Patent Description:
This disclosure pertains to the field of display technologies, and the invention more specifically relates to a display panel and a display apparatus.

With development of display technologies, portable display apparatuses such as a mobile phone and a tablet computer become indispensable products in people's lives. A large-sized display screen can improve visual experience of a user, and is deeply liked by the user. However, the large-sized display screen also makes a display apparatus less portable, and therefore, a foldable display apparatus appears. The foldable display apparatus has a large-sized display screen in an unfolded state, and has a relatively small display screen in a folded state, and is applicable to different application scenarios, so that the foldable display apparatus can obtain a relatively small volume and is easy to carry. The foldable display apparatus brings multifunctional application scenarios and visual impact to the user. In an actual application, the display screen is in folded and flattened states for many times. A bending part of the display screen is at a risk of film layer stripping or rupture due to repeated bending. In the flattened state, a film layer of the bending part also has a problem that arching cannot be fully flattened. In addition, currently, there is also a problem of abnormal display caused by a package failure due to an impact on the display screen.

<CIT> discloses a cover window of a flexible display device includes a base substrate including an out-folding area, an in-folding area, and peripheral areas disposed on opposing sides of at least one of the out-folding area and the in-folding area, a first hard coating layer at a top surface of the base substrate, the first hard coating layer having a substantially uniform thickness, and a second hard coating layer at a bottom surface of the base substrate opposite to the top surface, the second hard coating layer having a thickness different from the thickness of the first hard coating layer. A thickness of a first area of the second hard coating layer that overlaps with the out-folding area and the in-folding area of the base substrate is less than a thickness of a second area of the second hard coating layer that overlaps with the peripheral areas of the base substrate.

<CIT> discloses a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes: a display module including a flexible substrate, a display panel, and an encapsulation film; a lower module disposed below the display module; an upper module disposed on the display module; and an elasticity-adjusting layer disposed on or below the display module to adjust a position of a neutral plane in bending of the display apparatus, wherein an elastic modulus of the elasticity-adjusting layer is less than that of at least one of the display module, the lower module, or the upper module, so as to position the neutral plane within or proximate to the display module.

<CIT> discloses a flexible display device. The flexible display device includes a housing, a flexible display panel, a cover window and a first viscoelastic fluid layer. The flexible display panel is arranged on the housing. The cover window is formed in the flexible display panel. The first viscoelastic fluid layer is arranged between the cover window and the flexible display panel. The first viscoelastic fluid layer has flexibility under normal conditions, can meet the requirement for dynamic bending, has characteristics of shearing and thickening when subjected to external impact andcan effectively block the external impact force and protect the flexible display device.

In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a display panel and a display apparatus, according to the appended claims <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to resolve problems that repeated bending of the display panel causes film layer stripping or rupture, and arching of a bending part cannot be recovered in a flattened state, and to improve an impact resistance capability of the display panel. Further embodiments and improvements of the invention are listed in the attached dependent claims.

The invention provides a display panel, where the display panel includes: a display layer, a package layer, and a functional film layer that are stacked in sequence, where the display layer includes a plurality of light emitting devices; the functional film layer is located on a side of the package layer that is away from the display layer, and the functional film layer includes at least one elastic recovery layer; and the display panel includes a bendable area, and the elastic recovery layer is at least located in the bendable area.

According to the invention, the elastic recovery layer is disposed on the package layer, and the elastic recovery layer has a relatively good capability of recovering to an initial state after deformation. When the display panel changes from a bent state to a flattened state, the elastic recovery layer is configured to assist another film layer in the panel in performing arching recovery after bending, thereby reducing a risk that repeated bending causes film layer stripping or rupture, and the arching of the bending part cannot be recovered in the flattened state. In addition, the elastic recovery layer may have a good damping property. When the display panel is subjected to impact, the elastic recovery layer can absorb impact energy, so as to protect the package layer on a light emitting device, and avoid abnormal display due to a package failure, thereby improving an impact resistance capability of the display panel.

According to the invention, the functional film layer further includes a first protective layer, and the first protective layer is located on a side of the elastic recovery layer that is away from the package layer. The first protective layer is configured to protect the display panel on a side of a display surface of the display panel.

Optionally, the functional film layer further includes a polarizer, and the polarizer is located on a side of the elastic recovery layer that is away from the first protective layer. Alternatively, the polarizer is located between the elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer. The polarizer can reduce reflection of ambient light by the display panel, so as to improve a display effect.

Optionally, the functional film layer further includes an adhesive layer, and two adjacent film layers in the functional film layer are bonded by using the adhesive layer. Optionally, the elastic recovery layer in the functional film layer and at least one film layer adjacent to the elastic recovery layer are in direct contact with each other and are integrated.

In one embodiment, the elastic recovery layer and the polarizer that are in the functional film layer are integrated.

In another embodiment, the elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer that are in the functional film layer are integrated.

In another embodiment, the first protective layer, the elastic recovery layer, and the polarizer that are stacked in sequence in the functional film layer are all integrated.

Specifically, the display panel further includes a touch structure layer, and the touch structure layer is located on a side of the package layer that is away from the display layer.

Optionally, the touch structure layer and the package layer are integrated. Disposing of the adhesive layer between the touch structure layer and the package layer is reduced, which helps to reduce a thickness of the display panel.

Specifically, the display panel further includes a touch structure layer and a color filter layer. The touch structure layer is in direct contact with the package layer, and the color filter layer is in direct contact with the touch structure layer. The package layer, the touch structure layer, and the color filter layer that are stacked in sequence are all integrated. The color filter layer includes a color filter unit and a light shielding part. In a direction perpendicular to the display panel, the color filter unit overlaps the light emitting device, and the light shielding part is located between two adjacent color filter units. The adhesive layer used in a bonding process of the touch structure layer and the package layer, and the adhesive layer used in a bonding process of the color filter layer and the touch structure layer are reduced. Therefore, use of the adhesive layer in a display panel structure is reduced, which helps to reduce the thickness of the display panel. In addition, the color filter layer is disposed on the touch structure layer. The color filter layer can reduce reflection of ambient light by the light emitting device and metal wiring, and can also reduce reflection of ambient light by the touch structure layer, thereby improving a display effect of the display panel.

Specifically, a thickness of the elastic recovery layer is d, and <NUM>≤d≤<NUM>.

Specifically, light transmittance of the elastic recovery layer for visible light is greater than <NUM>%.

Specifically, an elastic recovery ratio of the elastic recovery layer is greater than <NUM>%.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a display apparatus, including a display panel provided in any embodiment of the present disclosure.

The display panel and the display apparatus provided in this disclosure have the following beneficial effects: An elastic recovery layer is disposed on a package layer, and the elastic recovery layer has a relatively good capability of recovering to an initial state after deformation. When the display panel changes from a bent state to a flattened state, the elastic recovery layer can assist another film layer in the panel in performing arching recovery after bending, thereby reducing a risk that repeated bending causes film layer stripping or rupture, and the arching of the bending part cannot be recovered in the flattened state. In addition, the elastic recovery layer has a good damping property. When the display panel is subjected to impact, the elastic recovery layer can absorb impact energy, so as to protect the package layer on a light emitting device, and avoid abnormal display due to a package failure, thereby improving an impact resistance capability of the display panel.

Based on problems in the conventional technology, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display panel and a display apparatus. An elastic recovery layer is disposed on a package layer in the display panel. The elastic recovery layer bends with a module structure during bending, and when the display panel is flattened, the elastic recovery layer can assist another film layer of a bending part in performing arching recovery after bending, thereby reducing a risk that repeated bending causes film layer stripping or rupture, and the arching of the bending part cannot be recovered in a flattened state. In addition, the elastic recovery layer has a good damping property. When the display panel is subjected to impact, the elastic recovery layer can absorb impact energy, so as to protect the package layer on a light emitting device, and avoid abnormal display due to a package failure, thereby improving an impact resistance capability of the display panel. In a film layer structure of the display panel, the elastic recovery layer and a film layer adjacent to the elastic recovery layer may be bonded by using an adhesive layer. Alternatively, during production, the elastic recovery layer is in direct contact with another film layer to form an integrated complex film, which is then bonded to another film layer structure of the display panel, so as to reduce use of the adhesive layer in the display panel. The following describes this application by using specific embodiments.

The display panel provided in the embodiment; includes a bendable area, and the bendable area can be bent and deformed. The display panel includes a folded state and a flattened state. In the folded state, bending deformation occurs in the bendable area; and in the flattened state, the bendable area is recovered from deformation, and the display panel is recovered to the flattened state. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a flattened state of a display panel according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a bent state of a display panel according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a film layer structure in a bent area of a display panel according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment.

A bendable area <NUM> of the display panel is shown in <FIG>, and a bent state is shown in <FIG>. In a folded state, the bendable area <NUM> is deformed, which is equivalent to that the display panel is half-folded and bent to form upper and lower lamination structures. In an embodiment, the bendable area <NUM> is located in a central area of the display panel. When the display panel is half-folded and bent, the upper and lower lamination structures are parallel and flush with each other. Optionally, if the bendable area <NUM> deviates from the central area of the display panel, when the display panel is half-folded and bent, there is a specific dislocation in the upper and lower lamination structures. It should be noted that <FIG> merely shows that the display panel includes one bendable area <NUM>. This application imposes no limitation on a quantity of bendable areas in the display panel. Optionally, the display panel may alternatively include two or more bendable areas. For example, the display panel includes two bendable areas. When bending deformation occurs in the two bendable areas in a folded state, the display panel may form a three-layer lamination structure.

As shown in <FIG>, the display panel includes: an array substrate <NUM>, a display layer <NUM>, and a package layer <NUM> that are stacked in sequence. The display layer <NUM> includes a plurality of light emitting devices <NUM>, and the figure further shows that the light emitting device <NUM> includes an anode <NUM>, a light emitting layer <NUM>, and a cathode <NUM>. The anode <NUM> is a reflection anode, the cathode <NUM> is a transparent cathode, the light emitting layer <NUM> can emit light directly towards the cathode <NUM>, and this part of light is directly emitted from the cathode <NUM>. In addition, the light emitting layer <NUM> also emits light towards the anode <NUM>, and this part of light is reflected by the anode <NUM> and then emitted from the cathode <NUM>. Therefore, a light emitting surface of the display layer <NUM> is a surface on a side of the cathode <NUM>; and light is emitted from the display layer <NUM> towards the package layer <NUM>, and then penetrates another structure layer of the display panel to be emitted from the display panel. The array substrate <NUM> includes a plurality of thin film transistors <NUM> and a plurality of signal lines (not shown). A drain (not shown) of the thin film transistor <NUM> is electrically connected to the anode <NUM> of the light emitting device <NUM>. In the figure, the thin film transistor <NUM> is merely shown as a top gate structure. The package layer <NUM> is configured to perform package protection on the light emitting device <NUM>, so as to isolate water and oxygen, and ensure a service life of the light emitting device <NUM>. Optionally, the package layer <NUM> includes an organic package layer and an inorganic package layer that are alternately stacked. The figure merely shows that the package layer <NUM> includes two inorganic package layers <NUM> and one organic package layer <NUM>.

The display panel further includes a functional film layer <NUM>, where the functional film layer <NUM> is located on a side of the package layer <NUM> that is away from the display layer <NUM>. The functional film layer <NUM> includes at least one elastic recovery layer <NUM>; and the elastic recovery layer <NUM> has a relatively good capability of recovering to an initial state after bending, and can be used to assist another film layer in performing arching recovery after bending. In this embodiment of the present invention, the elastic recovery layer <NUM> is at least located in the bendable area <NUM>, that is, the elastic recovery layer <NUM> may be disposed only in the bendable area <NUM>, or an entire-layer elastic recovery layer <NUM> may be disposed. As shown in <FIG>, a bendable area <NUM> and an elastic recovery layer <NUM> disposed on a whole surface are shown, and the elastic recovery layer <NUM> disposed on a whole surface can facilitate structure flatness of display panel.

During production of the display panel, a substrate is first provided, and an array substrate, a display layer, a package layer, and the like are successively produced on the substrate to form a display module. In this application, structure layers directly formed on the substrate may be collectively referred to as a display module. The functional film layer is located on the display module, and the functional film layer includes structure layers such as a polarizer, a protective layer, and an adhesive layer. The functional film layer is bonded to the display module by using the adhesive layer.

Still referring to <FIG> shows that the functional film layer further includes a first protective layer <NUM> and a polarizer <NUM>. The first protective layer <NUM> is located on a side of the elastic recovery layer <NUM> that is away from the package layer <NUM>, and the polarizer <NUM> is located on a side of the elastic recovery layer <NUM> that is away from the first protective layer <NUM>. The first protective layer <NUM> may be an ultra-thin glass layer or a polyimide film, and the first protective layer <NUM> is configured to protect another film layer in the display panel. The polarizer <NUM> can reduce reflection of ambient light by the display panel, so as to improve a display effect. Optionally, a hard cover layer is further disposed on the first protective layer <NUM>, and a hardness of the hard cover layer is greater than a hardness of the first protective layer. The hard cover layer can further protect another film layer in the display panel.

In the display panel structure, film layers such as a polarizer, a protective layer, and an adhesive layer further need to be disposed on the package layer. In a process in which the display panel changes from being bent to being flattened, elastic recovery capabilities of different film layers are different, as a result, some film layers cannot be recovered to an initial flattened state, and a phenomenon of arching of the bending part and film layer stripping or even rupture occurs. In this embodiment, the elastic recovery layer is disposed on the package layer, and the elastic recovery layer has a relatively good capability of recovering to an initial state after deformation. When the display panel changes from a bent state to a flattened state, the elastic recovery layer can assist another film layer in the panel in performing arching recovery after bending, thereby reducing a risk that repeated bending causes film layer stripping or rupture, and the arching of the bending part cannot be recovered in the flattened state. In addition, the elastic recovery layer has a good damping property. When the display panel is subjected to impact, the elastic recovery layer can absorb impact energy, so as to protect the package layer on a light emitting device, and avoid abnormal display due to a package failure, thereby improving an impact resistance capability of the display panel.

Specifically, light transmittance of the elastic recovery layer for visible light is greater than <NUM>%, and a haze of the elastic recovery layer is less than <NUM>%, so that it is ensured that the elastic recovery layer has high transparency. The elastic recovery layer is disposed on a side of a light emitting surface of the display layer, and high transparency of the elastic recovery layer can avoid affecting the display effect.

Specifically, an elastic recovery ratio of the elastic recovery layer is greater than <NUM>%, and the elastic recovery ratio is a proportion of a recoverable part in tensile deformation. For example, when the elastic recovery layer is pre-stretched by <NUM>%, the elastic recovery ratio of the elastic recovery layer is greater than <NUM>%. The elastic recovery ratio of the elastic recovery layer is relatively high, which can ensure that the elastic recovery layer still has a very good recovery capability after bending after the display panel is repeatedly bent for use.

An elastic restoring force of the elastic recovery layer is F, and <NUM> MJ˙m-<NUM>≤F≤<NUM> MJ˙m-<NUM>. The elastic restoring force is a restoring force after deformation due to an external force In the present disclosure, the elastic restoring force of the elastic recovery layer meets a specific value range, so as to ensure that when the display panel transitions from a bent state to a flattened state, the elastic recovery layer can generate a strong enough restoring force, to ensure that the elastic recovery layer can assist another film layer in performing arching recovery after bending.

An elastic modulus of the elastic recovery layer is <NUM>-<NUM> MPa. The elastic modulus is used to measure a degree of difficulty in generating elastic deformation of a material. In the present disclosure, the elastic modulus of the elastic recovery layer meets a specific range, so that it is ensured that the elastic recovery layer has specific flexibility and can be bent with the display panel; and has specific rigidity and can assist another film layer in performing arching recovery after bending in a flattened state.

In this embodiment, a material for producing the elastic recovery layer includes a high molecular polymer material, which may be a thermoplastic elastic material or a thermosetting elastic material. The thermoplastic elastic material includes, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane, a polyene elastomer, and a polyether elastomer; and the thermosetting elastic material includes, for example, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, an organosilicon elastomer, sulfonated polyether sulfone, and polyamide (nylon).

In an embodiment, the material for producing the elastic recovery layer includes thermoplastic polyurethane. A thermoplastic polyurethane material has a wide hardness range, has a high elasticity in a range of Shore A <NUM>-Shore D <NUM>, and has flexibility in a wide temperature range from -<NUM> to <NUM>. In addition, the thermoplastic polyurethane material also has good performance such as weather resistance and high energy ray resistance, and advantages such as high tensile strength, high elongation, and a low permanent deformation rate of long-term compression. The elastic recovery layer made of the thermoplastic polyurethane material can effectively assist another film layer in the panel in performing arching recovery after bending, and improve an impact resistance capability of the display panel.

Optionally, a hardness is adjusted by controlling a ratio of a hard segment to a soft segment when the high molecular polymer material is produced. The hard segment is a relatively rigid molecular chain segment, such as aromatic hydrocarbon, in the high molecular polymer material; and the soft segment is a relatively flexible molecular chain segment, such as aliphatic hydrocarbon. For example, the material for producing the elastic recovery layer includes thermoplastic polyurethane. To further have features of high light transmittance, non-yellowing due to ultraviolet, high toughness, and a high elastic recovery ratio in a high hardness state, aliphatic series (such as macromolecule glycol, polyisocyanate, and a chain extender) may be used to increase a proportion of the soft segment during production.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, a thickness of the elastic recovery layer <NUM> is d, and <NUM>≤d≤<NUM>. The thickness of the elastic recovery layer meets a specific range, to ensure that the elastic recovery layer has a relatively good elastic recovery capability, so as to assist another film layer in performing arching recovery after bending. In addition, a damping property of the elastic recovery layer can protect the package layer from an impact of an external force, so as to avoid abnormal display due to a package failure. This disclosure further provides a method for producing an elastic recovery layer. A specific process includes:.

The foregoing step S101 to step S105 provide the method for producing an elastic recovery layer. When a film layer of the elastic recovery layer is produced alone, a release film may be first laid on a carrier substrate, then the elastic recovery layer is produced on the release film by using the foregoing method, and then a release film is produced on the elastic recovery layer. During production of the panel, the release films on both sides of the elastic recovery layer are removed, and the elastic recovery layer and a structure layer of the display panel are bonded by using an adhesive layer.

In an embodiment, the elastic recovery layer is made of one material; and in another embodiment, the elastic recovery layer is made of two or more materials.

In an embodiment, the elastic recovery layer is a one-layer structure made of one material. In another embodiment, the elastic recovery layer is a two-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, and the two-layer structure or the multi-layer structure may also be made of a same material. Alternatively, different structure layers in the elastic recovery layer are made of different materials. For example, the elastic recovery layer includes a first structure layer, a second structure layer, and a third structure layer that are stacked in sequence. Bond performance of both the first structure layer and the third structure layer is greater than bond performance of the second structure layer, and an elastic recovery capability of the second structure layer in the structure layers is the strongest. That is, two or more structure layers with different physical properties are coordinated to form an elastic recovery layer, so as to ensure that the elastic recovery layer has a relatively strong elastic recovery capability and relatively high visible light transmittance, which can ensure that the elastic recovery layer has good bonding reliability with another film layer in the display panel.

When the elastic recovery layer includes a two-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, each structure layer may be produced with reference to the foregoing process of step S101 to step S105. For example, the elastic recovery layer includes two structure layers. After the first structure layer is produced, the second structure layer is directly produced on the first structure layer, and finally an integrated elastic recovery layer is formed. That is, this is a structure that is formed depending on a production process and in which adjacent structure layers are in close contact with each other and bonded, and adjacent structure layers in the integrated elastic recovery layer are in contact with each other and tightly bonded.

The elastic recovery layer may also be produced together with another film layer to form an integrated complex film. For example, the elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer can form an integrated first complex film. During production, the first protective layer is used as a carrier substrate, and the elastic recovery layer is produced on the first protective layer by using the process in the foregoing step S101 to step S105 on the first protective layer. The elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer are subjected to thermal bonding to obtain the integrated first complex film. Then, a release film is laid on the first complex film. During production of the display panel, after the release film is removed, the first complex film and the structure layer of the display panel are bonded by using the adhesive layer.

In this disclosure, the foregoing involves "the integrated elastic recovery layer" and "the integrated first complex film", and the following further involves "adjacent layers (or structures) are integrated, for example, the elastic recovery layer and the polarizer are integrated". "Integrated" is understood as a structure in which two or three film layers are successively produced and formed depending on a production process, and the layers can be in close contact with each other and bonded without using an adhesive layer. For example, the integrated first complex film means that the elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer are integrated, and the elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer have no adhesive layer. In the following specific embodiments, references may be made to this description for understanding when an "integrated" structure is involved.

In another embodiment, after the integrated first complex film is obtained, the polarizer is produced on the elastic recovery layer of the first complex film by continuously using a rolling process, and bonding between the polarizer and the elastic recovery layer is implemented based on a property that the elastic recovery layer has bond performance at a specific temperature, so as to form an integrated second complex film including the first protective layer, the elastic recovery layer, and the polarizer. Then, a release film is laid on the second complex film. During production of the display panel, after the release film is removed, the second complex film and the structure layer of the display panel are bonded by using the adhesive layer.

<FIG> shows that a functional film layer includes a first protective layer, an elastic recovery layer, and a polarizer, and shows a case in which the elastic recovery layer may be located between the first protective layer and the polarizer. In another embodiment, the polarizer is located between the first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer, that is, positions of the elastic recovery layer and the polarizer may be interchanged. In another embodiment, the functional film layer includes a first protective layer and an elastic recovery layer, that is, the functional film layer does not include a polarizer. In addition, two adjacent film layers in the functional film layer may be bonded by using the adhesive layer. Alternatively, the elastic recovery layer is in direct contact with a film layer adjacent to the elastic recovery layer to form an integrated structure. For example, the elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer are integrated. No adhesive layer needs to be disposed between the elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer for bonding. During production, the first protective layer may be used as a carrier substrate, the elastic recovery layer is directly produced on the first protective layer to form an integrated complex film, and then the complex film and another structure of the display panel are bonded by using the adhesive layer. A specific structure of the functional film layer is described in detail by using an example in the following embodiment.

In an embodiment, two adjacent film layers in the functional film layer are bonded by using the adhesive layer. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. A functional film layer <NUM> includes an elastic recovery layer <NUM>, a first protective layer <NUM>, and a polarizer <NUM>, where the elastic recovery layer <NUM> is located between the first protective layer <NUM> and the polarizer <NUM>. The functional film layer <NUM> further includes at least a first adhesive layer <NUM> and a second adhesive layer <NUM>. The first protective layer <NUM> and the elastic recovery layer <NUM> are bonded by using the first adhesive layer <NUM>, and the elastic recovery layer <NUM> and the polarizer <NUM> are bonded by using the second adhesive layer <NUM>. A third adhesive layer <NUM> is further disposed in the display panel, and the polarizer <NUM> and a module structure below are bonded by using the third adhesive layer <NUM>. In <FIG>, only one example that a module structure below the polarizer <NUM> is a package layer <NUM> is used. During production of the display panel, after a process of the package layer <NUM> is completed, the third adhesive layer <NUM> is produced, and then the polarizer <NUM> is bonded on the third adhesive layer <NUM>. Then, the second adhesive layer <NUM> is produced on the polarizer <NUM>, and then the elastic recovery layer <NUM> is bonded on the second adhesive layer <NUM>. Then, the first adhesive layer <NUM> is produced on the elastic recovery layer <NUM>, and the first protective layer <NUM> is bonded on the first adhesive layer <NUM>. In this implementation, the elastic recovery layer can assist the first protective layer, the polarizer, and the adhesive layer that are in the functional film layer in performing arching recovery after bending, so as to prevent film layer stripping between film layers after repeated bending. In addition, the elastic recovery layer can protect the package layer from an impact of an external force, so as to avoid abnormal display due to a package failure.

<FIG> merely shows that the elastic recovery layer is located between the first protective layer and the polarizer. In another embodiment, the polarizer is located between the first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer in the functional film layer, and two adjacent film layers in the functional film layer are bonded by using the adhesive layer. No further schematic diagram is shown herein.

In another embodiment, the elastic recovery layer in the functional film layer and at least one film layer adjacent to the elastic recovery layer are integrated. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. A functional film layer includes an elastic recovery layer <NUM>, a first protective layer <NUM>, and a polarizer <NUM>. The first protective layer <NUM> is in direct contact with the elastic recovery layer <NUM>, and the first protective layer <NUM> and the elastic recovery layer <NUM> are integrated. The polarizer <NUM> is located on a side of the elastic recovery layer <NUM> that is away from the first protective layer <NUM>. The functional film layer further includes a fourth adhesive layer <NUM>. The elastic recovery layer <NUM> and the polarizer <NUM> are bonded by using the fourth adhesive layer <NUM>, and the polarizer <NUM> and a module structure below are bonded by using a fifth adhesive layer <NUM>. The first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer are integrated, that is, no adhesive layer is disposed between the first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer, but an integrated structure in which the first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer are in direct contact with each other and tightly bonded is formed depending on a production process. The first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer are an integrated first complex film. For a production method for the integrated first complex film, references may be made to the foregoing description about the production process of the elastic recovery layer. The first protective layer is used as a carrier substrate, and a material for producing the elastic recovery layer may be directly produced on the first protective layer by using a heat flow casting process to form the integrated first complex film. In this implementation, the first protective layer is in direct contact with the elastic recovery layer, so that use of the adhesive layer in the display panel structure is reduced, and a thickness of the display panel is reduced. In <FIG>, only one example that a module structure below the polarizer <NUM> is a package layer <NUM> is used for description. During production of the display panel, after a process of the package layer <NUM> is completed, the fifth adhesive layer <NUM> is produced, and the polarizer <NUM> is bonded on the fifth adhesive layer <NUM>. Then the fourth adhesive layer <NUM> is produced on the polarizer <NUM>, and the first complex film is bonded on the fourth adhesive layer.

In another embodiment, the elastic recovery layer in the functional film layer and two film layers adjacent to the elastic recovery layer are in direct contact. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. A functional film layer includes a first protective layer <NUM>, an elastic recovery layer <NUM>, and a polarizer <NUM> that are stacked in sequence. The first protective layer <NUM> is in direct contact with the elastic recovery layer <NUM>, the elastic recovery layer <NUM> is in direct contact with the polarizer <NUM>, and the first protective layer <NUM>, the elastic recovery layer <NUM>, and the polarizer <NUM> are all integrated. The polarizer <NUM> and a module structure below are bonded by using a sixth adhesive layer <NUM>. In this implementation, the first protective layer, the elastic recovery layer, and the polarizer are an integrated second complex film, that is, two adjacent film layers in the first protective layer, the elastic recovery layer, and the polarizer that are stacked in sequence do not need to be disposed with an adhesive layer therebetween. For a production method for the integrated second complex film, references may be made to the foregoing description about the production process of the elastic recovery layer. The first protective layer is used as a carrier substrate, a material for producing the elastic recovery layer may be directly produced on the first protective layer by using a heat flow casting process, and then the polarizer is produced on the elastic recovery layer by using a rolling process. Bonding between the polarizer and the elastic recovery layer is implemented based on a property that the elastic recovery layer has bond performance at a specific temperature, so as to obtain the integrated second complex film, which can further reduce disposing of the adhesive layer in the display panel structure, and further facilitate reducing the thickness of the display panel. In <FIG>, only one example that a module structure below the polarizer <NUM> is a package layer <NUM> is used for description. During production of the display panel, after a process of the package layer <NUM> is completed, the sixth adhesive layer <NUM> is produced, and then the integrated second complex film is bonded on the sixth adhesive layer <NUM>.

In another embodiment, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. A functional film layer includes a first protective layer <NUM>, an elastic recovery layer <NUM>, and a polarizer <NUM> that are stacked in sequence. The elastic recovery layer <NUM> and the polarizer <NUM> are integrated, the elastic recovery layer <NUM> is in direct contact with the polarizer <NUM>, and the elastic recovery layer <NUM> and the first protective layer <NUM> are bonded by using an adhesive layer <NUM>. In this implementation, the elastic recovery layer and the polarizer are integrated, and the elastic recovery layer and the polarizer form an integrated third complex film. During production, the polarizer is used as a carrier substrate, and the elastic recovery layer is directly produced on the polarizer to form the third complex film. The elastic recovery layer and the polarizer do not need an adhesive layer therebetween, but are in direct contact with each other and tightly bonded to form an integrated structure. In <FIG>, only one example that a module structure below the polarizer <NUM> is a package layer <NUM> is used for description. During production of the display panel, after a process of the package layer <NUM> is completed, the sixth adhesive layer <NUM> is produced, then the integrated third complex film is bonded on the sixth adhesive layer <NUM>, then the adhesive layer <NUM> is produced on the integrated third complex film, and the first protective layer <NUM> is bonded on the adhesive layer <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the elastic recovery layer and the polarizer are integrated, the polarizer is located between the elastic recovery layer and the first protective layer, and the first protective layer and the polarizer are bonded by using the adhesive layer. No further schematic diagram is shown herein. For a production process, references may also be made to the embodiment in <FIG> for understanding.

In another embodiment, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, a functional film layer <NUM> includes a first protective layer <NUM> and an elastic recovery layer <NUM>, and the first protective layer <NUM> is in direct contact with the elastic recovery layer <NUM>. The first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer are integrated, that is, the first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer are in direct contact to form an integrated first complex film. For a production method for the integrated first complex film, refer to the description in the foregoing embodiment. In this implementation, the first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer are integrated, so that use of the adhesive layer in the display panel structure is reduced, and the thickness of the display panel is reduced. The display panel further includes a color filter layer <NUM>. The color filter layer <NUM> includes a color filter unit <NUM> and a light shielding part <NUM>. In a direction e perpendicular to the display panel, the color filter unit <NUM> overlaps a light emitting device <NUM>, and the light shielding part <NUM> is located between two adjacent color filter units <NUM>. The color filter layer <NUM> and the elastic recovery layer <NUM> are bonded by using a seventh adhesive layer <NUM>. The color filter unit includes a red filter unit, a blue filter unit, and a green filter unit. The light emitting device includes a red light emitting device that can emit red light, a green light emitting device that can emit green light, and a blue light emitting device that can emit blue light. The red filter unit overlaps the red light emitting device, the green filter unit overlaps the green light emitting device, and the blue filter unit overlaps the blue light emitting device. The color filter unit may transmit visible light in a predetermined wavelength range. For example, the red filter unit may transmit red light, that is, the color filter unit can prevent transmission of light in a wavelength range other than the predetermined wavelength range, which can reduce light which is incident in the display panel from ambient light, so as to reduce reflection of the ambient light by the display panel. In addition, when light that penetrates a color filter unit of a color is reflected by a light emitting device that overlaps the color filter unit, and is incident towards a color filter unit of another color, the light cannot penetrate the color filter unit of the another color and be emitted from the display panel, so that reflection of the ambient light by the display panel can be reduced, and a display effect of the display panel can be improved. In this implementation, a color filter layer is produced in the display panel, so as to reduce the reflection of the ambient light by the display panel, thereby reducing a bonding process of the polarizer.

In another embodiment, the functional film layer includes a first protective layer and an elastic recovery layer, and the display panel includes a color filter layer. Different from the embodiment corresponding to <FIG>, the first protective layer and the elastic recovery layer are bonded by using an adhesive layer. No further schematic diagram is shown herein.

The display panel provided in this embodiment further includes a touch structure layer. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a local top view of a touch structure layer according to an embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, a touch structure layer <NUM> is located on a side of a package layer <NUM> that is away from a display layer <NUM>. The figure shows that the touch structure layer <NUM> and the package layer <NUM> are bonded by using an eighth adhesive layer <NUM>. The touch structure layer <NUM> and a functional film layer <NUM> are bonded by using a ninth adhesive layer <NUM>. <FIG> shows a structure of the touch structure layer. The touch structure layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes <NUM> and a plurality of second touch electrodes <NUM>, and the touch structure layer includes a plurality of electrode rows and a plurality of electrode columns. The plurality of first touch electrodes <NUM> are arranged into electrode rows along a first direction x, and two adjacent first touch electrodes <NUM> in one electrode row are electrically connected. The plurality of second touch electrodes <NUM> are arranged into electrode columns along a second direction y, and two adjacent second touch electrodes <NUM> in one electrode column are electrically connected. In this implementation, the touch structure layer and a film layer adjacent to the touch structure layer are bonded and fastened by using the adhesive layer. In <FIG>, for example, the functional film layer includes a first protective layer, an elastic recovery layer, and a polarizer that are stacked in sequence. The elastic recovery layer can assist the first protective layer and the polarizer that are in the functional film layer in performing arching recovery after bending, so as to prevent film layer stripping between film layers after repeated bending. In addition, the elastic recovery layer can protect the package layer from an impact of an external force, so as to avoid abnormal display due to a package failure. Optionally, a touch electrode in the touch structure layer, and a connecting wire for connecting the touch electrode are made of a metal material. The touch structure layer is disposed below the polarizer. The polarizer can reduce reflection of ambient light by a light emitting device and metal wiring, and can reduce reflection of ambient light by the touch structure layer, so as to improve a display effect of the display panel.

In another embodiment, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. A touch structure layer <NUM> is in direct contact with a package layer <NUM>, and the touch structure layer <NUM> and the package layer <NUM> are integrated. During production, after a process of the package layer <NUM>, the touch structure layer <NUM> is directly produced on the package layer <NUM> without needing an adhesive layer, to form an integrated structure, so that disposing of the adhesive layer between the touch structure layer <NUM> and the package layer <NUM> is reduced, which facilitates reducing a thickness of the display panel.

As shown in the foregoing embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, the functional film layer includes a first protective layer, an elastic recovery layer, and a polarizer that are stacked in sequence. Actually, the functional film layers in the foregoing embodiments of <FIG> may be applied to the foregoing embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, and no further schematic diagram is shown herein.

In another embodiment, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. The display panel further includes a touch structure layer <NUM> and a color filter layer <NUM>, and the color filter layer is located on a side of the touch structure layer <NUM> that is away from a package layer <NUM>. The touch structure layer <NUM> is in direct contact with the package layer <NUM>, and the color filter layer <NUM> is in direct contact with the touch structure layer <NUM>, that is, the package layer <NUM>, the touch structure layer <NUM>, and the color filter layer <NUM> are all integrated. The color filter layer <NUM> includes a color filter unit <NUM> and a light shielding part <NUM>. In a direction e perpendicular to the display panel, the color filter unit <NUM> overlaps a light emitting device <NUM>, and the light shielding part <NUM> is located between two adjacent color filter units <NUM>. A functional film layer <NUM> includes a first protective layer <NUM> and an elastic recovery layer <NUM>, and the elastic recovery layer <NUM> and the color filter layer <NUM> are bonded by using a seventh adhesive layer <NUM>. During production of the display panel, after a process of the package layer, the touch structure layer <NUM> is directly produced on the package layer <NUM>, and then the color filter layer <NUM> is produced on the touch structure layer <NUM>. The package layer <NUM>, the touch structure layer <NUM>, and the color filter layer <NUM> form an integrated structure. No adhesive layer needs to be disposed between layers, so that an adhesive layer used in a bonding process of the touch structure layer and the package layer and an adhesive layer used in a bonding process of the color filter layer and the touch structure layer are reduced. Therefore, use of the adhesive layer in a display panel structure is reduced, which facilitates reducing a thickness of the display panel. In addition, the color filter layer is disposed on the touch structure layer. The color filter layer can reduce reflection of ambient light by the light emitting device and metal wiring, and can also reduce reflection of ambient light by the touch structure layer, thereby improving a display effect of the display panel.

In another embodiment, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another film layer structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the display panel further includes a second protective layer <NUM>. The second protective layer <NUM> is located on a side of a first protective layer <NUM> that is away from an elastic recovery layer <NUM>, and a hard cover layer <NUM> is further disposed on the second protective layer <NUM>. A hardness of the hard cover layer <NUM> is greater than a hardness of the first protective layer <NUM>, and the hardness of the hard cover layer <NUM> is greater than a hardness of the second protective layer <NUM>. The hard cover layer <NUM> can further protect a film layer inside the display panel. A lower protective layer <NUM> is further disposed on a side of an array substrate <NUM> that is away from a display layer <NUM>. Optionally, the lower protective layer <NUM> includes a basal layer <NUM> and a support layer <NUM>, an adhesive layer <NUM> is disposed between the basal layer <NUM> and the support layer <NUM>, and the lower protective layer <NUM> and the array substrate <NUM> are bonded by using an adhesive layer <NUM>. The lower protective layer is configured to protect a module structure inside the display panel on a back side of the display panel.

Based on a same inventive concept, an embodiment; further provides a display apparatus. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a display apparatus according to an embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the display apparatus includes a display panel <NUM> provided in any embodiment. The display apparatus shown in <FIG> is merely a schematic description. The display apparatus may be, for example, a vehicle-mounted display apparatus, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an electronic book, a television, or a flexible wearable product.

Claim 1:
A display panel (<NUM>), wherein
the display panel (<NUM>) comprises a display layer (<NUM>), a package layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and a functional film layer (<NUM>) that are stacked in sequence,
the display layer (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of light emitting devices (<NUM>);
the functional film layer (<NUM>) is located on a side of the package layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that is away from the display layer (<NUM>);
the functional film layer (<NUM>) comprises at least one elastic recovery layer (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the display panel (<NUM>) comprises a bendable area (<NUM>), and the elastic recovery layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) is at least located in the bendable area (<NUM>); and
the functional film layer (<NUM>) further comprises a first protective layer (<NUM>), and the first protective layer (<NUM>) is located on a side of the elastic recovery layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is away from the package layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
characterised in that
the at least one elastic recovery layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to assist another film layer in the display panel (<NUM>) in performing arching recovery after bending, when the display panel (<NUM>) transitions from a bent state to a flattened state, wherein the at least one elastic recovery layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a higher capability of recovering to an initial flattened state after bending than the other film layer, optionally wherein the higher capability of recovering to an initial flattened state after bending includes at least one of an elastic recovery ratio, an elastic restoring force, or an elastic modulus.