TW202002354A - Pixel structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A pixel structure includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed at a side of the first electrode, and a pixel defining layer disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode. The pixel defining layer has a first opening and a second opening, and in a normal direction perpendicular to the first electrode, the first opening and the second opening respectively overlap with the corresponding first electrode and second electrode. The first opening has a first zone and a second zone, and a maximum opening width of the first zone is smaller than a maximum opening width of the second zone. The second opening has a third zone and a fourth zone, and a maximum opening width of the third zone is smaller than a maximum opening width of the fourth zone. The pixel defining layer has a first bank and a second bank. The first bank separates the first zone of the first opening and the third zone of the second opening. The second bank separates the second zone of the first opening and the forth zone of the second opening. A maximum width of the first bank is larger than a maximum width of the second bank.

Description

Pixel structure

The invention relates to a pixel structure, and in particular to a pixel definition layer of a first retaining wall and a second retaining wall with different widths.

Organic light emitting diode (Organic light emitting diode, OLED) has advantages such as long life, small size, high shock resistance, low heat generation and low power consumption, so it has been widely used as an indicator or light source in households and various devices .

Ink Jet Printing (IJP) can improve the material utilization rate in the process of OLED to reduce the process cost, but before the inkjet coating, it is necessary to form a bank set corresponding to the pixel to define Each pixel area. However, when increasing the resolution, the pixel structure will be reduced. In this way, the area occupied by the retaining wall in each pixel must be increased to reduce the chance of color mixing. Therefore, the opening area of the pixel is reduced, and the area of the light-emitting area is reduced, resulting in poor display quality, and it is impossible to further reduce the pixel to improve the resolution.

The invention provides a pixel structure, which can increase the opening area of the pixel structure, improve the display quality and achieve the goal of high resolution.

The pixel structure of the present invention includes a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on one side of the first electrode and a pixel definition layer disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode. The pixel definition layer has a first opening and a second opening, and in a normal direction perpendicular to the first electrode, the first opening and the second opening respectively overlap the first electrode and the second electrode. The first opening has a first area and a second area, and the maximum opening width of the first area is smaller than the maximum opening width of the second area. The second opening has a third area and a fourth area, and the maximum opening width of the third area is smaller than the maximum opening width of the fourth area. The pixel definition layer has a first retaining wall and a second retaining wall. The first retaining wall separates the first area of the first opening from the third area of the second opening. The second retaining wall separates the second area of the first opening from the fourth area of the second opening.

Based on the above, in the pixel structure of an embodiment of the present invention, the maximum width of the first retaining wall between the first area and the third area occupying a smaller opening orthographic area can be greater than the center of the pixel structure The maximum width of the second retaining wall between the second area and the fourth area occupying the orthographic projection area of the larger opening. Therefore, a part of the droplets sprayed on the light emitting layer in the first opening may remain on the first retaining wall due to the accuracy and fluidity of spraying. In this way, the first blocking wall can reduce the probability that the droplets of the light emitting layer flow into the second opening or the third opening. In this way, the probability of color mixing can be reduced without reducing the pixel structure to achieve the goal of high resolution without increasing the accuracy requirements of the inkjet process. In addition, the area occupied by the second retaining wall can also be reduced to increase the opening area of the pixel structure, increase the light-emitting area and improve the display quality.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the embodiments are specifically described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings for detailed description as follows.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same elements. It should be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” or “connected to” another element, it can be directly on or connected to the other element, or Intermediate elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to" another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, "connected" may refer to physical and/or electrical connections. Furthermore, "electrical connection" or "coupling" may be that there are other elements between the two elements.

It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, and/or Or part should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Accordingly, "first element", "component", "region", "layer" or "portion" discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology and the present invention, and will not be interpreted as idealized or excessive Formal meaning unless explicitly defined as such in this article.

FIG. 1A is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description and observation, FIG. 1A only schematically shows some components. FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pixel structure of FIG. 1A along section line A-A'. FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pixel structure of FIG. 1A along the section line B-B'. 1A, 1B, and 1C, in this embodiment, the pixel structure 10 includes a first electrode 111, a second electrode 112 disposed on one side of the first electrode 111, and a pixel definition layer PD disposed on the first On the electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. In this embodiment, the pixel structure 10 is exemplified as a pixel applied to an organic light-emitting diode display panel, but it is not limited thereto.

In detail, in this embodiment, the pixel structure 10 can be disposed on the substrate 110. The material of the substrate 110 may be glass, quartz, organic polymer, opaque/reflective materials (for example: conductive materials, metals, wafers, ceramics or other applicable materials) or other applicable materials. If conductive materials or metals are used, a layer of insulating material (not shown) is covered on the substrate 110 to avoid short circuit problems.

In some embodiments, an active device layer (not shown) may be provided on the substrate 110. The active device layer is, for example, an active device array, including a dielectric layer, a plurality of active devices, and a plurality of signal lines connecting the active devices. The active device includes thin film transistor (TFT). The thin film transistor is, for example, low temperature poly-Si (LTPS) or amorphous silicon thin-film transistor (a-Si), but the invention is not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, the first electrode 111 of the pixel structure 10 is disposed on the substrate 110. For example, the first electrode 111 may be disposed on the active device layer, and the first electrode 111 is electrically connected to the active device layer, but the invention is not limited thereto. The material of the first electrode 111 is a conductor material, such as aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg) , Platinum (Pt), gold (Au) or a combination thereof. The first electrode 111 may have a single-layer, double-layer, or multilayer structure. For example, the first electrode 111 may be a three-layer structure composed of ITO/Ag/ITO, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first electrode 111 may also be Ti/Al/Ti or a three-layer structure composed of Mo/Al/Mo. In some embodiments, the first electrode 111 further includes a reflective electrode, the material of which may be a metal having good reflectivity to visible light, such as aluminum, molybdenum, gold, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the forming method of the first electrode 111 may be chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), vapor deposition (VTE), sputtering (SPT), or Its combination. In some embodiments, the first electrode 111 may serve as an anode of an organic light emitting diode (OLED), but the invention is not limited thereto.

The second electrode 112 of the pixel structure 10 is disposed on the substrate 110 and on one side of the first electrode 111. The second electrode 112 is similar to the first electrode 111 and can be disposed on the active device layer and electrically connected to the active device layer. The material, structure, and forming method of the second electrode 112 and the first electrode 111 are similar, and will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the second electrode 112 can be used as the anode of the organic light-emitting diode, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The pixel definition layer PD is disposed and covers the substrate 110, the first electrode 111, and the second electrode 112, and the pixel definition layer PD has a first opening 210 and a second opening 220. For example, the pixel-defining material (not shown) can be disposed on the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 on the whole surface, and then through the yellow light lithography to form the first opening 210 and the second opening 220 The pixel definition layer PD. In this embodiment, in the direction perpendicular to the normal L of the first electrode 111 (or the vertical substrate 110 ), the first opening 210 and the second opening 220 respectively overlap the first electrode 111 and the second electrode. From another perspective, the first opening 210 exposes the first electrode 111 partially located in the first opening 210, and the second opening 220 exposes the first electrode 112 partially located in the second opening 220. The material of the pixel definition layer PD includes inorganic materials. Inorganic materials include silicon nitride (SiNx) or other suitable materials, and the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the material of the pixel definition layer PD also includes a photoresist material. In this embodiment, the openings 210 and 220 of the pixel definition layer PD can be used to define regions of multiple sub-pixels.

In this embodiment, the first opening 210 and the second opening 220 may be defined by the pixel definition layer PD. For example, the pixel definition layer PD between the first opening 210 and the second opening 220 of the pixel definition layer PD has a first blocking wall 120 and a second blocking wall 140. The first retaining wall 120 and the second retaining wall 140 can be used to separate the first opening 210 and the second opening 220. For example, the first opening 210 has a first area 211 and a second area 212. Compared with the second area 212, the first area 211 is adjacent to the first retaining wall 120. The second opening 220 has a third area 221 and a fourth area 2122. Compared with the fourth area 222, the third area 221 is adjacent to the first retaining wall 120. From another perspective, the first area 211 is located between the second area 212 and the area where the first retaining wall 120 is located, and the third area 221 is located between the fourth area 222 and the area where the first retaining wall 120 is located.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the pixel structure 10 further includes a third electrode 113 disposed on the other side of the first electrode 111, a third opening 230, and a plurality of light emitting layers EL disposed on the first opening 210, respectively , The second opening 220 and the third opening 230. The third opening 230 has a fifth area 231 and a sixth area 232. Compared with the sixth area 232, the fifth area 231 is adjacent to the first retaining wall 120. From another perspective, the fifth area 231 is located between the sixth area 232 and the area where the first retaining wall 120 is located. In this embodiment, the third electrode 113 is similar to the first electrode 111, and can be disposed on the active device layer and electrically connected to the active device layer. The material, structure, and forming method of the third electrode 113 and the first electrode 111 are similar, and will not be repeated here.

In addition, the pixel structure 10 further includes a third retaining wall 160 and a fourth retaining wall 180. The second retaining wall 140, the third retaining wall 160, and the fourth retaining wall 180 are respectively connected to the first retaining wall 120 and the pixel definition layer PD surrounding the pixel structure 10. The second retaining wall 140 separates the second area 212 of the first opening 210 from the fourth area 222 of the second opening 220, and the third retaining wall 160 separates the fourth area 222 of the second opening 220 from the third area of the third opening 230 Six areas 232, and the fourth blocking wall 180 separates the second area 212 of the first opening 210 from the sixth area 232 of the third opening 230. In other words, the first opening 210 can be defined by one side of the pixel-defining layer PD, the first retaining wall 120 and the second retaining wall 140 and the fourth retaining wall 180, and the second opening 220 can be defined by both sides of the pixel-defining layer PD, the first A retaining wall 120, a second retaining wall 140, and a third retaining wall 160 are defined, and the third opening 230 may be defined by both sides of the pixel definition layer PD, the first retaining wall 120, the third retaining wall 160, and the fourth retaining wall 180 .

In this embodiment, the maximum opening width W _{211 of the} first region 211 is smaller than the maximum opening width W _{212 of the} second region ₂₁₂ . For example, the maximum opening width W ₂₁₁ of the first region ₂₁₁ can be defined as the linear distance from the second retaining wall 140 to the fourth retaining wall 180 at the junction of the first region 211 and the second region 212. From another perspective, the maximum opening width W _{211 of the} first region 211 may also be the minimum opening width of the second region 212 (not shown). The maximum opening width W _{212 of the} second area 212 may be defined as the linear distance between the second barrier wall 140 connecting the pixel definition layer PD and the fourth barrier wall 180 connecting the pixel definition layer PD. From another perspective, the maximum opening width W ₂₁₂ of the second region 212 may be the width of the second region 212 closest to the outer edge 11. The maximum opening width W _{221 of the} third region 221 is smaller than the maximum opening width W _{222 of the} fourth region ₂₂₂ . The maximum opening width W ₂₂₁ of the third area _{221 may be} defined as the shortest linear distance from the first blocking wall 120 to the pixel definition layer PD at the junction of the third area 221 and the fourth area 222. From another perspective, the maximum opening width W _{221 of the} third region 221 may also be the minimum opening width of the fourth region 222 (not shown). The maximum opening width W _{222 of the} fourth area 222 may be defined as the shortest linear distance between the second barrier wall 140 connecting the pixel definition layer PD and one side of the pixel definition layer PD connected to the third barrier wall 160. From another perspective, the maximum opening width W ₂₂₂ of the fourth region 222 may be the width of the fourth region 222 closest to the outer edge 11 and parallel to the extending direction of the outer edge 11.

In some embodiments, the maximum opening width of the fifth region 231 (not labeled) is smaller than the maximum opening width of the sixth region 232 (not labeled). The maximum opening width of the fifth area 231 can be defined as the shortest linear distance from the first blocking wall 120 to the pixel definition layer PD at the junction of the fifth area 231 and the sixth area 232. From another perspective, the maximum opening width of the fifth area 231 may also be the minimum opening width of the sixth area 232 (not shown). The maximum opening width of the sixth area 232 may be defined as the shortest linear distance between the fourth blocking wall 180 connecting the pixel defining layer PD and one side of the pixel defining layer PD connected to the third blocking wall 160. From another perspective, the maximum opening width of the sixth region 232 may be the width of the sixth region 232 closest to the outer edge 11 and parallel to the extending direction of the outer edge 11.

In other words, the first blocking wall 120 is interposed between the first opening 210, the second opening 220, and the third opening 230, and the first blocking wall 120 and the edge of the outer edge 11 of the pixel definition layer PD are separated by the first The second retaining wall 140, the third retaining wall 160 and the fourth retaining wall 180 are connected. From another perspective, the first retaining wall 120 may be disposed near the center of the pixel structure 10 (for example, a center point at the same distance from the four sides of the pixel structure 10), separating the first opening 210 and the second opening 220 And the third opening 230.

1A, 1B, and 1C, in this embodiment, in the direction of the normal L, the third opening 320 corresponds to the overlapping of the third electrode 113, and the first blocking wall 120 separates the first opening 210 from the first The three openings 230 and the second opening 220 are separated from the third opening 230. In this embodiment, the openings 210, 220, and 230 are adapted to accommodate the light-emitting layers EL, respectively, and the light-emitting layers EL include a first light-emitting layer EL1, a second light-emitting layer EL2, and a third light-emitting layer EL3. The first light emitting layer EL1 corresponds to the first opening 210, the second light emitting layer EL2 corresponds to the second opening 220, and the third light emitting layer EL3 corresponds to the third opening 230. In this embodiment, the first light-emitting layer EL1 in the first opening 210 may be located between the second light-emitting layer EL2 in the second opening 220 and the third light-emitting layer EL3 in the third opening 230, but the present invention does not This is limited.

The light-emitting layer EL contacts the electrodes 111, 112, and 113 in the openings 210, 220, and 230. The light-emitting layer EL is, for example, an electroluminescent organic light-emitting structure, but the invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, in order to increase the utilization rate of the material and reduce the manufacturing cost, the light-emitting layer EL may be formed by an ink jet printing (IJP) process. For example, a liquid organic light-emitting material (not shown) can be disposed on the electrodes 111, 112, and 113 in the openings 210, 220, and 230 through an inkjet coating process, and then form a thin film to emit light through a drying process Layer EL. In some embodiments, the light-emitting layer EL may have a multi-layer structure, including a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transfer layer (HTL), an emission layer (EL), and electron transport Layer (electron transfer layer, ETL). 1B and 1C are shown in a single layer structure for convenience of description and clear display. In this embodiment, the inkjet coating process and the curing process can be repeated to form the light-emitting layer EL with a desired thickness, but the invention is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the material of the hole injection layer is, for example, xylylene copper, star arylamines, polyaniline, polyethylene dioxythiophene, or other suitable materials. The material of the hole transport layer is, for example, triaromatic amines, cross-structured diamine biphenyl, diamine biphenyl derivatives or other suitable materials. The light-emitting layer EL may be a red organic light-emitting layer, a green organic light-emitting layer, a blue organic light-emitting layer, or a light-emitting layer of different colors (for example, white, orange, yellow, etc.) produced by mixing light of various spectra. The material of the electron transport layer may be oxazole derivatives and their dendrimers, metal chelate compounds (such as Alq3), azole compounds, diazoanthracene derivatives, silicon-containing heterocyclic compounds, or other suitable materials.

The difference between the liquid-based surface tension and the adsorption force of the pixel-defining layer PD and its retaining walls 120, 140, 160, 180 causes the thickness of the light-emitting layer EL to become closer to the pixel-defining layer PD and The retaining walls 120, 140, 160, 180 gradually increase. For example, the first thickness T _{1 of the} light-emitting layer EL at the junction of the retaining walls 140, 180 and the first electrode 111 is greater than the second thickness T _{2 of the} light-emitting layer EL on the first electrode 111, and thus has a curved surface, However, the invention is not limited to this.

The first light-emitting layer EL1, the second light-emitting layer EL2, and the third light-emitting layer EL3 can emit first color light, second color light, and third color light (not shown) of different wavelengths, respectively. For example, the first color light is red light, the second color light is blue light, and the third color light is green light, but the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the color of the colored light may further include white or other suitable colors, and the color of any two or any of the first colored light, the second colored light, and the third colored light may be the same. This is limited.

In some embodiments, the pixel structure 10 may further include a counter electrode (not shown) disposed on the pixel definition layer PD. For example, the opposite electrode may be provided on the pixel definition layer PD and the light-emitting layer EL over the entire surface and overlap the electrodes 111, 112, 113 and the openings 210, 220, 230, but the invention is not limited thereto. The material of the counter electrode may be a transparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, or indium germanium zinc oxide. In some embodiments, the formation method of the counter electrode may be chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), vapor deposition (VTE), sputtering (SPT) or combination. In some embodiments, the counter electrode may serve as a cathode of an organic light emitting diode.

In some embodiments, a protective layer, a flat layer, a water-blocking oxygen layer (not shown) or other suitable film layers may be selectively provided on the counter electrode, and the invention is not limited thereto.

It is worth noting that the maximum width W _{120 of the} first retaining wall 120 is greater than the maximum width W _{140 of the} second retaining wall ₁₄₀ . For example, the maximum width W ₁₂₀ of the first retaining wall _{120 may be} defined as the linear distance from the intersection of the first retaining wall 120 and the fourth retaining wall 180 to the intersection of the first retaining wall 120 and the third retaining wall 160. In other words, the maximum width W _{120 of the} first retaining wall 120 may be at the first area 211, the intersection of the first retaining wall 120 and the fourth retaining wall 180 and at the third area 221, the first retaining wall 120 The maximum distance from the junction with the third retaining wall 160. From another perspective, the maximum width W ₁₂₀ of the first retaining wall ₁₂₀ may be the side length of the first retaining wall 120 corresponding to the first opening 210, the second opening 220, or the third opening 230, but the present invention does not take this as limit. The maximum width W _{140 of the} second retaining wall 140 may be defined as the width perpendicular to the extending direction of the second retaining wall 140. In addition, the maximum width (not marked) of the third retaining wall 160 and the maximum width (not marked) of the fourth retaining wall 180 may be the same as the maximum width W _{140 of the} second retaining wall 140 and smaller than the maximum width of the first retaining wall 120 Width W ₁₂₀ . Under the above arrangement, since the second region 212 with a larger width of the first opening 210 is farther away from the first blocking wall 120 than the first region 211 with a smaller width, and the second region 220 has a fourth region with a larger width 222 is farther away from the first retaining wall 120 than the third area 221 with a smaller width (can be seen in the direction of the normal L, the orthographic area of the first area 211 is smaller than the orthographic area of the second area 212), so it is sprayed on A part of the droplets of the light-emitting layer EL in the first opening 210 may remain on the first stop wall 120 due to the accuracy and fluidity of spraying. In this way, near the center of the pixel structure 10, a first retaining wall wider than the second retaining wall 140 is provided between the first area 211, the third area 221, and the fifth area 231 occupying a smaller opening orthographic area 120 can reduce the probability of the droplets of the light emitting layer EL flowing into the second opening 220 or the third opening 230. In this way, the probability of color mixing can be reduced without shrinking the pixel structure 10 to achieve the goal of high resolution without increasing the accuracy requirements of the inkjet process. In addition, a second retaining wall 140 narrower than the first retaining wall 120 is provided between the second area 212 and the fourth area 222 occupying a larger opening orthographic projection area, which can reduce the area occupied by the retaining wall to increase The opening area of the pixel structure 10 increases the light-emitting area and improves the display quality.

。在上述的設置下，使用者可依畫素結構10的尺寸，調整第一擋牆120所佔畫素結構10的面積比例，以增加畫素結構10的開口面積、提升顯示品質以及達成高解析度的目標。In this embodiment, at the junction of the first retaining wall 120 and the second retaining wall 140, the width of the first retaining wall 120 gradually increases toward the third opening 230. From another perspective, the orthographic appearance of the first retaining wall 120 in the direction of the normal L (that is, the top view direction) may be a triangle, and each side of the first wall 120 corresponds to the first area 211, the third area 221, and the fifth Area 231. In addition, the length of each side may also be the maximum width W ₁₂₀ of the first retaining wall ₁₂₀ . In addition, in the direction of the normal L, the orthographic projection area of the first retaining wall 120 is 0% to the area within the orthographic projection of the outer edge 11 of the pixel definition layer PD

. Under the above configuration, the user can adjust the area ratio of the pixel structure 10 occupied by the first retaining wall 120 according to the size of the pixel structure 10 to increase the opening area of the pixel structure 10, improve the display quality and achieve high resolution Degree goal.

In short, the maximum width W ₁₂₀ of the first retaining wall 120 between the first area 211, the third area 221, and the fifth area 231 occupying a smaller opening orthographic area near the center of the pixel structure 10 It may be larger than the maximum width W ₁₄₀ of the second blocking wall 140 between the second area 212 and the fourth area 222 occupying a larger opening orthographic area. In this way, the first blocking wall 120 can reduce the probability that the droplets of the light-emitting layer EL flow into the second opening 220 or the third opening 230. In this way, the probability of color mixing can be reduced without shrinking the pixel structure 10 to achieve the goal of high resolution without increasing the accuracy requirements of the inkjet process. In addition, the area occupied by the second retaining wall 140 can also be reduced to increase the opening area of the pixel structure 10, increase the light-emitting area and improve the display quality.

The following embodiments continue to use the element numbers and partial contents of the previous embodiments, wherein the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar elements. For the description of the parts that omit the same technical content, please refer to the previous embodiments. Repeat the details.

FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description and observation, FIG. 2A only schematically shows some components. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pixel structure of FIG. 2A along the cross-sectional line C-C'. The pixel structure 10A shown in this embodiment is similar to the pixel structure 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The main difference is that the first retaining wall 120A has a first portion 121A and a second portion 122A. The first portion 121A separates the first area 211 of the first opening 210 and the third area 221 of the second opening 220. The second portion 122A separates the third area 221 of the second opening 220 from the fifth area 231 of the third opening 230. In this embodiment, the first retaining wall 120A also has a third portion 123A. The first portion 123A separates the first area 211 of the first opening 210 and the fifth area 231 of the third opening 230. For example, the first portion 121A, the second portion 122A, and the third portion 123A may meet near the center of the pixel structure 10A. In other words, the long axis of each part can be staggered at the intersection of the first part 121A, the second part 122A, and the third part 123A, and the three blades partially overlap in the direction of the normal L (plan view) shape.

In this embodiment, the definition of the first area 211 is similar to the definition of the first area 211 in the pixel structure 10 of FIG. 1A, so it is not described again. The boundary between the third area 221 and the fourth area 222 may be defined as a linear distance between the junction of the first portion 121A and the second retaining wall 140 to the junction of the second portion 122A and the third retaining wall 160. The third area 221 may be defined as the boundary between the third area 221 and the fourth area 222 described above, and the area between the first portion 121A and the second portion 122A. The boundary between the third area 221 and the fourth area 222 can be regarded as the maximum opening width of the third area 221 (not shown). The boundary between the fifth area 231 and the sixth area 232 may be defined as the linear distance between the junction of the third portion 123A and the fourth retaining wall 180 to the junction of the second portion 122A and the third retaining wall 160. The fifth area 231 may be defined as the boundary between the fifth area 231 and the sixth area 232 described above, and the area between the third portion 123A and the second portion 122A. The boundary between the fifth area 231 and the sixth area 232 can be regarded as the maximum opening width of the fifth area 231 (not shown).

In detail, the width of the first portion 121A may gradually increase to the first width W ₁ along the direction of the long axis L1 of the first portion 121A, and then gradually decrease. The width of the second portion 122A may gradually increase to the second width W ₂ along the direction of the long axis L2 of the second portion 122A, and then gradually decrease. Specifically, the first portion 121A has a first length K ₁ and a first width W ₁ . The first length K ₁ extends from the junction of the first retaining wall 120A and the second retaining wall 140 along the long axis L1 to the point where it contacts the fifth area 231 with the second portion 122A and the third portion 123A. The width of the first portion 121A gradually increases from one end of the first length K ₁ to the first width W ₁ , and then gradually decreases toward the other end of the first length K ₁ . The second portion 122A has a second length K ₂ and a second width W ₂ . The second length K ₂ extends from the junction of the first retaining wall 120A and the third retaining wall 160 along the long axis L2 to the point where it contacts the first area 211 with the first portion 121A and the third portion 123A. The width of the second portion 122A gradually increases from one end of the second length K ₂ to the second width W ₂ , and then gradually decreases toward the other end of the second length K ₂ . The third portion 123A is similar to the first portion 121A. The width of the third portion 123A may also gradually increase along the direction of the long axis (not shown) of the third portion 123A, and then gradually decrease. In this manner, the first portion 121A, the second portion 122A, and the third portion 123A are in the shape of blades with narrow ends at the top and wide portions in the middle.

，而

，

，而W₂ =4Y-X，且X為畫素結構10A的長，Y為發光層EL的液滴的半徑長。舉例而言，於法線L的方向上，X為畫素結構10A的外邊緣11的正投影的長度。Y為發光層EL的液滴的半徑長。在上述的設置下，第二長度K₁ 可以大於第一長度K₂ ，且第二寬度W₂ 可以大於第一寬度W₁ 。In this embodiment,

,and

,

, And W ₂ =4Y-X, and X is the length of the pixel structure 10A, and Y is the radius of the droplet of the light-emitting layer EL. For example, in the direction of the normal L, X is the length of the orthographic projection of the outer edge 11 of the pixel structure 10A. Y is the radius of the droplet of the light-emitting layer EL. Under the above arrangement, the second length K ₁ may be greater than the first length K ₂ , and the second width W ₂ may be greater than the first width W ₁ .

As shown in FIG. 2A, the predetermined area EL' of the droplet is represented by a broken line, and the radius shown in the predetermined area EL' is the radius length Y of the droplet. In this embodiment, X is, for example, the radius Y of the droplet plus mechanical precision. For example, X is three times as long as Y or more. In addition, by the length X of the pixel structure 10A and the radius length Y of the droplet of the light emitting layer EL, the user can adjust the widths of the first portion 121A and the second portion 122A of the first barrier 120A. Thereby, the first portion 121A and the second portion 122A may have a blade shape whose width gradually increases from both ends to the middle. In this way, the pixel structure 10A can not only achieve the technical effect similar to the above embodiment, but also further reduce the area occupied by the first retaining wall 120A, so as to increase the opening area of the pixel structure 10A, increase the light-emitting area and improve the display quality .

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to another embodiment of the invention. The pixel structure 10B shown in this embodiment is similar to the pixel structure 10A shown in FIG. 2A, the main difference is that the length of the pixel structure 10B is X, and the radius of the droplets of the light-emitting layer EL is Y, X = 2Y. For example, X is the length of the orthographic projection of the outer edge 11 of the pixel structure 10B in the direction of the normal L, and Y is the radius length of the droplet in the predetermined area EL'. In other words, this embodiment can further reduce the size of the pixel structure 10B without adjusting the droplet size. Under the above arrangement, in the direction of the normal L, the predetermined area EL′ of the droplet corresponding to the second opening 220 partially overlaps the first retaining wall 120B, and partially overlaps the second opening 220 (FIG. 3 only schematically The predetermined area EL′ of the droplet partially overlapping the second opening 220 is shown, and the probability of flowing into the first opening 210 or the third opening 230 is reduced. In this way, compared to the pixel structure 10A of FIG. 2A, the pixel structure 10B can further reduce the size of the outer edge 11 without increasing the accuracy requirement of the inkjet process to achieve high resolution requirements. Specifically, when the length of the pixel structure 10B satisfies X=2Y, the resolution can be increased to 500 ppi or more. In this way, the pixel structure 10B can obtain technical effects similar to those of the foregoing embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of a plurality of pixel structures arranged in an array according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description and observation, FIG. 4A only schematically shows some components. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the array of pixel structures of FIG. 4A along the cross-sectional line D-D'. 4A and 4B, in this embodiment, a plurality of pixel structures 12A, 14A, 16A, and 18A are arranged in an array 1. It should be noted that this embodiment only uses four pixel structures arranged in an array for description. In fact, the array includes thousands to tens of millions of pixel structures, and the invention is not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, the plurality of pixel structures 10A are arranged in rows and columns along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first pixel structure 12A is adjacent to the third pixel structure 16A in the first direction D1, and the first pixel structure 12A is adjacent to the second pixel structure 14A in the second direction D2 . The fourth pixel structure 18A is adjacent to the second pixel structure 14A in the first direction D1, and the fourth pixel structure 18A is adjacent to the third pixel structure 16A in the second direction D2. From another perspective, the first pixel structure 12A and the fourth pixel structure 18A are arranged diagonally.

In this embodiment, the opening arrangement of the first pixel structure 12A and the fourth pixel structure 18A are the same, and the opening arrangement of the second pixel structure 14A and the third pixel structure 16A are the same. For example, the second pixel structure 14A is rotationally symmetric to the first pixel structure 12A, the third pixel structure 16A is rotationally symmetric to the first pixel structure 12A, and the fourth pixel structure 18A is rotationally symmetric to the second pixel Structure 14A and third pixel structure 16A.

In this embodiment, each pixel structure 12A, 14A, 16A, 18A has three openings and each opening corresponds to a sub-pixel with a different color, for example, including red, blue or green sub-pixels . Taking the left and right adjacent second pixel structure 14A and fourth pixel structure 18A as an example, the first openings 210A and 210C may correspond to the first sub-pixel PX1 having a first color (for example, red or other suitable colors). The second openings 220A, 220C may correspond to the second sub-pixel PX2 having a second color (for example, blue or other suitable colors). The third openings 230A and 230C may correspond to the third sub-pixel PX3 having a third color (for example, green or other suitable colors). The third sub-pixels PX3 having the same color are separated by a pixel structure PD. Similarly, the second opening 220 and the second opening 220B of the adjacent first pixel structure 12A and third pixel structure 16A respectively correspond to the second sub-pixel PX2 of the same second color, and are separated by the pixel structure PD open.

Under the above arrangement, the first opening 210 of the first pixel structure 12A is adjacent to the first opening 210A of the second pixel structure 14A, in other words, the first sub-picture with the first color of the adjacent pixel structure The pixels PX1 may be adjacent to each other and separated by a pixel definition layer PD. The second opening 220 of the first pixel structure 12A is adjacent to the second opening 220B of the third pixel structure 16A. The third opening 230A of the second pixel structure 14A is adjacent to the third opening 230C of the fourth pixel structure 18A. The first opening 210B of the third pixel structure 16A is not adjacent to the first opening 210C of the fourth pixel structure 18A, in other words, the first sub-pixels PX1 with the first color of the adjacent pixel structures may also be Not adjacent. In this way, the third openings 230A, 230C of the adjacent second pixel structure 14A and fourth pixel structure 18A in the first direction D1 and the adjacent first pixel structure 12A and third pixel structure 16A The two openings 220 and 220B can combine sub-pixels of the same color, and the third opening 230A and the third opening 230C or the second opening 220 and the second opening 220B can be separated by the pixel definition layer PD, but this The invention is not limited to this. In this way, the arrangement direction of the observed sub-pixels can be adjusted according to the needs of the user, so as to improve the uniformity of color and brightness, and further improve the display quality. In addition, the pixel structures 12A, 14A, 16A, and 18A in the array 1 can also obtain technical effects similar to those of the foregoing embodiments.

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an array of pixel structures according to another embodiment of the invention. The array 1 ′ of multiple pixel structures shown in this embodiment is similar to the array 1 of multiple pixel structures shown in FIG. 4B, the main difference is that the multiple pixel structures (such as the second pixel structure shown in FIG. 4A) The pixel structure 14A and the fourth pixel structure 18A) may be separated by an insulating layer 300. Specifically, compared to FIG. 4B, the third opening 230A and the third opening 230C of this embodiment are separated by an insulating layer 300. In other embodiments not shown, the first opening and the first opening or the second opening and the second opening in adjacent pixel structures may also be separated by an insulating layer. The insulating layer 300 may be, for example, a stripe structure, and its material may include an inorganic material, such as silicon oxide (SiO ₂ ) or other suitable materials, and the invention is not limited thereto. In this way, the array 1'can obtain similar technical effects as the above-mentioned embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a schematic top view of a plurality of pixel structures arranged in an array according to still another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description and observation, FIG. 6A only schematically shows some components. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the array of multiple pixel structures of FIG. 6A along section line E-E'. The array 1A of multiple pixel structures shown in this embodiment is similar to the array 1 of multiple pixel structures shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the main difference is that the first pixel structure 12A is mirror-symmetrical to the third The pixel structure 16B, the second pixel structure 14A are mirror-symmetric to the fourth pixel structure 18B, the first pixel structure 12A is rotationally symmetric to the second pixel structure 14A, and the third pixel structure 16A is rotationally symmetric to the fourth Pixel structure 18A. In detail, the first opening 210 of the first pixel structure 12A is adjacent to the first opening 210A of the second pixel structure 14A, in other words, the first sub-pixel PX1 having the first color of the adjacent pixel structure Next to each other. The second opening 220 of the first pixel structure 12A is adjacent to the second opening 220D of the third pixel structure 16B. In other words, the second sub-pixels PX2 having the second color of the adjacent pixel structures are adjacent to each other. The third opening 230A of the second pixel structure 14A is adjacent to the third opening 230E of the fourth pixel structure 18B. In other words, the third sub-pixels PX3 having the third color of the adjacent pixel structures are adjacent to each other. The first opening 210D of the third pixel structure 16B is adjacent to the first opening 210E of the fourth pixel structure 18B. In this way, the array 1A and the pixel structures 12A, 14A, 16B, and 18B in the array 1A can achieve similar technical effects as those in the foregoing embodiments.

7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of multiple pixel structures according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The array 1A' of multiple pixel structures shown in this embodiment is similar to the array 1A of multiple pixel structures shown in FIG. 6B, and the main difference is that the multiple pixel structures (such as the second pixel structure shown in FIG. 6A) The pixel structure 14A and the fourth pixel structure 18B) may be separated by an insulating layer 300. Specifically, as compared with FIG. 6B, the third opening 230A and the third opening 230E of this embodiment are separated by an insulating layer 300. In other embodiments not shown, the first opening and the first opening or the second opening and the second opening in adjacent pixel structures may also be separated by an insulating layer. In this way, the array 1A' can obtain technical effects similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

In summary, the pixel structure of an embodiment of the present invention is close to the center of the pixel structure, and the first block between the first area, the third area, and the fifth area occupying a smaller opening orthographic area The maximum width of the wall may be greater than the maximum width of the second retaining wall between the second area and the fourth area occupying a larger opening orthographic area. Therefore, a part of the droplets sprayed on the light emitting layer in the first opening may remain on the first retaining wall due to the accuracy and fluidity of spraying. In this way, the first blocking wall can reduce the probability that the droplets of the light emitting layer flow into the second opening or the third opening. In this way, the probability of color mixing can be reduced without reducing the pixel structure to achieve the goal of high resolution without increasing the accuracy requirements of the inkjet process. In addition, the area occupied by the second retaining wall can also be reduced to increase the opening area of the pixel structure, increase the light-emitting area and improve the display quality. In addition, the first retaining wall further has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion in which three blades partially overlap. Therefore, the area occupied by the first retaining wall can be further reduced to increase the opening area of the pixel structure, increase the light-emitting area and improve the display quality. In addition, the array of pixel structures arranged in multiple arrays can further adjust the observed arrangement direction of the sub-pixels according to the needs of users, so as to improve the uniformity of color and brightness, and further improve the display quality.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with examples, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope defined in the appended patent application.

1, 1', 1A, 1A' ‧‧‧ array 10, 10A, 10B ‧‧‧ pixel structure 12A‧‧‧ first pixel structure 14A‧‧‧ second pixel structure 16A, 16B‧‧‧ third Pixel structure 18A, 18B ‧‧‧ Fourth pixel structure 11‧‧‧ Outer edge 110‧‧‧Substrate 111‧‧‧ First electrode 112‧‧‧ Second electrode 113‧‧‧ Third electrode 120, 120A, 120B‧‧‧The first retaining wall 121A‧‧‧The first part 122A‧‧‧The second part 123A‧‧‧The third part 140‧‧‧‧The second retaining wall 160‧‧‧The third retaining wall 180‧‧‧ Four retaining walls 210, 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E‧‧‧ first opening 211‧‧‧ first area 212‧‧‧ second area 220, 220A, 220B, 220D, 220E‧‧‧ second opening 221 ‧‧‧ Third area 222‧‧‧ Fourth area 230, 230A, 230C, 230E‧‧‧ Third opening 231‧‧‧ Fifth area 232‧‧‧Sixth area 300‧‧‧Insulation layer A-A' , B-B', C-C', D-D', E-E' ‧‧‧ hatch line D1‧‧‧ first direction D2‧‧‧second direction EL‧‧‧light emitting layer EL'‧‧‧ Predetermined area of droplets EL1‧‧‧First light-emitting layer EL2‧‧‧Second light-emitting layer EL3‧‧‧ Third light-emitting layer K ₁ ‧‧‧ First length K ₂ ‧‧‧Second length L‧‧‧Method Line L1, L2 ‧‧‧ Long axis PD ‧ ‧ ‧ pixel definition layer PX1 ‧ ‧ ‧ first sub-pixel PX2 ‧ ‧ ‧ second sub-pixel PX3 ‧ ‧ ‧ third sub-pixel T ₁ First thickness T ₂ ‧‧‧ Second thickness W ₁ ‧‧‧ First width W ₂ ‧‧‧ Second width W ₁₂₀ , W ₁₄₀ , W ₂₁₁ , W ₂₁₂ , W ₂₂₁ , W ₂₂₂ ‧‧‧Maximum width X‧ ‧‧The length of the pixel structure Y‧‧‧The long radius of the droplet

FIG. 1A is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pixel structure of FIG. 1A along section line A-A'. FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pixel structure of FIG. 1A along the section line B-B'. FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to another embodiment of the invention. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pixel structure of FIG. 2A along the cross-sectional line C-C'. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to another embodiment of the invention. 4A is a schematic top view illustrating a plurality of pixel structures arranged in an array according to an embodiment of the invention. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the array of pixel structures of FIG. 4A along the cross-sectional line D-D'. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an array of multiple pixel structures according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A is a schematic top view of a plurality of pixel structures arranged in an array according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the array of multiple pixel structures of FIG. 6A along section line E-E'. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an array of multiple pixel structures according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

10‧‧‧ pixel structure

11‧‧‧Outer edge

120‧‧‧The first retaining wall

140‧‧‧Second retaining wall

160‧‧‧third retaining wall

180‧‧‧ Fourth retaining wall

210‧‧‧First opening

211‧‧‧ District 1

212‧‧‧District 2

220‧‧‧Second opening

221‧‧‧ Third District

222‧‧‧District 4

230‧‧‧ third opening

231‧‧‧ District 5

232 District VI

A-A’, B-B’ ‧‧‧ hatch

L‧‧‧Normal

PD‧‧‧ pixel definition layer

W ₁₂₀ , W ₁₄₀ , W ₂₁₁ , W ₂₁₂ , W ₂₂₁ , W ₂₂₂ ‧‧‧ maximum width

Claims (11)

A pixel structure, including: A first electrode; A second electrode disposed on one side of the first electrode; and A pixel definition layer is disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode. The pixel definition layer has a first opening and a second opening, and in a normal direction perpendicular to the first electrode, the first An opening and the second opening respectively overlap the first electrode and the second electrode, The first opening has a first area and a second area, and the maximum opening width of the first area is smaller than the maximum opening width of the second area, The second opening has a third area and a fourth area, and the maximum opening width of the third area is smaller than the maximum opening width of the fourth area, The pixel definition layer has a first retaining wall and a second retaining wall, the first retaining wall separates the first area of the first opening and the third area of the second opening, the second blocking The wall separates the second area of the first opening from the fourth area of the second opening, The maximum width of the first retaining wall is greater than the maximum width of the second retaining wall. The pixel structure as described in item 1 of the patent application range, wherein in the normal direction, the orthographic projection area of the first retaining wall is 0% to the area within the orthographic projection of the outer edge of the pixel definition layer

. The pixel structure as described in item 1 of the patent application scope further includes: A third electrode disposed on the other side of the first electrode; A third opening in the normal direction, the third opening correspondingly overlaps the third electrode, and the first blocking wall separates the first opening from the third opening and the second opening from the third opening , Where the width of the first retaining wall gradually increases toward the third opening at the junction of the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall; and A plurality of light-emitting layers are respectively disposed in the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening. The pixel structure as described in item 3 of the patent application, wherein the first retaining wall has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion separates the first opening from the second opening, the second The second opening is separated from the third opening, the width of the first section gradually increases along the long axis of the first section to the first width W ₁ and then gradually decreases, and the width of the second section Along the direction of the long axis of the second portion, it gradually increases to the second width W ₂ and then gradually decreases. The pixel structure as described in item 4 of the patent application scope, wherein the first part has a first length K ₁ ,

, The first width

, The second part has a second length K ₂ ,

, The second width

, And X is the length of the pixel structure, and Y is the radius of the droplet of the light emitting layer. The pixel structure as described in item 3 of the patent application, wherein the length of the pixel structure is X, the radius of the droplet of the light-emitting layer is Y, and X=2Y. The pixel structure as described in item 3 of the patent application, wherein the thickness of the light-emitting layer gradually increases toward the pixel definition layer, the first retaining wall, or the second retaining wall. The pixel structure as described in item 3 of the patent application scope, wherein the first opening is located between the second opening and the third opening. The pixel structure as described in item 3 of the patent application scope, wherein when there are multiple pixel structures, the pixel structures are arranged in an array, and the pixel structures include a first pixel structure and a second pixel structure A pixel structure, a third pixel structure and a fourth pixel structure, the first opening of the first pixel structure is adjacent to the first opening of the second pixel structure, the The second opening is adjacent to the second opening of the third pixel structure, the third opening of the second pixel structure is adjacent to the third opening of the fourth pixel structure, and the third pixel structure The first opening of is not adjacent to the first opening of the fourth pixel structure. The pixel structure as described in item 3 of the patent application scope, wherein when there are multiple pixel structures, the pixel structures are arranged in an array, and the pixel structures include a first pixel structure and a second pixel structure A pixel structure, a third pixel structure and a fourth pixel structure, the first opening of the first pixel structure is adjacent to the first opening of the second pixel structure, the The second opening is adjacent to the second opening of the third pixel structure, the third opening of the second pixel structure is adjacent to the third opening of the fourth pixel structure, and the third pixel structure The first opening of is adjacent to the first opening of the fourth pixel structure. The pixel structure as described in item 9 or 10 of the patent application scope, wherein the first opening of each pixel structure corresponds to a first sub-pixel with a first color, and the second opening corresponds to A second sub-pixel of a second color, and between two adjacent first sub-pixels of the same color in the pixel structures or the second sub-pixels of the same color are insulated by an Layers or pixels define layer separation.

Images