CN106324915B

CN106324915B - Display panel

Info

Publication number: CN106324915B
Application number: CN201510352874.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 颜崇纹; 萧翌辰; 王兆祥
Original assignee: Innolux Display Corp
Current assignee: Innolux Corp
Priority date: 2015-06-24
Filing date: 2015-06-24
Publication date: 2020-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-24
Also published as: CN110989251B; CN110989251A; CN106324915A

Abstract

The invention discloses a display panel, which comprises: a first substrate including two scan lines; a second substrate; the shielding layer comprises two rows of shielding patterns for shielding the two scanning lines; the first color filter unit is arranged on the second substrate; and a spacer disposed on the first color filter unit, wherein the spacer is disposed on one of the two rows of shielding patterns, the first color filter unit has a first side edge including a first portion disposed between the two rows of shielding patterns and a second portion disposed on one of the two rows of shielding patterns, the first portion is connected to the second portion, a shortest distance between an extension line of the first portion and a center of the spacer is a first distance, a shortest distance between the second portion and the center of the spacer is a second distance, and the first distance is smaller than the second distance.

Description

Display panel

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a display panel, and more particularly, to a display panel having a color filter unit.

Background

Liquid crystal display devices have been widely used in recent years for display elements of various products. The liquid crystal display device controls the penetration amount of light by utilizing the characteristic that liquid crystal molecules have different polarization or refraction effects on the light under different arrangement states, so that the liquid crystal display device can generate images.

Recently, various types of wide viewing angle liquid crystal display devices have been developed, such as In-Plane Switching (IPS) liquid crystal display devices and Fringe-Field Switching (FFS) liquid crystal display devices, which have a wide viewing angle and a high aperture ratio. However, when the display device is made lighter, thinner and shorter, the yield of the manufacturing process may be reduced.

Disclosure of Invention

To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a display panel including: a first substrate including two scan lines; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; the shielding layer is arranged on the second substrate and comprises two rows of shielding patterns for shielding the two scanning lines; the first color filter unit is arranged on the second substrate; and a spacer disposed on the first color filter unit, wherein the spacer is disposed on one of the two rows of shielding patterns, the first color filter unit has a first side edge including a first portion disposed between the two rows of shielding patterns and a second portion disposed on one of the two rows of shielding patterns, the first portion is connected to the second portion, a shortest distance between an extension line of the first portion and a center of the spacer is a first distance, a shortest distance between the second portion and the center of the spacer is a second distance, and the first distance is smaller than the second distance.

The present invention also provides a display panel including: the first substrate comprises a data line and two scanning lines; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; the shielding layer is arranged on the second substrate and comprises two rows of shielding patterns for shielding the two scanning lines; the first color filter unit is arranged on the second substrate; and a spacer disposed on the first color filter unit, wherein the spacer is disposed on one of the two rows of shielding patterns, the first color filter unit has a first side edge including a first portion disposed between the two rows of shielding patterns and a second portion disposed on one of the two rows of shielding patterns, the first portion is connected to the second portion, the first portion of the first portion is a straight line segment extending along the data line, and the second portion is a curved line segment curved along the bottom edge of the spacer.

In order to make the features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, preferred embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

Drawings

Fig. 1A to 1C are sectional views or top views of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1C;

fig. 4A to 4B are top or cross-sectional views of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5B are top or cross-sectional views of a display panel according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top or cross-sectional view of a display panel according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a top or cross-sectional view of a display panel according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a top view or a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the symbols

100 a display panel;

102 a first substrate;

104 a second substrate;

106 a liquid crystal layer;

108 a shielding layer;

line 108C1 mask pattern;

line 108C2 mask pattern;

line 108C3 mask pattern;

line 108C4 mask pattern;

108R columns of shielding patterns;

108R1 column shielding patterns;

108R2 column shielding patterns;

110 a first color filter unit;

110E1 first part;

110E2 second part;

110S1 sides;

110S2 sides;

112 a second color filter unit;

112S1 side edges;

112S2 side edges;

114 a third color filter unit;

114S1 side edges;

114S2 side edges;

114E1 third part;

114E2 fourth part;

116 a planar layer;

118 a primary spacer;

118T top surface;

118B bottom surface;

118C center;

118BE edges;

120 times of spacers;

a 120T top surface;

120B bottom surface;

a 120C center;

120BE edge;

122 a first alignment layer;

124 a second alignment layer;

126 data lines;

126A data line;

126B data lines;

126C data lines;

126D data lines;

128 scan lines;

128A scan lines;

128B scan lines;

130 pixel regions;

132 an extension line;

134 an undercut portion;

136 an undercut portion;

138 an extension wire;

140 points;

400 a display panel;

500 a display panel;

600 a display panel;

700 a display panel;

800 a display panel;

the distance D1;

the distance D2;

the distance D3;

the distance D4;

the distance D5;

r1 radius;

r2 radius;

a W1 width;

a W2 width;

height H1;

height H2;

an AA line segment;

33 line segments.

Detailed Description

The display panel of the present invention will be described in detail below. It is to be understood that the following description provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different aspects of the invention. The particular elements and arrangements described below are meant to be illustrative only. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, repeated reference numerals or designations may be used in various embodiments. These iterations are merely for simplicity and clarity of describing the present invention, and are not intended to represent any correlation between the various embodiments and/or structures discussed. Furthermore, when a first material layer is located on or above a second material layer, the first material layer and the second material layer are in direct contact. Alternatively, one or more further layers of material may be provided, in which case there may not be direct contact between the first and second layers of material.

It is to be understood that the elements specifically described and illustrated may exist in various forms well known to those skilled in the art. Further, when a layer is "on" another layer or a substrate, it may mean "directly on" the other layer or the substrate, or that the layer is on the other layer or the substrate, or that the other layer is interposed between the other layer and the substrate.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top," may be used in embodiments to describe one element's relative relationship to another element as illustrated. It will be understood that if the device is turned over, with the top and bottom of the device reversed, elements described as being on the "lower" side will be turned over to elements on the "upper" side.

As used herein, the term "about" generally means within 20%, preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5% of a given value or range. The amounts given herein are approximate, meaning that the meaning of "about" or "approximately" may still be implied without particular recitation.

The distance mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention is measured after all the objects observed from the top view are projected on a plane, and the distance can be measured by a photo taken by an optical microscope at a magnification of 50X or 100X.

The extension line mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention is a virtual line segment extending along the side of the color filter unit on the plane, and the starting point of the virtual line segment is substantially the intersection point between the straight line segment and the curved line segment, and the extending direction of the virtual line segment is substantially parallel to the extending direction of the straight line segment.

The embodiment of the invention arranges the side edge of the color filter unit to deviate from the center of the spacer on the color filter unit so as to reduce the probability of the spacer being inclined and improve the manufacturing process yield of the display device.

First, referring to fig. 1A, a cross-sectional view of a display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown in fig. 1A, the display device 100 includes a first substrate 102, a second substrate 104 disposed opposite to the first substrate 102, and a liquid crystal layer 106 disposed between the first substrate 102 and the second substrate 104. The display device 100 further includes a shielding layer 108 disposed on the second substrate 104, and a first color filter unit 110, a second color filter unit 112, and a third color filter unit 114 disposed on the shielding layer 108. The display device 100 further includes a planarization layer 116 disposed on the first color filter 110, the second color filter 112, and the third color filter 114, and a main spacer 118 and a sub-spacer 120 disposed on the planarization layer 116. The display device 100 further includes a first alignment layer 122 overlying the main spacer 118, the sub-spacer 120, and the planarization layer 116, and a second alignment layer 124 disposed on the first substrate 102.

The display device 100 may be a liquid crystal display, such as a thin film transistor liquid crystal display. Alternatively, the liquid crystal display may be a Twisted Nematic (TN) type liquid crystal display, a Super Twisted Nematic (STN) type liquid crystal display, a Double layer Super Twisted Nematic (DSTN) type liquid crystal display, a Vertical Alignment (VA) type liquid crystal display, a Multi-domain Vertical Alignment (MVA) type liquid crystal display, an In-plane Switching (IPS) type liquid crystal display, a Fringe Field Switching (FFS) type liquid crystal display, a cholesterol (cholesterol) type liquid crystal display, a Blue Phase (Blue Phase) type liquid crystal display, or any other suitable liquid crystal display.

The first substrate 102 may be a transistor substrate. The first substrate 102 serving as a transistor substrate may be a transparent substrate, and the material thereof may be, for example, a glass substrate, a ceramic substrate, a plastic substrate, or any other suitable transparent substrate. In addition, transistors (not shown), such as thin film transistors, for controlling the pixels are disposed in or on the first substrate 102.

Further, referring to fig. 1B, which is a top view of the display panel 100 of the embodiment of fig. 1A, fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 1B. As shown in fig. 1B, the first substrate 102 includes two data lines (e.g., 126B and 126C) and two scan lines (e.g., 128A and 128B). The pair of data lines (e.g., 126B and 126C) and the pair of scan lines (128A and 128B) together define a pixel region 130.

Referring back to fig. 1A, the second substrate 104 may be a color filter substrate, and the material thereof may be, for example, a glass substrate, a ceramic substrate, a plastic substrate, or any other suitable transparent substrate.

It is noted that, for clarity of the display panel 100 of the present invention, fig. 1B only illustrates the data lines 126 and the scan lines 128 of the first substrate 102 and the shielding layer 108 on the second substrate 104, and other elements of the display panel 100 are not illustrated.

The liquid crystal layer 106 may include nematic liquid crystal (nematic), smectic liquid crystal (cholesteric), cholesteric liquid crystal (cholesteric), Blue phase liquid crystal (Blue phase), or any other suitable liquid crystal material.

The shielding layer 108 is used to shield regions or elements of the display panel 100 that are not used for displaying colors, such as scan lines and data lines. The material of the shielding layer 108 may be black photoresist, black printing ink, black resin, or any other suitable light-shielding material and color.

In detail, referring to fig. 1B, the shielding layer 108 of the display panel 100 includes two column shielding patterns (108R1 and 108R2) shielding the pair of scan lines (128A and 128B), and two row shielding patterns (108C2 and 108C3) shielding the pair of data lines (e.g., 126B and 126C). In detail, the four column shielding patterns 108C1, 108C2, 108C3 and 108C4 shown in fig. 1B respectively shield four data lines 126 (i.e.,

data lines

126A, 126B, 126C and 126D). The row shielding patterns 108R1 and 108R2 shield the scan line 128, and more specifically, the row shielding pattern 108R1 shields the scan line 128A, and the row shielding pattern 108R2 shields the scan line 128B.

Referring back to fig. 1A, the first color filter unit 110, the second color filter unit 112, and the third color filter unit 114 may each independently include a red color filter unit, a green color filter unit, a blue color filter unit, or any other suitable color filter unit. For example, in one embodiment, the first color filter 110 is a red filter, the second color filter 112 is a blue filter, and the third color filter 114 is a green filter.

Referring to fig. 1C, which is also a top view of the display panel 100 of the embodiment of fig. 1A, fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 1C. For clarity, the scan lines and the data lines are not shown in FIG. 1C. As shown in fig. 1C, the second color filter unit 112 and the third color filter unit 114 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the first color filter unit 110. In addition, since the shielding layer 108 is disposed under the first color filter unit 110, the second color filter unit 112, and the third color filter unit 114, the shielding layer 108 is shown by a dotted line.

In addition, as shown in fig. 1C, the first color filter unit 110 has opposite sides 110S1 and 110S2, the second color filter unit 112 has opposite sides 112S1 and 112S2, and the third color filter unit 114 has opposite sides 114S1 and 114S 2. In addition, the side 112S2 of the second color filter unit 112 and the side 110S1 of the first color filter unit 110 are adjacent to each other, and the side 110S2 of the first color filter unit 110 and the side 114S1 of the third color filter unit 114 are adjacent to each other.

It is noted that fig. 1B and fig. 1C illustrate the same display panel according to the same embodiment. For clarity, the scan lines and the data lines are not shown in FIG. 1C.

Referring back to fig. 1A, in one embodiment, the planarization layer 116 may be conformally disposed on the first color filter unit 110. The planarization layer 116 may include plastic, photoresist. For example, the planarization layer 116 may include an acrylic material (Acrylate), an Epoxy acrylic material (Epoxy Acrylate), a Siloxane material (Siloxane), any other suitable material, or a combination thereof.

As shown in fig. 1A, spacers (e.g., primary spacers 118 or secondary spacers 120) are disposed on the planarization layer 116. The main spacer 118 disposed on the planarization layer 116 (or on the second substrate 104) is used to space the second substrate 104 from the first substrate 102, so that the liquid crystal layer 106 can be filled between the second substrate 104 and the first substrate 102, and the sub-spacer 120 is mainly used as a buffer for the compression of the second substrate 104 and the first substrate 102.

In addition, since the main spacers 118 are a main structure for spacing the second substrate 104 from the first substrate 102, and the sub spacers 120 are mainly structures for preventing the second substrate 104 from contacting the first substrate 102 when the display device 100 is pressed, the height of the main spacers 118 is higher than that of the sub spacers 120, and the width of the main spacers 118 is wider than that of the sub spacers 120. In detail, the primary spacer 118 has a first height H1, the secondary spacer has a second height H2, and the first height H1 is greater than the second height H2. In addition, the primary spacer 118 has a first width W1, and the secondary spacer has a second width W2, wherein the first width W1 is greater than the second width W2.

In addition, the primary spacer 118 has a top surface 118T remote from the second substrate 104 and a bottom surface 118B adjacent to the second substrate 104, and the secondary spacer 120 also has a top surface 120T remote from the second substrate 104 and a bottom surface 120B adjacent to the second substrate 104. The material of the main spacers 118 and the sub-spacers 120 may include a photoresist, such as a positive photoresist or a negative photoresist. And the main spacers 118 and the sub-spacers 120 may be defined by the same photolithography process. However, the main spacers 118 and the sub-spacers 120 may be defined by different photolithography processes. The photolithography process includes photoresist patterning, which further includes steps of photoresist coating, soft baking, photomask alignment, pattern exposure, post-exposure baking, photoresist development, hard baking, and the like.

Referring to fig. 1A, the first alignment layer 122 and the second alignment layer 124 are thin layers for inducing alignment of liquid crystal molecules, and each of the materials may independently include polyimide (polyimide) or any other suitable alignment layer material. The first alignment layer 122 covers the second substrate 104, the planarization layer 116, the main spacer 118, and the sub-spacer 120. And the first alignment layer 122 disposed on the top surface 118T of the main spacer 118 may directly contact the second alignment layer 124.

Referring to fig. 1A and 1C, the main spacer 118 is disposed between the first color filter unit 110 and the second color filter unit 112, and the main spacer 118 is disposed on one of the two row shielding patterns 108R. It is noted that fig. 1C illustrates the profile of the bottom surface 118B of the main spacer 118 and the profile of the bottom surface 120B of the sub-spacer 120 of fig. 1A. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 118B of most of the main spacers 118 is disposed on the first color filter unit 110, and the bottom surface 118B of a small portion of the main spacers 118 is disposed on the second color filter unit 112.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1C, the main spacer 118 is disposed on the row shielding pattern 108R1, the row shielding pattern 108R1 has an outward extending portion corresponding to the spacer 118, and the row shielding pattern 108R1 completely covers the main spacer 118. In detail, the edge of the row shielding pattern 108R1 corresponding to the spacer 118 is circular, and the circular edge defines an outward extending portion of the row shielding pattern 108R1, and the bottom surface 118B of the spacer 118 is completely disposed in the region corresponding to the outward extending portion of the row shielding pattern 108R 1.

Therefore, the row shielding patterns 108R2 on which the main spacers 118 and the sub spacers 120 are not disposed have only straight portions, and the row shielding patterns 108R1 on which the main spacers 118 and/or the sub spacers 120 are disposed have straight portions and flared portions.

With continued reference to fig. 1C, the first color filter unit 110 has a first side 110S1, the first side 110S1 has a first portion 110E1 located between the two row shielding patterns, and a second portion 110E2 overlapped with the row shielding pattern 108R1 (i.e. the second portion 110E2 is located on one of the two row shielding patterns 108R1, 108R2), and the first portion 110E1 is connected to the second portion 110E 2.

In other words, the first portion 110E1 and the second portion 110E2 are different portions of the same side. That is, the first portion 110E1 and the second portion 110E2 are different portions of the first side 110S1 of the first color filter unit 110. The portion of the first side 110S1 overlapping the row shielding pattern 108R1 on which the main spacers 118 and/or the sub-spacers 120 are disposed is the second portion 110E2, and the rest is the first portion 110E 1. In addition, the first portion 110E1 may overlap one of the column shield patterns (108C2 and 108C3), for example, in this embodiment, the first portion 110E1 overlaps the column shield pattern 108C 2.

Referring to fig. 2, this is an enlarged view of a portion of fig. 1C. As shown in fig. 2, the shortest distance between the extension line 132 of the first portion 110E1 of the first color filter unit 110 and the center 118C of the main spacer 118 is a distance D1, and the shortest distance between the second portion 110E2 and the center 118C of the main spacer 118 is a distance D2, and the distance D1 is smaller than the distance D2, wherein the extension direction of the extension line 132 is the main extension direction of the first portion.

By making the distance D1 smaller than the distance D2, the yield of the manufacturing process of the display panel can be improved. In detail, as the display device is getting lighter, thinner and shorter, the thickness of the planarization layer conformally or blanketly disposed on the color filter units is reduced, so that the planarization layer is recessed at the edges of the color filter units, such as the recesses of the planarization layer 116 at the positions corresponding to the side edges 110S1 and 110S2 of the first color filter unit 110 in fig. 1A. If the recess is disposed below the center of the main spacer, the flatness of the top surface of the main spacer is affected, and the top surfaces of some main spacers are inclined, so that the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate cannot be kept the same as a whole, and even bubbles may be generated between the first substrate and the second substrate, thereby reducing the yield of the manufacturing process of the display panel.

Therefore, the embodiment of the invention arranges the side edge of the color filter unit to deviate from the center of the spacer on the color filter unit, so that the recess of the flat layer also deviates from the center of the spacer on the color filter unit, and the probability of the deflection of the top surface of the main spacer is reduced. Therefore, the overall distance between the first substrate and the second substrate can be kept the same, and the manufacturing process yield of the display panel is improved.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, the distance D2 may be about 1.5 times to about 3.5 times the distance D1 (D2 is 1.5 × D1-3.5 × D1), for example about 2 times to about 3 times (D2 is 2 × D1-3 × D1). Alternatively, the distance D2 may be about 0.5 to about 1.5 times the radius R1 of the main spacer 118 (D2 ═ 0.5 × R1 to 1.5 × R1), for example about 0.7 to about 1.2 times (D2 ═ 0.7 × R1 to 1.2 × R1), or about 1 time (D2 ═ R1).

When the distance D2 is about 1 time the radius R1 of the main spacer 118 (D2 ═ R1), it indicates that the second portion 110E2 of the first color filter unit 110 overlaps the edge 118BE of the bottom surface 118B of the main spacer 118.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first portion 110E1 of the portion is a straight line segment extending along one of the pair of data lines 126 (e.g., data line 126B shown in FIG. 1B), and the second portion 110E2 is a curved line segment that curves in compliance with the bottom edge 118BE of the primary spacer 118.

In one embodiment, the curvature of the curved portion of the second portion 110E2 is substantially the same as the curvature of the bottom edge 118BE of the primary spacer 118. In other embodiments, the curvature of the curvilinear portion of the second portion 110E2 may BE about 1.2 times to about 0.8 times, such as about 1.1 times to about 0.9 times, the curvature of the bottom edge 118BE of the primary spacer 118.

Referring to fig. 1A and 1C, the sub-spacer 120 is disposed between the first color filter unit 110 and the third color filter unit 114, and the sub-spacer 120 is disposed on one of the two row shielding patterns (108R1 and 108R2) (e.g., on the row shielding pattern 108R 1). The third color filter unit 114 has a second side 114S1, the second side 114S1 includes a third portion 114E1 between two rows of shielding patterns (108R1 and 108R2) and a fourth portion 114E2 on one of the two rows of shielding patterns (108R1 and 108R2), and the third portion 114E1 is connected to the fourth portion 114E 2. The portion of the second side 114S1 between two adjacent row shielding patterns and the portion of the second side 114S1 overlapping the row shielding patterns 108R2 without the main spacers 118 and the sub spacers 120 thereon are collectively referred to as a third portion 114E 1. The portion of the second side edge 114S1 overlapping the row shielding patterns 108R with the main spacers 118 and/or the sub-spacers 120 thereon is a fourth portion 114E2, and the third portion 114E1 is connected to the fourth portion 114E 2. In addition, the third portion 114E1 and the fourth portion 114E2 are straight line segments.

Referring to fig. 2, in this embodiment, the extension line of the third portion 114E1 of the third color filter unit 114 coincides with a portion of the fourth portion 114E2, so that the shortest distance between the extension line of the third portion 114E1 and the center 120C of the secondary spacer 120 is equal to the shortest distance between the fourth portion 114E2 and the center 120C of the secondary spacer 120, and the distances are all distances D3.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in fig. 1A and 1C, the first color filter unit 110 overlaps the second color filter unit 112, and the first color filter unit 110 does not overlap the third color filter unit 114. In detail, the second color filter unit 112 and the first color filter unit 110 in fig. 1C have sides 112S2 and 110S1 adjacent to each other from a top view, and the side 112S2 in fig. 1A is actually a sidewall of the second color filter unit 112 and the side 110S1 is actually a sidewall of the first color filter unit 110 from a cross-sectional view, and the two sidewalls are in direct contact at a boundary. Similarly, the third color filter unit 114 and the first color filter unit 110 in fig. 1C have side edges 114S1 and 110S2 adjacent to each other from a top view, and the side edge 114S1 in fig. 1A is actually a side wall of the third color filter unit 114 and the side edge 110S2 is actually a side wall of the first color filter unit 110 from a cross-sectional view, and the two side walls are not in contact with each other and are separated by the planarization layer 116.

It should be noted that other configurations may be provided between the first color filter 110, the second color filter 112 and the third color filter 114, which will be described in detail later. The embodiments shown in fig. 1A-2 are for illustration purposes only, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the first color filter 110 is a red filter, the second color filter 112 is a blue filter, and the third color filter 114 is a green filter. In other words, in this embodiment, the main spacer 118 is disposed between the red filter unit and the blue filter unit, rather than between the green filter unit and any other filter unit. Since the shielding layer 108 corresponding to the main spacer 118 has a larger area, more light is shielded by the main spacer. Among red, blue, and green, the green has the strongest light intensity. Therefore, the main spacer 118 is not disposed between the green filter unit and any other filter unit, so that the shielding layer 108 with a larger area corresponding to the main spacer 118 can be prevented from shielding green light with stronger intensity, and the light emitting intensity of the display panel can be improved.

Referring to fig. 3, a cross-sectional view is taken along line 3-3 of fig. 1C. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, an undercut portion 134 and 136(undercut portion) is formed between the second substrate 104 and the shielding layer 108 (e.g., the row shielding pattern 108C2), and a portion of the first color filter unit 110 and the second color filter unit 112 may fill in the undercut portion 134 and 136, respectively. In addition, a portion of the third color filter unit (not shown in fig. 3) may also be filled in the undercut portion between the other second substrate and the shielding layer.

Fig. 4A to 4B are a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel 400 according to another embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the same or similar elements or layers are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and the materials, manufacturing methods and functions thereof are the same or similar to those described above, so that the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. The embodiment shown in fig. 4A to 4B is different from the embodiment of fig. 2 in that the shortest distance between the extension line of the third portion of the third color filter unit and the center of the secondary spacer is smaller than the shortest distance between the fourth portion thereof and the center of the secondary spacer.

As shown in fig. 4A, the shortest distance between the extension line 138 of the third portion 114E1 of the third color filter unit 114 and the center 120C of the sub-spacer 120 is a distance D4, the shortest distance between the fourth portion 114E2 and the center 120C of the sub-spacer 120 is a distance D5, and the distance D4 is smaller than the distance D5, wherein the extension direction of the extension line 138 is the main extension direction of the third portion.

By making the distance D4 smaller than the distance D5, the yield of the manufacturing process of the display panel can be improved. In detail, as the display device is getting lighter, thinner and shorter, the thickness of the planarization layer disposed on the color filter unit in a compliant or blanket manner is reduced, so that the planarization layer is recessed at the edge of the color filter unit, such as the recess of the planarization layer 116 at the position corresponding to the side 110S2 of the first color filter unit 110 and the side 114S1 of the third color filter unit 114 in fig. 1A. If the recess is disposed below the center of the sub spacer, the flatness of the top surface of the sub spacer is affected, and the top surfaces of some sub spacers are tilted, thereby reducing the yield of the display panel.

Therefore, the side edge of the color filter unit is arranged to deviate from the center of the secondary spacer on the color filter unit, so that the recess of the flat layer also deviates from the center of the secondary spacer on the color filter unit, the probability of the top surface of the secondary spacer being inclined is reduced, and the manufacturing process yield of the display panel is improved.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4A, the distance D5 may be about 1.5 times to about 3.5 times the distance D4 (D5 is 1.5 × D4-3.5 × D4), for example about 2 times to about 3 times (D5 is 2 × D4-3 × D4). Alternatively, the distance D5 may be about 0.5 to about 1.5 times the radius R2 of the secondary spacer 120 (D5 ═ 0.5 × R2 to 1.5 × R2), for example about 0.7 to about 1.2 times (D5 ═ 0.7 × R2 to 1.2 × R2), or about 1 time (D5 ═ R2).

When the distance D5 is about 1 time the radius R2 of the sub-spacer 120 (D5 ═ R2), it means that the fourth portion 114E2 of the third color filter unit 114 overlaps the edge 120BE of the bottom surface 120B of the sub-spacer 120.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the third portion 114E1 of the portion is a straight line segment extending along one of the pair of data lines (e.g., data line 126C), and the fourth portion 114E2 is a curved line segment that curves to conform to the bottom edge 120BE of the secondary spacer 120.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in fig. 4B, the first color filter unit 110 and the second color filter unit 112 are not overlapped, and the first color filter unit 110 and the third color filter unit 114 intersect at a point 140. In detail, the second color filter unit 112 and the first color filter unit 110 have side edges 112S2 and 110S1 adjacent to each other, the two side edges 112S2 and 110S1 are not in contact with each other, and the two side edges 112S2 and 110S1 are separated by the planarization layer 116. In addition, the third color filter unit 114 and the first color filter unit 110 have adjacent sides 114S1 and 110S2, and the two sides 114S1 and 110S2 are only in direct contact at the point 140.

It should be noted that other configurations may be provided between the first color filter unit and the second and third color filter units. One skilled in the art can understand that the first color filter unit and the second color filter unit can overlap, intersect at a point, or do not overlap each other. The first color filter unit and the third color filter unit may overlap, intersect at a point, or do not overlap each other.

Fig. 5A to 5B are a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel 500 according to another embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the same or similar elements or layers are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and the materials, manufacturing methods and functions thereof are the same or similar to those described above, so that the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. The embodiment shown in fig. 5A to 5B is different from the embodiment shown in fig. 4A to 4B in that the second portion of the first color filter unit is disposed outside the region corresponding to the main spacer, but not within the region corresponding to the main spacer. And the fourth part of the third color filter unit is arranged outside the area corresponding to the secondary spacer but not inside the area corresponding to the secondary spacer.

In detail, in the embodiment shown in fig. 5A to 5B, the first color filter unit 110 overlaps the second color filter unit 112, and the first color filter unit 110 also overlaps the third color filter unit 114. In addition, if the display panel 500 is viewed from the top view, the second portion 110E2 of the first color filter unit 110 is disposed outside the region corresponding to the main spacer 118, but not within the region corresponding to the main spacer 118. In addition, if the display panel 500 is viewed from the top view, the fourth portion 114E2 of the third color filter unit 114 is disposed outside the region corresponding to the sub-spacer 120, but not within the region corresponding to the sub-spacer 120. In addition, the second portion 110E2 of the first color filter unit 110 and the fourth portion 114E2 of the third color filter unit 114 are disposed on the shielding layer 108. In other words, the second portion 110E2 of the first color filter unit 110 and the fourth portion 114E2 of the third color filter unit 114 are disposed in the region corresponding to the shielding layer 108.

Fig. 6 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel 600 according to another embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the same or similar elements or layers are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and the materials, manufacturing methods and functions thereof are the same or similar to those described above, so that the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. The difference between the embodiment shown in fig. 6 and the embodiments shown in fig. 1A to 5B is that the shielding layer only has the column shielding patterns, but not the row shielding patterns.

In detail, in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the shielding layer 108 only has the column shielding patterns 108R1 and 108R2 shielding the pair of scan lines, but does not have the row shielding patterns shielding the data lines.

Fig. 7 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel 700 according to another embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the same or similar elements or layers are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and the materials, manufacturing methods and functions thereof are the same or similar to those described above, so that the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. The embodiment shown in fig. 7 differs from the previous embodiments of fig. 1A to 6B in that the display panel does not comprise a planarization layer provided on the color filter unit.

In detail, in the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the display panel 700 does not include a planarization layer disposed on the first color filter unit 110, the second color filter unit 112, and the third color filter unit 114, and the main spacer 118 directly contacts the first color filter unit 110 and the second color filter unit 112, and the sub spacer 120 directly contacts the third color filter unit 114 and the first color filter unit 110.

Fig. 8 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel 800 according to another embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the same or similar elements or layers are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and the materials, manufacturing methods and functions thereof are the same or similar to those described above, so that the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. The difference between the embodiment shown in fig. 8 and the embodiments shown in fig. 1A to 7 is that the planarization layer is blanket-coated on the color filter unit, and is not conformally disposed on the color filter unit.

In detail, in the embodiment shown in fig. 8, a planarization layer 116 is disposed on the first color filter unit 110, the second color filter unit 112, and the third color filter unit 114 in a blanket manner. It should be noted that although the planarization layer 116 is blanket disposed on the color filter unit in this embodiment, the planarization layer still has some recesses at the edges of the color filter unit. Therefore, even if the invention is applied to the display panel with the blanket deposited flat layer, the manufacturing process yield of the display panel can be improved.

In summary, the embodiments of the invention dispose the side of the color filter unit away from the center of the spacer thereon, so that the recess of the planarization layer also deviates from the center of the spacer thereon, thereby improving the yield of the manufacturing process of the display panel.

Although the embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been described above, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification, but it is to be understood that any process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, method and steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that will be obvious to one skilled in the art from this disclosure may be utilized according to the present application as many equivalents of the presently available embodiments of the present application are possible. Accordingly, the scope of the present application includes the processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps described in the specification. In addition, each claim constitutes a separate embodiment, and the scope of protection of the present invention also includes combinations of the respective claims and embodiments.

Claims

1. A display panel, comprising:

a first substrate including two scan lines;

a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate;

the shielding layer is arranged on the second substrate and comprises two rows of shielding patterns for shielding the two scanning lines;

the first color filter unit is arranged on the second substrate; and

a spacer disposed on the first color filter unit, wherein the spacer is disposed on one of the two rows of shielding patterns,

the first color filter unit is provided with a first side edge, the first side edge comprises a first part positioned between the two rows of shielding patterns and a second part positioned on one of the two rows of shielding patterns, the first part is connected with the second part, and one part of the first part is a straight line segment;

the shortest distance between the extension line of the first portion and the center of the spacer is a first distance, the shortest distance between the second portion and the center of the spacer is a second distance, and the first distance is smaller than the second distance.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the first substrate further comprises a data line, the shielding layer further comprises a row of shielding patterns for shielding the data line, and the first portion of the first color filter unit is disposed on the row of shielding patterns.

3. The display panel of claim 1, further comprising:

the second color filter unit and the third color filter unit are respectively arranged on the opposite sides of the first color filter unit, wherein the first color filter unit is overlapped with the second color filter unit, and the first color filter unit is not overlapped with the third color filter unit.

4. The display panel of claim 1, wherein an undercut portion is formed between the second substrate and the shielding layer, and a portion of the first color filter fills the undercut portion.

5. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the spacer is a main spacer, and the display panel further comprises:

the second color filter unit and the third color filter unit are respectively arranged on the opposite sides of the first color filter unit; and

the secondary spacer is arranged between the first color filter unit and the third color filter unit, wherein the primary spacer has a first height, the secondary spacer has a second height, and the first height is greater than the second height.

6. The display panel of claim 5, wherein the first color filter is a red filter, the second color filter is a blue filter, and the third color filter is a green filter.

7. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the spacer is a main spacer, and the display panel further comprises:

a sub spacer disposed on the third color filter unit, wherein the main spacer has a first height, the sub spacer has a second height, the first height is greater than the second height, and the sub spacer is disposed on one of the two rows of shielding patterns,

wherein the third color filter unit has a second side edge, the second side edge comprises a third portion located between the two rows of shielding patterns and a fourth portion located on one of the two rows of shielding patterns, and the third portion is connected to the fourth portion,

wherein the shortest distance between the extension line of the third portion and the center of the sub spacer is a third distance, and the shortest distance between the fourth portion and the center of the sub spacer is a fourth distance, and the third distance is smaller than the fourth distance.

8. The display panel of claim 1, wherein one of the two rows of shielding patterns has an outward extending portion corresponding to the spacer.

9. The display panel of claim 1, further comprising:

the flat layer is conformally arranged on the first color filter unit, and the spacer is arranged on the flat layer.

10. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the spacer directly contacts the first color filter unit.