TWI865259B - Display panel and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A display panel includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, a plurality of solar cells, an electrode layer, an interconnect layer and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A plurality of thin-film transistors and a plurality of pixel electrodes are disposed on the first transparent substrate. The second transparent substrate is located on the first transparent substrate. The solar cells are located on a surface of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate. The electrode layer connects the solar cells in series. The interconnect layer electrically connects the electrode layer. The LEDs are located between the interconnect layer and the pixel electrodes, in which each of the LEDs electrically connects one of the pixel electrodes and the interconnect layer.

Description

Display panel and manufacturing method thereof

The present disclosure relates to a display panel and a method for manufacturing the display panel.

In the field of smart display, smart window is a product that is gradually entering the mainstream. It can be applied to light-controlled switch curtains, large billboards, etc. However, the biggest bottleneck of smart window in use is that it usually requires a large power source and an additional backlight module. This limits the application prospects of smart window, so there is a demand for a smart window that can solve the above problems.

One technical aspect of the present disclosure is a display panel.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a display panel includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, a plurality of solar cells, an electrode layer, an interconnection layer, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The first transparent substrate is provided with a plurality of thin film transistors and a plurality of pixel electrodes. The second transparent substrate is located above the first transparent substrate. The solar cells are located on the surface of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate. The electrode layer is connected in series with the solar cells. The interconnection layer is electrically connected to the electrode layer. The light-emitting diodes are located between the interconnection layer and the pixel electrodes, wherein each of the light-emitting diodes is electrically connected to one of the pixel electrodes and the interconnection layer.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the solar cells further comprises an electron transfer electrode. The electron transfer electrode is located on the surface of one of the solar cells facing the second transparent substrate.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the solar cells further comprises a hole transfer electrode, which is located on a surface of one of the solar cells facing away from the electron transfer electrode.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel further includes a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer surrounds the solar cell and electrically connects a portion of the electron transfer electrode and a portion of the hole transfer electrode to the electrode layer.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel further includes a second insulating layer. The second insulating layer is located between the interconnection layer and the electrode layer, and a portion of the electrode layer is electrically connected to the interconnection layer.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel further includes a dimming layer. The dimming layer is located between the interconnect layer and the pixel electrode and surrounds the light-emitting diode, and is configured to adjust the light transmittance of the display panel.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electron transfer electrode and the solar cell partially overlap in the vertical direction, and a portion of the electron transfer electrode protrudes from the solar cell in the horizontal direction.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hole transfer electrode and the solar cell partially overlap in the vertical direction, and a portion of the solar cell protrudes from the hole transfer electrode in the horizontal direction.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the portion of the protruding hole transfer electrode of the solar cell overlaps with the pixel electrode in the vertical direction.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electron transfer electrode and the light-emitting diode partially overlap in the vertical direction.

Another technical aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a display panel.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a display panel includes forming a plurality of thin film transistors and a plurality of pixel electrodes on a first transparent substrate; forming a plurality of solar cells on a second transparent substrate; forming an electrode layer on the solar cells; patterning the electrode layer so that the solar cells are connected in series; forming an interconnection layer on the electrode layer; forming a plurality of light-emitting diodes on the interconnection layer; and attaching the second transparent substrate to the first transparent substrate so that each of the light-emitting diodes is electrically connected to one of the pixel electrodes and the interconnection layer.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, forming a solar cell on a second transparent substrate includes: forming an electron transfer layer on the second transparent substrate; patterning the electron transfer layer to form a plurality of electron transfer electrodes; forming a plurality of solar cells on the electron transfer electrodes; and forming a plurality of hole transfer electrodes on the solar cells.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the manufacturing method of the display panel further includes forming a first insulating layer on the second transparent substrate, so that the first insulating layer surrounds the electron transfer electrode, the solar cell and the hole transfer electrode; and patterning the first insulating layer to form a plurality of openings to expose a portion of the electron transfer electrode and a portion of the hole transfer electrode.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the manufacturing method of the display panel further includes forming a second insulating layer on the electrode layer after patterning the electrode layer.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the manufacturing method of the display panel further includes filling a dimming layer between the pixel electrode and the interconnection layer.

In the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, since the solar cell is integrated into the display panel, the display panel can generate electricity for its own use by using the solar cell without requiring an additional power source as a power supply device, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the product.

The embodiments disclosed below provide many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the subject matter provided. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present invention. Of course, these examples are only examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present invention may repeat component symbols and/or letters in each example. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not itself specify the relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like may be used herein for descriptive purposes to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the accompanying figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a display panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, a display panel 100 includes a first transparent substrate 110, a second transparent substrate 120, a plurality of solar cells 130, an electrode layer 140, an interconnection layer 150, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes 160. The first transparent substrate 110 has a plurality of thin film transistors 112 and a plurality of pixel electrodes 114 disposed thereon. The second transparent substrate 120 is located above the first transparent substrate 110. The solar cells 130 are located on the surface of the second transparent substrate 120 facing the first transparent substrate 110. The electrode layer 140 is connected in series with the solar cells 130. A section of the interconnection layer 150 (as shown on the right side of FIG. 1) is electrically connected to the electrode layer 140. The light emitting diode 160 is located between the interconnection layer 150 and the pixel electrode 114, wherein each of the light emitting diodes 160 is electrically connected to one of the pixel electrodes 114 and the interconnection layer 150. In this embodiment, the upper and lower parts of the solar cell 130 further include an electron transfer electrode 132 and a hole transfer electrode 134. The electron transfer electrode 132 is located between the solar cell 130 and the second transparent substrate 120. The hole transfer electrode 134 is located on the surface of the solar cell 130 facing away from the electron transfer electrode 132.

FIG. 2 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of the display panel 100 of FIG. 1. Three solar cells 130 are connected in series (actually connected in series through an electrode layer 140). In some embodiments, the solar cell 130 may be a Perovskite solar cell (PSC), but this is not intended to limit the present disclosure. FIG. 2 also shows a circuit controller 200. The function of the circuit controller 200 is to adjust the brightness of the smart window according to the brightness of the ambient light. The circuit controller 200 may directly cut off the circuit after reaching a certain brightness, or change it in grayscale.

Since the solar cell 130 is integrated into the display panel 100, the display panel 100 can generate electricity by itself using the solar cell 130 without the need for an additional power source as a power supply device, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the product.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the display panel 100 further includes a first insulating layer 170 and a second insulating layer 180. The first insulating layer 170 surrounds the solar cell 130. A portion of the electron transfer electrode 132 (a portion not covered by the first insulating layer 170) and a portion of the hole transfer electrode 134 (a portion not covered by the first insulating layer 170) are electrically connected to the electrode layer 140. The second insulating layer 180 is located between the interconnect layer 150 and the electrode layer 140. A portion of the electrode layer 140 (the portion not covered by the second insulating layer 180) is electrically connected to the interconnection layer 150. In addition, the display panel 100 further includes a dimming layer 190. The dimming layer 190 is located between the interconnection layer 150 and the pixel electrode 114 and surrounds the light-emitting diode 160, and is configured to adjust the light transmittance of the display panel 100. The dimming layer 190 can change color by applying a voltage, and can be used as a backlight module of the display panel 100, without the need for an additional backlight module, thereby reducing the weight of the product.

In this embodiment, the electron transfer electrode 132 partially overlaps with the solar cell 130 in the vertical direction, and a portion of the electron transfer electrode 132 protrudes from the solar cell 130 in the horizontal direction. The hole transfer electrode 134 partially overlaps with the solar cell 130 in the vertical direction, and a portion of the solar cell 130 protrudes from the hole transfer electrode 134 in the horizontal direction. The portion of the solar cell 130 protruding from the hole transfer electrode 134 overlaps with the pixel electrode 114 in the vertical direction.

In some embodiments, the material of the pixel electrode 114 and the thin film transistor 112 on the first transparent substrate 110 can be a metal wire with a small width, so that the first transparent substrate 110 has high light transmittance. The material of the electrode layer 140 and the interconnect layer 150 can be metal, but it is not limited to the present disclosure. The dimming layer 190 can include an electrochromic material, which can adjust the light transmittance according to different power supplies.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a display panel 100a according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, a display panel 100a includes a first transparent substrate 110, a second transparent substrate 120, a plurality of solar cells 130, an electrode layer 140, an interconnection layer 150, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes 160a. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of FIG. 1 is that in this embodiment, the light-emitting diode 160a is a flip chip light-emitting diode (Flip chip LED), so both electrodes are connected to the pixel electrode 114 of the first transparent substrate 110, and then the first transparent substrate 110 is electrically connected to the solar cell 130 of the second transparent substrate 120 above by other means (such as metal bonding, etc.).

FIG4 shows a cross-sectional view of a display panel 100b according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG4, a display panel 100b includes a first transparent substrate 110, a second transparent substrate 120b, a plurality of solar cells 130b, an electrode layer 140b, an interconnection layer 150b, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes 160a. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of FIG. 3 is that in this embodiment, the solar cell 130b (including the electron transfer electrode 132b and the hole transfer electrode 134b), the electrode layer 140b and the interconnection layer 150b are located between the first transparent substrate 110 and the pixel electrode 114, and between the first transparent substrate 110 and the thin film transistor 112, and the interconnection layer 150b is directly electrically connected to a portion (e.g., the left section) of the pixel electrode 114. Such a design makes it unnecessary for the display panel 100b using flip-chip light-emitting diodes to be additionally wired to the second transparent substrate 120b above. In addition, in this embodiment, the electron transfer electrode 132b and the light-emitting diode 160a partially overlap in the vertical direction.

It should be understood that the connection relationship and function of the components described above will not be repeated, and it is better to explain them first. In the following description, a method for manufacturing a display panel 100 (see FIG. 1 ) will be described.

FIG. 5 to FIG. 10 illustrate cross-sectional views of the manufacturing method of the display panel 100 of FIG. 1 at intermediate stages. Referring to FIG. 5 , the manufacturing method of the display panel 100 includes forming a solar cell 130 on a second transparent substrate 120. This step includes forming an electron transfer layer on the second transparent substrate 120; patterning the electron transfer layer to form a plurality of electron transfer electrodes 132; forming a plurality of solar cells 130 on the electron transfer electrodes 132; and forming a plurality of hole transfer electrodes 134 on the solar cells 130. Next, a first insulating layer 170 is formed on the second transparent substrate 120 , so that the first insulating layer 170 surrounds the electron transfer electrode 132 , the solar cell 130 , and the hole transfer electrode 134 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the first insulating layer 170 is then patterned using a mask M1 to form a plurality of openings in the first insulating layer 170 to expose a portion of the electron transfer electrode 132 and a portion of the hole transfer electrode 134. Exposing a portion of the electron transfer electrode 132 and a portion of the hole transfer electrode 134 is for subsequent wiring requirements.

Next, refer to Figure 7. After a portion of the electron transfer electrode 132 and a portion of the hole transfer electrode 134 are exposed, an electrode layer 140 is formed on the solar cell 130. At this time, the electrode layer 140 is evenly laid on the entire surface, so that the electron transfer electrode 132 and the hole transfer electrode 134 of the solar cell 130 are all connected in series.

Next, referring to FIG. 8 , the electrode layer 140 is patterned using a mask M2 so that the solar cells 130 are connected in series (e.g., the hole transfer electrode 134 of the leftmost solar cell 130 is connected in series to the electron transfer electrode 132 of the middle solar cell 130). This design allows the power generation efficiency of the three solar cells 130 to be superimposed, and the voltage can be superimposed when in use.

Next, referring to FIG. 9 , after patterning the electrode layer 140, a second insulating layer 180 is formed on the electrode layer 140. The second insulating layer 180 is formed so that in the subsequent process, the interconnection layer 150 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 10 ) can have only one connection with the electrode layer 140 .

Next, referring to FIG. 10 , an interconnection layer 150 is formed on the second insulating layer 180, and then a plurality of light-emitting diodes 160 are formed on the interconnection layer 150. The interconnection layer 150 is electrically connected to the electrode layer 140 only on the right side, and the rest of the sides are electrically insulated by the second insulating layer 180, in order to form the equivalent circuit of FIG. 2 , that is, three solar cells 130 are connected in series but are only connected in series with the light-emitting diodes 160 at a high voltage.

Next, referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 1 , the second transparent substrate 120 is attached to the first transparent substrate 110 , so that each of the light-emitting diodes 160 is electrically connected to one of the pixel electrodes 114 and the interconnection layer 150 .

In the following description, other embodiments of the manufacturing method of the display panel will be described.

Figures 11 to 16 show top views of a display panel manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in the middle of the process. Referring to Figure 11, the display panel manufacturing method includes forming an electron transfer layer on the second transparent substrate 120c, and patterning the electron transfer layer to form a plurality of electron transfer electrodes 132c.

Next, referring to FIG. 12 , a plurality of solar cells 130c are formed on the electron transfer electrode 132c. In this embodiment, the area of the solar cell 130c is larger than the area of the electron transfer electrode 132c, and the solar cell 130c protrudes from the electron transfer electrode 132c.

Next, referring to FIG. 13 , a first insulating layer 170c is formed around the solar cell 130c. The first insulating layer 170c is formed to isolate the three solar cells 130c so that the three solar cells 130c are not connected in series in an unexpected situation.

Next, referring to FIG. 14 , a through hole TH is formed on the first insulating layer 170 c. The through hole TH is formed at a corner of the electron transfer electrode 132 c (eg, the upper right corner of the left and middle electron transfer electrode 132 c, but this is not intended to limit the present disclosure).

Next, referring to FIG. 15 , a plurality of hole transfer electrodes 134c are formed on the solar cell 130c. A portion of the hole transfer electrode 134c overlaps with the through hole TH and is electrically connected to the electron transfer electrode 132c at the other end of the through hole TH through the through hole TH. With this design, the electron transfer electrodes 132c and the hole transfer electrodes 134c of the three solar cells 130c are connected in series through the through hole TH, achieving the same equivalent circuit as FIG. 2 .

Next, referring to FIG. 16 , after the entire series-connected three solar cells 130c are formed, the second insulating layer and interconnect layer (not shown) as described above are formed, and the light-emitting diode 160 is formed thereon. Next, the second transparent substrate 120c is attached to the first transparent substrate having the pixel electrodes and the thin film transistors as described above to complete the assembly of the entire display panel.

The foregoing summarizes the features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that they can easily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures to achieve the same purpose and/or achieve the same advantages as the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art should also recognize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they can make various changes, substitutions and modifications here without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

100,100a,100b:Display panel

110: first transparent substrate

112: Thin Film Transistor

114: Pixel electrode

120, 120b, 120c: second transparent substrate

130,130b,130c:Solar cells

132,132b,132c:Electronics transmission pole

134,134b,134c: Hole transfer pole

140,140b:Electrode layer

150,150b: Interconnection layer

160,160a: LED

170,170c: First insulating layer

180: Second insulation layer

190: Dimming layer

200: Circuit controller

M1,M2: Mask

TH:Through hole

The disclosure is best understood from the following embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying illustrations. Note that various features are not drawn to scale in accordance with standard practice in the industry. In fact, the sizes of various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates an equivalent circuit diagram of the display panel of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to another embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 5 to 10 illustrate cross-sectional views of intermediate stages of the method for manufacturing the display panel of FIG. 1. Figures 11 to 16 show top views of the intermediate process of the manufacturing method of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Domestic storage information (please note in the order of storage institution, date, and number) None Foreign storage information (please note in the order of storage country, institution, date, and number) None

100: Display panel

110: first transparent substrate

112: Thin Film Transistor

114: Pixel electrode

120: Second transparent substrate

130: Solar battery

132:Electronic transmission pole

134: Hole transfer electrode

140:Electrode layer

150: Interconnection layer

160: LED

170: First insulation layer

180: Second insulation layer

190: dimming layer

Claims (15)

A display panel includes: a first transparent substrate on which a plurality of thin film transistors and a plurality of pixel electrodes are disposed; a second transparent substrate located above the first transparent substrate; a plurality of solar cells located on the surface of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate; an electrode layer connecting the solar cells in series; an interconnection layer electrically connected to the electrode layer; and a plurality of light-emitting diodes located between the interconnection layer and the pixel electrodes, wherein each of the light-emitting diodes is electrically connected to one of the pixel electrodes and the interconnection layer. The display panel as described in claim 1, wherein each of the solar cells further comprises: an electron transfer electrode located on a surface of one of the solar cells facing the second transparent substrate. A display panel as described in claim 2, wherein each of the solar cells further comprises: a hole transfer electrode located on a surface of one of the solar cells facing away from the electron transfer electrode. The display panel as described in claim 3 further comprises: A first insulating layer surrounding the solar cells and electrically connecting a portion of the electron transfer electrodes and a portion of the hole transfer electrodes to the electrode layer. The display panel as described in claim 4 further comprises: a second insulating layer located between the interconnection layer and the electrode layer, and electrically connecting a portion of the electrode layer to the interconnection layer. The display panel as described in claim 5 further comprises: a dimming layer, located between the interconnect layer and the pixel electrodes and surrounding the light-emitting diodes, configured to adjust the light transmittance of the display panel. A display panel as described in claim 6, wherein the electron transfer electrodes partially overlap with the solar cells in the vertical direction, and the electron transfer electrodes partially protrude from the solar cells in the horizontal direction. A display panel as described in claim 6, wherein the hole transfer electrodes and the solar cells partially overlap in the vertical direction, and the solar cells partially protrude from the hole transfer electrodes in the horizontal direction. A display panel as described in claim 8, wherein the portion of the solar cells protruding from the hole transfer electrodes in the horizontal direction overlaps the pixel electrodes in the vertical direction. A display panel as described in claim 8, wherein the electron transfer electrodes and the light-emitting diodes partially overlap in the vertical direction. A method for manufacturing a display panel includes: forming a plurality of thin film transistors and a plurality of pixel electrodes on a first transparent substrate; forming a plurality of solar cells on a second transparent substrate; forming an electrode layer on the solar cells; patterning the electrode layer so that the solar cells are connected in series; forming an interconnection layer on the electrode layer; forming a plurality of light-emitting diodes on the interconnection layer; and attaching the second transparent substrate to the first transparent substrate so that each of the light-emitting diodes is electrically connected to one of the pixel electrodes and the interconnection layer. The manufacturing method of the display panel as described in claim 11, wherein forming the solar cells on the second transparent substrate comprises: forming an electron transfer layer on the second transparent substrate; patterning the electron transfer layer to form a plurality of electron transfer electrodes; forming a plurality of solar cells on the electron transfer electrodes; and forming a plurality of hole transfer electrodes on the solar cells. The manufacturing method of the display panel as described in claim 12 further comprises: Forming a first insulating layer on the second transparent substrate, so that the first insulating layer surrounds the electron transfer electrodes, the solar cells and the hole transfer electrodes; patterning the first insulating layer to form a plurality of openings, so that a portion of the electron transfer electrodes and a portion of the hole transfer electrodes are exposed. The manufacturing method of the display panel as described in claim 11 further includes: after patterning the electrode layer, forming a second insulating layer on the electrode layer. The manufacturing method of the display panel as described in claim 11 further includes: filling a dimming layer between the pixel electrodes and the interconnection layer.

Images