Patent ID: 12197083

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present application are described in detail with the technical matters, structural features, achieved objects, and effects with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows. It is clear that the described embodiments are part of embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments to those of skilled in the premise of no creative efforts obtained, should be considered within the scope of protection of the present application. Besides, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for illustrating and explaining the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. In this application, if no explanation is made to the contrary, the orientation words used such as “upper” and “lower” usually refer to the upper and lower of the device in actual use or working state, which specifically are the directions of the drawing in the figures; and “inner” and “outer” refer to the outline of the device.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or illustrations for implementing different structures of the present application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, the components and arrangements of the specific illustrations are described below. Certainly, they are merely illustrations and are not intended to limit the present application. In addition, the present application may be repeated with reference to the numerals and/or reference numerals in the various embodiments, which are for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and do not indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and/or arrangements discussed. Moreover, the present application provides illustrations of various specific processes and materials, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the use of other processes and/or the use of other materials. Detailed descriptions are given below. It should be noted that the order of description in the following embodiments is not meant to limit the preferred order of the embodiments.

FIG.1shows a structural diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown inFIG.1, the embodiment of the present application provides a display panel10. The display panel10comprises: a first substrate100and a second substrate200. The first substrate100and the second substrate200are oppositely arranged. The display panel10further comprises a liquid crystal layer300arranged between the first substrate100and second substrate200. Liquid crystal molecules are distributed in the liquid crystal layer300, and the liquid crystal molecules can be twisted under the action of a driving electric field. The first substrate100and the second substrate200are both provided with an alignment layer on a side close to the liquid crystal layer300. The alignment layer can provide uniformly arranged interface conditions for the liquid crystal molecules, so that the liquid crystal molecules are arranged in a predetermined order.

FIG.2shows a top-view diagram of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in conjunction withFIGS.1and2, the display panel10comprises: a display area11and a light-transmitting area12. The display area11of the display panel10is provided with pixel units and is employed to perform display functions; the light-transmitting area12of the display panel10possesses the function of transmitting light, that is, the light transmittance of the light-transmitting area12is higher than the light transmittance of the display area11. Therefore, when an optical element is disposed on a side of the display panel10corresponding to a position of the light-transmitting area12, the light can smoothly pass through the light-transmitting area12of the display panel10and can be incident on the optical element, so that the optical element normally performs a photosensitive function.

In this embodiment, the alignment layer on the first substrate100is a first alignment layer, and the alignment layer on the second substrate200is a second alignment layer. The first alignment layer and/or the second alignment layer are provided with holes (not shown in the figure) in the light-transmitting area12. Since at least one of the alignment layers is provided with a hole in the light-transmitting area12, the filtering effect of the alignment layer on the light penetrating the light-transmitting area12of the display panel10can be effectively reduced, and light loss is reduced, to improve the light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12. Preferably, the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer are both provided with holes in the light-transmitting area12, and the hole in the first alignment layer is corresponding to the hole in the second alignment layer. In this embodiment, by providing holes on both two alignment layers of the display panel10, the light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12can be further improved.

In this embodiment, the light is 940 (±10)nm infrared light (Infrared, IR) for instance, and the light transmittance is infrared light transmittance for instance, and the optical element possesses an infrared light sensing function for instance. Since the human body can emit infrared light, when the optical element located on the side of the display panel10and corresponding to the light-transmitting area12collects the infrared light and forms an image, it can well protect user privacy while accomplishing the monitoring requirements of DMS.

In this embodiment, the hole is filled with an optical film material, and a light transmittance of the optical film material is greater than a light transmittance of the alignment layer. By filling the hole with an optical film material with higher light transmittance, it is possible to increase the light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12while filling the hole in the alignment layer to achieve planarization.

In this embodiment, a visible light reflectivity of the optical film material is less than a visible light reflectivity of the alignment layer. Since the visible light reflectivity of the optical film material is less than the visible light reflectivity of the alignment layer, the uniform display effect of the display panel10can be improved, and the display quality can be improved.

In this embodiment, the optical film material is, for instance, an antireflective film, and the antireflective film is filled in the hole of the alignment layer. The antireflective film can reduce the reflectivity of visible light in the display panel10and increase the transmittance of infrared light in the display panel10.

Continuing to refer toFIG.2, in this embodiment, the display area11and the light-transmitting area12are spaced apart, and the display panel10further comprises a transition area13, and the transition area13is located in a gap area between the display area11and the light-transmitting area12, and a display panel film structure of the transition area13is different from a display panel film structure of the display area11and a display panel film structure of the light-transmitting area12, and the alignment layer is at least disposed in the transition area13of the display panel10. Correspondingly, since the gap area between the display area11and the light-transmitting area12is also provided with an alignment layer, the liquid crystal molecules located near the boundary area of the display area11and the transition area13can have the same alignment form as the liquid crystal molecules located in the display area11to ensure the display effect of the display area11.

In this embodiment, the transition area13surrounds the light-transmitting area12, and the display area11surrounds the transition area13.

In this embodiment, the display panel10further comprises, for instance, a non-display area, and the non-display area is adjacent to the display area11, and the non-display area is arranged around the display area11.

Embodiment One

FIG.3shows a structural diagram of a first substrate in the display panel provided in the first embodiment of the present application;FIG.4shows a diagram of a position of a black matrix ring provided in the first embodiment of the present application in the area A inFIG.2;FIG.5shows a diagram of a position of a first hole and a second hole provided in the first embodiment of the present application in the area A inFIG.2;FIG.6shows a structural diagram of a second substrate in the display panel provided in the first embodiment of the present application. The specific film structure of the first substrate100and the second substrate200in the display panel10will be described in detail below with reference toFIGS.3to6.

In this embodiment, the alignment layers comprise a first alignment layer160provided on the first substrate100and a second alignment layer280provided on the second substrate200, and the first alignment layer160is provided with a first hole161in the light-transmitting area12and the second alignment layer280is provided with a second hole281in the light-transmitting area12, and an area of the first hole161and an area of the second hole281are the same.

In this embodiment, the first substrate100comprises: a first base substrate110. The first base substrate110is a carrier of other film structures on the first substrate100, which can be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and its material can be glass, plastic, or other inorganic or organic materials with excellent light transmittance. Preferably, the first base substrate110is a rigid glass substrate.

In this embodiment, the first substrate100further comprises a black matrix layer120provided on the first base substrate110, and the black matrix layer120is located in the display area11. That is, the black matrix layer120is not provided in the light-transmitting area12. Since the light-transmitting area12omits the black matrix layer120with low light transmittance, the light transmittance of the display panel10can be further improved. Specifically, the black matrix layer120located in the display area11is formed with a grid-shaped black matrix structure121. The infrared light transmittance of the black matrix structure121is 0%. Since the first substrate100is not provided with the black matrix structure121in the light-transmitting area12, the light transmittance of the infrared light of the light-transmitting area12can be greatly improved. Furthermore, the black matrix layer121comprises a black matrix ring1211located at a boundary of the display area11and the transition area13. That is, the black matrix ring1211is the boundary line of the display area11and the transition area13.

In this embodiment, the first substrate100further comprises a color filter layer130and a first planarization layer140sequentially stacked on the black matrix layer120, and the color filter layer130is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light transmission area12, and the first planarization layer140is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light transmission area12, and a thickness of the first planarization layer140in the light-transmitting area12is greater than a thickness of the first planarization layer140in the display area11. Specifically, the color filter layer130located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12is formed by the same process, and the color filter layer130of the display area11comprises color resist units of multiple colors, and the color resist units are used to realize a color display function; the first planarization layer140located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12is formed by the same process, and the surface of the first planarization layer140away from the first base substrate110is a planar surface for achieving a planarizing function. The infrared light transmittance of the color filter layer130is 98%, and the infrared light transmittance of the first planarization layer140is 100%. Since the infrared light transmittance of the color filter layer130and the first planarization layer140are both relatively high, both the color filter layer130and the first planarization layer140remain in the display area11and the light-transmitting area12.

In this embodiment, the first substrate100further comprises a first alignment layer160disposed on the first planarization layer140, and the first alignment layer160is located in the display area11and the transition area13, and the first alignment layer160is provided with the first hole161in the light-transmitting area12, and an edge of the first hole161is located at the boundary of the light-transmitting area12and the transition area13. That is, the edge of the first hole161formed in the first alignment layer160is the boundary line of the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12. The infrared light transmittance of the first alignment layer160is 92%. Since the first alignment layer160is omitted in the light-transmitting area12, the infrared light transmittance of the light-transmitting area12can be greatly improved.

In this embodiment, the first substrate100further comprises a first optical film material170filled in the first hole161, and an infrared light transmittance of the first optical film material170is greater than an infrared light transmittance of the alignment layer160. Since the first substrate100is formed with the first optical film material170with higher light transmittance in the area corresponding to the light-transmitting area12, the infrared light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12can be effectively improved.

In this embodiment, a visible light reflectivity of the first optical film material170is less than a visible light reflectivity of the first alignment layer160. By reducing the visible light reflectivity of the first optical film material170, the uniform display effect of the display panel10can be improved, and the display quality of the display panel10can be improved.

In this embodiment, the first optical film material170is, for instance, an antireflective film, and the antireflective film is filled in the first hole161of the alignment layer160. The antireflective film can reduce the reflectivity of visible light in the display panel10and increase the transmittance of infrared light in the display panel10.

In this embodiment, the first substrate100further comprises a support column layer150disposed between the first alignment layer160and the first planarization layer140, and the support column layer150comprises a plurality of support columns arranged at intervals. The support columns can form a stable separation distance between the first substrate100and the second substrate200to ensure the normal display of the display panel10. Specifically, the plurality of support columns is located in the display area11. That is, the support columns are not arranged in the light-transmitting area12. Since the support column will diffract the infrared light, which will affect the imaging result of the optical element located on the side of the display panel, the support column is not provided in the light-transmitting area12in the present application. Therefore, the infrared light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12can be further improved, while the diffraction phenomenon can be avoided, and the imaging result of the optical element can be improved.

In this embodiment, the second substrate200comprises: a second base substrate210and a thin film transistor layer disposed on the second base substrate210, and the thin film transistor layer comprises a thin film transistor and a metal trace, and the thin film transistor is located in the display area11and the transition area13; the metal trace is located in the display area11and the transition area13. That is, the light-transmitting area12is not provided with the thin film transistor and the metal trace. The thin film transistor and the metal trace generally comprise opaque metal material. Since the light-transmitting area12is not provided with the thin film transistor and the metal trace, the infrared light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12can be further improved.

In this embodiment, the thin film transistor is, for instance, low temperature polysilicon thin film transistor. The thin film transistor comprises various film layers. The various film layers comprise, for instance, a light-shielding layer, a buffer layer, a first metal layer, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, an interlayer dielectric layer220and a second metal layer that are sequentially stacked on the second base substrate210. The light-shielding layer comprises a light-shielding pattern corresponding to a channel region of the active layer, and the light-shielding layer is located in the display area11and the transition area13; the buffer layer is a laminated structure formed by a silicon nitride film layer and a silicon oxide film layer, and the buffer layer is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12; the first metal layer comprises a gate and metal trace, and the first metal layer is located in the display area11and the transition area13; the gate insulating layer is a silicon oxide film layer, and the gate insulating layer is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12; the active layer comprises a channel region, a heavily doped region and a lightly doped region, and the active layer is located in the display area11and the transition area13; the interlayer dielectric layer220is a laminated structure formed by a silicon nitride film layer and a silicon oxide film layer, and the interlayer dielectric layer220is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12; the second metal layer comprises a source, a drain and a metal trace, and the second metal layer is located in the display area11and the transition area13. Certainly, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the thin film transistor, and the type of the thin film transistor may also be an amorphous silicon thin film transistor or an oxide thin film transistor.

In this embodiment, the second substrate200further comprises a second planarization layer230disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer220, and the second planarization layer230is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12. Specifically, the second planarization layer230located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12is formed by the same process, and the surface of the second planarization layer230away from the second base substrate210is a planar surface for achieving a planarizing function.

In this embodiment, the second substrate200further comprises a composite film layer disposed on the second planarization layer230, and the composite film layer comprises a first transparent conductive layer240, a passivation layer250and a second transparent conductive layer260sequentially stacked on the second planarization layer230, and the composite film layer is located in the display area11. That is, the light-transmitting area12is not provided with the composite film layer, so that the infrared light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12can be further improved. Specifically, the material for forming the first transparent conductive layer240and the second transparent conductive layer260is indium tin oxide (ITO), and the material for forming the passivation layer250is silicon nitride. The infrared light transmittance of the composite film layer is 72%. Since the composite film layer is not provided in the light-transmitting area12, the infrared light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12can be significantly improved.

In this embodiment, the second substrate200further comprises a third planarization layer270disposed on the composite film layer, and the third planarization layer270is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12, and a thickness of the third planarization layer270in the light-transmitting area12is greater than a thickness of the third planarization layer270in the display area11. Specifically, the third planarization layer270located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12is formed by the same process, and the surface of the third planarization layer270away from the second base substrate210is a planar surface for achieving a planarizing function.

In this embodiment, the second substrate200further comprises the second alignment layer280disposed on the third planarization layer270, and the second alignment layer280is located in the display area11and the transition area13, and the second alignment layer280is provided with the second hole281in the boundary area of the light-transmitting area12and the transition area13. That is, the edge of the second hole281formed in the second alignment layer280is the boundary line of the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12. The second alignment layer280is provided with the second hole281in the light-transmitting area12, and an edge of the second hole281is located at the boundary of the light-transmitting area12and the transition area13. That is, the edge of the second hole281formed in the second alignment layer280is the boundary line of the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12, and an area of the second hole281is equal to an area of the first hole161. The infrared light transmittance of the second alignment layer280is 92%. Since the second alignment layer280is omitted in the light-transmitting area12, the infrared light transmittance of the light-transmitting area12can be greatly improved.

In this embodiment, the second substrate200further comprises a second optical film material290filled in the second hole281, and an infrared light transmittance of the second optical film material290is greater than an infrared light transmittance of the alignment layer280. Since the second substrate200is formed with the second optical film material290with higher light transmittance in the area corresponding to the light-transmitting area12, the infrared light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12can be effectively improved.

In this embodiment, a visible light reflectivity of the second optical film material290is less than a visible light reflectivity of the second alignment layer280. By reducing the visible light reflectivity of the second optical film material290, the uniform display effect of the display panel10can be improved, and the display quality of the display panel10can be improved.

In this embodiment, the second optical film material290is, for instance, an antireflective film, and the antireflective film is filled in the second hole281of the second alignment layer280. The antireflective film can reduce the reflectivity of visible light in the display panel10and increase the transmittance of infrared light in the display panel10.

Embodiment Two

FIG.7shows a structural diagram of a second substrate in the display panel provided in the second embodiment of the present application. As shown inFIG.7, the second embodiment of the present application provides a display panel10. The structure of the display panel10is similar to that of the display panel10in the first embodiment of the present application, and the same parts will not be repeated in this embodiment.

The difference is that in the display panel10provided by the second embodiment of the present application, the interlayer dielectric layer220is located in the display area11and the transition area13, that is, the interlayer dielectric layer220is not located in the light-transmitting area12. Therefore, the film structure of the light-transmitting area12is simplified, and the number of film layers is reduced, and the infrared light transmittance of the display panel10in the light-transmitting area12can be further improved.

Moreover, the second substrate200further comprises a second planarization layer230disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer220, and the second planarization layer230is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12, and a thickness of the second planarization layer230in the light-transmitting area12is greater than a thickness of the second planarization layer230in the display area11. Specifically, the second planarization layer230located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12is formed by the same process, and the surface of the second planarization layer230away from the second base substrate210is a planar surface for achieving a planarizing function.

Embodiment Three

FIG.8shows a diagram of a position of a first hole and a second hole provided in the third embodiment of the present application in the area A inFIG.2;FIG.9shows a structural diagram of a second substrate in the display panel provided in the third embodiment of the present application. As shown inFIG.3,FIG.8andFIG.9, the third embodiment of the present application provides a display panel10. The display panel10is similar in structure to the display panel10in the first embodiment of the present application. For instance, the structure of the first substrate100in the third embodiment is the same as that of the first substrate100in the first embodiment, and the same parts will not be repeated in this embodiment.

The difference is that in the display panel10provided by the third embodiment of the present application, an area of the first hole161and an area of the second hole281are different. Specifically, the first alignment layer160on the first substrate100is located in the display area11and the transition area13, and the first alignment layer160is provided with the first hole161in the light-transmitting area12, and an edge of the first hole161is located at the boundary of the light-transmitting area12and the transition area13. That is, the edge of the first hole161formed in the first alignment layer160is the boundary line of the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12; the second alignment layer280on the second substrate200is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12. The second alignment layer280is provided with the second hole281in the light-transmitting area12, and an edge of the second hole281is located in the light-transmitting area12. That is, an area of the second hole281is smaller than an area of the first hole161, so that interference and diffraction of light can be reduced, and the imaging result of the optical element disposed on the side of the display panel10can be improved.

Embodiment Four

FIG.10shows a diagram of a position of a first hole and a second hole provided in the fourth embodiment of the present application in the area A inFIG.2;FIG.11shows a structural diagram of a first substrate in the display panel provided in the fourth embodiment of the present application. As shown inFIG.6,FIG.10andFIG.11, the fourth embodiment of the present application provides a display panel10. The structure of the display panel10is similar to that of the display panel10in the fourth embodiment of the present application, such as the second substrate200, and the same parts will not be repeated in this embodiment.

The difference is that in the display panel10provided by the fourth embodiment of the present application, an area of the first hole161and an area of the second hole281are different. Specifically, the second alignment layer280on the second substrate200is located in the display area11and the transition area13. The second alignment layer280is formed with the second hole281in the light-transmitting area12, and an edge of the second hole281is located at the boundary of the light-transmitting area12and the transition area13. That is, the edge of the second hole281formed in the second alignment layer280is the boundary line of the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12; the first alignment layer160on the first substrate100is located in the display area11, the transition area13and the light-transmitting area12. The first alignment layer160is provided with the first hole161in the light-transmitting area12, and an edge of the first hole161is located in the light-transmitting area12. That is, an area of the first hole161is smaller than an area of the second hole281, so that interference and diffraction of light can be reduced, and the imaging result of the optical element disposed on the side of the display panel10can be improved.

Embodiment Five

FIG.12shows an assembly exploded view diagram of the display device provided in the fifth embodiment of the present application. As shown inFIG.12, the fifth embodiment of the present application provides a display device. The display device comprises the display panel10in the first to fourth embodiments as aforementioned, a polarizer20, an optical element40and a backlight module30. The display panel10comprises: a first substrate100, a second substrate200and a liquid crystal layer300disposed between the first substrate100and the second substrate200, and the display panel10comprises a light-transmitting area12capable of transmitting light; the backlight module30is arranged on one side of the display panel10and is employed to provide the display panel10with a light source required for display, and the backlight module30is provided with a light-transmitting hole31at a position corresponding to the light-transmitting area12; The polarizer20comprises a first polarizer21and a second polarizer22that the polarization axes thereof are perpendicular to each other. The first polarizer21is disposed on the side of the first substrate100away from the liquid crystal layer300. The second polarizer22is disposed on the side of the second substrate200away from the liquid crystal layer300.

In this embodiment, the optical element40is arranged on the side of the backlight module30away from the display panel10, and is respectively arranged corresponding to the light-transmitting area12of the display panel10and arranged corresponding to the light-transmitting hole31of the backlight module30. The optical element40is employed to receive the light that sequentially penetrates the light-transmitting area12of the display panel10and the light-transmitting hole31of the backlight module30to realize light sensing and imaging. The optical element40is, for instance, employed to perform DMS monitoring function. The light is infrared light, and the infrared light possesses the function of directly penetrating the first polarizer21, the liquid crystal layer300and the second polarizer22, and the optical element40is correspondingly an infrared camera. The infrared camera can well protect user privacy. However, it should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of light and the photosensitive type of the optical element40. The light may also be other than infrared light. Accordingly, the optical element40may also possess the function of sensing the other light.

In conclusion, the present application provides a display panel and a display device. The display panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate, which are oppositely arranged, and a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first substrate and second substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are both provided with an alignment layer on a side close to the liquid crystal layer, wherein the display panel comprises a display area and a light-transmitting area, and at least one of the alignment layers is provided with a hole in the light-transmitting area. In the present application, a hole is provided in at least one alignment layer of the display panel. Therefore, when external light enters the optical element through the display panel, the filtering effect of the alignment layer on the light is greatly reduced, and light loss is reduced, to improve the light transmittance of the area of the display panel corresponding to the optical element. It is to reduce the difficulty for optical elements to collect external ambient light, and increase the amount of light collected by the optical element for improving the imaging result.

The display panel and the display device provided by the embodiments of the present application are described in detail as aforementioned, and the principles and implementations of the present application have been described with reference to specific illustrations. The description of the foregoing embodiments is merely for helping to understand the technical solutions of the present application and the core ideas thereof; meanwhile, those skilled in the art will be able to change the specific embodiments and the scope of the application according to the idea of the present application. In conclusion, the content of the specification should not be construed as limiting the present application.