KR20060012435A - Display substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a display substrate capable of improving display characteristics. The display unit of the display substrate includes a plurality of gate lines made of a first metal material, a plurality of data lines made of a second metal material, and a plurality of auxiliary electrode lines made of a first metal material. The common voltage line is made of a first metal material and is electrically coupled to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines in the peripheral area adjacent to the display unit. In addition, the peripheral area includes a repair unit that insulates and crosses the common voltage line and insulates the first and second ends of the plurality of data lines and repairs an open data line among the plurality of data lines. Therefore, display characteristics can be improved by reducing the line resistance of the lines formed on the display substrate.

Description

Display board {DISPLAY SUBSTRATE}

1 is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion A shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 2.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting lines II-II ′ and III-III ′ of FIG. 2.

5 is an enlarged view of a display substrate according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along cut lines IV-IV ′ and V-V ′ of FIG. 5.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

100: display substrate 110: display unit

120: gate driver 130: data driver

200: printed circuit board 250: flexible circuit board

300: display device

The present invention relates to a display substrate, and more particularly, to a display substrate for improving display characteristics.                         

In general, a liquid crystal display device includes an liquid crystal display panel including an array substrate, a color filter substrate provided to face the array substrate, and a liquid crystal formed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate.

The display unit of the array substrate includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines that cross each other insulated from each other. In addition, a pixel area defined by a plurality of gate lines and data lines is formed in the display unit. The pixel region includes thin film transistors connected to corresponding gates and data lines, and pixel electrodes connected to the thin film transistors.

The color filter substrate facing the array substrate includes a color filter consisting of R, G, and B color pixels and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode with a liquid crystal interposed therebetween. Thus, the liquid crystal capacitor is formed by the common electrode and the pixel electrode.

Meanwhile, the display unit of the array substrate further includes a plurality of auxiliary electrode lines facing the plurality of pixel electrodes with an insulating layer therebetween. Therefore, a plurality of auxiliary capacitances are formed by the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines and the plurality of pixel electrodes. A peripheral voltage line adjacent to the display part is provided with a common voltage line providing a common voltage to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines. The plurality of auxiliary electrode lines are provided on the same layer as the plurality of gate lines, and the common voltage line is provided on the same layer as the plurality of data lines. Therefore, the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines in the peripheral area are electrically connected to the common voltage line by the bridge electrode.

As such, the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines and the common voltage line are provided in different layers because repair lines are formed on the array substrate corresponding to the peripheral area. The repair line is provided on the same layer as the plurality of gate lines and crosses the insulation lines at both ends of the plurality of data lines. Therefore, when a predetermined data line of the plurality of data lines is opened, the repair line is electrically connected to both ends of the predetermined data line. Thus, the data signal applied to the predetermined data line is bypassed through the repair line and applied to the predetermined data line. Accordingly, the data signal is applied to the pixel electrode coupled to the predetermined data line except for the open point.

Since the common voltage line and the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines are formed in different layers to electrically insulate the repair line and the common voltage line, the common voltage line and the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines are not directly connected, but through the bridge electrode. Electrically connected. Therefore, a potential difference due to line resistance is generated in the common voltage applied to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines, thereby reducing display characteristics of the liquid crystal display.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display substrate for improving display characteristics by reducing line resistance.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a display substrate includes a display unit, a common voltage line, and a repair unit. The display unit includes a plurality of gate lines made of a first metal material, a plurality of data lines made of a second metal material, and a plurality of auxiliary electrode lines made of the first metal material. The common voltage line is made of the first metal material and is electrically coupled to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines in a peripheral area adjacent to the display unit, and receives a common voltage from the outside and provides the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines. The repair unit may be insulated from the common voltage line in the peripheral area and insulated from the first and second ends of the plurality of data lines to repair an open data line among the plurality of data lines.

According to the display substrate, a plurality of auxiliary electrode lines and a common voltage line are formed on the same layer and directly connected to each other, thereby reducing a potential difference between common voltages applied to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines. In addition, while the repair line of the repair unit is electrically insulated from the common voltage line, the open data line can be repaired smoothly.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a display panel 100 displaying an image, a gate driver 120 driving the display panel 100, and a data driver 130. It includes.

The display panel 100 may include a first display substrate 110, a second display substrate (not shown) facing the first display substrate 110, the first display substrate 110, and the second display substrate. It consists of a liquid crystal layer (not shown) interposed between. The display panel 100 is divided into a display part DP displaying an image and a peripheral part PP adjacent to the display part DP.

A plurality of gate lines GL, a plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL are provided on the first display substrate 110 corresponding to the display unit DP. The plurality of gate lines GL and the plurality of data lines DL cross each other insulated from each other. Accordingly, a plurality of pixel areas defined by the plurality of gate lines GL and the plurality of data lines DL are formed in the display portion DP. Each pixel area includes a thin film transistor TFT and a pixel electrode. The gate electrode of the thin film transistor TFT is connected to the corresponding gate line GLi, the source electrode is connected to the corresponding data line DLj, and the drain electrode is coupled to the pixel electrode. The pixel electrode faces the corresponding auxiliary electrode line SL to form a storage capacitor Cst.

The plurality of gate lines GL may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the plurality of data lines DL may be provided on different layers from the plurality of gate lines GL and made of chromium or chromium alloy. In this case, the specific resistance p of the aluminum is about 4.5, and the specific resistance p of chromium is about 21. Accordingly, the line resistance of the plurality of gate lines made of aluminum is smaller than the line resistance of the plurality of data lines made of chromium.

The second display substrate is provided with a common electrode (not shown) facing the pixel electrode with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The common electrode faces the pixel electrode to form a liquid crystal capacitor Clc.

The gate driver 120 and the data driver 130 formed of a plurality of chips are mounted on the first display substrate 110 to correspond to the peripheral part PP. The gate driver 120 is electrically connected to one end of the plurality of gate lines GL to output a gate signal to the plurality of gate lines GL, and the data driver 130 includes a plurality of data. It is electrically connected to one end of the line DL and outputs a data signal to the plurality of data lines DL.

The display device 300 further includes a printed circuit board 200 and a flexible circuit board 250. The printed circuit board 200 outputs driving signals for driving the gate driver 120 and the data driver 130 in response to various signals provided from an external device (not shown). The flexible circuit board 250 is attached to the printed circuit board 200 and the display panel 100 so that the driving signal output from the printed circuit board 200 is mounted on the display panel 100. The gate driver 120 and the data driver 130 are provided.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion A shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line I-I ′ of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cutting line II-II ′ of FIG. 2. Sectional drawing cut | disconnected by and III-III '.

1 and 2, a common voltage line CL is provided on the first display substrate 110 corresponding to the peripheral portion PP. The common voltage line CL is electrically connected to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL provided in the display unit DP, and receives the common voltage from the printed circuit board 200 to provide the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL. To provide. The plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL and the common voltage line CL may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, similarly to the plurality of gate lines GL.

As such, the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL and the common voltage line CL are made of an aluminum-based metal material having a specific resistance lower than that of the chromium-based metal material. As a result, the potential difference between each common voltage applied to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL is reduced.

In addition, when the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL and the common voltage line CL are provided on different layers, the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL and the common voltage line CL may be electrically connected to each other. A bridge electrode is needed. However, as in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL and the common voltage line CL are formed on the same layer, the common voltage is distorted by contact resistance with the bridge electrode. The phenomenon can be prevented.

The first display substrate 110 further includes a pad CLP branched from one side of the common voltage line CL, and the pad CLP applies the common voltage to a common electrode formed on the second display substrate. It is designed to do so. The pad CLP is electrically connected to the conductive film BE3 provided on the top of the first display substrate 110, and the conductive film BE3 is electrically connected to the common electrode by a conductive ball (not shown). Is connected. Accordingly, the common voltage applied to the common voltage line CL is provided to the common electrode via the pad CLP, the conductive film BE3, and the conductive ball.

The first display substrate 110 may further include first and second repair parts FRL and SRL corresponding to the peripheral part PP. As such, the first display substrate 110 may include the first and second repair units FRL and SRL to repair at least two data lines.

The first repair part FRL may include a first repair line RL1 crossing the first ends of the plurality of data lines DL, and a second repair crossing the second ends of the plurality of data lines DL. A first bridge electrode BE1 electrically connects a line RL2, the first repair line RL1, and the second repair line RL2. The second repair unit SRL may include a third repair line RL3 crossing the first ends of the plurality of data lines DL, and a fourth repair line crossing the second ends of the plurality of data lines DL. And a second bridge electrode BE2 that electrically connects RL4 and the third repair line RL3 and the fourth repair line RL4.

First portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 are disposed on the same layer as the plurality of gate lines GL and cross the first ends of the plurality of data lines DL to be insulated from each other. Second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 are disposed on the same layer as the plurality of data lines DL and cross the common voltage line CL to be insulated from each other. First and second portions of each of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 are electrically connected to each other on the printed circuit board 200.

In the peripheral part PP, second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 cross each other insulated from the common voltage line CL and are formed by the first and second bridge electrodes BE2. The second and fourth repair lines RL2 and RL4 are electrically connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 are made of chromium or a chromium alloy and are provided on different layers from the common voltage line CL. When the common voltage line CL is provided on the substrate 101, a gate insulating layer 102 is formed on the substrate 101 on which the common voltage line CL is formed. The first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 are formed on the gate insulating layer 102. Therefore, the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 are electrically insulated from the common voltage line CL by the gate insulating layer 102.

2 and 4, second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 cross each other insulated from the common voltage line CL, and then the first and second bridge electrodes BE1. BE2 is electrically connected to the second and fourth repair lines RL2 and RL4, respectively. The second and fourth repair lines RL2 and RL4 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and are provided on the same layer as the common voltage line CL, but are different from the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3. It is provided on different layers.

The second and fourth repair lines RL2 and RL4 are formed on the substrate 101 at the same time as the common voltage line CL, and a gate insulating layer 102 is formed thereon. As described above, second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 are formed on the gate insulating layer 102. Subsequently, a passivation layer 103 is formed on the substrate 101 to cover the second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3. First and second contact holes 103a and 103b for exposing portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 are formed in the passivation layer 103, and the second and fourth repair lines Third and fourth contact holes 103c and 103d for exposing portions of RL2 and RL4 are formed.

Thereafter, the first and second bridge electrodes BE1 and BE2 are formed on the passivation layer 103. The first bridge electrode BE1 is connected to the first and second repair lines RL1 and RL2 through the first and third contact holes 103a and 103c. Thus, the first and second repair lines RL1 and RL2 are electrically connected to each other by the first bridge electrode BE1.

The second bridge electrode BE2 is connected to the third and fourth repair lines RL3 and RL4 through the second and fourth contact holes 103b and 103d. As a result, the third and fourth repair lines RL3 and RL4 are electrically connected to each other by the second bridge electrode BE2.

As described above, since the common voltage line CL and the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL are provided on the same layer and directly connected without passing through the bridge electrode, the common voltage line CL and the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL are applied to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines SL. The potential difference of the voltage can be reduced. In addition, since the second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3, which necessarily cross the common voltage line CL, are provided on different layers from the common voltage line CL, the common voltage It is possible to prevent the line CL and the second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 from being electrically shorted.

Meanwhile, second portions of the first and third repair lines RL1 and RL3 cross each other insulated from the common voltage line CL, and are provided on the same layer as the common voltage line CL. And second and fourth repair lines RL2 and RL4 having a lower line resistance than the second repair lines RL1 and RL2. As a result, the overall line resistance of the first and second repair parts FRL and SRL may be reduced.

Referring back to FIG. 1, when the j th data line DLj of the plurality of data lines DL is opened at a predetermined portion, a data signal may not be applied to a pixel formed after the open point. In this case, in order to repair the opened j-th data line DLj, the j-th data line DLj is electrically connected to the first end of the first repair line RL1 at the first laser point LP1. The second laser line LP2 is electrically connected to the second repair line RL2.

Therefore, the data signal output to the j-th data line DLj is applied from the first laser point LP1 to the first repair line RL1. Thereafter, the second repair line RL2 receives the data signal from the first repair line RL1 and provides the data signal to the j th data line DLj at the second laser point LP2. do. Thus, the data signal may be provided to the pixel connected to the j-th data line DLj except for the open point.

Although not shown, when a predetermined data line is opened among the plurality of data lines DL, the predetermined data line is a second repair part including the third and fourth repair lines RL3 and RL4. Repaired by (SRL).

5 is an enlarged view of a first display substrate according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along cut lines IV-IV ′ and V-V ′ of FIG. 5.

5 and 6, the first display substrate 110 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes first and second repair parts FRL and SRL. The first repair unit FRL includes a first repair line RL1, a second repair line RL2, and a first bridge electrode BE1, and the second repair unit SRL includes a third repair line RL3, a fourth repair line RL4, and a second bridge electrode BE2.

The first repair part RL1 further includes a first dummy repair line RL5 branched from the second repair line RL2 and overlapping the first repair line RL1. The second repair unit SRL further includes a second dummy repair line RL6 branched from the fourth repair line RL4 and overlapping the third repair line RL3.

The first repair line RL1 and the first dummy repair line RL5 are electrically connected to each other at a third laser point LP3, and the third repair line RL3 and the second dummy repair line RL6 are connected to each other. ) Are electrically connected to each other at the fourth laser point LP4.

As such, the first and second repair lines RL1 and RL2 are not only electrically connected through the first bridge electrode BE1, but also electrically connected by the first dummy repair line RL5. Therefore, the contact resistance at the first bridge electrode BE1 is reduced than when the first and second repair lines RL1 and RL2 are electrically connected only through the first bridge electrode BE1.

In addition, the third and fourth repair lines RL3 and RL4 are not only electrically connected through the second bridge electrode BE2, but also electrically connected by the second dummy repair line RL6. Therefore, the contact resistance at the second bridge electrode BE2 is reduced than when the third and fourth repair lines RL3 and RL4 are electrically connected only through the second bridge electrode BE2.

Meanwhile, the process of electrically connecting the first repair line RL1 and the first dummy repair line RL5 at the third laser point LP3 may include the first repair line at the first laser point LP1. It is the same as the process of electrically connecting RL1 and the jth data line DLj. Accordingly, the first repair line RL1 and the first dummy repair line RL5 may be electrically connected through the existing process, and the second repair line RL2 and the second dummy repair line RL6 may be electrically connected to each other. Can be electrically connected.

According to such a display substrate, by forming a plurality of auxiliary electrode lines and a common voltage line directly on the same layer, the potential difference between the common voltages applied to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines can be reduced. As a result, the display characteristics of the display device employing the display substrate can be improved.

In addition, while the repair line of the repair unit is electrically insulated from the common voltage line, the line resistance of the repair unit can be prevented from increasing, and thus the open data line can be repaired smoothly.

Although described with reference to the embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Could be.

Claims (7)

A display unit including a plurality of gate lines made of a first metal material, a plurality of data lines made of a second metal material, and a plurality of auxiliary electrode lines made of the first metal material; A common voltage line formed of the first metal material and electrically coupled to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines in a peripheral area adjacent to the display unit, and receiving a common voltage from an external source and providing the common voltages to the plurality of auxiliary electrode lines; And And a repair unit crossing the common voltage line in the peripheral area and insulated from the first and second ends of the plurality of data lines to repair an open data line among the plurality of data lines. Characteristic display board. The display substrate of claim 1, wherein the repair unit comprises a first repair line, a second repair line, and a bridge electrode electrically connecting the first repair line and the second repair line. 3. The first repair line of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the first repair line is formed of the first metal material, and crosses the first end of the plurality of data lines insulated from each other. 2 consists of metal material and crosses the common voltage line insulated, And the second repair line is made of the first metal material and crosses the second repair line to be insulated from the second ends of the plurality of data lines. The display substrate of claim 2, wherein the second portion of the first repair line is electrically coupled to the second repair line by the bridge electrode after crossing the common voltage line. The display substrate of claim 2, wherein the repair unit further comprises a dummy repair line branched from the second repair line and overlapping a second portion of the first repair line. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein a first end of a predetermined data line disconnected from the plurality of data lines is electrically connected to a first portion of the first repair line, and the second end of the predetermined data line is connected to the first end. 2 When electrically connected to a repair line, And the dummy repair line is electrically connected to a second portion of the first repair line. The display substrate of claim 1, wherein the first metal material is aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the second metal material is chromium or a chromium alloy.

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