KR20200082920A - Display panel and display device including the display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

According to embodiments of the present invention, a display panel capable of securing an aperture ratio since a bank is not included by including a photochromic layer divided into a first area and a second area, and a display device including the same may be provided. The display panel comprises: a first substrate; a photochromic layer; a plurality of first electrodes; an organic layer; and a second electrode.

Description

Display panel and display device including the same {DISPLAY PANEL AND DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING THE DISPLAY PANEL}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display panel and a display device including the same.

As the information society develops, demands for various display panels such as display devices and lighting devices are increasing in various forms. In the field of display panels, there is an increasing demand for organic light-emitting display panels, which are advantageous in weight reduction and thinning, because a separate light source is not required.

Recently, in the field of display panels, in order to realize virtual reality (VR), research has been actively conducted on increasing the resolution of the display panel. However, when the resolution is widened, the ratio of the area of the non-emission region per subpixel increases, and thus there is a problem in that the aperture ratio decreases.

An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a display panel and a display device that can have a high aperture ratio even at high resolution.

The display panel according to embodiments of the present invention may include a first substrate, a light color layer, a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode.

The display panel may include an active region including a plurality of subpixels divided into a light emitting region and a non-light emitting region.

The light color layer may be disposed on the first substrate.

The photochromic layer may include a photochromic material that undergoes reversible isomerization by light.

The light color layer may include a first region and a second region.

The first electrode may be disposed on the first region of the light color layer.

The first electrode may be divided by the second region of the light color layer.

The organic layer may be located on the first electrode.

The organic layer may be located on the second region of the photochromic layer.

The second electrode may be disposed on the organic layer.

The display panel may not include a bank separating the subpixels on the second region of the light color layer.

In the light color layer, colors of the first region and the second region may be different from each other.

The photochromic material included in the second region of the photochromic layer may include a diarylethene compound.

The photochromic material included in the first region of the photochromic layer may be in a glassy state.

The photochromic material included in the second region of the photochromic layer is a rubbery display panel.

The first electrode may be formed of a metal layer containing aluminum.

The first electrode may have a slope at the periphery of the first electrode.

The display panel may further include a transistor positioned on the first substrate.

The first electrode may be connected to the transistor through a contact hole.

The contact hole may be included in the emission region of the subpixel.

The display panel may further include a second substrate and a black matrix.

The second substrate may be disposed to face the first substrate.

The black matrix may be located on one surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, and may overlap the second region of the photochromic layer.

Subpixels may be classified by the black matrix.

The area of the emission area may be 40% or more with respect to the sum of the area of the emission area and the area of the non-emission area.

The active region may have a pixel density of 1000 ppi or more.

The display device according to embodiments of the present invention may include a display panel and a driving circuit for driving the display panel.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a display panel including a light color layer divided into a first region and a second region and not including a bank to secure an aperture ratio and a display device including the same can be provided.

1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of an electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention.
2 is an exemplary system implementation of an electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a subpixel when the panel according to the embodiments of the present invention is an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel.
4 is a view for explaining that a first electrode is deposited on a light color layer according to embodiments of the present invention.
5 and 6 are diagrams for describing characteristics of a photochromic material included in a photochromic layer according to embodiments of the present invention.
7 is a view for explaining the first electrode of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view of an active area of a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention.
9 is a plan view of a portion of the active area of the display panel of the present invention.
10 is an enlarged view of a cross-sectional view and a part of a subpixel of the present invention.
11 is a plan view of a subpixel of the present invention.
12 is a cross-sectional view of a subpixel of a comparative example.
13 is a plan view of a subpixel of a comparative example.
14 is a partial step of a method of manufacturing a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them will be clarified with reference to embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various different forms, and only the present embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform the holder of the scope of the invention, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

In addition, the shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings for explaining embodiments of the present invention are exemplary, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated matters. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification. In addition, in the description of the present invention, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. When'include','have','consist of', etc. mentioned in this specification are used, other parts may be added unless'~man' is used. When a component is expressed in singular, it may include a case in which plural is included unless specifically stated.

In addition, in interpreting the components in the embodiments of the present invention, it should be interpreted as including an error range even if there is no explicit description.

In addition, in describing the components of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the component from other components, and the nature, order, order, or number of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected to or connected to the other component, but different components between each component It should be understood that the "intervenes" may be, or each component may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected" through other components. In the case of the description of the positional relationship, for example, when the positional relationship of two parts is described as'~top','~upper','~bottom','~side', etc.,'right' Alternatively, one or more other parts may be located between the two parts unless'direct' is used.

In addition, components in the embodiments of the present invention are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. Therefore, the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the technical spirit of the present invention.

In addition, the features (configurations) in the embodiments of the present invention may be partially or wholly combined with each other or combined or separated, and technically various interlocking and driving are possible, and each embodiment is independently performed with respect to each other. It may be possible or it may be implemented together in an association relationship.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of an electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention.

An electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention may include a display device, a lighting device, and a light emitting device. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the display device will be mainly described. However, the following description may be equally applied to various other electronic devices such as a lighting device and a light emitting device.

The electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention may include a panel 100 for displaying an image or outputting light, and a driving circuit for driving the panel 100.

In the panel 100, a plurality of data lines 121 and a plurality of gate lines 122 are disposed and a plurality of subpixels 111 defined by the plurality of data lines 121 and the plurality of gate lines 122. It can be arranged in a matrix type.

In the panel 100, the plurality of data lines 121 and the plurality of gate lines 122 may be disposed to cross each other. For example, the plurality of gate lines 122 may be arranged in a row or a column, and the plurality of data lines 121 may be arranged in a column or a row. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the plurality of gate lines 122 are arranged in a row, and the plurality of data lines 121 are arranged in a column.

In the panel 100, other types of signal wirings may be disposed in addition to the plurality of data lines 121 and the plurality of gate lines 122 according to a subpixel structure or the like. A driving voltage wiring, a reference voltage wiring, or a common voltage wiring may be further disposed.

The panel 100 may be various types of panels, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel.

The types of signal wirings arranged in the panel 100 may vary depending on a subpixel structure, a panel type (eg, LCD panel, OLED panel, etc.). And, in this specification, the signal wiring may be a concept including an electrode to which a signal is applied.

The panel 100 may include an active area 110 in which an image (image) is displayed, and a non-active area 120 in which it is an outer area and in which an image is not displayed. Here, the non-active region 120 is also referred to as a bezel region.

A plurality of subpixels 111 for displaying an image is disposed in the active area 110.

In the non-active area 120, a pad portion for electrically connecting the data driver DDR may be disposed, and a plurality of data link lines for connection between the pad portion and the plurality of data lines 121 may be disposed. Here, the plurality of data link lines may be portions in which the plurality of data lines 121 extend to the non-active region 120 or may be separate patterns electrically connected to the plurality of data lines 121.

Also, in the non-active area 120, gate driving related wires for transmitting a voltage (signal) required for driving the gate to the gate driver 123 through a pad part to which the data driver DDR is electrically connected may be disposed. . For example, the gate driving-related wirings include clock wirings for transferring clock signals, gate voltage wirings for transferring gate voltages (VGH, VGL), and gate driving control signals for transmitting various control signals necessary for generating scan signals. Wires, and the like. The gate driving related wirings are disposed in the non-active region 120, unlike the gate lines 122 disposed in the active region 110.

The driving circuit includes a data driver (DDR) driving a plurality of data lines 121, a gate driver 123 driving a plurality of gate lines 122, a data driver (DDR) and a gate driver 123. It may include a controller 141 to control.

The data driver 124 may drive the plurality of data lines 121 by outputting a data voltage to the plurality of data lines 121.

The gate driver 123 may drive the plurality of gate lines 122 by outputting a scan signal to the plurality of gate lines 122.

The controller 141 supplies various control signals 126 and 125 required for driving operations of the data driver 124 and the gate driver 123 to control driving operations of the data driver 124 and the gate driver 123. Can. Also, the controller 141 may supply the image data 127 to the data driver 124.

The controller 141 starts scanning according to the timing implemented in each frame, and converts the input image data input from the external to the data signal format used by the data driver 124 to convert the converted image data 127. Print and control the data drive at the right time according to the scan.

In order to control the data driver 124 and the gate driver 123, the controller 141 includes a vertical sync signal (Vsync), a horizontal sync signal (Hsync), an input data enable (DE: Data Enable) signal, and a clock signal. A timing signal such as (CLK) is received from an external (eg, host system), and various control signals are generated and output to the data driver 124 and the gate driver 123.

For example, the controller 141, in order to control the gate driver 123, a gate start pulse (GSP), a gate shift clock (GSC), and a gate output enable signal (GOE). Gate Output Signals (GCS) are output.

In addition, the controller 141, in order to control the data driver 124, source start pulse (SSP: Source Start Pulse), source sampling clock (SSC: Source Sampling Clock), source output enable signal (SOE: Source Output) Enable) and output various data control signals (DCS: Data Control Signal).

The controller 141 may be a timing controller used in a conventional display technology or a control device capable of further performing other control functions including a timing controller.

The controller 141 may be implemented as a separate component from the data driver 124 or integrated with the data driver 124 to be implemented as an integrated circuit.

The data driver 124 drives the plurality of data lines 121 by receiving the image data 127 from the controller 141 and supplying data voltages to the plurality of data lines 121. Here, the data driver 124 is also referred to as a source driver.

The data driver 124 can exchange various signals with the controller 141 through various interfaces.

The gate driver 123 sequentially drives the plurality of gate lines 122 by sequentially supplying scan signals to the plurality of gate lines 122. Here, the gate driver 123 is also referred to as a scan driver.

The gate driver 123 sequentially supplies a scan signal of an on voltage or an off voltage to the plurality of gate lines 122 under the control of the controller 141.

When the specific gate line is opened by the gate driver 123, the data driver 124 converts the image data 127 received from the controller 141 into an analog data voltage and supplies it to the plurality of data lines 121. do.

The data driver 124 may be located only on one side (eg, an upper side or a lower side) of the panel 100, and in some cases, both sides of the panel 100 (eg, an upper side) according to a driving method, a panel design method, or the like. Side and bottom side).

The gate driver 123 may be located only on one side (eg, left or right) of the panel 100, and in some cases, both sides of the panel 100 (eg, left) according to a driving method or a panel design method. Side and right side).

The data driver 124 may include one or more source driver integrated circuits (SDICs).

Each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may include a shift register, a latch circuit, a digital to analog converter (DAC), an output buffer, and the like. The data driver 124 may further include one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).

Each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be connected to a bonding pad of the panel 100 in a Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) type or a Chip On Glass (COG) type, or may be directly disposed on the panel 100 have. In some cases, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be integrated and disposed in the panel 100. Further, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be implemented in a COF (Chip On Film) type. In this case, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) is mounted on the circuit film, it can be electrically connected to the data lines 121 in the panel 100 through the circuit film.

The gate driver 123 may include a plurality of gate driving circuits 230. Here, the plurality of gate driving circuits 230 may correspond to the plurality of gate lines 122, respectively.

Each gate driving circuit 230 may include a shift register, a level shifter, and the like.

Each gate driving circuit 230 may be connected to a bonding pad of the panel 100 in a tape automated bonding (TAB) type or a chip on glass (COG) type. In addition, each gate driving circuit 230 may be implemented in a COF (Chip On Film) method. In this case, each gate driving circuit 230 is mounted on the circuit film, and may be electrically connected to the gate lines 122 in the panel 100 through the circuit film. In addition, each gate driving circuit 230 may be implemented in a GIP (Gate In Panel) type to be embedded in the panel 100. That is, each gate driving circuit 230 may be directly formed on the panel 100.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a subpixel when the panel 200 according to embodiments of the present invention is an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel.

Referring to FIG. 2, each subpixel SP in the panel 110 which is an OLED panel includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a driving transistor (DRT) driving the organic light emitting diode (OLED), and a driving transistor ( The switching transistor O-SWT electrically connected between the first node N1 of the DRT and the corresponding data line DL, and between the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT. It may be implemented, including a storage capacitor (Cst) electrically connected to.

The organic light emitting diode (OLED) may be formed of an anode electrode, an organic light emitting layer and a cathode electrode.

2 is an exemplary system implementation of an electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in an electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention, a data driver (DDR) is implemented as a chip on film (COF) type among various types (TAB, COG, COF, etc.), and a gate driver ( GDR) may be implemented as a GIP (Gate In Panel) type among various types (TAB, COG, COF, GIP, etc.).

The data driver DDR may be implemented with one or more source driver integrated circuits 270. FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the data driver DDR is implemented by a plurality of source driver integrated circuits 270.

When the data driver DDR is implemented as a COF type, each source driver integrated circuit 270 that implements the data driver DDR may be mounted on the source side circuit film 280.

One side of the source side circuit film 280 may be electrically connected to a pad portion (a collection of pads) existing in the non-active region 220 of the panel 200.

Wires for electrically connecting the source driver integrated circuit 270 and the panel 200 may be disposed on the source-side circuit film 280.

The electronic device is a control printed circuit board for mounting one or more source printed circuit boards 250 and control components and various electrical devices for circuit connection between a plurality of source driver integrated circuits 270 and other devices. It may include (240).

The other side of the source-side circuit film 280 on which the source driver integrated circuit 270 is mounted may be connected to one or more source printed circuit boards 250.

That is, the source-side circuit film 280 on which the source driver integrated circuit 270 is mounted, one side is electrically connected to the non-active region 220 of the panel 200, and the other side is the source printed circuit board ( 250).

A controller 241 that controls operations such as a data driver (DDR) and a gate driver (GDR) may be disposed on the control printed circuit board 240.

In addition, the control printed circuit board 240, the panel 200, a data driver (DDR) and a gate driver (GDR), such as supplying various voltages or currents, or power management integrated circuits (PMICs) for controlling various voltages or currents : Power Management IC).

The source printed circuit board 250 and the control printed circuit board 240 may be circuitly connected through at least one connecting member 260. Here, the connection member 260 may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a flexible flat cable (FFC), or the like.

The one or more source printed circuit boards 250 and the control printed circuit board 240 may be embodied as one printed circuit board.

When the gate driver GDR is implemented in a GIP (Gate In Panel) type, a plurality of gate driving circuits 230 included in the gate driver GDR are directly on the non-active region 220 of the panel 200. Can be formed.

Each of the plurality of gate driving circuits 230 may output the corresponding scan signal SCAN to the corresponding gate line GL disposed in the active area 210 of the panel 200.

The plurality of gate driving circuits 230 disposed on the panel 200, through the gate driving related wirings arranged in the non-active region 220, various signals required for generating a scan signal (clock signal, high level gate voltage) (VGH), low level gate voltage (VGL), start signal (VST), reset signal (RST, etc.) may be supplied.

The gate driving related wires disposed in the non-active region 220 may be electrically connected to the source side circuit film 280 disposed closest to the plurality of gate driving circuits 230.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a subpixel SP when the panel PNL according to embodiments of the present invention is an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel.

Referring to FIG. 3, each subpixel SP in the panel 110 which is an OLED panel includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a driving transistor (DRT) driving the organic light emitting diode (OLED), and a driving transistor ( The switching transistor O-SWT electrically connected between the first node N1 of the DRT and the corresponding data line DL, and between the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT. It may be implemented, including a storage capacitor (Cst) electrically connected to.

The organic light emitting diode (OLED) may be formed of an anode electrode, an organic light emitting layer and a cathode electrode.

According to the circuit example of FIG. 3, the anode electrode (also referred to as a pixel electrode) of the organic light emitting diode OLED may be electrically connected to the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT. A ground voltage (EVSS) may be applied to the cathode electrode (also referred to as a common electrode) of the organic light emitting diode (OLED).

Here, the ground voltage EVSS may be, for example, a ground voltage or a voltage higher or lower than the ground voltage. In addition, the ground voltage EVSS may vary depending on the driving state. For example, the base voltage (EVSS) when driving the image and the base voltage (EVSS) when sensing may be set differently.

The driving transistor DRT drives the organic light emitting diode OLED by supplying a driving current to the organic light emitting diode OLED.

The driving transistor DRT may include a first node N1, a second node N2, a third node N3, and the like.

The first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT may be a gate node, and may be electrically connected to a source node or a drain node of the switching transistor O-SWT. The second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT may be a source node or a drain node, and may be electrically connected to an anode electrode (or cathode electrode) of the organic light emitting diode (OLED). The third node N3 of the driving transistor DRT may be a drain node or a source node, a driving voltage EVDD may be applied, and a driving voltage line (DVL) that supplies the driving voltage EVDD ).

The storage capacitor Cst is electrically connected between the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT to perform a data voltage Vdata corresponding to the image signal voltage or a voltage corresponding thereto. It can be maintained for a frame time (or a fixed time).

The drain node or source node of the switching transistor O-SWT is electrically connected to the corresponding data line DL, and the source node or drain node of the switching transistor O-SWT is the first node of the driving transistor DRT ( N1), and the gate node of the switching transistor O-SWT is electrically connected to the corresponding gate line to receive the scan signal SCAN.

The switching transistor O-SWT receives the scan signal SCAN to the gate node through the corresponding gate line, so that on-off may be controlled.

The switching transistor O-SWT is turned on by the scan signal SCAN to transfer the data voltage Vdata supplied from the corresponding data line DL to the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT. Can.

Meanwhile, the storage capacitor Cst is not a parasitic capacitor (eg, Cgs, Cgd) which is an internal capacitor existing between the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT. , May be an external capacitor designed intentionally outside the driving transistor DRT.

Each of the driving transistor DRT and the switching transistor O-SWT may be an n-type transistor or a p-type transistor.

Each sub-pixel structure illustrated in FIG. 3 is a 2T (Transistor) 1C (Capacitor) structure, and is only an example for description, and further includes one or more transistors, or, in some cases, one or more capacitors. It might be. Alternatively, each of the plurality of sub-pixels may have the same structure, and some of the plurality of sub-pixels may have a different structure.

The display panel according to embodiments of the present invention may include a first substrate, a light color layer, a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode.

The light color layer may be disposed on the first substrate.

The photochromic layer may include a photochromic material that undergoes reversible isomerization by light. For example, the photochromic material may be converted from isomer 1 to isomer 2 by irradiation of light, and isomer 2 may be converted to isomer 1 by irradiation of light having a different wavelength from the light.

4 is a view for explaining the isomerization of a photochromic material included in the photochromic layer.

Referring to FIG. 4, the photochromic material of the present invention may be converted to an isomer in a closed form or an open form isomer by irradiation of light. For example, an isomer in an open form may have a molecular structure in a curved form, and an isomer in a closed form may have a molecular structure in a straight form.

When the photochromic material has a linear molecular structure, since the packing of the molecule occurs well, the free volume of the photochromic material is low and the mobility of the molecule is lowered to have a glassy state. When the photochromic material has a curved molecular structure, since the packing of the molecule does not occur easily, the free volume of the photochromic material is large, and the mobility of the molecule is increased to have a rubbery state. Due to the difference in mobility according to the state of the photochromic material, the first electrode 430 may be selectively formed when the first electrode 430 is formed on the photochromic layer 420.

Accordingly, the photochromic material according to embodiments of the present invention may be a material capable of switching between a glassy state and a rubbery state by irradiation of light. For example, the photochromic material of the present invention may include a diarylethene compound. In addition, the photochromic material according to embodiments of the present invention may include a compound in which the diarylethene compound isomerized by light irradiation.

Referring to FIG. 4, since the diarylethene compound is in an open form, the second region 422 including more diarylethene compound may be in a rubbery state. Accordingly, the first region 421 of the photochromic layer 420 may be a glassy region, and the second region 422 of the photochromic layer 420 may be a rubbery region. The photochromic layer 420 may include an isomer of the diarylethene compound in the first region 421 in a larger amount than the diarylethene compound.

Referring to FIG. 4, since the isomer of the diarylethene compound is in a closed form and has a glassy state, the photochromic layer 420 may be free in the first region 421. .

5 is a view for explaining that the first electrode 430 is selectively formed on the photochromic layer 420. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates the deposition of the first electrode 430 on the light color layer 420 divided into the first region 421 and the second region 422 through thermal evaporation. will be.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first electrode 430 may be formed in the first region 421 in a glass state by thermal evaporation. Since the free region of the photochromic material has a low free volume in the glassy state, the molecular mobility is low, thereby generating crystal nuclei and growing crystal nuclei of the material constituting the first electrode 430 by thermal evaporation. Because.

The first electrode 430 is not formed in the rubbery second region 422 by thermal evaporation. Since the free volume of the photochromic material is large in the rubber-like second region 422, the mobility of the molecule is large, so that even if the material constituting the first electrode 430 reaches the surface, the material is detached or the material is removed from the surface. This is because exercise prevents the formation of crystal nuclei.

In the light color layer 420, colors of the first region 421 and the second region 422 may be different from each other.

6 is a measurement of absorbance according to the wavelengths of the first and second regions of the photochromic layer according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the absorbance (A) of the first region is higher than the absorbance (B) of the second region over the visible region. In the case of the first region in the glass state, since it has a predetermined absorbance in the visible region, a specific color can be observed with the naked eye. In the case of the second region in the rubber state, since the absorbance is very low in the visible region, it is observed as transparent or colorless.

The material constituting the first electrode 430 is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, a metal layer made of a metal such as Al, Mg, Mn, Zn, Ag, or the like. Preferably, the first electrode 430 may include only the metal layer as a conductive layer.

For example, the first electrode 430 may be a single layer composed of a metal layer containing Al.

In the case of Al, there is an advantage that it is inexpensive, but when forming a pattern by an etching process, there is a problem that physical properties are lowered by oxidation. Therefore, a metal such as Ag can be used to solve the problem due to oxidation, but there is a problem that the cost is high.

In the case of the display panel according to embodiments of the present invention, since the first electrode 430 may be selectively formed on the light color layer 420, an etching process may be omitted. Therefore, since it is possible to prevent deterioration of the physical properties of the electrode by the etching process, it is possible to use Al, which is inexpensive.

In addition, Al has an advantage of higher reflectivity than Ag, and when used as a reflective electrode in a top emission structure, there is an advantage of providing a reflective electrode having a better reflectivity than Ag.

7 is a data showing reflectance according to the wavelength of Al and Ag.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the case of Ag, since the reflectance is low in a low wavelength band, a phenomenon in which reflected light is transferred to blue occurs. However, since Al has a uniform reflectance in the visible light region, color transition does not occur. Therefore, when Al is used as a reflective electrode, there is an advantage that it is easier to control the wavelength band of light emitted by the subpixel.

8 is a view schematically showing a cross-section of a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention.

The first substrate 410 is a substrate supporting an electronic circuit element formed on the first substrate, and an electronic circuit element such as a transistor, a capacitor, or an organic light emitting diode may be formed on the first substrate.

The type of the first substrate 410 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, glass or plastic. In particular, when using flexible plastic, embodiments of the present invention can provide a flexible display panel and a flexible display device. The light color layer 420 includes a first region 421 and a second region 422. It can be composed of. The first region 421 of the photochromic layer 420 is a glassy state containing isomers in a closed form, and the second region 422 is a rubbery state containing isomers in an open form. Can be

The first region 421 of the photochromic layer 420 may be a region in which the first electrode 430 is formed, and the second region 422 may be a region in which the first electrode 430 is not formed.

In the light color layer 420, the first region 421 may be in a glassy state, and the second region 422 may be in a rubbery state. For example, the photochromic layer 420 may include a diarylethene compound in the second region 422. Preferably, the photochromic layer 420 may include a diarylethene compound that is a photochromic material in the second region 422 in a larger amount than the isomer compound. When the diarylethene compound has a larger amount than the isomer compound, it may mean that the number of moles of the diarylethene compound included in the second region 422 is greater than that of the isomer of the diarylethene compound. .

Accordingly, in the display panel according to embodiments of the present invention, the first electrode 430 is positioned only on the first region 421 of the photochromic layer 420 and positioned on the second region 422 of the photochromic layer 420. You may not.

The display panel according to embodiments of the present invention may not include a bank 417 that separates subpixels on the second area 422 of the light color layer 420.

In the process of forming the first electrode 430 on the photochromic layer 420, since the first electrode 430 is selectively formed only in the first region 421 of the photochromic layer 420, embodiments of the present invention A short circuit does not occur even if a bank is not formed in the periphery of the first electrode 430 according to the display panel.

If the first electrode 430 is not selectively formed unlike the embodiments of the present invention, for example, in the process of etching to pattern the first electrode 430, a reverse taper is formed on the periphery of the first electrode. A shape can be formed. When the inverse taper shape is extremely formed, a portion called a tail can be observed at the periphery of the first electrode 430, and when the first electrode 430 has the tail, a current is lost. Shorting may occur. Therefore, when the first electrode is patterned through etching, a bank may be formed to prevent a short circuit to prevent a short circuit from occurring in the peripheral portion of the first electrode.

However, in the process of forming the pattern layer constituting the first electrode 430, the present invention can selectively form the first electrode 430, so a separate etching process is unnecessary. Since the etching process is not performed, a tail is not formed in the periphery of the first electrode 430. Accordingly, the display panel according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may not form a bank, thereby ensuring the aperture ratio.

In the display panel according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the first electrode 430 is formed in the first region 421 in the glass state and not in the second region 422 in the rubber state, the display panel in the visible light region The first region 421 and the second region 422 having different absorbances have different colors from each other.

The first electrode 430 may be disposed on the first region 421 of the light color layer 420.

The first electrode 430 is an electrode constituting the organic light emitting diode included in the display panel, and may be an anode electrode that injects electrons into the organic layer 440.

As described above, since the first region 421 has a low molecular mobility in the photochromic layer 420, the material constituting the first region 430 is formed of the photochromic layer 420 when the first region 430 is formed. It is deposited only on the first region 421. Accordingly, the first electrode 430 may be disposed on the first region 421 of the light color layer 420.

The first electrode 430 may be divided by the second region 422 of the light color layer 420.

The first electrode 430 may be individually disposed for each subpixel SP of the display panel. While the plurality of first electrodes 430 are positioned on the first region 421 of the photochromic layer, they are not located on the second region 422 of the photochromic layer 420, and thus the second region 422 of the photochromic layer 420 ).

The organic layer 440 may be positioned on the first electrode 430.

The organic layer 440 may refer to a layer including a light emitting layer that emits light by using an electroluminescent shape in which current flows through an organic compound to emit light.

Referring to FIG. 8, the organic layer 440 is also positioned on the first electrode 430 and is formed on the first electrode 430 and extends on the first electrode 430 to be located on the photochromic layer 420 where the first electrode 430 is not formed. can do. That is, the organic layer 440 may be positioned on the second region 422 of the light color layer 420.

After selectively forming the first electrode 430 on the light color layer 420, when the organic layer 440 is deposited, the organic layer 440 is positioned on the first electrode 440 as illustrated in FIG. 8, It may be located on the second region 422 of the light color layer 420.

The method of forming the organic layer 440 is not particularly limited, and may be formed, for example, by thermal evaporation.

The second electrode 450 may be disposed on the organic layer 440.

The second electrode 450 is an electrode constituting the organic light emitting diode included in the display panel, and may be a cathode electrode that injects electrons into the organic layer.

The display panel according to embodiments of the present invention may further include a second substrate 470 and a black matrix 480.

The second substrate 470 may be an encapsulation substrate having an encapsulation layer formed on its surface or a color filter substrate having a color filter pattern.

A color filter may be formed on the second substrate 470. As the color filter, for example, a red filter (RF), a green filter (GF), and a blue filter (BF) may be formed.

The second substrate 470 may be disposed to face the first substrate 410.

When the second substrate 470 is disposed to face the first substrate 410, it may mean that one surface of the first substrate 410 and one surface of the second substrate 470 are disposed to face each other.

The black matrix 480 may be positioned on one surface of the second substrate 470 facing the first substrate 410. Referring to FIG. 8, the black matrix 480 is positioned on one surface of the second substrate 470, and one surface of the second substrate 470 may be one surface facing the first substrate 410.

The black matrix 480 may overlap the second region 422 of the light color layer 420.

Since the present invention does not include a bank as described above, the black matrix 480 distinguishes the light emitting area 491 and the non-light emitting area 492 of the subpixel. When forming the black matrix 480, the aperture ratio is In order to ensure the maximum, the black matrix 480 may be formed so as not to overlap with the region where light emission occurs in the organic layer 440. Therefore, the black matrix 480 does not have the first electrode 430, so the organic layer is not formed. The light emitting layer 440 may be positioned to overlap the second region 422 of the light color layer 420.

The display panel according to embodiments of the present invention may further include a buffer layer 412, an interlayer insulating film 413, a protective layer 414, and a planarization layer 415.

The buffer layer 412 may be positioned on the first substrate 410 and may be formed before an electronic circuit element is formed on the first substrate 410 to protect the first substrate 410.

The interlayer insulating layer 413 may be formed to cover the gate electrode 411b, the semiconductor layer 411d, and the like of the transistor 411 formed on the first substrate 410.

The protective layer 414 may be formed on the source electrode 411a and drain electrode 411e of the transistor 411.

The planarization layer 415 is a layer that flattens the surface of the substrate before forming the organic light emitting diode including the first electrode 430 and the like, and may be positioned on the protective layer 414.

9 is a plan view illustrating a subpixel included in a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention.

9 illustrates R, G, and B subpixels included in the display panel of the present invention. Each sub-pixel includes light-emitting areas 491R, 491G, and 491B and non-light-emitting areas 492.

In the non-emission region 492, the black matrix 480 will be positioned as illustrated in FIG. 8, which may also overlap the second region 422 of the light color layer 420.

Therefore, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen that the black matrix 480 distinguishes subpixels.

In the present invention, the black matrix 480 distinguishes the subpixels. The area around the light emitting area of the subpixel overlaps with the black matrix 480, or the black matrix 480 has light emitting areas 491R, 491G, and 491B of the subpixel. ).

Referring to FIG. 8, the black matrix 480 may not overlap with the emission regions 491R, 491G, and 491B of the subpixel, but may overlap the non-emission region 492. In addition, the non-emission region 492 may overlap the second region 422 of the photochromic layer 420.

The display panel according to embodiments of the present invention may further include a transistor 411 positioned on the first substrate 410.

Referring to FIG. 8, the transistor 411 is a thin film transistor (TFT), a semiconductor layer 411d, a gate insulating film 411c, a gate electrode 411b, a source electrode 411a, and a drain electrode ( 411e).

8 exemplarily shows a structure of a top gate coplanar transistor, but the structure of the transistor is not limited thereto.

The first electrode 430 may be connected to the transistor 411 through a contact hole.

8, the first electrode 430 is connected to the drain electrode 411e of the transistor 411 through a contact hole.

The contact hole 416 may be included in the emission region 491 of the subpixel.

As described above, the contact hole 416 refers to a contact hole in which the first electrode 430 is connected to the drain electrode 411e of the transistor 411.

10 is a cross-sectional view of a subpixel included in a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention.

9 and 10, it can be seen that the contact hole 416 is included in the emission region 491 of the subpixel. Since the sub-pixel of the present invention does not include a bank, the emission region 491 is not limited by the bank, and the first electrode 430, the organic layer 440, and the second electrode 450 constitute an organic light emitting diode. Since it is defined by a part, the contact hole 416 may be included in the light emitting area 491. That is, according to the present invention, since the portion in which the first electrode 430 is formed is not included in the bank, it can be utilized as the light-emitting region 491, and thus has an advantage of securing an aperture ratio.

11 is a view for explaining the aperture ratio of a sub-pixel included in the display panel of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the subpixel of the present invention may be divided into a light emitting area 491 and a non-light emitting area 492.

In the sub-pixel shown in FIG. 11, for example, a may be 1.25 μm, b may be 5.95 μm, and c may be 14.4 μm. Therefore, the aperture ratio, which is the ratio of the area 491 of the light emitting area to the sum of the area of the light emitting area and the area of the non-light emitting area (EA, NEA), may be about 60%.

Since the subpixel shown in FIG. 11 has a diagonal length of about 18.9 μm, a display panel of about 1344 ppi can be implemented. Accordingly, the display panel according to embodiments of the present invention may have an aperture ratio of 40% or more, 50% or more, or 55% or more at a pixel density of 1000 ppi or more.

12 and 13 are plan and cross-sectional views of subpixels of a comparative example including a bank.

12 shows the bank 417 to prevent shorts from occurring in the peripheral portion of the first electrode when the first electrode 430 is formed by an etching process because the first electrode 430 is not selectively formed. It is a comparative example formed.

When the bank 417 is formed as shown in FIG. 12, the light-emitting area 491 and the non-light-emitting area 492 are formed as shown in FIG. 13, and the contact hole 416 is not included in the light-emitting area 491. .

The display panel according to embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured by a manufacturing method including selectively forming the first electrode 430 on the photochromic layer 420 as described above.

14 is a view for explaining a part of steps of manufacturing a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, a light color layer 420 is formed on the overcoat layer 415, and ultraviolet light (UV) is selectively irradiated to the light color layer 420 using a mask. When UV (UV) is selectively irradiated, a first region 421 and a second region 422 are formed in the photochromic layer 420, and the first region 421 in a glass state is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. It is possible to configure the second region 422 in a rubber state where ultraviolet light is not irradiated.

Subsequently, when the first electrode 430 is deposited by thermal evaporation, the first electrode 430 is only on the first region 421 due to the difference in physical properties between the first region 421 and the second region 422 described above. It is formed selectively.

The first electrode 430 formed on the first region 421 may include a slope at a peripheral portion of the first electrode 430.

Referring to FIG. 10, an enlarged view of the first electrode 430 including the slope 431 at the peripheral portion is illustrated. The slope 431 appears after the material constituting the first electrode 430 is deposited on the surface of the first region 421, and the first electrode continues to grow only on the preformed first electrode 430. It is shaped. When the first electrode 430 is formed by etching, the slope 431 as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 10 is not observed, and conversely, a tapered shape in which the lower portion is more etched appears. When this appears extremely, the above-described tail shape can be observed.

In another aspect, a display device according to embodiments of the present invention may include a display panel and a driving circuit.

Since the display panel and the driving circuit are the same as described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

The above description and the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains combine combinations of configurations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. , Various modifications and variations such as separation, substitution and change will be possible. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical spirits within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100, 200: panel 110, 210: active area
120, 220: non-active area 410: first substrate
420: light color layer 421: first region
422: second region 430: first electrode
440: organic layer 450: second electrode
460: subpixel 491: light emitting area
492: non-emission area

Claims (11)

A first substrate;
A photochromic layer disposed on the first substrate, including a photochromic material that undergoes reversible isomerization by light, and composed of a first region and a second region;
A plurality of first electrodes disposed on the first region of the photochromic layer and separated by the second region of the photochromic layer;
An organic layer positioned on the first electrode and positioned on a second region of the photochromic layer; And
It includes a second electrode disposed on the organic layer,
A display panel including an active area including a plurality of subpixels divided into a light emitting area and a non-light emitting area.
According to claim 1,
A display panel not including a bank separating the sub-pixels on a second region of the light color layer.
According to claim 1,
The light color layer has a display panel having different colors in the first region and the second region.
According to claim 1,
The photochromic material included in the second region of the photochromic layer includes a diarylethene compound.
According to claim 1,
The photochromic material included in the first region of the photochromic layer is in a glass state,
The photochromic material included in the second region of the photochromic layer is a rubber display panel.
According to claim 1,
The first electrode is a display panel made of a metal layer containing aluminum.
According to claim 1,
The first electrode is a display panel having a slope around the periphery of the first electrode.
According to claim 1,
Further comprising a transistor located on the first substrate,
The first electrode is connected to the transistor through a contact hole,
The contact hole is a display panel included in the emission region of the sub-pixel.
According to claim 1,
A second substrate disposed to face the first substrate;
A black matrix positioned on one surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate and overlapping the second region of the photochromic layer,
The subpixels are display panels separated by the black matrix.
According to claim 1,
The area of the emission area is 40% or more with respect to the sum of the area of the emission area and the area of the non-emission area,
The active region is a display panel having a pixel density of 1000 ppi or higher.
It includes a display panel and a driving circuit for driving the display panel,
The display panel,
A first substrate;
A photochromic layer disposed on the first substrate, including a photochromic material that undergoes reversible isomerization by light, and composed of a first region and a second region;
A plurality of first electrodes disposed on the first region of the photochromic layer and separated by the second region of the photochromic layer;
An organic layer disposed on the first electrode and disposed on a second region of the photochromic layer; And
It includes a second electrode disposed on the organic layer,
A display device including an active area including a plurality of subpixels divided into a light emitting area and a non-light emitting area.

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