KR20040105351A - Liquid crystal display panel and fabrication apparatus and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) panel, an apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same are provided to enhance the thickness uniformity of an over coating layer and simplify the manufacturing process by forming the over coating layer using not a liquified compound material but a coating film. CONSTITUTION: A black matrix(106) and a color filter layer(108) are formed on a substrate(104). A coating film(116) is attached on the resultant substrate. The coating film is formed by attaching the coating film like a dry film resistor on the substrate by using a roller(142). A film supply unit(118) supplies the coating film, which is coiled in a roll type in the film supply unit. In a process of forming the coating film, the air between the substrate and the coating film is removed by an air intake unit(146).

Description

Liquid crystal display panel and its manufacturing apparatus and method {LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY PANEL AND FABRICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing apparatus and method thereof capable of reducing coating defects and production costs.

In general, a liquid crystal display (LCD) displays an image corresponding to a video signal on a liquid crystal display panel in which liquid crystal cells are arranged in a matrix form by adjusting light transmittance of liquid crystal cells according to a video signal. To this end, the liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel in which liquid crystal cells are arranged in an active matrix form, and driving circuits for driving the liquid crystal display panel.

The liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel in which liquid crystal cells are arranged in a matrix form between two glass substrates (upper and lower plate), and a backlight unit that irradiates light to the liquid crystal display panel.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a general liquid crystal display panel.

Referring to FIG. 1, a general liquid crystal display panel 1 includes a black matrix 6, a color filter 8, an overcoating layer (flattening layer) 10, and a common electrode sequentially formed on an upper substrate 4. 12) an upper plate composed of a spacer (not shown) and an upper alignment layer 14, a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as TFT) formed on the lower substrate 24, and the pixel electrode 28 And a lower plate composed of a lower alignment layer 26, and a liquid crystal (not shown) injected into an inner space between the upper plate and the lower plate.

In the upper plate, the black matrix 6 is formed on the upper substrate 4 in correspondence with the TFT region of the lower plate and the gate line and data line regions (not shown), and the cell region where the color filter 8 is to be formed. Prepare. The black matrix 6 serves to prevent light leakage and to increase contrast by absorbing external light. The color filter 8 is formed in the cell region separated by the black matrix 6. The color filter 8 is formed for each of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) to implement red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors.

The overcoat layer 10 is formed to cover the color filter 8 to planarize the upper substrate. The common electrode 12 is supplied with a common voltage for controlling the movement of the liquid crystal. The pattern spacer, not shown, serves to maintain the cell gap between the upper substrate 4 and the lower substrate 24.

In the lower plate, the TFT includes a gate electrode 40 formed on the lower substrate 24 together with a gate line (not shown), a gate insulating film 30 formed on the gate electrode 40, and a gate insulating film ( A semiconductor layer 36 overlapping with the gate electrode 40 with the 30 interposed therebetween, and a source electrode 38 and a drain electrode formed with a data line (not shown) with the semiconductor layer 36 interposed therebetween. 32).

This TFT supplies the pixel signal from the data line to the pixel electrode 28 in response to the scan signal from the gate line.

The pixel electrode 28 is a transparent conductive material having a high light transmittance and is in contact with the drain electrode 32 of the TFT with the protective film 22 therebetween. The upper alignment layer 14 and the lower alignment layer 26 for liquid crystal alignment are formed by applying an alignment material such as polyimide and then performing a rubbing process.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a top plate of the general liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, a top plate of a general liquid crystal display panel 1 may be formed by depositing an opaque material such as an opaque metal or an opaque resin on the upper substrate 4, followed by a photolithography process and an etching process using a first mask. The opaque material is patterned by to form the black matrix 6.

After the red resin is deposited on the upper substrate 4 on which the black matrix 6 is formed, the red resin is patterned by a photolithography process and an etching process using a second mask to form a red color filter R.

After the green resin is deposited on the upper substrate 4 on which the red color filter R is formed, the green color filter G is formed by patterning the green resin by a photolithography process and an etching process using a third mask.

After the blue resin is deposited on the upper substrate 4 on which the green color filter is formed, the blue resin is patterned by a photolithography process and an etching process using a fourth mask to form a blue color filter B.

Spin coating method after applying a liquid overcoating (planarizing) material to the entire surface on the upper substrate 4 on which the color filters 8 of red (G), green (G) and blue (B) are formed. By using the overcoating material to have a uniform distribution on the upper substrate (4). The overcoat material is then cured for a period of time to form an overcoat layer (flattening layer) 10.

Such a general liquid crystal display panel 1 is coated with a liquid flattening material on the entire surface of the upper substrate in order to form the overcoating layer 10 on the upper substrate 4, and then spin-coating shown in FIG. As illustrated, the center portion “A” of the overcoating layer 10 has a thin coating layer, and the edge portion “B” of the overcoating layer 10 has a thick coating layer formed thereon to form an upper substrate ( 4) the uniform overcoating layer 10 is not formed on the entire surface of the substrate, and the overcoating layer 10 during the process of curing the overcoating material for a predetermined time to form the overcoating layer 10 is There is a problem that stains are generated by contamination by foreign matter. In addition, since expensive spin coating equipment must be used to form the overcoating layer 10, a manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display panel increases.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display panel, an apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same, which can reduce coating defects and production costs.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a general liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a top plate of the general liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overcoating layer formed on a top plate by spin coating.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a top plate of the liquid crystal display panel according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a method of forming an overcoating layer on the upper plate illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overcoating layer formed by the method illustrated in FIG. 6.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1,100 liquid crystal display panel 4,104 upper substrate

6,106: Black Matrix 8,108: Color Filter

10,110: overcoat layer 12,112: common electrode

14,114: upper alignment layer 22,122: protective film

24,124: lower substrate 26,126: lower alignment layer

28,128: pixel electrode 30,130: gate insulating film

32,132: drain electrode 34,134: ohmic contact layer

36,136: semiconductor layer 38,138: source electrode

40,140: gate electrode 116: coating film

118: film supply portion 142: first roller

144: second roller 146: air intake

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, a substrate, a black matrix formed on the substrate, a red, green and blue color filter layer formed on the black matrix, and the color filter layer It is characterized by including the dry film formed on the.

The black matrix layer of the liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is characterized by separating the red, green, and blue color filter layers.

An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate on which a red, green and blue color filter layer and a black matrix are formed, a film supply unit in which a film is wound in a roll, and a film supply unit supplied from the film supply unit by rotation. At least one roller for attaching the film to the substrate.

The roller of the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the first roller and the second roller.

The first roller of the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the pressing roller for pressing the film.

The second roller of the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the heating roller for heating the substrate.

An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include an air inhaler for sucking air between the substrate and the film.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel includes preparing a substrate on which a red, green, and blue color filter layer and a black matrix are formed, preparing a film supply unit in which a film is rolled, and rotating And attaching the film supplied from the film supply unit to the substrate by at least one roller to form a coating layer.

The forming of the coating layer of the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention may include providing an air inhaler for sucking air and sucking air between the substrate and the film with the air inhaler. Characterized in that it comprises a step.

In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rollers are first rollers and second rollers.

Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the first roller is a pressing roller for pressing the film.

Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the first roller presses the film with a force of 0.5 to 2.0 atm.

The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the second roller is a heating roller for heating the substrate.

A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the second roller heats the substrate at a temperature of 70 ° C to 150 ° C.

Other objects and features of the present invention in addition to the above objects will become apparent from the description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the liquid crystal display panel 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a black matrix 106, a color filter 108, and an overcoating layer (flattening layer) sequentially formed on the upper substrate 104. 110, a top plate composed of a common electrode 112, a spacer (not shown), and an upper alignment layer 114, a TFT formed on the lower substrate 124, and a pixel electrode 128 and a lower alignment layer 126. And a liquid crystal (not shown) injected into an inner space between the upper and lower plates.

In the upper plate, the black matrix 106 is formed on the upper substrate 104 corresponding to the TFT region of the lower plate and the gate line and data line regions (not shown), and defines a cell region in which the color filter 108 is to be formed. Prepare. The black matrix 106 prevents light leakage and absorbs external light to increase contrast. The color filter 108 is formed in the cell region separated by the black matrix 106. The color filter 108 is formed for each of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) to implement red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors.

The overcoat layer 110 is formed to cover the color filter 108 to planarize the upper substrate. The common electrode 112 is supplied with a common voltage for controlling the movement of the liquid crystal. The pattern spacer, not shown, serves to maintain a cell gap between the upper substrate 104 and the lower substrate 124.

In the lower plate, the TFT includes a gate electrode 140 formed on the lower substrate 124 together with a gate line (not shown), a gate insulating film 130 formed on the gate electrode 140, and a gate insulating film ( The semiconductor layer 136 overlapping the gate electrode 140 with the 130 interposed therebetween, and the source electrode 138 and the drain electrode formed with the data line (not shown) with the semiconductor layer 136 interposed therebetween. 132).

This TFT supplies the pixel signal from the data line to the pixel electrode 128 in response to the scan signal from the gate line.

The pixel electrode 128 is a transparent conductive material having a high light transmittance and contacts the drain electrode 132 of the TFT with the passivation layer 122 therebetween. The upper alignment layer 114 and the lower alignment layer 126 for liquid crystal alignment are formed by applying an alignment material such as polyimide and then performing a rubbing process.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plate of the liquid crystal display panel according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, an upper plate of the liquid crystal display panel 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a photolithography using a first mask after an opaque material such as an opaque metal or an opaque resin is deposited on the upper substrate 104. The black matrix 106 is formed by patterning the opaque material by a photolithography process and an etching process.

After the red resin is deposited on the upper substrate 104 on which the black matrix 106 is formed, the red color filter R is formed by patterning the red resin by a photolithography process and an etching process using a second mask.

After the green resin is deposited on the upper substrate 104 on which the red color filter R is formed, the green color filter G is formed by patterning the green resin by a photolithography process and an etching process using a third mask.

After the blue resin is deposited on the upper substrate 104 on which the green color filter is formed, the blue resin is patterned by a photolithography process and an etching process using a fourth mask to form a blue color filter B.

Overcoating by coating a coating film 116 such as a dry film resist (DFR) 116 on the upper substrate 104 on which the color filters 108 of red (G), green (G) and blue (B) are formed. Layer (planarization layer) 110 is formed.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a method of forming an overcoating layer on the upper plate illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the liquid crystal display panel 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a black matrix 106 and a color filter 108 for implementing red (R), green (G), and blue (G). Is coated on the upper substrate 104 on which the coating film 116 is wound from the film supply unit 118 wound with the first roller 142 and the second roller 144 to overcoat. Form layer 110.

The first roller 142 rotates in the direction of the right screw while pressing the coating film 116 at a pressure of 0.5 to 2.0 atm from an upper side of the upper substrate 104 on which the coating film 116 is laminated by a lamination roller. .

The second roller 144 rotates in the left screw direction while heating the upper substrate 104 at a temperature of 70 ° C to 150 ° C of a heating roller.

The coating film 116 is coated on the upper substrate 104 by the driving of the first roller 142 and the second roller 144 described above to form the overcoating layer 110.

When the coating film 116 is coated on the upper substrate 104, an air inhaler 146 is used to prevent bubbles from being formed between the overcoating layer 110 and the upper substrate 104. More specifically, the air inhaler 146 may be disposed on the side of the upper substrate 104 when the coating film 116 is coated on the upper substrate 104 by the first roller 142 and the second roller 144. The air in the stepped portion is sucked by the black matrix 106 and the color filter 108 formed on the upper substrate 104 to prevent bubbles from forming between the overcoating layer 110 and the upper substrate 104.

When the overcoating layer 110 is formed on the upper substrate 104 by the above-described method, as shown in FIG. 7, the central portion (“A”) of the overcoating layer 110 may have a thickness of the coating layer and an overcoating layer. The same thickness of the coating layer of the edge portion (“B”) of 110 may be formed to form a uniform overcoating layer 110 in front of the upper substrate 104.

As described above, the liquid crystal display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention forms a uniform overcoating layer on the entire upper substrate by coating a dry coating film such as a DFR film on the upper substrate to form a liquid crystal due to an uneven overcoating layer. The defect of the display panel can be reduced. In addition, the process of curing the overcoating layer after forming the overcoating layer using the dry coating film may be eliminated, thereby reducing the time for forming the overcoating layer and reducing the contamination of the liquid crystal display panel.

The liquid crystal display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention can reduce the production cost of the liquid crystal display panel by using an inexpensive overcoating layer manufacturing apparatus instead of expensive spin coating equipment.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (14)

Substrate, A black matrix formed on the substrate, A red, green and blue color filter layer formed on the black matrix; And a dry film formed on the color filter layer. The method of claim 1, And the black matrix layer separates the red, green, and blue color filter layers. A substrate having a red, green and blue color filter layer and a black matrix formed thereon; A film supply portion in which the film is wound in a roll form, And at least one roller for attaching the film supplied from the film supply unit to the substrate by rotation. The method of claim 3, wherein And said rollers are first rollers and second rollers. The method of claim 4, wherein And the first roller is a press roller for pressurizing the film. The method of claim 4, wherein And the second roller is a heating roller for heating the substrate. The method of claim 3, wherein And an air inhaler for sucking air between the substrate and the film. Providing a substrate having a red, green and blue color filter layer and a black matrix formed thereon; Providing a film supply portion in which the film is wound in a roll form; And attaching the film supplied from the film supply unit to the substrate by at least one roller by rotation to form a coating layer. The method of claim 8, Forming the coating layer, Providing an air inhaler for sucking air, And inhaling air between the substrate and the film with the air inhaler. The method of claim 8, The roller is a manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel, characterized in that the first roller and the second roller. The method of claim 10, The first roller is a manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel, characterized in that the pressing roller for pressing the film. The method of claim 11, And the first roller pressurizes the film with a force of 0.5 to 2.0 atmospheres. The method of claim 10, And the second roller is a heating roller for heating the substrate. The method of claim 13, And the second roller heats the substrate at a temperature of 70 ° C to 150 ° C.