Patent ID: 12225775

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order that those skilled in the art will better understand the technical solutions of the present disclosure, the following detailed description is given with reference to the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments.

In the present disclosure, the “patterning process” refers to a step of forming a structure having a specific pattern, which may be a photolithography process including one or more steps of forming a material layer, coating a photoresist, exposing, developing, etching, stripping the photoresist, and the like; of course, the “patterning process” may also be an imprinting process, an inkjet printing process, or other processes.

As used herein, a subpixel region refers to a light emitting region of a subpixel, such as a region corresponding to a light emitting layer in an organic light emitting diode display. A pixel may include several separate light emitting regions corresponding to several subpixels in the pixel. For example, the subpixel region is a light emitting region of a red subpixel. For example, the subpixel region is a light emitting region of a green subpixel. For example, the subpixel region is a light emitting region of a blue subpixel. For example, the subpixel region is a light emitting region of a white subpixel.

As used herein, an inter-subpixel region refers to a region between adjacent subpixel regions, such as a region corresponding to a pixel defining layer in an organic light emitting diode display. For example, the inter-subpixel region is a region between adjacent subpixel regions in the same pixel. For example, the inter-subpixel region is a region between two adjacent subpixel regions from two adjacent pixels. For example, the inter-subpixel region is a region between a subpixel region of a red subpixel and a subpixel region of a green subpixel adjacent to the red subpixel. For example, the inter-subpixel region is a region between a subpixel region of a red subpixel and a subpixel region of a blue subpixel adjacent to the red subpixel. For example, the inter-subpixel region is a region between a subpixel region of a green subpixel and a subpixel region of a blue subpixel adjacent to the green subpixel.

The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like elements are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the various drawings. For purposes of clarity, the various features in the drawings are not drawn to scale. Moreover, certain well-known elements may not be shown in the drawings.

Numerous specific details of the present disclosure, such as structures, materials, dimensions, processes and techniques of the components, are set forth in the following description in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG.1is a schematic structural diagram of a display panel. The display panel has a plurality of subpixel regions11and an inter-subpixel region12between the plurality of subpixel regions11. The display panel includes: a substrate2; a display structure3and a pixel defining layer6on the substrate2; an encapsulation layer13on a side of the display structure3and the pixel defining layer6away from the substrate2; and a color filter layer20on a side of the encapsulation layer13away from the substrate2. The display structure3includes a reflective electrode layer31, a light emitting layer32, and a transparent electrode layer33. The reflective electrode layer31extends from the subpixel region11to the inter-subpixel region12. The pixel defining layer6defines the plurality of subpixel regions11. The color filter layer20includes a black matrix5and color filters21located in areas defined by the black matrix5. As shown inFIG.1, in order to ensure the light extraction efficiency of the subpixel region11, the black matrix5does not completely cover the inter-subpixel region12, i.e., there is a small interval between the black matrix5and the adjacent subpixel region11when viewed in a plan view. When the external ambient light is incident onto the display panel, the black matrix can prevent the external ambient light incident onto the black matrix from being reflected. However, the external ambient light is reflected in the spacer region between the black matrix and the subpixel region11, which makes the display panel have high reflectivity to the external ambient light, thereby affecting the display effect.

Therefore, the present disclosure particularly provides an array substrate having a novel structure, a method of fabricating the same, and a display panel. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an array substrate, including: a substrate; a reflective electrode layer on the substrate; a pixel defining layer on a side of the reflective electrode layer away from the substrate, an orthographic projection of the reflective electrode layer on the substrate overlapping with an orthographic projection of the pixel defining layer on the substrate; an anti-reflection layer located between the reflective electrode layer and the pixel defining layer, and configured to absorb light from outside, an orthographic projection of the anti-reflection layer on the substrate being within an overlapping portion between the orthographic projection of the reflective electrode layer on the substrate and the orthographic projection of the pixel defining layer on the substrate; and a black matrix on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate, an orthographic projection of at least a portion of the anti-reflection layer on the substrate not overlapping with an orthographic projection of the black matrix on the substrate.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an array substrate having a plurality of subpixel regions11and an inter-subpixel region12located between the plurality of subpixel regions11. The array substrate includes: a substrate2; a reflective electrode layer31on the substrate2; a pixel defining layer6located on a side of the reflective electrode layer31away from the substrate2; an anti-reflection layer4located between the reflective electrode layer31and the pixel defining layer6, and configured to absorb light from outside; and a black matrix5on a side of the pixel defining layer6away from the substrate2.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, an orthographic projection of the reflective electrode layer31on the substrate2overlaps with an orthographic projection of the pixel defining layer6on the substrate2. As shown inFIGS.2and3, the reflective electrode layer31extends from the subpixel region11to the inter-subpixel region12.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, an orthographic projection of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2is located within an overlapping portion between the orthographic projection of the reflective electrode layer31on the substrate2and the orthographic projection of the pixel defining layer6on the substrate2; an orthographic projection of at least a portion of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2does not overlap with an orthographic projection of the black matrix5on the substrate2. As shown inFIGS.2and3, the anti-reflection layer4is located in an overlapping region between the reflective electrode layer31and the pixel defining layer6, and the anti-reflection layer4is at least partially distributed in a spacer region between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11.

In the array substrate according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the anti-reflection layer4is arranged in an area of the inter-subpixel region12not shielded by the black matrix5, so that ambient light emitted from external environment to the area of the inter-subpixel region12not shielded by the black matrix5can be absorbed to avoid the ambient light from being reflected in the area of the inter-subpixel region12not shielded by the black matrix5, and further, the display performance of the array substrate is ensured and the user experience is improved.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the array substrate includes a display structure3configured to emit light toward a side away from the substrate2. The display structure3includes a reflective electrode layer31. The display structure3is configured to emit light for producing a display image from the subpixel region11, i.e., the display image is visible to a user from the subpixel region11. The anti-reflection layer4located in the inter-subpixel region12may absorb the ambient light emitted from the external environment to the inter-subpixel region12to prevent the ambient light from being reflected in the inter-subpixel region12.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an interval (as shown by “A” inFIGS.2and3) between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11; the anti-reflection layer4is closer to the subpixel region11than the black matrix5, and the orthographic projection of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2adjoins or partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the black matrix5on the substrate2.

In the present disclosure, the black matrix5located in the inter-subpixel region12can absorb light emitted from the display structure3and directed thereto, thereby avoiding problems such as crosstalk between adjacent subpixels. Meanwhile, the black matrix5is disposed to avoid the reflection of ambient light in the corresponding area of the inter-subpixel region12where the black matrix5is located.

The anti-reflection layer4being closer to the subpixel region11than the black matrix5means that at least a portion of the anti-reflection layer4is located in a spacer region between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11to avoid reflection of ambient light in this spacer region; the fact that the orthographic projection of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2adjoins or partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the black matrix5on the substrate2means that the anti-reflection layer4and the black matrix5may adjoin each other or have an overlapping portion in a direction parallel to the substrate2, which can ensure that the region between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11can absorb ambient light to avoid reflection of ambient light.

Compared with the display panel shown inFIG.1, in the array substrate according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG.2, by providing the anti-reflection layer4in the region between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11, ambient light can be prevented from being reflected in the region, and the display effect of the array substrate can be further improved.

In some embodiments, an orthographic projection of at least one edge of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2coincides with an orthographic projection of an edge of the pixel defining layer6on the substrate2. The at least one edge of the anti-reflection layer4is disposed along a boundary between the subpixel region11and the inter-subpixel region12.

In some embodiments, the anti-reflection layer4may completely cover a gap between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11, so as to ensure that the entire inter-subpixel region12can absorb ambient light, thereby preventing the ambient light from being reflected in the inter-subpixel region12, and further improving the display performance of the array substrate.

In the present disclosure, a major portion of the reflective electrode layer31is located in the subpixel region11, and at least a portion of an edge thereof extends into the inter-subpixel region12, and the anti-reflection layer4is disposed just above the portion of the reflective electrode layer31extending into the inter-subpixel region12.

In some embodiments, a material of the anti-reflection layer4includes a black metal oxide, and a material of the reflective electrode layer31includes any one of silver or aluminum. It should be noted that the anti-reflection layer4may be formed of other suitable materials, which are not limited to the black metal oxide, and may be determined according to actual conditions. The black metal oxide may be tungsten oxide (WOx) or molybdenum oxide (MoOx).

The anti-reflection layer4is located on the reflective electrode layer31, and the destructive interference of light between the two layers may effectively reduce the reflectivity, and the reflectivity for ambient light can be reduced to below 5%.

In the present disclosure, the pixel defining layer6defines the subpixel regions11, i.e., an edge of the pixel defining layer6close to the subpixel region11coincides with the boundary between the subpixel region11and the inter-subpixel region12, and in this case, the portion of the reflective electrode layer31located in the inter-subpixel region12is covered by the pixel defining layer6.

The anti-reflection layer4is located between the pixel defining layer6and the reflective electrode layer31. It should be noted that the anti-reflection layer4is formed by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask in the process of forming the anti-reflection layer4, so that the process of forming the anti-reflection layer4can be simplified, thereby reducing the fabrication cost.

The pixel defining layer6may be an organic resin film layer, and for example, may be formed of polyimide-based material, silicon-based resin, polyacrylic resin, or the like.

It should be noted that a black pixel defining layer6is employed in the display panel in the related art to avoid reflection of ambient light between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11. However, the black pixel defining layer6itself has a small optical transmittance (OD), and thus its anti-reflection effect is poor.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display structure3further includes: a light emitting layer32on a side of the reflective electrode layer31and the pixel defining layer6away from the substrate2; and a transparent electrode layer33on a side of the light emitting layer32away from the substrate2.

In this embodiment, the array substrate is an array substrate of an organic light emitting diode display, the reflective electrode layer31serves as an anode of the display structure3, the transparent electrode layer33serves as a cathode of the display structure3, and the reflective electrode layer31and the transparent electrode layer33jointly drive the light emitting layer32to emit light, so that the emitted light is directed to a side away from the substrate2, thereby forming a display image.

It should be noted that the light emitted from the light emitting layer32to the reflective electrode layer31may be reflected by the reflective electrode layer31, so that the light can finally exit from the light-exiting surface of the array substrate (i.e. the transparent electrode layer side), thereby greatly improving the light extraction efficiency of the array substrate.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the array substrate further includes an encapsulation layer13and a color filter layer20, the encapsulation layer13is located on a side of the display structure3away from the substrate2, and the color filter layer20is located on a side of the encapsulation layer13away from the substrate2. The color filter layer20includes the black matrix5and color filters21located in areas defined by the black matrix5. The encapsulation layer13is configured to encapsulate the display structure3to protect the display structure3.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the array substrate further includes: a first protective layer7between the reflective electrode layer31and the light emitting layer32.

Since the metal (e.g., silver) as the reflective electrode layer31is easily oxidized, the first protective layer7needs to be disposed on the surface of the reflective electrode layer31to slow down the oxidation rate of the reflective metal, thereby improving the service life of the array substrate.

Note that the first protective layer7located between the reflective electrode layer31and the light emitting layer32may be provided in the same layer as the anti-reflection layer4. For example, a black metal oxide layer is first formed on the reflective electrode layer31; next, the pixel defining layer6defining the subpixel regions11is formed; then, by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask, a transparentizing process (e.g., an oxygen plasma process) is performed on the black metal oxide layer so that a portion of the black metal oxide layer located in the subpixel region11becomes light-transmissive, thereby forming the first protective layer7, and a portion of the black metal oxide layer located between the pixel defining layer6and the reflective electrode layer31is formed as the anti-reflection layer4. After the oxygen plasma process, the transmittance of the portion of the black metal oxide layer in the subpixel region11can be increased to 90%; and the work function thereof also meets the work function requirement of the anode, and the array substrate is formed as shown inFIG.5.

As another example, the anti-reflection material layer41is first formed on the reflective electrode layer31; next, the pixel defining layer6defining the subpixel region11is formed; then, the anti-reflection material layer41is etched by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask to remove the portion of the anti-reflection material layer41located in the subpixel region11. In this case, the array substrate is formed without the first protective layer7between the light emitting layer32and the reflective electrode layer31. However, it should be noted that, in this case, in order to avoid damage (such as oxidation) to the reflective electrode layer31during etching, it is necessary to form a third protective layer9on the reflective electrode layer31after forming the reflective electrode layer31, and then form the anti-reflection material layer41on the third protective layer9, and the array substrate is formed as shown inFIG.3. In some embodiments, the orthographic projection of the reflective electrode layer31on the substrate2is within an orthographic projection of the third protective layer9on the substrate2. In some embodiments, the material of the third protective layer9may be indium tin oxide (ITO).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the array substrate further includes: a second protective layer8between the reflective electrode layer31and the substrate2.

Since the metal (e.g., silver) as the reflective electrode layer31is easily oxidized, the second protective layer8needs to be disposed on the lower surface of the reflective electrode layer31(i.e., between the reflective electrode layer31and the substrate2) to slow down the oxidation rate of the reflective metal, thereby prolonging the service life of the array substrate. In some embodiments, the material of the second protective layer8may be indium tin oxide (ITO).

In addition, the array substrate further includes a transistor structure10. The transistor structure10is located between the display structure3and the substrate2and configured to supply power to the reflective electrode layer31and the transparent electrode layer33.

In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a method for fabricating an array substrate, the array substrate has a plurality of subpixel regions11and an inter-subpixel region12located between the plurality of subpixel regions11. The method comprises the following steps of:forming a reflective electrode layer31on a substrate2;forming an anti-reflection layer4and a pixel defining layer6on a side of the reflective electrode layer31away from the substrate2, wherein the anti-reflection layer4is configured to absorb light from the outside and located between the reflective electrode layer31and the pixel defining layer6; an orthographic projection of the reflective electrode layer31on the substrate2overlaps with an orthographic projection of the pixel defining layer6on the substrate2; an orthographic projection of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2is located within an overlapping portion between the orthographic projection of the reflective electrode layer31on the substrate and the orthographic projection of the pixel defining layer6on the substrate2; andforming a black matrix on a side of the pixel defining layer6away from the substrate2, wherein an orthographic projection of at least a portion of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2does not overlap with an orthographic projection of the black matrix5on the substrate2.

In the array substrate according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the anti-reflection layer4is arranged in the area of the inter-subpixel region12not shielded by the black matrix5, so that ambient light emitted from external environment to the area of the inter-subpixel region12not shielded by the black matrix5can be absorbed to avoid ambient light from being reflected in the area of the inter-subpixel region12not shielded by the black matrix5, and further, the display performance of the array substrate is ensured and the user experience is improved.

FIG.7is a schematic flow chart illustrating a method for fabricating an array substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method for fabricating the array substrate includes steps S11to S15.

In step S11, as shown inFIG.4a, the reflective electrode layer31is formed on the substrate2.

The major portion of the reflective electrode layer is located in the subpixel region11, and at least a portion of an edge thereof extends into the inter-subpixel region12.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second protective layer8may be formed on the substrate2before the reflective electrode layer31is formed.

In step S12, as shown inFIG.4a, the anti-reflection material layer41is formed on the side of the reflective electrode layer31away from the substrate2.

The anti-reflection material layer41completely covers the reflective electrode layer31.

In step S13, as shown inFIG.4b, the pixel defining layer6is formed on the side of the anti-reflection material layer41away from the substrate2, and configured to define the subpixel regions11.

The edge of the pixel defining layer6close to the subpixel region11coincides with the boundary between the subpixel region11and the inter-subpixel region12, and in this case, the portion of the reflective electrode layer31located in the inter-subpixel region12is covered by the pixel defining layer6.

In step S14, as shown inFIG.4c, the anti-reflection material layer41is processed by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask to form the anti-reflection layer4.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, processing the anti-reflection material layer41by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask includes: as shown inFIG.4c, etching the anti-reflection material layer41by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask to remove the portion of the anti-reflection material layer41located in the subpixel region11.

After the anti-reflection material layer41is etched by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask, the anti-reflection material layer41remaining between the pixel defining layer6and the reflective electrode layer31is the anti-reflection layer4. Therefore, for this case, the first protective layer7is not provided between the light emitting layer32and the reflective electrode layer31in the array substrate formed later.

The etching method may include wet etching and dry etching. In wet etching, ferric trichloride solution (FeCl3), nitric acid solution (HNO3) and peroxyacetyl nitrate solution (PAN) may be adopted as the etching solution; in dry etching, sulfur hexafluoride gas (SF6), carbon tetrafluoride gas (CF4) and the like may be selected as the dry etching gas.

It should be noted that, in this case, in order to avoid damage (such as oxidation) to the reflective electrode layer31during etching, it is necessary to form the third protective layer9on the reflective electrode layer31after the reflective electrode layer31is formed, and then form the anti-reflection material layer41on the third protective layer9, and the array substrate is formed as shown inFIG.3.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, processing the anti-reflection material layer41by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask includes: as shown inFIG.6, modifying the anti-reflection material layer41by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask to make the portion of the anti-reflection material layer41located in the subpixel region11become light transmissive.

After the anti-reflection material layer41is modified by using the pixel defining layer6as a mask, the portion of the anti-reflection material layer41between the reflective electrode layer31and the light emitting layer32becomes light transmissive, thereby forming the first protective layer7; and the remaining portion of the anti-reflection material layer41positioned between the pixel defining layer6and the reflective electrode layer31serves as the anti-reflection layer4. Therefore, for this case, the first protective layer7is provided between the light emitting layer32and the reflective electrode layer31in the array substrate formed later. In some embodiments, the modification process is an oxygen plasma process, and after the oxygen plasma process, the transmittance of the black metal oxide layer in the subpixel region11can be increased to 90%; and its work function also meets the work function requirements of the anode.

It should be noted that, in this case, since the oxygen plasma process has little damage to the reflective electrode layer31, the third protective layer9may not be formed on the reflective electrode layer31, and the array substrate may be formed as shown inFIG.5.

In step S15, as shown inFIG.4d, the light emitting layer32, the transparent electrode layer33, and the black matrix5are sequentially formed. The light transmittance of the transparent electrode layer33ranges from 40% to 60%.

The black matrix5and the subpixel region11have an interval therebetween; the anti-reflection layer4is closer to the subpixel region11than the black matrix5, and the orthographic projection of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2adjoins or partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the black matrix5on the substrate2. The anti-reflection layer4being closer to the subpixel region11than the black matrix5means that at least a portion of the anti-reflection layer4is located in a spacer region between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11to avoid reflection of ambient light in this spacer region; the fact that the orthographic projection of the anti-reflection layer4on the substrate2adjoins or partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the black matrix5on the substrate2means that the anti-reflection layer4and the black matrix5may adjoin each other or have an overlapping portion in a direction parallel to the substrate2, which can ensure that the region between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11can absorb ambient light to avoid reflection of ambient light.

In the array substrate according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, by disposing the anti-reflection layer4in the region between the black matrix5and the subpixel region11, ambient light can be prevented from being reflected in the region, and the display effect of the array substrate can be further improved.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a display panel including the array substrate described above.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the display panel may be any product or component having a display function, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, an electronic paper, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a display, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame, and a navigator.

It should be noted that, relational terms such as first, second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, the terms “include”, “comprise”, and any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase “including an . . . ” does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

The embodiments according to the present disclosure are described above, and these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to better explain the principles and the practical applications of the present disclosure, to thereby enable those skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.