Patent ID: 12238974

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Technical solutions in some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely with reference to the accompanying drawings below. However, the described embodiments are merely some but not all embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the term “comprise” and other forms thereof such as the third-person singular form “comprises” and the present participle form “comprising” are construed as open and inclusive, i.e., “including, but not limited to”. In the description of the specification, the terms such as “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “exemplary embodiments”, “example”, “specific example”, and “some examples” are intended to indicate that specific features, structures, materials or characteristics related to the embodiment(s) or example(s) are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s) or example(s). In addition, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be included in any one or more embodiments or examples in any suitable manner.

Hereinafter, the terms such as “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying the relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined by “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term “a plurality of/the plurality of” means two or more unless otherwise specified.

The phrase “at least one of A, B and C” has the same meaning as the phrase “at least one of A, B or C”, and they both include the following combinations of A, B and C: only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, and a combination of A, B and C.

The phrase “A and/or B” includes the following three combinations: only A, only B, and a combination of A and B.

In the description of some embodiments of the present disclosure, orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms such as “center”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “behind”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer” and the like are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings. They are used merely for convenience in describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, but not to indicate or imply that the indicated apparatus or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus they cannot be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

In the description of some embodiments, terms such as “coupled” and “connected” and their extensions may be used. For example, term “connected” may be used in the description of some embodiments to indicate that two or more components are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. As another example, term “coupled” may be used in the description of some embodiments to indicate that two or more components are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled” or “communicatively coupled”, however, may also mean that two or more components are not in direct contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact with each other. The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the content herein.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display apparatus. As shown inFIG.1, the display apparatus includes a display panel1, a frame2, a cover glass3, a circuit board4and other electronic components.

A longitudinal section of the frame2is U-shaped. The display panel1, the circuit board4and other electronic components are all disposed in the frame2. The circuit board4is disposed behind the display panel1, and the cover glass3is disposed at a side of the display panel1away from the circuit board4.

The display apparatus may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display apparatus, and in this case, the display panel1is an OLED display panel. The display apparatus may also be a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) display apparatus, and in this case, the display panel1is a QLED display panel.

As shown inFIG.2, seen from a position facing a display surface of the display panel, the display panel1has a display region01and a peripheral region02located on at least one side of the display region01.FIG.2illustrates an example where the peripheral region02surrounds the display region01. The display region01includes a plurality of light-emitting regions011(each light-emitting region011corresponds to a sub-pixel) and a non-light-emitting region012. The plurality of light-emitting regions011include red light-emitting regions for emitting red light, blue light-emitting regions for emitting blue light, and green light-emitting regions for emitting green light. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.2, a column of red light-emitting regions R, a column of green light-emitting regions G and a column of blue light-emitting regions B are alternately arranged in sequence. In some other embodiments, an arrangement order of the red light-emitting regions R, the green light-emitting regions G and the blue light-emitting regions B may be changed. The peripheral region02is used for wiring, so that a plurality of sub-pixels in the display region01are connected to a gate drive circuit or a source drive circuit through wires. In addition, the gate drive circuit may be provided in the peripheral region02by using a gate on array (GOA) technique, so that a size of the peripheral region02may be reduced and a narrow bezel of the display apparatus may be realized.

FIGS.3and4are schematic structural diagrams of display panels. A difference betweenFIG.3andFIG.4mainly lies in that structures of thin film transistors inFIG.3andFIG.4are different. Since structures of light-emitting regions011in the display panel are basically repeated,FIGS.3and4each only show part of a structure of a light-emitting region011in the display panel as examples.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, the display panel1includes a display substrate11, and an encapsulation layer12for encapsulating the display substrate11. The encapsulation layer12may be an encapsulation film or an encapsulation substrate.

In a case where the encapsulation layer12is an encapsulation film, the number of layers of films for encapsulation included in the encapsulation layer12is not limited. The encapsulation layer12may include one layer of film for encapsulation, or may include two or more layers of films for encapsulation which are stacked. In some embodiments, the encapsulation layer12includes three layers of films for encapsulation stacked in the thickness direction of the base substrate.

In a case where the encapsulation layer12includes three layers of films for encapsulation stacked, a film for encapsulation located in an intermediate layer is made of an organic material, and films for encapsulation located on both sides are made of an inorganic material.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the organic material is not limited, which may be, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Similarly, the inorganic material is not limited, which may be, for example, one or more of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy).

On this basis, an inkjet printing (IJP) process may be used for fabricating the organic film for encapsulation in the intermediate layer. In addition, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process may be used for fabricating the inorganic films for encapsulation on both sides.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, the display substrate11includes a base substrate110, and a plurality of light-emitting devices120disposed on the base substrate110.

It will be easily understood that the base substrate110may be a blank substrate, or a substrate with a film structure.

In some embodiments, the base substrate110includes a blank substrate111, and a plurality of pixel circuits disposed on the blank substrate111.

In some embodiments, the blank substrate111may be a flexible blank substrate or a rigid blank substrate. The flexible blank substrate111may be made of, for example, polyimide (PI), and the rigid blank substrate111may be made of, for example, glass.

The base substrate110further includes gate lines arranged in a direction on the blank substrate111, and data lines and common power lines insulated from and crossing the gate lines. The common power lines are generally parallel to the data lines. The plurality of sub-pixels may be defined with the gate lines and the data lines (and the common power lines) which are arranged crosswise. Each sub-pixel has a pixel circuit, and the pixel circuit is electrically connected to a light-emitting device120for driving the light-emitting device120to emit light.

The pixel circuit includes a plurality of thin film transistors and at least one capacitor, and each thin film transistor may have a top-gate structure or a bottom-gate structure. As shown inFIG.3, in a case where the thin film transistor has a top-gate structure, the thin film transistor includes an active layer AL, a gate insulating layer GI, a gate metal layer GM (which forms a gate112), an interlayer dielectric layer ILD and a source-drain metal layer SD (which forms a source113and a drain114) that are disposed on the blank substrate111in sequence. As shown inFIG.4, in a case where the thin film transistor has a bottom-gate structure, the thin film transistor includes a gate metal layer GM (which forms a gate112), a portion of a gate insulating layer GI, an active layer AL and a source-drain metal layer SD (which forms a source113and a drain114) that are disposed on the blank substrate111in sequence.

The active layer AL of the thin film transistor may be formed of amorphous silicon, monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon or oxide semiconductor. The active layer AL includes a channel region not doped with any impurity, and a source region and a drain region each formed by doping impurities on both sides of the channel region. The doped impurities vary with the type of the thin film transistor, and the doped impurities may be N-type impurities or P-type impurities.

The capacitor (not shown inFIGS.3and4) includes a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate, between which an interlayer insulating film as a dielectric is to provided.

A 2T1C structure in which the pixel circuit includes two thin film transistors (i.e., a switch thin film transistor and a drive thin film transistor) and a capacitor is taken as an example to describe electrical connection relationships inside and outside the pixel circuit below. Although each ofFIGS.3and4only shows structures and a connection relationship of the drive thin film transistor (i.e., a structure as showed in a dotted line circle inFIGS.3and4) and the light-emitting device120, a structure of the switch thin film transistor and its connection relationships with other components may be completely determined by those skilled in the art according to the description of the context.

A gate of the switch thin film transistor is connected to a gate line, a source of the switch thin film transistor is connected to a data line, and a drain of the switch thin film transistor is connected to a gate of the drive thin film transistor. A source of the drive thin film transistor is connected to a common power line, and a drain114of the drive thin film transistor is connected to a first electrode121of the light-emitting device120through a via hole. The first electrode plate of the capacitor is connected to the gate of the drive thin film transistor, and the second electrode plate of the capacitor is connected to the source of the drive thin film transistor.

The switch thin film transistor is turned on by a gate voltage applied to the gate line, thereby transmitting a data voltage applied to the data line to the drive thin film transistor. There is a certain difference between the data voltage transmitted from the switch thin film transistor to the drive thin film transistor and a common voltage applied from the common power line to the drive thin film transistor. A voltage equivalent to an absolute value of the difference is stored in the capacitor, and a current corresponding to the voltage stored in the capacitor flows into the light-emitting device120through the drive thin film transistor, so that the light-emitting device120emits light.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.3and4, the base substrate110further includes a planarization layer115disposed on the thin film transistors.

As shown inFIGS.3,4and12, the light-emitting devices120include the first electrodes121, light-emitting functional layers122and a second electrode123that are disposed on the base substrate110in sequence. One of the first electrode121and the second electrode123is an anode (for providing holes) and the other is a cathode (for providing electrons). The first electrode121and the second electrode123inject holes and electrons into the light-emitting functional layer122, respectively, and light is emitted when transitions of excitons generated by the combination of the holes and the electrons from an excited state to a ground state occur.

The first electrode121may be formed of a metal with high reflectivity, and the second electrode123may be formed of a transparent conductive film. In this case, light emitted by the light-emitting functional layer122is reflected by the first electrode121and then travels to the outside through the second electrode123. Thus, a top-emission light-emitting device is formed. However, the solution is not limited thereto. In a case where the first electrode121is formed of a transparent conductive film, and the second electrode123is formed of a metal with high reflectivity, a bottom-emission light-emitting device may be formed. Of course, in a case where the first electrode121and the second electrode123are both formed of a transparent conductive film, a double-sided emission light-emitting device may be formed.

The transparent conductive film may be made of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO) or indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). The metal with high reflectivity may be, for example, Ag.

In some embodiments, the light-emitting functional layer122includes a light-emitting layer1221. In some other embodiments, as shown inFIG.12, the light-emitting functional layer122includes at least one of a hole injection layer (HIL)1222, a hole transport layer (HTL)1223, an electron transport layer (ETL)1224and an electron injection layer (EIL)1225in addition to the light-emitting layer1221. In a case where all of the above layers are included, the hole injection layer1222, the hole transport layer1223, the light-emitting layer1221, the electron transport layer1224and the electron injection layer1225are sequentially stacked on the first electrode121as the anode.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, the display panel1further includes a pixel defining layer131. The pixel defining layer131includes a plurality of opening regions. The light-emitting layers1221of a light-emitting device120is disposed in an opening region, so that portions of the light-emitting layers1221corresponding to the light-emitting devices120are isolated from each other by the pixel defining layer131. In this case, when the light-emitting layer1221is formed on the planarization layer115by using the inkjet printing process, thicknesses of the light-emitting layers1221at some opening regions are non-uniform due to an error in the amount of ink between a plurality of nozzles, thereby leading to non-uniformity in brightness of light emitted from the light-emitting regions formed by the opening regions (a material for forming the light-emitting layers is sprayed in the opening regions, so that the opening regions become the light-emitting regions).

Therefore, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, another display substrate11is provided. As shown inFIGS.6A and6B, in addition to the base substrate110and the plurality of light-emitting devices120disposed on the base substrate110, the display substrate11further includes a first pixel defining layer130disposed on the base substrate110and a second pixel defining layer140disposed on the base substrate110.

A material of the first pixel defining layer130and a material of the second pixel defining layer140are not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the material of the first pixel defining layer may or may not be the same as the material of the second pixel defining layer. In a case where the material of the first pixel defining layer130is the same as the material of the second pixel defining layer140, the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140may be fabricated simultaneously to simplify a fabrication process.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.6A and9to11, the second pixel defining layer140is located on the first pixel defining layer130. In this way, a height d1 of the second pixel defining layer and a height d2 of the first pixel defining layer do not need to be too large, and a blocking portion with a sufficient height can be formed between two adjacent second opening regions013. The blocking portion is a portion where the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140are stacked, so a height of the blocking portion is a sum of d1 and d2 (d1+d2). However, the solution is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second pixel defining layer140is not located on the first pixel defining layer130.

For example, as shown inFIG.6B, the second pixel defining layer140is directly disposed on the base substrate110. In this way, since there does not exist a structure in which the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140are stacked, side faces of a second opening region013are continuous and flat, and light emitted by the light-emitting layer1221will not be refracted or scattered. Moreover, when the ink is injected into the second opening region013, defects such as penetration will not occur at an interlayer interface between the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140, and defects such as wrinkles will not occur at the interlayer interface between the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140after the ink is cured. In this case, when the material of the first pixel defining layer130is the same as the material of the second pixel defining layer140, the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140may be fabricated simultaneously to simplify the fabrication process.

The first pixel defining layer130includes a plurality of first opening regions011, and each first opening region011exposes at least a portion of a first electrode121.

In some embodiments, each first opening region011may expose a portion or the whole of a first electrode121. As shown inFIGS.6A to6B, a bottom surface of the first opening region011is smaller than a surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110, and thus one first opening region011exposes a portion of one first electrode121. As shown inFIGS.9to11, the bottom surface of the first opening region011is as large as the surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110, and thus one first opening region011exposes the whole of one first electrode121.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.6A and6B, a shape of a cross section of the first electrode121is a long strip.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.9,10and11, an orthographic projection of the surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110on the base substrate110is located within an orthographic projection of a surface of the first electrode121proximate to the base substrate110on the base substrate110, and the surface of the first electrode121proximate to the base substrate110is a surface formed by a surface A1, a surface A3, and a side face A2connecting and surrounding the surface A1and the surface A3shown inFIG.9. That is, the shape of the cross section of the first electrode121is a regular trapezoid.

The second pixel defining layer140includes a plurality of second opening regions013, and each second opening region013corresponds to at least two first opening regions011. Orthogonal projections of the at least two first opening regions011on the base substrate110are located within an orthogonal projection of the second opening region013on the base substrate110.

In some embodiments, the at least two first opening regions011may include only two first opening regions011, or may include three or more first opening regions011.

Since a first opening region011exposes at least a portion of a first electrode121, a first opening region011corresponds to a first electrode121, and the number of first opening regions011is the same as the number of first electrodes121. On this basis, the number of first electrodes121exposed by the second opening region013may be two, three or more than three.

In some embodiments, the numbers of first electrodes121exposed by the second opening regions013may or may not be the same. For example, as shown inFIG.7, a second opening region013exposes a column of first electrodes121. For another example, as shown inFIG.8, a second opening region013exposes two or three first electrodes121.

The light-emitting layer1221is disposed in the second opening region013and overspreads the second opening region013in a plane perpendicular to a thickness direction of the base substrate110.

It will be easily understood that, a region defined by the first opening region011is also referred to as a light-emitting region011. A second opening region013corresponds to at least two first opening regions011, that is, a second opening region013includes at least two light-emitting regions. Since the light-emitting layer1221is disposed in the second opening region013and overspreads the second opening region013in the plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base substrate110, light emitted from all light-emitting regions011in the second opening region013has a same color.

The light-emitting layer1221overspreads the second opening region013in the plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base substrate110, that is, a surface of the light-emitting layer1221away from the base substrate110is farther away from the base substrate110than a surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110, which may make a thickness of the light-emitting layer1221in the second opening region more uniform, and improve uniformity of film formation.

In some embodiments, the second electrode123only covers the second opening region013. That is, a plurality of second electrodes123are separated from each other by the second pixel defining layer140. In some other embodiments, the second electrode123covers the second opening regions013and a surface of the second pixel defining layer140away from the base substrate110.

In the display substrate11provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second pixel defining layer140is disposed on the first pixel defining layer130. That is, the surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110is closer to the base substrate110than the surface of the second pixel defining layer140away from the base substrate110. The second pixel defining layer140includes the plurality of second opening regions013, each second opening region013corresponds to the at least two first opening regions011, and the orthogonal projections of the at least two first opening regions011on the base substrate110are all located within the orthogonal projection of the second opening region013on the base substrate110. In a case where the light-emitting layer1221is disposed in the second opening region013, the light-emitting layer1221overspreads the second opening region013in the plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base substrate110. As a result, when the ink is injected into the second opening region013by using the inkjet printing, the ink can flow among at least two light-emitting regions011defined by the second opening region013, so that a difference of ink volume between light-emitting regions011in one second opening region013may be homogenized, thereby making thicknesses of the light-emitting layer1221formed in the light-emitting regions011in one second opening region013uniform.

In a case where the light-emitting devices120further include at least one of the hole injection layer1222, the hole transport layer1223, the electron transport layer1224and the electron injection layer1225, the layer(s) may each be located only in the second opening region013. That is, films disposed in a same layer may be separated by the second pixel defining layer140. Alternatively, the layer(s) may cover the second opening regions013and the surface of the second pixel defining layer140away from the base substrate110. That is, the layer(s) are whole layer(s).

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.9, the surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110is closer to the base substrate110than the surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110. In this way, the first pixel defining layer130may prevent light mixing between two adjacent light-emitting devices120. Although the light emitted by the light-emitting layer1221in the same second opening region013has a same color, considering that each light-emitting device120needs to emit light independently to improve a pixel resolution, light mixing between two adjacent light-emitting devices still needs to be avoided in each second opening region013.

However, the solution is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, as shown inFIG.10, the surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110is as close to the base substrate110as the surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110. That is, the surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110and the surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110are located in a same plane parallel to the base substrate110. In yet some other embodiments, as shown inFIG.11, the surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110is farther away from the base substrate110than the surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110. In these two cases mentioned above, when the ink is injected into the second opening region013, the ink is entirely located on the interlayer interface between the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140, and thus defects such as penetration will not occur at the interlayer interface between the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140, and defects such as wrinkles will not occur at the interlayer interface between the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140after the ink is cured, and further the light emitted by the light-emitting layer1221will not be refracted or scattered at the wrinkles.

As shown inFIG.10, in a case where the surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110and the surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110are located in the same plane, when the ink is injected into the second opening region013of the second pixel defining layer140to form the light-layer1221, a surface in contact with the ink is flat. Therefore, it is further ensured that the thicknesses of the light-emitting layer1221formed in all light-emitting regions011in the second opening region013are same, and brightness uniformity of light emitted from all light-emitting regions011is further improved.

In a case where the light-emitting layer1221is formed by using the inkjet printing process, the second pixel defining layer140is used to define the flowing of ink in the second opening region013, and thus the height of the second pixel defining layer140will be set relatively large. On this basis, in some embodiments, as shown inFIG.6A, a height d1 of the second pixel defining layer140is greater than a height d2 of the first pixel defining layer130. The height d1 of the first pixel defining layer130and the height d2 of the second pixel defining layer140each refer to a dimension in the thickness direction of the base substrate110.

In some embodiments, directions in which the first electrodes121exposed by the plurality of second opening regions013are respectively arranged are all the same. That is, directions in which the light-emitting regions011included in the plurality of second opening regions013are respectively arranged are the same.

For example, a plurality of first electrodes121exposed by each second opening region013are arranged in a column direction. Alternatively, a plurality of first electrodes121exposed by each second opening region013are arranged in a row direction.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.7, an orthogonal projection of a second opening region013on the base substrate110covers orthogonal projections of a column of first opening regions011on the base substrate110. Alternatively, an orthogonal projection of a second opening region013on the base substrate110covers orthogonal projections of a row of first opening regions011on the base substrate110.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.8, an orthogonal projection of a second opening region013on the base substrate110covers orthogonal projections of part of opening regions in a column of first opening regions011on the base substrate110. Alternatively, an orthogonal projection of a second opening region013on the base substrate110covers orthogonal projections of part of opening regions in a row of first opening regions011on the base substrate110.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, since the directions in which the first electrodes121exposed by the plurality of second opening regions013are respectively arranged are all the same, it is convenient to fabricate the light-emitting layers1221.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.9to11, the display substrate11further includes a plurality of auxiliary patterns150disposed between the base substrate110and the plurality of first electrodes121, and a first electrode121is disposed on an auxiliary pattern150.

A material of the auxiliary patterns150is not limited. In a case where the light emitted by the light-emitting layer1221exits from the first electrodes121, the material of the auxiliary patterns150should be a transparent material. In a case where the light emitted by the light-emitting layer1221exits from the second electrode123, the material of the auxiliary patterns150may be a transparent material or a non-transparent material.

In some embodiments, the material of the auxiliary patterns150is the same as a material of the planarization layer115. On this basis, the auxiliary patterns150and the planarization layer115may be fabricated simultaneously or separately. In a case where the auxiliary patterns150and the planarization layer115are fabricated separately, as shown inFIG.13A, the planarization layer115is firstly formed on surfaces of the pixel circuits, and then the auxiliary patterns150are formed. In a case where the auxiliary patterns150and the planarization layer115are fabricated simultaneously, in some embodiments, as shown inFIG.13B, the planarization film116is formed on the surfaces of the pixel circuits, and then the planarization film116is etched to form convex portions and concave portions. In this case, the convex portions are the auxiliary patterns150.

Since the first electrode121is disposed on the auxiliary pattern150, a difference in height between the surface of the first electrode121away from the base substrate110and the surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110is reduced. In this way, when the ink is injected into the second opening region013of the second pixel defining layer140in a process of forming the light-emitting layer1221by using the inkjet printing process, the ink can flow more uniformly among the light-emitting regions011included in the second opening region013, thereby improving uniformity of thicknesses of the light-emitting layer1221formed in all light-emitting regions011, and further improving the brightness uniformity of the light emitted from the light-emitting regions011. In a case where the display substrate11is applied in an electroluminescent display apparatus, a quality of the electroluminescent display apparatus may be improved.

In some embodiments, an orthographic projection of a surface of the auxiliary pattern150away from the base substrate110on the base substrate110is located within an orthographic projection of a surface of the auxiliary pattern150proximate to the base substrate110on the base substrate110. Referring toFIGS.9,10and11, it can be seen that a shape of a cross section of the auxiliary pattern150is a regular trapezoid. On this basis, the first electrode121covers the surface of the auxiliary pattern150away from the base substrate110and side faces of the auxiliary pattern150.

Since the shape of the cross section of the auxiliary pattern150is the regular trapezoid, in a case where the first electrode121covers the auxiliary pattern150, the first electrode121can be prevented from being broken. Further, since the first electrode121is electrically connected to the drain114of the drive thin film transistor, the first electrode121can be prevented from being disconnected from the drain114of the drive thin film transistor.

As shown inFIGS.9,10and11, the first pixel defining layer130covers side faces of each first electrode121, and an orthographic projection of a surface of the first pixel defining layer130proximate to the base substrate110on the base substrate110is located within an orthographic projection of the surface of the first pixel defining layer130away from the base substrate110on the base substrate110. That is, a shape of a cross section of a portion of the first pixel defining layer130located between two adjacent first electrodes121is an inverted trapezoid.

Based on the above, it will be seen that two adjacent first electrodes121are separated by the first pixel defining layer130, and thus the first pixel defining layer130can insulate two adjacent first electrodes121from each other, which may avoid a short circuit.

As shown inFIGS.6A,6B and9to11, an orthographic projection of the surface of the second pixel defining layer140away from the base substrate110on the base substrate110is located within an orthographic projection of a surface of the second pixel defining layer140proximate to the base substrate110on the base substrate110. That is, a shape of a cross section of a portion of the second pixel defining layer140located between two adjacent second opening regions013is a regular trapezoid.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the shape of the cross section of the portion of the second pixel defining layer140located between two adjacent second opening regions013is a regular trapezoid, thereby facilitating fabrication of the second pixel defining layer140. In addition, since the height of the second pixel defining layer140is relatively large, in a case where the light-emitting layer1221is formed in each second opening region013, it may be possible to prevent the ink for the inkjet printing from flowing into an adjacent second opening region013, and thus prevent color mixing of the light-emitting layers1221in two adjacent second opening regions013.

In some embodiments, the second opening regions013may be classified into first sub-opening regions, second sub-opening regions and third sub-opening regions. The light-emitting layers1221include red light-emitting layers for emitting red light located in the first sub-opening regions, green light-emitting layers for emitting green light located in the second sub-opening regions and blue light-emitting layers for emitting blue light located in the third sub-opening regions.

Shapes and arrangement manners of the first sub-opening region, the second sub-opening region and the third sub-opening region are not limited. For example, the first sub-opening region, the second sub-opening region and the third sub-opening region all extend in a first direction Y shown inFIG.8, and the first sub-opening region, the second sub-opening region and the third sub-opening region are alternately arranged in a second direction X shown inFIG.8. The first direction Y intersects with the second direction X. For example, the first direction Y is perpendicular to the second direction X.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for manufacturing a display substrate, and the method may be used to manufacture the above display substrate. The method for manufacturing the display substrate, as shown inFIG.14, includes following steps.

In S100, as shown inFIG.15, a plurality of auxiliary patterns150are formed on a base substrate110.

A structure of the base substrate110is not limited, which may be referred to the above description, and will not be described in detail herein.

In S101, as shown inFIG.16, a plurality of first electrodes121are formed on the auxiliary patterns150, and one first electrode121is disposed on one auxiliary pattern150.

In some embodiments, the first electrode121covers a surface of the auxiliary pattern150away from the base substrate110. In some other embodiments, the first electrode121covers a partial region of the surface of the auxiliary pattern150away from the base substrate110.

In some embodiments, the S100is not essential, and the plurality of first electrodes121may be formed on the base substrate110.

In S102, as shown inFIG.17, a first pixel defining layer130is formed on the base substrate110. The first pixel defining layer130includes a plurality of first opening regions011, and each first opening region011exposes at least a portion of a first electrode121.

Herein, a first opening region011defines a light-emitting region, and a light-emitting region011corresponds to a first electrode121.

In S103, as shown inFIG.18, a second pixel defining layer140is formed on the base substrate110. The second pixel defining layer140includes a plurality of second opening regions013, and a second opening region013corresponds to at least two first opening regions011. Orthogonal projections of the at least two first opening regions011on the base substrate110are located within an orthogonal projection of the second opening region013on the base substrate110.

Herein, a material of the first pixel defining layer130may or may not be the same as a material of the second pixel defining layer140.

Since a light-emitting region011corresponds to a first electrode121, the number of light-emitting regions011defined by the second opening region013is the same as the number of first electrodes121exposed by the second opening region013.

In a case where the light-emitting layer1221is formed by using the inkjet printing process, the second pixel defining layer140is used to define the flowing of ink in the second opening region013, and thus a height of the second pixel defining layer140will be set relatively large. On this basis, in some embodiments, the height of the second pixel defining layer140is greater than a height of the first pixel defining layer130.

As described above, in some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.6A and18, the second pixel defining layer140is located on the first pixel defining layer130, thereby forming a stacked structure. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.6B, the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140may not form a stacked structure, and the second pixel defining layer140is directly formed on the base substrate110. That is, only the first pixel defining layer130is still formed at the position where only the first pixel defining layer130is formed shown inFIG.18, and only the second pixel defining layer140is formed at the position where the first pixel defining layer130and the second pixel defining layer140are stacked shown inFIG.18.

In S104, as shown inFIG.19, light-emitting layers1221are formed in the second opening regions013by using the inkjet printing process. The light-emitting layers1221overspread the plurality of second opening regions013in a plane perpendicular to a thickness direction of the base substrate110.

It will be understood that, in a case where the light-emitting layer1221is formed by using the inkjet printing process, since the ink flows in the second opening region013, light emitted from all light-emitting regions011in the second opening region013has a same color.

In S105, as shown inFIGS.9to11, a second electrode123is formed on the light-emitting layer1221.

In some embodiments, the second electrode123only covers the second opening region013. In some other embodiments, the second electrode123covers the second opening regions013and a surface of the second pixel defining layer140away from the base substrate110.

Herein, the second electrode123may be formed on the light-emitting layer1221by using a sputtering process or an evaporation process.

The method for manufacturing the display substrate provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure has the same beneficial effects as the display substrate11as described above, and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail herein.

In a case where the first electrode121is an anode and the second electrode123is a cathode, in some embodiments, after the S103and before the S104, the method for manufacturing the display substrate further includes: forming a hole injection layer1222and/or a hole transport layer1223at least in the second opening region013; and/or, after the S104and before the S105, the method for manufacturing the display substrate further includes: forming an electron injection layer1225and/or an electron transport layer1224on the light-emitting layer1221and at least in the second opening region013.

In a case where the first electrode121is a cathode and the second electrode123is an anode, in some embodiments, after the S103and before the S104, the method for manufacturing the display substrate further includes: forming the electron injection layer1225and/or the electron transport layer1224at least in the second opening region013; and/or, after the S104and before the S105, the method of manufacturing the display substrate further includes: forming the hole injection layer1222and/or the hole transport layer1223on the light-emitting layer1221and at least in the second opening region013.

Based on the above, the hole injection layer1222, the hole transport layer1223, the electron injection layer1225and the electron transport layer1224may be formed by using the inkjet printing process. The hole injection layer1222, the hole transporting layer1223, the electron injection layer1225and the electron transporting layer1224may also be formed by using the evaporation process.

On this basis, the hole injection layer1222, the hole transport layer1223, the electron injection layer1225and the electron transport layer1224may be formed only in the second opening region013. The hole injection layer1222, the hole transporting layer1223, the electron injection layer1225and the electron transport layer1224may also be formed in the second opening regions013and the surface of the second pixel defining layer140away from the base substrate110. That is, the hole injection layer1222and the hole transport layer1223are each a whole layer, or the electron injection layer1225and the electron transport layer1224are each a whole layer.

In some embodiments, the S104includes:

forming a red light-emitting layer for emitting red light in a first sub-opening region, a green light-emitting layer for emitting green light in a second sub-opening region and a blue light-emitting layer for emitting blue light in a third sub-opening region by using inkjet printing processes. The second opening region013is classified into the first sub-opening region, the second sub-opening region or the third sub-opening region.

Herein, an order of forming the red light-emitting layer, the green light-emitting layer and the blue light-emitting layer is not limited. For example, the red light-emitting layer is first formed in the first sub-opening region by using an inkjet printing process, and the green light-emitting layer is then formed in the second sub-opening region by using another inkjet printing process, and the blue light-emitting layer is finally formed in the third sub-opening region by using yet another inkjet printing process. For another example, the green light-emitting layer is first formed in the second sub-opening region by using an inkjet printing process, and the blue light-emitting layer is then formed in the third sub-opening region by using another inkjet printing process, and the red light-emitting layer is finally formed in the first sub-opening region by using yet another inkjet printing process.

Shapes and arrangement manners of the first sub-opening region, the second sub-opening region and the third sub-opening region are not limited. For example, the first sub-opening region, the second sub-opening region and the third sub-opening region all extend in a first direction Y shown inFIG.8, and the first sub-opening region, the second sub-opening region and the third sub-opening region are alternately arranged in a second direction X shown inFIG.8. The first direction Y intersects with the second direction X. For example, the first direction Y is perpendicular to the second direction X.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Changes or replacements that any person skilled in the art could conceive of within the technical scope of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.