KR20030052787A - Mask for forming seal pattern and spacer of liquid crystal panel and mathod for forming seal pattern and spacer using thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mask used for forming a seal pattern and spacers of a liquid crystal panel and a method for forming the seal pattern and spacers using the mask are provided to simultaneously form the seal pattern and spacers. CONSTITUTION: A mask(300) for forming a seal pattern and spacers includes a seal pattern hole(301) and spacer holes(302). The seal pattern hole selectively exposes a predetermined region of the area surrounding an effective display part(310) of a liquid crystal panel where the seal pattern is formed. The spacer holes selectively expose predetermined portions in the effective display part where the spacers is formed. The mask further includes a liquid crystal injection hole pattern(303) formed at one side of the seal pattern hole.

Description

Mask for forming seal pattern and spacer of liquid crystal panel and method for forming seal pattern and spacer using the mask TECHNICAL FIELD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mask for forming a seal pattern and a spacer of a liquid crystal panel, and a seal pattern and a spacer forming method using the mask, and in particular, a liquid crystal adapted to simplify the formation of a seal pattern and a spacer for bonding the liquid crystal panel. A mask for forming a seal pattern and a spacer of a panel, and a seal pattern and a spacer forming method using the mask.

In general, a liquid crystal display device displays a desired image by individually supplying data signals according to image information to liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix form, and adjusting a light transmittance of the liquid crystal cells. to be.

Accordingly, a liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal cells in pixel units are arranged in a matrix form; A driver integrated circuit (IC) for driving the liquid crystal cells is provided.

The liquid crystal panel includes a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor array substrate facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer filled in a spaced interval between the color filter substrate and the thin film transistor array substrate.

On the thin film transistor array substrate of the liquid crystal panel, a plurality of data lines for transmitting the data signal supplied from the data driver integrated circuit to the liquid crystal cells and a scan signal supplied from the gate driver integrated circuit for the liquid crystal cells are provided. The plurality of gate lines are orthogonal to each other, and liquid crystal cells are defined at each intersection of these data lines and the gate lines.

The gate driver integrated circuit sequentially supplies scan signals to a plurality of gate lines so that the liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix form are sequentially selected one by one, and the data driver integrated circuit is included in the selected one line of liquid crystal cells. The data signal is supplied from.

Meanwhile, a common electrode and a pixel electrode are formed on opposite inner surfaces of the color filter substrate and the thin film transistor array substrate to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer. In this case, the pixel electrode is formed for each liquid crystal cell on the thin film transistor array substrate, while the common electrode is integrally formed on the entire surface of the color filter substrate. Therefore, by controlling the voltage applied to the pixel electrode in a state where a voltage is applied to the common electrode, it is possible to individually control the light transmittance of the liquid crystal cells.

As described above, in order to control the voltage applied to the pixel electrode for each liquid crystal cell, a thin film transistor used as a switching element is formed in each liquid crystal cell.

The components of the liquid crystal display as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a plan view of a unit pixel of a general liquid crystal display.

Referring to Fig. 1, the gate wirings 4 are arranged in a row at regular intervals on the substrate, and the data wirings 2 are arranged in columns at regular intervals. Therefore, the gate wiring 4 and the data wiring 2 are arranged in matrix form. In this case, the unit liquid crystal cell is defined at each intersection of the data line 2 and the gate line 4, and includes a thin film transistor TFT and a pixel electrode 14.

The gate electrode 10 of the thin film transistor TFT is formed by extending from a predetermined position of the gate line 4, and the source electrode 8 extends from the data line 2, thereby providing the gate electrode 10. And the predetermined area is overlapped.

In addition, a drain electrode 12 is formed at a position corresponding to the source electrode 8 with respect to the gate electrode 10, and the pixel electrode (through the drain contact hole 16 formed on the drain electrode 12). 14 is in electrical contact with the drain electrode 12.

The thin film transistor TFT may include a semiconductor layer for forming a conductive channel between the source electrode 8 and the drain electrode 12 by a scan signal supplied to the gate electrode 10 through the gate line 4. Not shown).

As such, the thin film transistor TFT forms a conductive channel between the source electrode 8 and the drain electrode 12 in response to the scan signal supplied from the gate wiring 4, and thus, the source electrode 8 through the data wiring 2. Is transmitted to the drain electrode 12.

Meanwhile, the pixel electrode 14 connected to the drain electrode 12 through the drain contact hole 16 is formed of a transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) material having high light transmittance. In this case, the pixel electrode 14 generates an electric field in the liquid crystal layer together with a common transparent electrode (not shown) formed on the color filter substrate by a data signal supplied from the drain electrode 12.

When an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer as described above, the liquid crystal rotates by dielectric anisotropy and transmits light emitted from the backlight to the color filter substrate through the pixel electrode 14, and the amount of light transmitted is determined by the voltage value of the data signal. Adjusted.

The storage electrode 20 connected to the pixel electrode 14 through the storage contact hole 22 is deposited on the gate wiring 4 to form a storage capacitor 18, and the storage electrode 20 and the gate wiring A gate insulating film (not shown) is deposited between the portions 4 to be deposited during the formation of the thin film transistor TFT.

The storage capacitor 18 as described above is turned off after the voltage value of the scan signal is charged during the turn-on period of the thin film transistor to which the scan signal is applied to the gate wiring 4. The driving of the liquid crystal is maintained by supplying the charged voltage to the pixel electrode 14 during the turn-off period.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a cross section of a unit pixel cut along the line II ′ of FIG. 1, wherein the color filter substrate 60 is bonded to face the thin film transistor array substrate 50; A spacer (70) spaced apart from the thin film transistor array substrate (50) and the color filter substrate (60); The liquid crystal layer 80 is filled with liquid crystal in a space spaced between the thin film transistor array substrate 50 and the color filter substrate 60.

The manufacturing process of the thin film transistor TFT is described in detail with reference to the exemplary diagram of FIG. 2 as follows.

First, a metal material such as Mo, Al, or Cr is deposited on the thin film transistor array substrate 50 by a sputtering method, and then patterned through a first mask to form a gate electrode 10.

In addition, an insulating material such as SiNx is deposited on the thin film transistor array substrate 50 on which the gate electrode 10 is formed to form a gate insulating film 30.

On the gate insulating layer 30, a semiconductor layer 32 made of amorphous silicon and an ohmic contact layer 34 made of n + amorphous silicon doped with phosphorus (P) in a high concentration are successively formed. Deposition and then patterning through a second mask to form the active layer 36 of the thin film transistor TFT.

In addition, a metal material is deposited on the gate insulating layer 30 and the ohmic contact layer 34, and then patterned through a third mask to form a source electrode 8 and a drain electrode 12 of the TFT. . In this case, the source electrode 8 and the drain electrode 12 are patterned to be spaced apart corresponding to each other on the upper portion of the active layer 36.

Accordingly, the ohmic contact layer 34 over the active layer 36 is exposed, and the ohmic contact layer 34 exposed during the patterning of the source electrode 8 and the drain electrode 12 is removed.

As the ohmic contact layer 34 is removed, the semiconductor layer 32 is exposed, and the exposed semiconductor layer 32 is defined as a channel region of the thin film transistor TFT.

The SiNx material may be formed through a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method on the gate insulating layer 30 including the exposed semiconductor layer 32 and the source electrode 8, the drain electrode 12, and the like. A passivation film 38 is deposited on the entire surface. At this time, an inorganic material such as SiNx is mainly used as the material of the protective film 38. In recent years, in order to improve the opening ratio of the liquid crystal cell, an organic material having a low dielectric constant such as BCB (benzocyclobutene), SOG (spinon glass) or Acryl is used. It is used.

A portion of the passivation layer 38 on the drain electrode 12 is selectively etched through a fourth mask to form a drain contact hole 16 exposing a portion of the drain electrode 12.

Then, the transparent electrode material is sputter deposited and deposited on the passivation layer 38, and then patterned through a fifth mask to form a pixel electrode 14, wherein the pixel electrode 14 is drained through the drain contact hole 16. Patterned so as to be connected to the electrode 12.

Finally, as described above, the alignment layer 51 is formed on the entire surface of the resultant in which the thin film transistor TFT is formed, followed by rubbing, and the opposite surface of the glass substrate 1 corresponding to the alignment layer 51. By forming the first polarizing plate 52 in the above, the fabrication of the thin film transistor array substrate 50 is completed. At this time, rubbing refers to a process of determining the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal by rubbing the cloth with the surface of the alignment layer 51 at a uniform pressure and speed so that the polymer chains on the surface of the alignment layer 51 are aligned in a predetermined direction.

Meanwhile, the manufacturing process of the storage capacitor region will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary diagram of FIG. 2.

First, the gate wiring 4 is patterned on the thin film transistor array substrate 50, and a gate insulating layer 30 is formed on the gate wiring 4.

The storage electrode 20 is patterned on the gate insulating layer 30. In this case, the storage electrode 20 is formed in the process of patterning the source electrode 8 and the drain electrode 12 of the thin film transistor TFT.

The storage electrode 20 overlaps a portion of the gate line 4 with the gate insulating layer 30 therebetween to function as a storage capacitor 18.

The storage contact hole 22 exposing a portion of the storage electrode 20 by forming a passivation layer 38 on the gate insulating layer 30 on which the storage electrode 20 is formed and then etching a portion of the passivation layer 38. ). In this case, the passivation layer 38 is formed in the process of forming the passivation layer 38 in the TFT region, and the storage contact hole 22 forms the drain contact hole 16 of the TFT. Is formed in the process.

The pixel electrode 14 is patterned on the passivation layer 38, and the pixel electrode 14 is connected to the storage electrode 20 through the storage contact hole 22. In this case, the pixel electrode 14 is formed during the patterning process of the pixel electrode 14 formed in the TFT region.

Meanwhile, the manufacturing process of the color filter substrate 60 will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary view of FIG. 2 as follows.

First, a black matrix 62 is spaced apart at regular intervals on the color filter substrate 60.

In addition, a color filter 63 of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors is formed on the glass substrate 61 in which the black matrix 62 is spaced apart from the color filter 63. Is extended to a predetermined area above the black matrix 62.

Then, a metal material is formed on the upper surface of the color filter 63 including the black matrix 62 and then patterned to form a common electrode 64.

Then, the alignment film 65 is formed on the upper surface of the resultant, followed by rubbing, and the second polarizing plate 66 is formed on the opposite surface of the color filter substrate 60 corresponding to the alignment film 65. Production of the filter substrate 60 is completed.

As described above, when fabrication of the thin film transistor array substrate 50 and the color filter substrate 60 is completed, a seal pattern (not shown) is formed on the thin film transistor array substrate 50. In addition, the spacers 70 are dispersed on the color filter substrate 60. In this case, the spacer 70 may be scattered on the thin film transistor array substrate 50 according to the manufacturer's intention, and a seal pattern may be formed on the color filter substrate 60.

When the seal pattern is formed and the dispersion of the spacer 70 is completed, the thin film transistor array substrate 50 and the color filter substrate 60 are bonded to each other.

The bonded thin film transistor array substrate 50 and the color filter substrate 60 are cut into a unit liquid crystal panel. At this time, the step of cutting into a unit liquid crystal panel is required because a plurality of liquid crystal panels are simultaneously formed on a large glass substrate to improve the yield of the liquid crystal display device.

The liquid crystal is injected into the cut unit liquid crystal panel, and the injection hole is sealed, so that the liquid crystal is spaced apart from each other by the alignment layers 51 and 65 of the thin film transistor array substrate 50 and the color filter substrate 60 facing each other. The filled liquid crystal layer 80 is formed. In the manufacturing process of the initial liquid crystal display, liquid crystal was injected into a plurality of liquid crystal panels and then cut into a unit liquid crystal panel. However, as the size of the unit liquid crystal panel increases, it is difficult to control the process for uniform liquid crystal injection. Due to the poor productivity of the product is reduced to cut the unit liquid crystal panel and then the liquid crystal is injected.

Since the unit liquid crystal panel has a fine cell-gap of several micrometers in an area of several hundred cm 2, the vacuum injection method using the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the unit liquid crystal panel is most commonly used to effectively inject liquid crystal.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the actual pattern formation during the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device as described above will be described in detail as follows.

3A and 3B are exemplary views of a screen printing method for forming a seal pattern, and as shown therein, a screen mask 106 patterned to selectively expose an area where a seal pattern 102 is to be formed. And a rubber roller 108 for selectively supplying the sealant 103 to the substrate 100 through the screen mask 106 to form the seal pattern 102.

The seal pattern 102 on the substrate 100 provides a gap for injecting liquid crystal and prevents leakage of the injected liquid crystal. Therefore, the seal pattern 102 is formed along the edge of the substrate 100 on which the alignment layer 105 is formed, and the liquid crystal injection hole 104 is formed at one side of the seal pattern 102.

In the screen printing method as described above, the thermosetting sealant 103 is coated on the screen mask 106 on which the area where the seal pattern 102 is to be formed is patterned, and printed on the substrate 100 by printing with a rubber roller 108. Forming a seal pattern 102 and a drying step of evaporating and leveling the solvent contained in the seal pattern 102.

The screen printing method is generally used because it is very easy to process, but the sealant 103 is applied to the entire surface of the screen mask 106 and printed with a rubber roller 108 to form the seal pattern 102. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage in that the consumption of the sealant 103 increases.

Thus, a seal dispense method has been proposed to compensate for the shortcomings of the screen printing method as described above.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a seal dispense method for printing a seal pattern, and moves along the edge of the substrate 111 on which the alignment layer 114 is formed while applying a constant pressure to the dispenser 113 filled with the sealant as shown in FIG. The yarn pattern 112 is formed.

After the seal pattern 112 is formed through the seal dispense method, the solvent contained in the sealant is evaporated and leveling is performed in the same manner as the screen printing method.

While the seal dispensing method has an advantage of reducing the consumption of the sealant, there is a disadvantage in that the production amount decreases as the process time for forming the seal pattern 112 becomes longer.

Therefore, the screen printing method and the seal dispensing method for forming the seal pattern have advantages and disadvantages, respectively, and thus the process coordinator should consider the environment in which the product is used or the requirements for the product and select an appropriate method.

Meanwhile, distribution of the spacer 70 during the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display will be described in detail.

The spacer 70 is used to precisely and uniformly maintain the cell-gap of the thin film transistor array substrate 50 and the color filter substrate 60, and as shown in FIG. 5A, a solvent such as alcohol. It can be divided into a wet dispersion in which the spacer 70 is mixed and injected, and a dry dispersion in which only the spacer 70 is dispersed through nitrogen (N ₂ ) gas as shown in FIG. 5B. At this time, the spacer 70 scatters particles of glass beads, plastic beads, etc. having a predetermined particle diameter on the thin film transistor array substrate 50 or the color filter substrate 60 with a uniform density.

However, since the spacer 70 formed by the above-described spreading method is randomly scattered on the thin film transistor array substrate 50 or the color filter substrate 60, the spacer 70 exists in the effective pixel portion. In some cases, there is a problem that the image quality of the liquid crystal display device is deteriorated due to the occurrence of light leakage due to the spacer 70 shining or scattering incident light and the alignment of the alignment layer in the area where the spacer 70 is scattered. In a large-area liquid crystal display device, due to the aggregation of scattered spacers in various places, image quality defects such as galaxy stains are generated.

In view of the problems described above, a method of forming a patterned spacer through photolithography has been proposed.

That is, a photoresist film is applied to a substrate, ultraviolet rays are irradiated through a predetermined mask, and then developed to form a spacer.

Thus, the patterned spacer can form the spacer to be aligned with the black matrix formed in the liquid crystal panel.

In addition, since the cell gap between the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter substrate can be adjusted by the thickness of the photoresist film, there is a feature of high accuracy.

Referring to the sequential cross-sectional view of Figure 6a to 6d with the conventional method for forming a patterned spacer as described above in detail as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, a resist film 201 made of a photosensitive resin material is coated on a substrate 200 by a spin-coating method.

6B, ultraviolet rays are selectively irradiated onto the resist film 201 through a mask 202 in which light transmission and blocking regions are patterned, and then developed to selectively retain the resist film 201. Let's do it. In this case, the selectively remaining resist film 201 functions as a spacer for maintaining a constant cell gap between the thin film transistor substrate and the color filter substrate of the liquid crystal display.

On the other hand, when the positive type (positive type) in which the ultraviolet irradiation region is selectively removed by the development to the resist film 201 is applied to the area where the spacer of the resist film 201 is to be formed by the mask 202 Should be blocked.

In addition, when the negative type in which the ultraviolet irradiation region remains selectively due to development is applied to the resist film 201, the area where the spacer of the resist film 201 is to be formed is emitted by the mask 202. It must be transparent.

As shown in FIG. 6C, rubbing is performed on the substrate 200 where the resist film 201 remains to have a desired orientation when the liquid crystal is filled.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6D, the resist film 201 remaining on the substrate 200 to function as a spacer allows a constant cell-gap to be maintained when the other substrate 203 is bonded.

However, in the method of forming the patterned spacer as described above, since the resist film 201 is applied by the spin-coating method, the consumption of materials is high, and a photolithography process for exposing and developing the resist film 201 is performed. This is complicated and the time taken for spacer formation is long, which is a factor that lowers the productivity of the product.

On the other hand, since the photolithography process for exposing and developing the resist film 201 destroys the orientation, the resist film 201 serving as a spacer is first formed on the substrate 200 through the photolithography process. The following orientation is performed.

However, when the alignment is performed on the substrate 200 on which the resist film 201 is formed as described above, an alignment defect occurs along one side surface of the resist film 201 due to the step of the resist film 201, resulting in light leakage. Since the phenomenon appears, there is a disadvantage in reducing the image quality of the liquid crystal display.

Therefore, since the scattering method and the photolithography method for forming the spacers have advantages and disadvantages, the process operator must select an appropriate method in consideration of the environment in which the product is used or the requirements for the product.

As described above, the seal pattern forms a gap for injecting the liquid crystal on the bonded liquid crystal panel, and is formed to prevent leakage of the injected liquid crystal, and the spacer keeps the gap of the bonded liquid crystal panel precise and uniform. Form to ensure

However, in the related art, as the seal pattern and the spacer formation are performed separately, the preliminary process for bonding the liquid crystal panel is complicated, and the consumption of materials is high.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a seal pattern and a spacer of a liquid crystal panel capable of simultaneously forming a seal pattern and a spacer for bonding the liquid crystal panel. A mask for forming and a seal pattern and a spacer forming method using the mask are provided.

1 is a plan view of a unit pixel of a general liquid crystal display.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a cross section of a unit pixel cut along the line II ′ of FIG. 1; FIG.

3A and 3B are exemplary views showing an example of forming a seal pattern through a conventional screen printing method.

Figure 4 is an exemplary view showing an example of forming a seal pattern through a conventional seal dispense method.

Figure 5a is an exemplary view showing a wet dispersion of the conventional spacer.

Figure 5b is an illustration showing the dry dispersion of the conventional spacer.

6A to 6D are exemplary views showing a conventional method for forming a patterned spacer in a sequential cross section.

7 is an exemplary view showing a planar structure of a mask according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8A to 8D are exemplary views showing, in sequential cross section, a seal pattern and a spacer forming method of a liquid crystal panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

9A to 9D are exemplary views showing, in sequential cross section, a seal pattern and a spacer forming method of a liquid crystal panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

*** Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing ***

300: mask 301: thread pattern hole

302: spacer hole 303: liquid crystal inlet

310: Effective display

First, a seal pattern for forming a seal pattern and a spacer of a liquid crystal panel for achieving the object of the present invention as described above comprises a seal pattern hole for selectively exposing the region on which the seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display portion of the liquid crystal panel; A spacer hole for selectively exposing a region where a spacer is to be formed is provided in the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel.

In addition, the seal pattern and the spacer forming method of the liquid crystal panel for achieving the object of the present invention as described above, and the seal pattern hole for selectively exposing the region in which the seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display portion of the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel Aligning a mask having a spacer hole on the substrate, the spacer hole selectively exposing a region in which the spacer is to be formed in the effective display portion of the substrate; Forming a sealant on the mask, and printing with a rubber roller (squeegee) or a doctor blade (doctor blade) to form a seal pattern and a spacer on a substrate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a mask for forming the seal pattern and the spacer of the liquid crystal panel according to the present invention as described above, and a seal pattern and the spacer forming method of the liquid crystal panel using the mask will be described in detail as follows.

7 is an exemplary view showing a planar structure of a mask according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the mask 300 includes a seal pattern hole 301 for selectively exposing a region where a seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel, and an inside of the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel. The spacer hole 302 is provided to selectively expose the region where the spacer is to be formed.

The seal pattern hole 301 is patterned along the edge of the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel, and one side of the seal pattern hole 301 is patterned with a liquid crystal injection hole 303 for injecting liquid crystal.

The spacer hole 302 is regularly spaced and patterned in the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel, and aligned with a black matrix (not shown) formed in the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel. Is patterned.

Referring to the sequential cross-sectional view of FIGS. 8A to 8D attached to the method of forming the seal pattern and the spacer using the mask 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above in detail as follows. .

First, as shown in FIG. 8A, the alignment layer 401 is formed on the substrate 400, and the seal pattern hole 301 selectively exposes an area where the seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel. And a mask 300 having a spacer hole 302 that selectively exposes a region where a spacer is to be formed in the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel. In this case, the substrate 400 may be a thin film transistor array substrate or a color filter substrate applied to the liquid crystal display, and the alignment layer 401 is subjected to rubbing to determine the initial alignment of the liquid crystal.

In the mask 300 including the seal pattern hole 301 and the spacer hole 302, the screen mask 106 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and the light transmitting and blocking areas shown in FIG. 6B are patterned. The masks 202 are manufactured in a combined form.

As shown in FIG. 8B, ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the aligned mask 300 to planarize the alignment layer 401 exposed through the spacer hole 302, and to improve adhesion to the spacer 406 which will be described later. Let's do it.

As shown in FIG. 8C, a sealant 403 is formed on the mask 300 and printed with a rubber roller 404 to form a seal pattern 405 and a spacer 406 on the substrate 400. do. In this case, a doctor blade may be applied instead of the rubber roller 404, and the sealant 403 may be applied by mixing glass fiber with an epoxy-based thermosetting resin, or glass beads or It is preferable to apply a mixture of spacer particles such as plastic beads.

As shown in FIG. 8D, the mask 300 is removed, and then the seal pattern 405 and the spacer 406 are cured. At this time, the seal pattern 405 and the spacer 406 are preferably cured by heat and pressure in a pressure hardening device.

The seal pattern 405 and the spacer 406 are reduced in volume while being cured and fixed on the alignment layer 401, and are preferably cured for a sufficient time so as not to be affected by a subsequent heat treatment process.

As described above, a mask for forming a seal pattern and a spacer of a liquid crystal panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a method of forming a seal pattern and a spacer using the mask may include a screen mask 106 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. ) And a mask 202 in which the light transmitting region and the blocking region shown in FIG. 6B are patterned into one, and a mask is applied to form a seal pattern and a spacer at the same time, thereby preliminarily bonding the liquid crystal panel. This simplifies the process and reduces the consumption of materials.

In particular, the spacer can be formed accurately at a desired position as compared to the scattering method for forming a conventional spacer, and has the advantage of simplifying the process compared to the photolithography method for forming a conventional spacer.

In addition, since the seal pattern and the spacer forming method of the liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention can form a spacer on the rubbed alignment layer, after forming a patterned spacer through a conventional photolithography process When the alignment is performed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an alignment defect along one side of the spacer.

Meanwhile, in the method for forming a spacer of the liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an alignment layer is formed on a thin film transistor array substrate or a color filter substrate and then rubbed, and a seal pattern and a spacer are simultaneously formed on the alignment layer. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, the seal pattern and the spacer may be formed on the color filter substrate, which will be described in detail with reference to the sequential cross-sectional view of FIGS. 9A to 9D.

First, as shown in FIG. 9A, the black matrix 501 is uniformly patterned on the substrate 500 along the edge of the pixel region of the liquid crystal panel, and then R, G on the substrate 500 for each pixel region of the liquid crystal panel. The B color filters 502 are formed to overlap the black matrix 501.

As shown in FIG. 9B, a common transparent electrode 503 is formed on the upper surface of the R, G, and B color filters 502, and then a region where a seal pattern is to be formed is formed outside the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel. The mask 300 having the seal pattern hole 301 exposed through the photoresist and the spacer hole 302 for selectively exposing a region in which the spacer is to be formed in the effective display unit 310 of the liquid crystal panel are aligned. In this case, the mask 300 having the seal pattern hole 301 and the spacer hole 302 is the same as the screen mask 106 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and 6B as in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mask 202 in which the transmission region and the blocking region of the light are patterned are combined.

As shown in FIG. 9C, a sealant 403 is formed on the mask 300 and printed with a rubber roller 404 to form a seal pattern 405 and a spacer 406 on the substrate 500. do. In this case, a doctor blade may be applied instead of the rubber roller 404, and the sealant 403 may be applied by mixing glass fiber with an epoxy-based thermosetting resin, or glass beads or It is preferable to apply a mixture of spacer particles such as plastic beads.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9D, the mask 300 is removed, and then the failure turn 405 and the spacer 406 are cured. At this time, the seal pattern 405 and the spacer 406 are preferably cured by heat and pressure in a pressure hardening device.

The spacer 406 is reduced in volume while being cured and fixed on the common transparent electrode 503, and is preferably cured for a sufficient time so as not to be affected by a subsequent heat treatment process.

Subsequently, an alignment layer is formed on the common transparent electrode 503 on which the spacer 406 is cured, and alignment is performed to produce a color filter substrate of the liquid crystal panel.

As described above, a mask for forming a seal pattern and a spacer of a liquid crystal panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a method of forming a seal pattern and a spacer using the mask may include a screen mask 106 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. ) And a mask 202 patterned with the light transmission region and the blocking region shown in FIG. 6B are fabricated, and the liquid crystal panel is bonded by applying the same to form a seal pattern and a spacer on the substrate at the same time. It is possible to simplify the preliminary process to reduce the consumption of material.

In particular, the spacer can be formed accurately at a desired position as compared to the scattering method for forming a conventional spacer, and has the advantage of simplifying the process compared to the photolithography method for forming a conventional spacer.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a mask for forming a seal pattern and a spacer of a liquid crystal panel and a seal pattern and a spacer forming method using the mask may be formed by forming a seal pattern and a spacer on a color filter substrate of the liquid crystal panel. Compared to the embodiment of the present invention, which forms the spacer on the alignment layer, the ultraviolet irradiation step for planarization of the alignment layer and improvement of adhesion between the alignment layer and the spacer may be omitted.

As described above, the mask for forming the seal pattern and the spacer of the liquid crystal panel according to the present invention, and the seal pattern and the spacer forming method using the mask selectively expose an area where the seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display portion of the liquid crystal panel. Pre-process for bonding the liquid crystal panel by simultaneously printing the seal pattern and the spacer through a mask having a seal pattern hole and a spacer hole for selectively exposing a region where a spacer is to be formed in the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel. This simplifies and reduces the consumption of materials.

In particular, the spacer can be formed accurately at a desired position as compared to the scattering method for forming a conventional spacer, and has the advantage of simplifying the process compared to the photolithography method for forming a conventional spacer.

Therefore, the image quality of the liquid crystal panel can be improved, manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced, and productivity can be improved.

In addition, since the seal pattern and the spacer forming method of the liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention can form a spacer on the rubbed alignment layer, after forming a patterned spacer through a conventional photolithography process When the alignment is performed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an alignment defect along one side of the spacer.

And, the spacer forming method of the liquid crystal display according to another embodiment of the present invention is compared to the embodiment of the present invention to form a spacer on the alignment layer as the seal pattern and the spacer is formed on the color filter substrate of the liquid crystal display device Since the UV irradiation step for planarization of the alignment layer and improvement of adhesion between the alignment layer and the spacer may be omitted, the seal pattern and the spacer may be simultaneously formed through a simpler process.

Claims (9)

A seal pattern hole for selectively exposing a region where a seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel, and a spacer hole for selectively exposing a region in which the spacer is to be formed inside the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel; A mask for forming the seal pattern and the spacer of the liquid crystal panel. The seal pattern of claim 1, wherein the seal pattern hole is patterned along an edge of an effective display portion of the liquid crystal panel, and a liquid crystal injection hole for injecting liquid crystal is patterned on one side of the seal pattern hole. Mask to form. The seal pattern of claim 1, wherein the spacer hole is patterned to be spaced apart from the inside of the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel at regular intervals and to be aligned with a black matrix formed in the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel. And a mask for forming a spacer. A mask having a seal pattern hole for selectively exposing an area where a seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel and a spacer hole for selectively exposing an area for forming a spacer in the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel are provided on the substrate. Aligning to; And forming a sealant on the mask and printing the sealant to form a seal pattern and a spacer on the substrate. Forming an alignment film on the substrate and then performing alignment; A seal pattern hole for selectively exposing a region where a seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel on the substrate on which the alignment layer is formed, and a spacer hole for selectively exposing a region in which the spacer is to be formed inside the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel Aligning the provided mask; Irradiating ultraviolet rays to the alignment layer on the substrate through the seal pattern holes and the spacer holes of the mask; And forming a sealant on the mask and printing the sealant to form a seal pattern and a spacer on the substrate. Patterning the black matrix on the substrate along the edge of the pixel region of the liquid crystal panel; Forming R, G, and B color filters on the substrate for each pixel area of the liquid crystal panel; Forming a common transparent electrode on an upper surface of the R, G, and B color filters; A seal pattern hole for selectively exposing a region where a seal pattern is to be formed outside the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel on the common transparent electrode, and a spacer hole for selectively exposing a region in which the spacer is to be formed inside the effective display unit of the liquid crystal panel Aligning the provided mask; And forming a sealant on the mask and printing the sealant to form a seal pattern and a spacer on the substrate. The method of forming a seal pattern and a spacer of a liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the sealant is a thermosetting resin. 7. The liquid crystal panel of claim 4, further comprising curing the seal pattern and the spacer after the forming of the seal pattern and the spacer. Way. The method of claim 4, further comprising irradiating ultraviolet rays after aligning a mask patterned with spacer holes on the substrate.