KR101147086B1 - Liquid Crystal Display Device Having Touch Panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel in which an array structure is formed to form a touch panel inside the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal display device having the touch panel of the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; A plurality of gate lines and data lines crossing each other on the first substrate to define a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of thin film transistors formed at intersections of the plurality of gate lines and data lines, and the plurality of pixel regions A plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the second substrate; a pixel electrode pattern spaced apart from each of the pixel electrodes; and a pixel electrode pattern formed in contact with a corresponding gate line at a predetermined portion on the plurality of gate lines; A column spacer formed on the second substrate and parallel to the plurality of data lines on the second substrate; Including a plurality of common electrodes and a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and a second substrate formed in the direction, the shape passing through the adjacent pixel region and the each data line is characterized by true.

Touch Panels, Column Spacers

Description

Liquid crystal display device having a touch panel {Liquid Crystal Display Device Having Touch Panel}

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a typical touch panel attached liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the liquid crystal display of FIG. 1.

3 is a plan view illustrating a first substrate of a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel of the present invention.

4 is a structural cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 3.

5 is a plan view illustrating a second substrate of a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

100: first substrate 101: gate line

101a: gate electrode 102: data line

102a: source electrode 102b: drain electrode

103 pixel electrode 106 gate insulating film

107: interlayer insulating film 105: first contact hole

108: pixel electrode pattern 110: second contact hole

200: second substrate 201: black matrix layer

202: color filter layer 203: common electrode

210: column spacer

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel in which an array structure is changed to form a touch panel inside the liquid crystal panel.

In order to efficiently use various electronic devices, a touch panel for inputting a signal on a display surface of a display device without a remote controller or a separate input device is widely used. That is, the display surface of an electronic notebook, a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), an electroluminescence (EL), and an image display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT). The touch panel is installed. Accordingly, when the user presses the surface with a pen or finger on the screen of the image display device, information corresponding to the position is input.

The touch panel may be classified into a resistive type, a capacitive type, and an electromagnetic inductive type (EM) according to a method of sensing a touch.

The basic structure of the touch panel of the resistive type touch panel of the above touch panel is laminated with an upper transparent substrate on which the upper electrode is formed and a lower transparent substrate on which the lower electrode is formed with a predetermined space. Therefore, when a certain point of contact is made to the upper substrate on which the upper electrode is formed by a predetermined input means such as a pen or a finger, the upper electrode formed on the upper substrate and the lower electrode formed on the lower substrate are energized with each other. After reading the voltage value changed by the resistance value, the device finds the position coordinate according to the change of the potential difference.

In addition, the basic structure of the capacitive touch panel of the above touch panel is to install a film with a transparent electrode on the liquid crystal panel and to apply a voltage to each corner or corner of the film to generate a uniform electric field on the transparent electrode. When a finger or a conductive stylus is applied to the device, a voltage drop is generated to find a position coordinate.

Hereinafter, a conventional touch panel type liquid crystal display device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a general touch panel attached liquid crystal display device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a general touch panel attachable liquid crystal display device is formed by attaching a touch panel 20 to an upper surface of a liquid crystal panel 10 including first and second substrates 1 and 2 that are attached to face each other. do.

When the touch panel is pressed, such as a pen or a hand, the touch panel calculates the pressed position and displays it through the liquid crystal panel.

Hereinafter, the structure of the liquid crystal panel will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the liquid crystal panel of FIG. 1.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 10 is injected between a first substrate 1 and a second substrate 2 bonded to each other with a predetermined space, and between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2. It consists of the liquid crystal layer 3.

In more detail, the first substrate 1 may have a plurality of gate lines 4 in one direction and constant in a direction perpendicular to the gate lines 4 at regular intervals to define the pixel region P. FIG. A plurality of data lines 5 are arranged at intervals. In addition, a pixel electrode 6 is formed in each pixel region P, and a thin film transistor T is formed at a portion where the gate line 4 and the data line 5 cross each other to form the gate line 4. A data signal of the data line 5 is applied to each of the pixel electrodes 6 according to a signal applied to the.

In addition, a black matrix layer 7 is formed on the second substrate 2 to block light in portions other than the pixel region P, and portions R corresponding to the respective pixel regions are formed to express colors. , G, B color filter layers 8 are formed, and a common electrode 9 for realizing an image is formed on the color filter layers 8.

In the liquid crystal panel 10 as described above, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 3 formed between the first and second substrates 1 and 2 is aligned by an electric field between the pixel electrode 6 and the common electrode 9. The amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 3 may be adjusted according to the degree of alignment of the liquid crystal layer 3.

On the other hand, a spacer (not shown) is formed between the first and second substrates 1 and 2 of the liquid crystal display device formed as described above to maintain a constant gap in which the liquid crystal layer is formed.

However, the conventional touch panel type liquid crystal display device has the following problems.

First, in the form of attaching the finished touch panel to the surface of the liquid crystal panel, a double panel is overlapped with the thickness of the touch panel attached liquid crystal display device, and thus there is a limitation in integration.

Second, in attaching the touch panel, there are problems such as a decrease in transmittance, a decrease in color reproducibility, and an increase in panel thickness and weight.

Third, there is a problem in that the burden on the expensive finished touch panel is large and the manufacturing cost is high.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel in which a touch panel is formed inside a liquid crystal panel by changing an array structure.

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel according to the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, and a plurality of gates defining a plurality of pixel regions crossing each other on the first substrate. A plurality of thin film transistors formed at an intersection of each of the plurality of gate lines and data lines, a plurality of pixel electrodes formed in the plurality of pixel regions, and the plurality of pixel electrodes spaced apart from each of the pixel electrodes. A pixel electrode pattern formed in contact with a corresponding gate line at predetermined portions on the gate lines, a column spacer formed on the second substrate in correspondence with the pixel electrode pattern, and the plurality of data lines on the second substrate; In a parallel direction, a plurality of shapes formed to pass through the pixel areas adjacent to each data line And a liquid crystal layer filled between the common electrodes and the first substrate and the second substrate.

The plurality of common electrodes are formed on column spacers of pixel regions adjacent to each data line.

The second substrate further includes a black matrix layer formed corresponding to the region except the pixel region and the thin film transistor region, and a color filter layer formed to pass through the pixel region.

The black matrix layer and the color filter layer are formed under the column spacer.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a plan view showing a first substrate of a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a structural cross-sectional view taken along line I-I 'of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a liquid crystal display having a touch panel of the present invention. A plan view showing a second substrate of the apparatus.

3 to 5, the liquid crystal display device having the touch panel according to the present invention is disposed between the first substrate 100 and the second substrate 200 facing each other, and the first and second substrates 100 and 200. It comprises a liquid crystal layer (not shown) filled in.

The gate line 101 and the data line 102 and the gate line 101 and the data line 102 that cross each other on the first substrate 100 to define a pixel area, respectively. A plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs), a plurality of pixel electrodes 103 respectively formed in the plurality of pixel regions, and a plurality of pixel electrodes 103 spaced apart from a predetermined portion on the plurality of gate lines 101. The pixel electrode pattern 108 formed in contact with the gate line 101 is formed.

In addition, on the second substrate 200, a black matrix layer 201 formed corresponding to a region other than the pixel region and a thin film transistor region, a color filter layer 202 formed to pass through the pixel region, and the pixel electrode pattern ( The column spacer 210 formed on the second substrate 200 and corresponding to the plurality of data lines 102 on the second substrate 200 in parallel with each other. A plurality of common electrodes 203 formed in a shape passing through the pixel areas adjacent to 102 are formed.

The thin film transistor may include a gate electrode 101a protruding from the gate line 101, a source electrode 102a protruding from the data line 102, and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode 102a by a predetermined interval. 102b) and a semiconductor layer (not shown) formed in contact with both sides of the source electrode 102a / drain electrode 102b and formed under the source electrode 102a / drain electrode 102b. The drain electrode 102b is connected to the corresponding pixel electrode 103 of the adjacent pixel region through the first contact hole 105. In this case, the source electrode 102a may be formed in the shape of a 'U'-shaped electrode protruding from the data line 102 as shown, or may be formed in a'-'shape as in a general structure. have. The U-shaped shape shown is a structure for increasing the channel area.

The pixel electrode pattern 108 is formed in an island shape on a corresponding gate line 101 adjacent to each of the plurality of pixel regions, and contacts the corresponding gate line 101 through the second contact hole 110.

Here, the first and second contact holes 105 and 110 are simultaneously formed in a process of selectively removing the interlayer insulating layer 107 after deposition, and the second contact hole 110 is formed in the first contact. The gate insulating film 106 is etched together in the hole 105 to expose the lower gate line 101. In this case, the gate insulating layer 106 and the interlayer insulating layer 107 may be made of the same component or a material having the same or similar etching characteristics with respect to the etching liquid used for etching to form the first and second contact holes 105 and 110. Is done.

Hereinafter, the operation of the liquid crystal display device having the touch panel of the present invention will be described.

When a touch of a predetermined portion occurs, as shown in FIG. 4, the second substrate 200 is pressed close to the first substrate 100 to form a common electrode 203 on the column spacer 210 on the second substrate 200 of the predetermined portion. ) Contacts the pixel electrode pattern 108 on the first substrate 100.

In this case, the pixel electrode pattern 108 is in contact with the lower gate line 101, so that a temporary short occurs on the gate line 101 of the predetermined portion, and the short is detected to detect the gate line ( 101) to detect the Y coordinate. That is, when the number of gate lines is m, m gate lines are formed in each horizontal direction (X-axis direction), and the first to mth gate lines are spaced at regular intervals in order in the Y-axis direction. Since the gate line 101 of the predetermined portion is detected, the Y coordinate is determined according to the number of gate lines.

In this case, the common electrode 203 on the second substrate 200 of the predetermined portion also undergoes a change in voltage and current due to contact with the lower pixel electrode pattern 108, and detects the variation to detect the predetermined portion. The corresponding common electrode 203 is detected. In this case, when the number of the data lines 102 is n, the number of the common electrodes 203 is similarly formed, and each of them is formed in the Y-axis direction parallel to the data lines 203. Since the intervals are sequentially spaced apart in the X-axis direction from the first common electrode to the n-th common electrode in sequence, as the abnormal voltage or current value is detected at some common electrodes 203, the X-axis coordinate is It can be decided.

Here, in the liquid crystal display device having the touch panel of the present invention, the gate drive side for applying a signal to the gate lines 101 further includes a sensing unit for sensing a short and the plurality of common electrodes 203. For example, the common voltage applying unit capable of applying the same common voltage to each of the common electrodes 203 may be further configured inside or at the liquid crystal panel (the first substrate or the second substrate).

In the liquid crystal display device having the touch panel of the present invention formed as described above, the touch panel array for determining the X and Y coordinates is formed on an array process (thin film transistor array process and color filter array process) for constructing the liquid crystal panel, A separate process is not required to form the touch panel, and the structure may be simplified, and the manufacturing process may be facilitated as compared to the structure of the liquid crystal display device to which the touch panel is separately attached.

The liquid crystal display device having the touch panel of the present invention as described above has the following effects.

First, by forming the touch panel inside the liquid crystal panel and forming it together on the thin film transistor array and the color filter array process, the touch panel and the liquid crystal panel are formed together by changing the pattern of the mask without requiring an additional mask. can do.

Second, compared to the general touch panel attached liquid crystal display device, the touch panel is introduced into the liquid crystal panel, so that the transmittance decreases, the color reproducibility decreases, and the panel, compared to the attachable structure that attaches the finished touch panel to the liquid crystal panel surface. Problems such as increase in thickness and weight can be significantly improved.

Third, by forming the touch panel on the array process of the liquid crystal panel, the manufacturing cost of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device including the touch panel can be reduced.

Claims (4)

A first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; A plurality of gate lines and data lines defining a plurality of pixel regions crossing each other on the first substrate; A plurality of thin film transistors formed at intersections of the plurality of gate lines and data lines; A plurality of pixel electrodes respectively formed in the plurality of pixel regions; A plurality of pixel electrode patterns spaced apart from each pixel electrode and contacted with a corresponding gate line at a predetermined portion on the plurality of gate lines; Column spacers formed on the second substrate to face the pixel electrode patterns; Parallel to the plurality of data lines, the column spacers are formed on the second substrate so as to face pixel regions adjacent to each of the data lines, and are connected to the pixel electrode pattern only at a portion touched when touched. A plurality of common electrodes; And And a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate. delete The method of claim 1, On the second substrate A black matrix layer formed corresponding to the region except the pixel region and the thin film transistor region; And And a color filter layer formed to pass through the pixel region. The method of claim 3, And the black matrix layer and the color filter layer are formed under the column spacer.

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