Patent ID: 12193293

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For ease of describing the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application clearly, in the embodiments of this application, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to distinguish same or similar items with basically same functions and roles. For example, a first chip and a second chip are merely used to distinguish between different chips, and are not intended to limit a sequence thereof. A person skilled in the art may understand that the terms such as “first” and “second” do not define a quantity and an execution sequence, and the terms such as “first” and “second” do not indicate a definite difference.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the terms such as “exemplarily” or “for example” are used to represent giving an example, an illustration, or a description. Any embodiment or design solution described by using “exemplarily” or “for example” in this application should not be explained as being more preferred or having more advantages than another embodiment or design solution. Exactly, the terms such as “exemplarily” or “for example” as used herein are intended to present a related concept in a specific manner.

In the embodiments of this application, “at least one” refers to one or more, and “a plurality of” refers to two or more. “And/or” describes an association relationship between associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may represent that; only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character “/” generally indicates an “or” relationship between the associated objects. “At least one of the following items” or a similar expression means any combination of these items, including a single item or any combination of a plurality of items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c may represent a, b, c, “a and b”, “a and c”. “b and c”, or “a, b, and c”, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

With the continuous development of the information era, terminal devices such as mobile phones have become tools that are commonly used in people's lives and work. In addition, as users have increasingly high requirements for the terminal devices, terminal devices with narrow bezels are gradually favored by the users. Therefore, terminal devices with narrow bezels have gradually become a trend the industry pursue.

In the related art, as shown inFIG.1, a flexible display module includes: a flexible display panel101, a first back film102, an adhesive layer103, a support pad104, a second back film105, a metal cover layer (metal cover layer, MCL)106, an encapsulation layer107, a touch layer108, a polarizer109, an optical adhesive layer110, and a cover plate111. In addition, the flexible display module is divided into a display region AA and a bezel region NA. The bezel region NA includes a peripheral region B1, a bendable region B2, and a binding region B3, and the peripheral region B1refers to a region between the display region AA and a boundary of the encapsulation layer107.

By using a flexible material as a substrate material of the flexible display panel101, the flexible display panel101in the bendable region B2is enabled to be bent, and therefore the flexible display panel101in the binding region B3can be bent to a backlight side of the flexible display panel101through the flexible display panel101in the bendable region B2, thereby reducing a width of a bezel on a side where the binding region B3of the flexible display panel101is located.

However, manufacturing costs of the flexible display panel101are usually greater than that of a rigid display panel. To reduce manufacturing costs of a terminal device, the rigid display panel may be used as a display panel of the terminal device.

As shown inFIG.2, the rigid display panel includes a rigid backplane21, and the rigid backplane21is divided into a display region AA and a bezel region NA. The bezel region NA includes a peripheral region and an edge region B4, and the peripheral region includes a wiring lapping region B11and an encapsulation region B12. The edge region B4refers to a region between the encapsulation region B12and an edge of the rigid backplane21, and the edge region B4includes a binding region used for binding a driver chip.

A structure such as a light-emitting device221is arranged on the rigid backplane21in the display region AA, a structure222such as lapping wiring is arranged on the rigid backplane21in the wiring lapping region B11, and an encapsulation structure223is arranged on the rigid backplane21in the encapsulation region B12. In addition, the rigid display panel further includes a cover plate23.

A substrate material in the rigid backplane21is a rigid material, and therefore the rigid backplane21cannot be bent. As a result, a width of a bezel on a side where the binding region of the rigid display panel is located is relatively large. Through testing, a width of the bezel region NA of the rigid display panel shown inFIG.2is generally greater than or equal to 2.3 mm, and a width of the edge region B4is basically about 1.67 mm.

Based on the above, an embodiment of this application provides a display panel, where a rigid substrate and a driving circuit layer in a bendable region are peeled off, so that the display panel in the bendable region can be bent, and the display panel in a binding region can be bent to a backlight side of the display panel, thereby reducing a width of a bezel on a side where the binding region of the display panel is located. In addition, a first organic layer structure, a first inorganic layer structure, a conductive layer, and a second organic layer structure are arranged inside a first peripheral region, the bendable region, and the binding region, which can improve rigidity of the display panel in the bendable region, thereby better maintaining a bending profile in the bendable region. Furthermore, since the driving circuit layer is arranged bypassing the bendable region, to enable a signal line in the driving circuit layer to be connected to a driver chip in the binding region, the signal line can be connected to the driver chip through the conductive layer, so that a signal outputted by the driver chip can be transmitted to the signal line, and erosion by water and oxygen on a connection lead in the conductive layer can be reduced through the first inorganic layer structure.

The display panel provided in this embodiment of this application may be applied to a terminal device including a display function. The terminal device may be a device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an e-reader, a notebook computer, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, or a TV that needs to be set with a narrow bezel.

In this embodiment of this application, description is made by using an example in which the terminal device is a mobile phone. As shown inFIG.3, a terminal device300includes a display panel30and a housing40. The display panel30is a rigid display panel and is mounted on the housing40for displaying an image, a video, or the like. The display panel30and the housing40jointly enclose an accommodating cavity of the terminal device300, so that electronic devices of the terminal device3M) can be placed through the accommodating cavity, and the electronic devices located in the accommodating cavity ca be sealed and protected simultaneously.

As shown inFIG.4, the display panel30includes a display region AA and a bezel region NA surrounding the display region AA. The bezel region NA includes a first peripheral region N11, a bendable region N12, and a binding region N13, where the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13are sequentially arranged away from the display region AA. That is, in a direction along which the display region AA points to the binding region N13, regions of the display panel30are sequentially the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13.

In some embodiments, the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13are located on one side of the display region AA. Certainly, the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13may also be arranged on at least two sides of the display region AA.

The first peripheral region N11refers to a region between the display region AA and the bendable region N12. In an actual product, encapsulation needs to be performed on an outer periphery of the display region AA of the display panel30through an encapsulation structure such as a sealant or an encapsulation film layer, and a signal line inside the display region AA needs to lap with a peripheral lead. Therefore, the first peripheral region N11may include a region occupied by the encapsulation structure and a lapping region of the signal line inside the display region and the peripheral lead.

In a case that the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13are located on one side of the display region AA, the bezel region NA further includes a second peripheral region N21, a third peripheral region N31, and a fourth peripheral region N41, where the first peripheral region N11and the third peripheral region N31are located on two opposing sides of the display region AA, both the second peripheral region N21and the fourth peripheral region N41are located between the first peripheral region N11and the third peripheral region N31, and the second peripheral region N21and the fourth peripheral region N41are also located on the two opposing sides of the display region AA.

For example, the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13may be located on a lower side of the display region AA; the third peripheral region N31may be located on an upper side of the display region AA; the second peripheral region N21may be located on a left side of the display region AA; and the fourth peripheral region N41may be located on a right side of the display region AA.

The following describes specific structures of the rigid display panel in this embodiment of this application through four different structure implementations. Structures of the display panel30shown inFIG.5toFIG.8are cross-sectional views obtained along a cross section C-C′ after the binding region N13of the display panel30shown inFIG.4is bent to a backlight side of the display panel30.

In a first optional implementation, as shown inFIG.5, the display panel30includes a rigid substrate31, a driving circuit layer32, and a first organic layer structure33, a first inorganic layer structure34, a conductive layer35, and a second organic layer structure36that are arranged in a stacked manner.

The rigid substrate31is arranged bypassing the bendable region N12, that is, the rigid substrate31is distributed in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the binding region N13, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41. The rigid substrate31is disconnected at a position where the bendable region N12is located.

The rigid substrate31located in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41is an integral structure, and includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged opposite to each other, and a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, and a fourth side surface that are arranged between the first surface and the second surface and connected to each other end to end. The first side surface is a side surface on which the first peripheral region N11is located, the second side surface is a side surface on which the second peripheral region N21is located, the third side surface is a side surface on which the third peripheral region N31is located, and the fourth side surface is a side surface on which the fourth peripheral region N41is located.

The rigid substrate31located in the binding region N13is an integral structure, and includes a third surface and a fourth surface that are arranged opposite to each other, and a fifth side surface, a sixth side surface, a seventh side surface, and an eighth side surface that are arranged between the third surface and the fourth surface and connected to each other end to end. Before the binding region N13is bent to the backlight side of the display panel30through the bendable region N12, the fourth surface and the first surface are located on a same plane, the third surface and the second surface are located on a same plane, the seventh side surface and the first side surface are arranged opposite to each other, and the fifth side surface is located on a side of the seventh side surface away from the first peripheral region N11. The bendable region N12is a region between the first side surface and the seventh side surface. After the binding region N13is bent to the backlight side of the display panel30through the bendable region N12, the first surface and the fourth surface are arranged opposite to each other, the third surface is located on a side of the fourth surface away from the first surface, the second surface is located on a side of the first surface away from the fourth surface, and the seventh side surface and the first side surface may be located on a same plane. The backlight side of the display panel30refers to a side on which the first surface of the rigid substrate31is located.

The rigid substrate31may be a glass substrate, a polymethyl methacrylate (polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA) substrate, or the like, and the PMMA substrate may also be referred to as an acrylic substrate.

Both the second surface of the rigid substrate31located in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41and the third surface of the rigid substrate31located in the binding region N13are arranged with the driving circuit layer32. The driving circuit layer32is arranged bypassing the bendable region N12, that is, the driving circuit layer32is distributed in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the binding region N13, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41and disconnected at the position where the bendable region N12is located.

In this embodiment of this application, the display panel30may be an OLED display panel, and therefore the OLED display panel30located in the display region AA actually includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each of the sub-pixels includes a pixel driving circuit and light-emitting device. The light-emitting device is arranged on a side of the pixel driving circuit away from the rigid substrate31and is connected to the pixel driving circuit. The pixel driving circuit can provide a driving voltage to the light-emitting device to control a light-emitting state of the light-emitting device. Therefore, the driving circuit layer32located in the display region AA actually refers to the pixel driving circuit corresponding to each of the sub-pixels in the display region AA.

It should be noted that the pixel driving circuit has various structures. For example, the structures of the pixel driving circuit may be a 6T1C pixel driving circuit, a 7T1C pixel driving circuit, a 3TC pixel driving circuit, and the like. “T” represents a transistor in the pixel driving circuit, and a number before “T” represents a quantity of transistors in the pixel driving circuit. “C” represents a storage capacitor in the pixel driving circuit, and a number before “C” represents a quantity of storage capacitors in the pixel driving circuit.

The transistor in the pixel driving circuit is formed by an active layer321, a gate insulation layer322, a gate layer323, an interlayer dielectric layer324, and a source-drain electrode layer that are arranged in a stacked manner. In this case, the driving circuit layer32located in the display region AA includes the active layer321, the gate insulation layer322, the gate layer323, the interlayer dielectric layer324, and the source-drain electrode layer. For the driving circuit layer32located in the display region AA, the active layer321is located on the second surface of the rigid substrate31, the gate insulation layer322covers the active layer321and the second surface of the rigid substrate31, the gate layer323is located on a side of the gate insulation layer322away from the rigid substrate31, the interlayer dielectric layer324covers the gate layer323and the gate insulation layer322, and the source-drain electrode layer is located on a side of the interlayer dielectric layer324away from the rigid substrate31.

The gate layer323includes a gate of each transistor, an EM (a light-emitting control) signal line, a gate line, a reset signal line, and the like. The source-drain electrode layer includes a source3251and a drain3252of each transistor, a data line, a VDD (high-level power supply) signal line, and the like.

The driving circuit layer32in the first peripheral region N11, the binding region N13, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41actually refers to an insulating dielectric layer in the driving circuit layer32, for example, the gate insulation layer322and the interlayer dielectric layer324in the driving circuit layer32. For the driving circuit layer32located in the binding region N13, the gate insulation layer322is located on the third surface of the rigid substrate31, and the interlayer dielectric layer324is located on a side of the gate insulation layer322away from the rigid substrate31.

The transistor in the driving circuit layer32shown inFIG.5is a bottom-gate transistor. Certainly, the transistor in the driving circuit layer32in this embodiment of this application may also be a top-gate transistor. In addition, there may alternatively be a plurality of gate layers in the driving circuit layer32, and every two adjacent gate layers need to be spaced apart through the gate insulation layer. There may alternatively be a plurality of source-drain electrode layers in the driving circuit layer32, and every two adjacent source-drain electrode layers need to be spaced apart through the interlayer dielectric layer.

The first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36are arranged in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, the fourth peripheral region N41, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13in a stacked manner.

In the display region AA, the binding region N13, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36are sequentially arranged away from the second surface of the rigid substrate31. Specifically, the first organic layer structure33is located on a side of the driving circuit layer32away from the rigid substrate31; the first inorganic layer structure34is located on a side of the first organic layer structure33away from the rigid substrate31; the conductive layer35is located on a side of the first inorganic layer structure34away from the rigid substrate31; and the second organic layer structure36is located on a side of the conductive layer35away from the rigid substrate31.

Before the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent, the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36in the bendable region N12are sequentially arranged away from the second surface of the rigid substrate31; and after the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent, the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36in the bendable region N12are sequentially arranged away from the first side surface of the rigid substrate31. That is, there is a certain spacer region between the first organic layer structure33and the first side surface of the rigid substrate31, the first inorganic layer structure34is located on a side of the first organic layer structure33away from the first side surface of the rigid substrate31, the conductive layer35is located on a side of the first inorganic layer structure34away from the first side surface of the rigid substrate31, and the second organic layer structure36is located on a side of the conductive layer35away from the first side surface of the rigid substrate31.

The first organic layer structure33includes an organic layer, where the organic layer may also be referred to as a flat layer, a material of the organic layer may be an organic material such as resin, and a thickness of the organic layer in the first organic layer structure33may be 2 μm. The first inorganic layer structure34includes an inorganic layer, where the inorganic layer may also be referred to as a passivation layer, and a material of the inorganic layer may be an inorganic material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride. A material of the conductive layer35may be a metal material such as titanium, aluminum, molybdenum, or copper. The second organic layer structure36includes an organic layer, where the organic layer may also be referred to as a flat layer, a material of the organic layer may be an organic material such as resin, and a thickness of the organic layer in the second organic layer structure36may be 2 μm.

The conductive layer35actually includes a plurality of connection leads, where one end of each of the connection leads is connected to a signal line in the driving circuit layer32through a first via running through the first inorganic layer structure34and the first organic layer structure33, and an other end of each of the connection leads is further connected to a driver chip (not shown inFIG.5) arranged in the binding region N13through a second via50running through the second organic layer structure36.

In an actual product, the driver chip may be fixed in the binding region N13of the display panel30by using a COP (chip on panel). The COP refers to a process of directly binding the driver chip to the display panel30. Certainly, the driver chip may be fixed in the binding region N13of the display panel30in another manner, for example, the driver chip is fixed in the binding region N13of the display panel30in a manner of using a chip on film (chip on film, COF) or a COG (chip on glass).

Therefore, in a case that the driving circuit layer32is arranged bypassing the bendable region N12, the driver chip may be connected to the signal line in the driving circuit layer32through the conductive layer35, so that a signal outputted by the driver chip can be transmitted to the signal line in the driving circuit layer32, thereby enabling the pixel driving circuit in the driving circuit layer32to work normally.

The signal line in the driving circuit layer32may be a data line, a VDD signal line, or the like, and the data line or the VDD signal line is connected to the source of the transistor in the driving circuit layer32. Therefore, inFIG.5, the connection lead is connected to the source3251of the transistor through the first via, to represent a connection relationship between the connection lead and the signal line in the driving circuit layer32.

In this case, the signal line in the driving circuit layer32may be distributed only in the display region AA, and therefore, the first via is arranged in the display region AA, and the connection lead is connected to the signal line in the driving circuit layer32through the first via in the display region AA.

Certainly, it may be understood that the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36may alternatively be distributed only in the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13. In this case, the first organic layer structure33in the first peripheral region N11is located on the side of the driving circuit layer32away from the rigid substrate31. Alternatively, the conductive layer35and the second organic layer structure36may be distributed only in the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, the binding region N13, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, that is, the conductive layer35and the second organic layer structure36are arranged only bypassing the bendable region N12.

It should be noted that the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36in the bendable region N12can enhance rigidity of the display panel30in the bendable region N12, to better maintain a bending profile in the bendable region N12. The maintenance of the bending profile in the bendable region N12is mainly achieved through the organic layer structures (that is, the first organic layer structure33and the second organic layer structure36) in the bendable region N12. In addition, the organic layer structures arranged in the bendable region N12include the first organic layer structure33and the second organic layer structure36instead of only including a single organic layer. The purpose is to better support the bendable region N12by arranging two layers of organic layer structures, thereby maintaining the bending profile in the bendable region N12. In a case that only a single-layer organic layer structure is arranged in the bendable region N12, a support effect is poor, and therefore it is difficult to maintain the bending profile in the bendable region N12better.

The first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36further extend to the first peripheral region N11and the binding region N13, which is mainly intended to enable the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36to be normally lapped on the driving circuit layer32in the first peripheral region N11and the binding region N13. In a case that only the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36are arranged in the bendable region N12, after the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12are peeled off, the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36in the bendable region N12may be broken, thereby failing to maintain a profile of the bendable region N12.

The conductive layer35arranged in the bendable region N12, the first peripheral region N11, and the binding region N13is mainly configured to connect the signal line in the driving circuit layer32to the driver chip in the binding region N13, so that the signal outputted by the driver chip can be transmitted to the signal line through the conductive layer35.

The first inorganic layer structure34arranged in the bendable region N12, the first peripheral region N11, and the binding region N13is mainly configured to block water and oxygen, thereby reducing erosion by the water and oxygen on the connection lead in the conductive layer35. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first inorganic layer structure34shown inFIG.5may alternatively be removed, so that the first organic layer structure33, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36are sequentially arranged in a stacked manner in the bendable region N12, the first peripheral region N11, and the binding region N13.

In this embodiment of this application, as shown inFIG.5, the display panel30further includes structures such as an anode layer41, a pixel defining layer37, a light-emitting layer42, a cathode layer43, and an encapsulation layer44.

The anode layer41is distributed in the display region AA and located on a side of the second organic layer structure36away from the rigid substrate31. In an actual product, the anode layer41includes an anode corresponding to each sub-pixel, and anodes between every two adjacent sub-pixels are disconnected. A material of the anode layer41may be a metal material such as aluminum and silver.

The pixel defining layer37is distributed in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13. In this case, in the binding region N13, the second via50further runs through the pixel defining layer37. Certainly, the pixel defining layer37may alternatively be distributed in the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41. The pixel defining layer37is located on a side of the second organic layer structure36away from the first organic layer structure33. In addition, in the display region AA, the pixel defining layer includes a plurality of pixel openings, and each pixel opening exposes at least some anodes. A thickness of the pixel defining layer37may be 1.5 μm.

The light-emitting layer42is located in the display region AA, and is specifically located in the pixel opening defined by the pixel defining layer37.

The cathode layer43may be distributed in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, and is located on a side of the pixel defining layer37away from the rigid substrate31. A material of the cathode layer43may be a conductive material with a high transmittance such as indium tin oxides (indium tin oxides, ITO) and another material.

The anode layer41, the light-emitting layer42, and the cathode layer43jointly form the light-emitting device, and a light-emitting side of light emitted by the light-emitting device is a side facing the cathode layer43. Therefore, by using the conductive material with the high transmittance to manufacture the cathode layer43, a loss generated in a case that the light emitted by the light-emitting device passes through the cathode layer43can be reduced.

The encapsulation layer44may be distributed in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, and is located on a side of the cathode layer43away from the rigid substrate31.

In this case, a film layer structure in the bendable region N12includes the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, the second organic layer structure36, and the pixel defining layer37that are arranged in a stacked manner, and the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, the second organic layer structure36, and the pixel defining layer37are sequentially arranged away from the first side surface of the rigid substrate31.

It should be noted that the display panel30may further be arranged with structures such as a touch layer, a polarizer, an optical adhesive layer, and a cover plate on a side of the encapsulation layer44away from the rigid substrate31.

In addition, to enable the structure of the display panel30to be stable after the display panel30in the bendable region N12is bent, an adhesive layer38may be arranged between the rigid substrate31located in the binding region N13and the rigid substrate31located in the display region AA The rigid substrate31in the binding region N13is adhered to the rigid substrate31in the display region AA through the adhesive layer38, so that a structure in the binding region N13can be stably fixed on the backlight side of the display panel30. In this case, the adhesive layer38is actually located between the first surface of the rigid substrate31in the display region AA and the fourth surface of the rigid substrate31in the binding region N13.

Based on the above, by peeling off the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12, the display panel30in the binding region N13can be bent to the backlight side of the display panel30through the bendable region N12, to reduce a width of a bezel on a side where the binding region N13of the display panel30is located. In addition, by arranging the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36in the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13, the bending profile in the bendable region N12can be maintained, and the driver chip can be connected to the signal line in the driving circuit layer32through the conductive layer35, and the erosion by the water and oxygen on the connection lead in the conductive layer35can be reduced.

In a second optional implementation, as shown inFIG.6, the display panel30includes a rigid substrate31, a driving circuit layer32, and a first organic layer structure33, a first inorganic layer structure34, a conductive layer35, and a second organic layer structure36that are arranged in a stacked manner.

The first organic layer structure33includes two organic layers, which are respectively a first organic layer331and a second organic layer332. The first organic layer331and the second organic layer332are distributed in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N1, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, the fourth peripheral region N41, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13.

In the display region AA, the binding region N13, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, the second organic layer332is located on a side of the first organic layer331away from the rigid substrate31. Before the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent, the second organic layer332in the bendable region N12is located on a plane that is away from a second surface of the rigid substrate31on which the first organic layer331is located. After the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent, the second organic layer332in the bendable region N12is located on a first side surface of the first organic layer331away from the rigid substrate31.

In an actual product, materials of the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332may be the same, for example, the materials of the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332are both resin materials. Alternatively, the materials of the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332may be different. Thicknesses of the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332may be equal, for example, the thicknesses of the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332are both 2 μm. Alternatively, the thicknesses of the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332may not be equal, and this is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

It should be noted that a difference between the display panel30shown inFIG.5and the display panel shown30inFIG.6lies in that the first organic layer structure33in the display panel30shown inFIG.5includes one organic layer, while the first organic layer structure33in the display panel30shown inFIG.6includes two organic layers, and the remaining structures are basically the same. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again. For specific structures of the film layers such as the rigid substrate31, the driving circuit layer32, the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35and the second organic layer structure36, reference may be made to the description in the first optional implementation.

In a case that the first organic layer structure33includes two organic layers, the rigidity of the display panel30in the bendable region N12can be further enhanced, thereby better maintaining the bending profile in the bendable region N12.

It is found through a test that in the display panel30shown inFIG.6, a width of the bendable region N12may be 0.25 mm, and a width of the first peripheral region N11is 0.7 mm. The width refers to a size of the first peripheral region N11in a direction pointing to the third peripheral region N13, so that the width of the bezel on the side where the binding region N13of the display panel30is located can be reduced to 0.95 mm.

In a third optional implementation, as shown inFIG.7, the display panel30includes a rigid substrate31, a driving circuit layer32, and a first organic layer331, a second inorganic layer structure39, a second organic layer332, a first inorganic layer structure34, a conductive layer35, and a second organic layer structure36that are arranged in a stacked manner.

In this case, the first organic layer structure33includes two organic layers, which are respectively the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332. The second inorganic layer structure39is arranged between the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332. The second inorganic layer structure39includes an inorganic layer, and the second inorganic layer structure39is distributed in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, the fourth peripheral region N41, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13.

Certainly, in some embodiments, the second inorganic layer structure39may alternatively be distributed only in the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13. The inorganic layer in the second inorganic layer structure39may not be limited to be one, and the second inorganic layer structure39may also include two inorganic layers, three inorganic layers, or the like.

In some other embodiments, the first organic layer structure33may include more than two organic layers. In this case, the second inorganic layer structure39may be arranged between any two adjacent organic layers, or the second inorganic layer structure39may be arranged between some two adjacent organic layers. For example, the first organic layer structure33includes three organic layers, which are respectively the first organic layer331, the second organic layer332, and a third organic layer. The second inorganic layer structure39is arranged between the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332, and/or the second inorganic layer structure39is arranged between the second organic layer332and the third organic layer.

As shown inFIG.7, a source3251of a transistor is used to represent a signal line in the driving circuit layer32, and the signal line in the driving circuit layer32is not only distributed in the display region AA, but also extends into the first peripheral region N11. In this case, a first via may be arranged in the first peripheral region N11, and in the first peripheral region N11, a connection lead is connected to the signal line in the driving circuit layer32through the first via. In addition, the first via actually runs through the first inorganic layer structure34, the second organic layer332, the second inorganic layer structure39, and the first organic layer331.

It should be noted that there are two differences between the display panel30shown inFIG.7and the display panel30shown inFIG.6. One difference lies in that the first organic layer structure33in the display panel30shown inFIG.6includes the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332, but the display panel30shown inFIG.7not only includes the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332, but also includes the second inorganic layer structure39that is arranged between the first organic layer331and the second organic layer332. The other difference lies in that the first via in the display panel30shown inFIG.6is located in the display region AA, while the first via in the display panel30shown inFIG.7is located in the first peripheral region N11. The remaining structures are basically the same. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

Based on the above, the display panels30shown inFIG.5toFIG.7are all OLED display panels, while the display panel in this embodiment of this application may alternatively be an LCD display panel shown inFIG.8.

In a fourth optional implementation, as shown inFIG.8, the display panel30includes a rigid substrate31, a driving circuit layer32, and a first organic layer structure33, a first inorganic layer structure34, a conductive layer35, and a second organic layer structure36that are arranged in a stacked manner.

The driving circuit layer32is also arranged bypassing a bendable region N12. The driving circuit layer32located in the display region AA actually refers to a structure such as a pixel transistor corresponding to each sub-pixel in the display region AA. A gate of the pixel transistor is connected to a gate line, a source of the pixel transistor is connected to a data line, and a drain of the pixel transistor is connected to a pixel electrode51. The pixel transistor is configured to provide a pixel voltage to the pixel electrode51under the action of the gate line and the data line, so that liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer52deflect under the action of the pixel voltage provided by the pixel electrode51and a common voltage provided by a common electrode, to implement a display function.

The first organic layer structure33and the first inorganic layer structure34that are arranged in a stacked manner are arranged in a display region AA, a first peripheral region N11, a second peripheral region N21, a third peripheral region N31, a fourth peripheral region N41, a bendable region N12, and a binding region N13. In the display region AA, the binding region N13, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, the first inorganic layer structure34is located on a side of the first organic layer structure33away from a second surface of the rigid substrate31.

Before the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent, the first organic layer structure33and the first inorganic layer structure34in the bendable region N12are sequentially arranged away from a plane where the second surface of the rigid substrate31is located. After the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent, the first organic layer structure33and the first inorganic layer structure34in the bendable region N12are sequentially arranged away from a first side surface of the rigid substrate31.

The conductive layer35and the second organic layer structure36are arranged bypassing the display region AA, that is, the conductive layer35and the second organic layer structure36are distributed in the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, the fourth peripheral region N41, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13. By removing the conductive layer35and the second organic layer structure36in the display region AA, a quantity of film layers in the display region AA can be reduced, and a transmittance of the display panel30in the display region AA can be improved.

In the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, the fourth peripheral region N41, and the binding region N13, the second organic layer structure36is located on a side of the conductive layer35away from the second surface of the rigid substrate31. Before the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent, the conductive layer35and the second organic layer structure36in the bendable region N12are sequentially arranged away from the plane where the second surface of the rigid substrate31is located. After the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent, in the bendable region N12, the second organic layer structure36is located on a first side surface of the conductive layer35away from the rigid substrate31.

Certainly, in some embodiments, the conductive layer35and the second organic layer structure36may alternatively be arranged only in the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13. In this case, a signal line (such as a data line) in the driving circuit layer32further extends to the first peripheral region N11, and a first via is located in the first peripheral region N11. In the first peripheral region N11, a connection lead included in the conductive layer35is connected to the signal line in the driving circuit layer32through the first via running through the first inorganic layer structure34and the first organic layer structure33.

It may be understood that in a case that the conductive layer35further extends to the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, the first via may be distributed in any one or more of the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, and it is also necessary for the corresponding signal line to extend to any one or more of the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41. In any one or more of the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, the connection lead included in the conductive layer35is connected to the signal line in the driving circuit layer32through the first via.

In addition, as shown inFIG.8, the display panel30further includes structures such as a pixel electrode51, a liquid crystal layer52, a color film substrate53, and a cover plate54that are sequentially arranged away from the first inorganic layer structure34. The pixel electrode51and the liquid crystal layer52may be distributed only in the display region AA, and the color film substrate53may be distributed in the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41. The cover plate54, in addition to covering the display region AA, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41, further extends to a position where the bendable region N12is located.

It is found through a test that in the display panel shown inFIG.8, a width of the bendable region N12may be 0.3 mm, and a width of the first peripheral region N11may be 0.8 mm, so that a width of a bezel on a side where the binding region N13of the display panel30is located can be reduced to 1.1 mm.

Based on the above, it may be learned that in this embodiment of this application, the first organic layer structure33may include at least one organic layer, and correspondingly, the second organic layer structure36may also include at least one organic layer, and the first inorganic layer structure34includes at least one inorganic layer.

Four different display panels30are shown above. By peeling off the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12, the display panel30in the binding region N13can be bent to the backlight side of the display panel30through the bendable region N12, to reduce the width of the bezel on the side where the binding region N13of the display panel30is located. The display panel30may be an OLED display panel or an LCD display panel. Certainly, in some products, the display panel30in this embodiment of this application may also be a quantum dot light emitting diodes (quantum dot light emitting diodes, QLED) display panel.

In addition, by arranging the first organic layer structure33, the first inorganic layer structure34, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36in the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13, the bending profile in the bendable region N12can be maintained, and the driver chip can be connected to the signal line in the driving circuit layer32through the conductive layer35, and the erosion by the water and oxygen on the connection lead in the conductive layer35can be reduced.

FIG.9is a flowchart of a manufacturing method for a rigid display panel according to an embodiment of this application. Referring toFIG.9, the manufacturing method for a rigid display panel may specifically include the following steps:

Step901. Provide a rigid substrate, where the rigid substrate is divided into a display region and a bezel region surrounding the display region, the bezel region includes a first peripheral region, a bendable region, and a binding region, the first peripheral region, the bendable region, and the binding region are sequentially arranged away from the display region.

Step902. Form a driving circuit layer on the rigid substrate.

In this embodiment of this application, an active layer321, a gate insulation layer322, a gate layer323, an interlayer dielectric layer324, and a source-drain electrode layer are sequentially formed on the rigid substrate31, to obtain the driving circuit layer32through manufacturing.

Step903Sequentially form a first organic layer structure, a first inorganic layer structure, a conductive layer, and a second organic layer structure on the driving circuit layer, where the first organic layer structure, the first inorganic layer structure, the conductive layer, and the second organic layer structure are distributed in at least the first peripheral region, the bendable region, and the binding region.

In this embodiment of this application, after the driving circuit layer32is formed on the rigid substrate31, the first organic layer structure33is first formed in the driving circuit layer32, and then the first inorganic layer structure34is formed on the first organic layer structure33.

Since a connection lead included in the subsequently formed conductive layer35needs to be connected to a signal line in the driving circuit layer32through a first via running through the first inorganic layer structure34and the first organic layer structure33, after the first inorganic layer structure34is formed on the first organic layer structure33, it is also necessary to pattern the first inorganic layer structure34and the first organic layer structure33, to form the first via. A patterning process includes process steps such as photoresist coating, exposure, development, etching, and photoresist peeling off.

Certainly, in a case that the first inorganic layer structure34and the first organic layer structure33are distributed only in the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13, the first inorganic layer structure34and the first organic layer structure33in the display region AA, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41may be simultaneous removed in a case that the first via is formed.

After the first inorganic layer structure34is formed on the first organic layer structure33, a thin conductive film is formed on a side of the first inorganic layer structure34away from the rigid substrate31, and then, the thin conductive film is patterned to form the conductive layer35including a plurality of connection leads. Finally, the second organic layer structure36is formed on a side of the conductive layer35away from the rigid substrate31.

In a case that the second organic layer structure36and the conductive layer35are distributed only in the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, the fourth peripheral region N41, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13, when the thin conductive film is patterned to form the conductive layer35, the thin conductive film in the display region AA needs to be removed simultaneously, and when the second organic layer structure36is formed, a material of the second organic layer structure36in the display region AA also needs to be removed.

It should be noted that in a case that the first inorganic layer structure34is not arranged in the first peripheral region N11, the bendable region N12, and the binding region N13, the first organic layer structure33, the conductive layer35, and the second organic layer structure36may be sequentially formed in the driving circuit layer32. Using an example in which a material of the first organic layer structure33is light-sensitive resin, the first via running through the first organic layer structure33may be directly formed in an exposure and development manner.

In addition, for an OLED display panel, after the second organic layer structure36is formed, it is also necessary to sequentially form structures such as an anode layer41, a pixel defining layer37, a light-emitting layer42, a cathode layer43, and an encapsulation layer44. For an LCD display panel, after the second organic layer structure36is formed, it is also necessary to form a pixel electrode51, fit a color film substrate53to the rigid substrate31on which the pixel electrode51is formed, and inject liquid crystal molecules to form a liquid crystal layer52. Finally, a cover plate54is attached to a side of the color film substrate53away from the rigid substrate31.

Step904. Peel off the rigid substrate and the driving circuit layer in the bendable region.

In this embodiment of this application, after film layers of the display panel30are manufactured, the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12are peeled off.

Specifically, laser irradiation may be performed on a side of the rigid substrate31away from the driving circuit layer32by using a light-shielding fixture, to peel off the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12. In a case that laser is irradiated on the side of the rigid substrate31away from the driving circuit layer32, an interface between the interlayer dielectric layer324in the driving circuit layer32and the first organic layer structure33is separated due to ashing, so that the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12can be peeled off from the display panel30.

As shown inFIG.10, a laser lift-off (laser lift-off, LLO) device includes a laser source61, an attenuator62, an optical system63, a reflecting device64, and a light-shielding fixture65. The laser source61is configured to emit laser. The attenuator62is configured to modulate the laser emitted by the laser source61. The optical system63is configured to perform processing such as shaping and laser homogenization on the laser modulated by the attenuator62, to obtain a uniform light beam that can keep stable for a long time. The reflecting device64is configured to reflect the laser processed by the optical system63to a position where the light-shielding fixture65is located.

The light-shielding fixture65includes a light-shielding region651and a light-transmitting region652. The light-transmitting region652is arranged corresponding to the bendable region N12of the display panel30, and the light-shielding region651is arranged corresponding to a region other than the bendable region N12. That is, the light-shielding region651is arranged corresponding to the display region AA, the binding region N13, the first peripheral region N11, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41.

Therefore, the laser emitted by the reflecting device64can be patterned through the light-shielding fixture65, so that the laser can be irradiated to the bendable region N12of the display panel30through the light-transmitting region652of the light-shielding fixture65, thereby peeling off the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12. The light-shielding region651of the light-shielding fixture65shields the laser to prevent performance of the display panel30from being affected due to the laser being irradiated to the display region AA, the binding region N13, the first peripheral region NIL, the second peripheral region N21, the third peripheral region N31, and the fourth peripheral region N41of the display panel30.

FIG.11is a schematic structural diagram of the rigid display panel30before the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12are peeled off. After the bendable region N12of the display panel30is irradiated by using the light-shielding fixture65, the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12can be removed, to obtain a display panel30shown inFIG.12. Specifically, the rigid substrate31in the bendable region N12, and the gate insulation layer322and the interlayer dielectric layer324in the driving circuit layer32are peeled off.

It should be noted that, as shown inFIG.10, in an actual manufacturing process of the display panel30, a plurality of display panels30are manufactured at one time, and the plurality of display panels30may be collectively referred to as a mother board. Then, the mother board is cut into a plurality of panel groups70. Each of the plurality of panel groups70includes two columns of display panels30, and each column of display panels30includes a plurality of display panels30. In this case, bendable regions N12of the two columns of display panels30are all arranged toward a region between the two columns of display panels30. Therefore, in a case that the light-shielding fixture65is used to peel off the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12of the display panel30, rigid substrates31and driving circuit layers32in bendable regions N12of all display panels in the panel groups70may be peeled off at one time.

Certainly, laser lift-off may be performed once by using the light-shielding fixture65, to peel off the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12of one display panel30or to peel off the rigid substrates31and the driving circuit layers32in the bendable regions N12of one column of display panels30.

After the rigid substrate31and the driving circuit layer32in the bendable region N12of the display panel30are peeled off, a driver chip is bound to the binding region N13of the display panel30.

Step905. Bend the bendable region toward a backlight side of the display panel, so that the binding region is bent to the backlight side of the display panel.

In this embodiment of this application, after the driver chip is bound to the binding region N13of the display panel30, an adhesive layer38is first arranged on a surface (that is, a first surface) at a side of the rigid substrate31in the display region AA away from the first organic layer structure33and/or a surface (that is, a fourth surface) at a side of the rigid substrate31in the binding region N13away from the first organic layer structure33.

Then the bendable region N12of the display panel30is bent toward the backlight side of the display panel30, so that the binding region N13is bent to the backlight side of the display panel30. Since the adhesive layer38is arranged on the first surface of the rigid substrate31in the display region AA and/or the fourth surface of the rigid substrate31in the binding region N13, by pressing the display panel30, the rigid substrate31in the binding region N13can be adhered to the rigid substrate31in the display region AA through the adhesive layer38.

Therefore, after the binding region N13of the display panel30shown inFIG.12is bent to the backlight side of the display panel30through the bendable region N12, and the rigid substrate31in the binding region N13is adhered to the rigid substrate31in the display region AA through the adhesive layer38, the display panel30shown inFIG.5can be obtained.

The objectives, technical solutions, and benefits of this application are further described in detail in the foregoing specific implementations. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any modification, equivalent replacement or improvement made based on the technical solutions in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application.