD process.

While forming the organic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>), the one or more first grooves (e.g., <NUM>) may slow down the flow rate of an organic material, such as a polyimide material, so that the organic material may be uniformly distributed in various regions of the non-display area (e.g., C). Further, while forming the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, the one or more second grooves (e.g., <NUM>) may quickly slow down the flow rate of the organic material, thereby preventing the organic material from overflowing the dam structure (e.g., <NUM>) which defines the edge of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the touch line (e.g., <NUM>) may be formed on the side of the organic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>).

Optionally, in some examples not forming part of the invention, wherein the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) may include only one or more first grooves (e.g., <NUM>), and the one or more first grooves <NUM> are located in the flat layer (e.g., <NUM>), <NUM> may alternatively include forming the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>) on the rigid substrate (e.g., <NUM>), wherein the flexible substrate <NUM> may have a completely plate-like structure. Further, <NUM> may alternatively include forming the organic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) covering the one or more first grooves <NUM> on the side of the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. Each other method step accordingly remains the same.

Optionally, in some examples not forming part of the invention, wherein the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) are located in the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>), <NUM> may alternatively include forming the flexible substrate <NUM> having the one or more grooves <NUM> on the rigid substrate (e.g., <NUM>). Further, <NUM> may be omitted. Further, <NUM> may alternatively include forming the organic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) on the side of the display structure layer (e.g., <NUM>) away from the flexible substrate <NUM>. Each other method step accordingly remains the same.

It will be appreciated that, in the manufacturing processes and methods detailed hereinabove with reference to <FIG>, a number, a depth, or a type (e.g., discontinuous, non-interrupted) of the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) are set based on actual production requirements, and are not to be limited by any embodiment of the present disclosure.

It will be appreciated that each of the first wire layer, the second wire layer (e.g., <NUM>), and the third wire layer (e.g., <NUM>) may be other types of wire layers than those described in the present disclosure. Further, any set of one or more layers may be disposed in any sequential arrangement with respect to the any other set of one or more layers. As such, the embodiments of the present disclosure are only examples and are not limited thereto.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific steps of the manufacturing processes and methods detailed hereinabove with reference to <FIG> may refer to corresponding processes/elements in the device embodiments for convenience and brevity of description, details of which are not described herein again.

In summary, the manufacturing method of the display panel (e.g., <NUM>) includes forming the flexible substrate (e.g., <NUM>) having the display area (e.g., D) and the non-display area (e.g., C), and the one or more grooves (e.g., <NUM>) disposed in the non-display area C between the display area D and the dam structure (e.g., <NUM>). When the organic encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) is formed, the one or more grooves <NUM> can drain organic material, thereby increasing the flatness of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM>, which further increases the flatness (e.g., <NUM>) and reduces the slope angle (e.g., <NUM>) of the edge of the encapsulation layer (e.g., <NUM>) as a whole. Further, via such draining by the one or more grooves <NUM>, the contact area of the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> with a substrate on which the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> is disposed can be increased, thereby reducing peeling between the organic encapsulation layer <NUM> and the substrate, and improving the overall quality of the display panel <NUM>.

In this way, a display panel is provided, which includes a flexible substrate having a display area and a non-display area, where an annular dam structure is located in the non-display area and disposed around the display area, and one or more grooves are disposed in the non-display area between the display area and the annular dam structure, which may drain organic material during formation of an organic encapsulation layer. The technical effect of the draining via the annular dam structure and the groove is that a flatness of the organic encapsulation layer may be improved and peeling between the organic encapsulation layer and a substrate on which it is disposed may be reduced.

The display panel includes: a flexible substrate having a display area and a non-display area; a dam structure, located in the non-display area and disposed around the display area; one or more grooves disposed in the non-display area between the display area and the dam structure; and an encapsulation layer covering the display area, at least a portion of the non-display area, and a plurality of grooves.

Optionally, each groove of the plurality of grooves is spaced apart from each adjacent groove of the plurality of grooves.

In the display panel, the display panel further comprises: a flat layer disposed on the flexible substrate, the flat layer covering at least the display area. The grooves include first grooves and second grooves; the first grooves are located between the display area and an edge of the flat layer; and the second grooves are located in a region between the edge of the flat layer and the dam structure.

The first grooves are located in the flat layer.

The second grooves are located in the flexible substrate.

The first grooves gradually decrease in depth in a direction away from the display area.

The second grooves gradually decrease in depth in the direction away from the display area.

Optionally, in the display panel, the flexible substrate includes a first organic layer, a first inorganic layer, a second organic layer, and a second inorganic layer that are sequentially stacked; and one or both of the one or more first grooves and the one or more second grooves are located in a surface of the second organic layer adjacent to the second inorganic layer.

Optionally, in the display panel, a width of an opening of each groove is greater than a width of a bottom of the groove.

Optionally, in the display panel, the grooves include one or both of a discontinuous groove and a non-interrupted groove.

Optionally, in the display panel, the encapsulation layer comprises an organic encapsulation layer, a first inorganic encapsulation layer located on a side of the organic encapsulation layer closest to the flexible substrate, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer located on a side of the organic encapsulation layer away from the flexible substrate.

Optionally, a display device includes: the display panel; and a transparent cover. The transparent cover is in face-sharing contact with the display panel.

Optionally, in the display device, the transparent cover comprises a transparent substrate, a polarizer, and a touch line, where the polarizer and the touch line are disposed on the transparent substrate; and a side of the transparent substrate on which the polarizer and the touch line are disposed is in face-sharing contact with the encapsulation layer of the display panel.

Optionally, in the display device, the transparent cover comprises a transparent substrate, where a polarizer is disposed on the transparent substrate; the display panel further comprises a touch line disposed on a side of the encapsulation layer away from the flexible substrate; and a side of the transparent substrate on which the polarizer is disposed is in face-sharing contact with the display panel, and the touch line is disposed between the polarizer of the transparent cover and the encapsulation layer of the display panel.

Optionally, in the display device, the transparent cover is a 3D cover.

The method of manufacturing a display panel includes: forming a flexible substrate on a rigid substrate, the flexible substrate having a display area and a non-display area; forming a dam structure in the non-display area and around the display area; forming a plurality of grooves in the non-display area between the display area and the dam structure; forming an encapsulation layer on the flexible substrate; and peeling off the rigid substrate; wherein the encapsulation layer covers the display area, at least a portion of the non-display area, and the one or more grooves.

The method further comprises: forming a flat layer on the flexible substrate; and forming a display structure layer in the display area on a side of the flat layer away from the flexible substrate. The flat layer covers at least the display area; the grooves comprise a plurality of first grooves and a plurality of second grooves; the first grooves are located between the display area and an edge of the flat layer; and the second grooves are located in a region between the edge of the flat layer and the dam structure.

The first grooves are formed in the flat layer.

The second grooves are formed in the flexible substrate.

The first grooves that gradually decrease in depth in a direction away from the display area.

The second grooves include a plurality of second grooves that gradually decrease in depth in the direction away from the display area.

Optionally, in the method, the forming the flexible substrate on the rigid substrate comprises: sequentially forming a first organic layer, a first inorganic layer, and a second organic layer on the rigid substrate; and forming a second inorganic layer conformally on a side of the second organic layer away from the first inorganic layer. One or both of the first grooves and the second grooves are located in the second organic layer.

Optionally, in the method, the method further comprises forming a touch line on a side of the organic encapsulation layer away from the flexible substrate.

Optionally, in the method, the forming the dam structure and the forming the display structure layer share at least one patterning process.

Optionally, in the method, the grooves include one or both of a discontinuous groove and a non-interrupted groove; and a width of an opening of each groove is greater than a width of a bottom of the groove.

<FIG> and <FIG> show example configurations with relative positioning of the various components described herein. If shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a "top" of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a "bottom" of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example. Elements may be depicted approximately to scale, and should not be limited to the relative sizes shown in the figures.

The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims may refer to "an" element or "a first" element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A display panel (<NUM>), comprising:
a flexible substrate (<NUM>) having a display area (D) and a non-display area (C);
a dam structure (<NUM>), located in the non-display area (C) and disposed around the display area (D);
a plurality of grooves (<NUM>) disposed in the non-display area (C) between the display area (D) and the dam structure (<NUM>);
an organic encapsulation layer (<NUM>) covering the display area (D), at least a portion of the non-display area (C), and the plurality of grooves (<NUM>); and
a flat layer (<NUM>) disposed on the flexible substrate (<NUM>), the flat layer (<NUM>) covering at least the display area (D), wherein
the plurality of grooves (<NUM>) include a plurality of first grooves (<NUM>) and a plurality of second grooves (<NUM>); the plurality of first grooves (<NUM>) are located between the display area (D) and an edge of the flat layer (<NUM>) and in the flat layer (<NUM>); and the plurality of second grooves (<NUM>) are located in the flexible substrate (<NUM>) and in a region between the edge of the flat layer (<NUM>) and the dam structure (<NUM>);
characterized in that:
the first grooves (<NUM>) gradually decrease in depth in a direction (X) away from the display area (D); and the second grooves (<NUM>) gradually decrease in depth in the direction (X) away from the display area (D).