KR20070059270A - Display substrate and method of the manufacturing and display panel having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A display substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display panel having the same are provided to reduce the number of manufacturing processes by forming a projection pattern for detecting coordinates of a touch position, and a supporting member for keeping a distance between an array substrate and an opposite substrate through one process at the same time. The display substrate includes a base substrate(221), a supporting pattern(226) constantly keeping the distance from the array substrate on the base substrate by the first length, and the first/second projection pattern(225). The first/second projection pattern electrically connects with the first and second signal lines at the touch position on the base substrate by the second length. The first length is longer than the second length. A conductive film is formed on the first/second projection pattern. The first/second projection pattern is neighboring with each other at a predetermined interval.

Description

DISPLAY SUBSTRATE AND METHOD OF THE MANUFACTURING AND DISPLAY PANEL HAVING THE SAME

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating the display panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an array substrate and an opposing substrate of the display panel illustrated in FIG. 2 separated from each other.

4 is a plan view schematically illustrating a portion of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an external pressure applied to the display panel illustrated in FIG. 5.

7 is a timing diagram illustrating a touch position detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of implementing the touch position detector illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the timing diagram of FIG. 7.

9 to 16 are cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing process of a display substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a graph showing the relationship between the size of the mask pattern formed on the exposure mask and the residual film thickness after the developing process.

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating a relationship between the separation distance between the exposure mask and the photosensitive polymer organic material and the residual film thickness after the developing process.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: display device 200: display panel

210: array substrate 220: opposing substrate

221: base substrate 222: light shielding layer

223: color filter layer 224: planarization film

225 projection pattern 226 support pattern

227: common electrode layer 300: panel driver

310: timing controller 320: power supply

330: Gray voltage generator 340: Data driver

350: gate driver 400: touch position detector

410: voltage supply control unit 420: data sampling unit

500: positioning unit

ES: sensing electrode ER: protrusion electrode

SL: signal wiring PE: pixel electrode

MP: mask pattern

The present invention relates to a display substrate, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display panel having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display substrate, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display panel having the same. will be.

In general, the display device may be defined as a device that displays a predetermined image so that a user can recognize data processed by the information processing device. Such display devices are widely used for flat panel display devices for small size, light weight, and high resolution.

Currently, the flat panel display device which is most widely used is a liquid crystal display device, and the liquid crystal display device may be defined as a device for performing a display using a liquid crystal whose light transmittance is changed according to the intensity of an electric field.

The liquid crystal display includes an array substrate on which a thin film transistor (TFT), which is a switching element, is formed, an opposite substrate fastened to the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates. .

Generally, the liquid crystal display includes an input unit including an operation interface, calculates data input through the input unit in the system unit, and displays a predetermined image by unidirectional communication using a control signal output from the system unit.

Recently, a touch panel for inputting data using an icon displayed on a screen of a liquid crystal display panel directly from the unidirectional communication has been applied to the liquid crystal display device.

The touch panel is provided on an uppermost side of the liquid crystal display panel so that the user desires to select an instruction content by directly touching a hand or an object with the icon displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display panel. The touch panel detects a position where the hand or an object is in contact and receives the contents indicated by the touched position as an input signal to drive the liquid crystal display.

When the touch panel is used in a computer or the like, an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and when used in a mobile product such as a mobile phone, a separate input device such as a keypad is not required and its use is increasing.

However, as the touch panel is disposed above the liquid crystal display panel, there is a problem in that the thickness or size of a product having the touch panel increases. In order to solve this problem, the touch panel is integrated with the liquid crystal display panel.

In such a touch panel integrated liquid crystal display panel, there is a method of forming a light sensing sensor inside the liquid crystal display panel that detects light that is blocked when the hand or an object is touched or light input from the light pen.

However, when the liquid crystal display panel is formed using the above method, the light detected by the light sensing sensor increases in intensity of light detected by the light sensing sensor when the intensity of ambient light increases, and detects the light when the intensity of ambient light decreases. The intensity of light detected by the sensor is also weakened, which makes it difficult to determine the position coordinate where the hand or the object is in contact.

In order to solve such a problem, a protrusion-shaped conductive structure is formed in the opposing substrate, and a sensing wiring corresponding to the conductive structure is formed in the array substrate, so that electrical contact between the conductive structure and the sensing wiring is caused by external pressure. A touch screen liquid crystal display panel for determining a position coordinate to which the external pressure is applied through a short has been developed.

In this type of liquid crystal display panel, the touch panel function can be directly implemented using the array substrate and the opposing substrate to reduce the thickness of the liquid crystal display panel, and accurately detect the touch position by detecting the touch position according to the change of voltage or current. This is easy.

On the other hand, in the case of a liquid crystal display panel which performs a touch screen function by using a conductive structure and a sensing electrode inside the liquid crystal display panel, a support member, that is, a column spacer, is spaced apart from the array substrate and the opposite substrate by a predetermined interval. The conductive structure has to be formed at a lower height than the column spacer portion to perform a touch screen function, so that the conductive structure and the column spacer are formed in a single process, which increases the manufacturing process. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display substrate with a simplified manufacturing process.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing the display substrate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display panel having the display substrate.

In order to achieve the above object, a plurality of pixel parts are defined by gate lines and data lines, and the position of the touch location is in electrical contact with an array substrate on which first and second signal lines for sensing a touch location are formed. In a display substrate of a display panel having a touch screen function for determining coordinates, the display substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a base substrate, a support pattern, and first and second protrusion patterns. The support pattern is directly formed on the base substrate to a first length to maintain a constant distance from the array substrate. The first and second protrusion patterns are formed to have a second length directly on the base substrate to be in electrical contact with the first and second signal lines, respectively, at the touch position.

In this case, a conductive film is coated on the first and second protrusion patterns, and the display substrate further includes a color filter layer formed at a position corresponding to the pixel portion.

In order to achieve the another object of the present invention, a plurality of pixel parts are defined by gate lines and data lines, and are electrically contacted with an array substrate on which first and second signal lines are formed to sense a touch position. In the display substrate of the display panel having a touch screen function to determine the position coordinates of the touch position, the manufacturing method of the display substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention is the step of applying an organic layer on the front surface of the base substrate, forming a support pattern Disposing an exposure mask formed by mixing the first mask pattern and the second mask patterns for forming the first and second protrusion patterns on the organic layer, and maintaining a constant gap between the exposure mask and the organic layer. Exposing the organic layer and developing the exposed organic layer to form the support pattern. And forming the protruding patterns.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a display substrate may include forming a color filter layer after removing the organic material layer of the photosensitive region, and forming a conductive layer on the color filter layer, the organic material layer, and the light shielding layer. And removing a conductive layer in a region of the conductive layer corresponding to the support member.

In order to achieve the another object of the present invention, a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an array substrate and an opposing substrate. The array substrate includes a plurality of pixel parts defined by gate lines and data lines, and the first signal lines and the second signal lines for sensing the touch position are respectively in the same direction as the gate lines and the data lines. Is formed. The opposing substrate is combined with the array substrate to receive a liquid crystal material.

The opposing substrate includes a light blocking layer, a support pattern, and first and second protrusion patterns. The light blocking layer is formed to correspond to the gate and data lines on the base substrate. The support pattern is directly formed on the light blocking layer to have a first length, and maintains a predetermined distance from the array substrate. The first and second protrusion patterns are directly formed on the light blocking layer to have a second length.

According to such a display substrate, a method of manufacturing the same, and a display panel having the same, a projection pattern that performs a touch screen function can be simultaneously formed with a support pattern that supports a gap between the array substrate and the opposite substrate, thereby reducing the manufacturing process. have.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating the display panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a display panel 200, a panel driver 300, a touch position detector 400, and a position determiner 500. do.

The display panel 200 includes an array substrate 210 and an opposing substrate 220. The array substrate 210 has n data lines DL1,..., DLm and n gate lines GL1,..., Intersecting the data lines DL1,. GLn) is formed. Where m and n are natural numbers.

Thin film transistors (hereinafter referred to as TFTs) are formed in regions where each of the data lines DL1 to DLm and the gate lines GL1 to GLn cross each other.

For example, the first switching element TFT1 and the first pixel electrode PE1 are formed in an area where the first first data line DL1 and the first gate line GL1 cross each other. A gate electrode of the first switching element TFT1 is connected to the first gate line GL1, a source electrode of the first switching element TFT1 is connected to the first data line DL1, and the first electrode is connected to the first data line DL1. The drain electrode of the first switching element TFT1 is connected to the pixel electrode PE.

In the same manner, the switching element TFT and the pixel electrode PE are formed in each of the regions where the second to m th data lines DLm and the second to n th gate lines GLn cross each other.

Although not shown, first signal wires and second signal wires are formed on the array substrate 210 to perform a touch screen function.

The first signal wires extend in the first direction D1 in the same manner as the gate lines GL1, ..., GLn, and the second signal wires extend the data lines DL1, ..., DLm. ) And extend in the second direction D2, and the first and second signal wires cross each other to be electrically insulated from each other.

Here, the first and second signal wires are supplied with an initial driving voltage Vid having a predetermined potential level, and are connected to the touch position detector 400.

In this case, the first and second signal wires may be formed for each unit pixel including red (R), green (G), and blue (B) pixels among the pixels, and may be formed for each predetermined number of unit pixels. You may. For example, the first and second signal wires may be formed for every four unit pixels.

The opposing substrate 220 is coupled to the array substrate 210 so as to receive a liquid crystal layer (not shown). A color filter layer may be formed on each of the unit pixels in the opposing substrate 220 to express a predetermined color.

In addition, protrusion electrodes are formed on the opposing substrate 220 to perform a touch screen function. The protruding electrodes include first and second protruding electrodes that are in electrical contact with the first and second signal lines, respectively, when an external pressure is applied.

In this case, the first and second protrusion electrodes may be formed for each unit pixel including red (R), green (G), and blue (B) pixels among the pixels, and may be formed for a predetermined number of unit pixels. You may. For example, the first and second protrusion electrodes may be formed for every four unit pixels.

The first and second signal wires and the first and second protrusion electrodes formed on the array substrate 210 and the opposing substrate 220 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The panel driver 300 includes a timing controller 310, a power supply 320, a gray voltage generator 330, a data driver 340, and a gate driver 350.

The timing controller 310 controls the overall operation of the display device 100. The timing controller 310 is applied as the red, green, and blue raw data signals DATA_O and the first control signal CNTL1 are applied from a host system such as an external graphic controller. In order to display an image on the display panel 200, a first data signal DATA1, a second control signal CNTL2, a third control signal CNTL3, and a fourth controlled output timing of the raw data signal DATA_O are controlled. The control signal CNTL4 is output.

In detail, the first control signal CNTL1 includes a main clock signal MCLK, a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, and a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC. The second control signal CNTL2 includes a horizontal start signal STH, an inversion signal REV, and a data load signal TP that control the data driver 340. The third control signal CNTL3 includes a start signal STV, a clock signal CK, an output enable signal OE, and the like that control the gate driver 350. The fourth control signal CNTL4 includes a clock signal CLK and an inverted signal REV for controlling the power supply unit 320.

In addition, the timing controller 310 further outputs a fifth control signal CNTL5 for controlling the touch position detector 400. The fifth control signal CNT5 includes a sampling signal SS for controlling the initial driving voltage Vid output from the power supply 320 to be provided to the first and second signal wires.

The power supply unit 320 performs common voltages Vcom and Vcst and a touch screen function provided to the display panel 200 in response to a fourth control signal CNTL4 applied by the timing controller 310. The initial driving voltage Vid provided to the array substrate 210, the analog driving voltage AVDD provided to the gray voltage generator 330, and the gate on / off voltage provided to the gate driver 350. Von, Voff).

The gray voltage generator 330 corresponds to the number of gray level levels based on a divider resistor having a resistance ratio to which a gamma curve is applied using the analog driving voltage AVDD provided from the power supply 320 as a reference voltage. A plurality of reference gray voltages VGMA_R are output.

The data driver 340 includes a data tape carrier package (TCP) 341 and a data driver chip 342. The data TCP 341 may be formed in plural to drive m data lines DL into a plurality of blocks.

In addition, a plurality of gray voltages VGMA are generated based on the reference gray voltage VGMA_R output from the gray voltage generator 330. The data driver 340 receives the first data signal DATA1 in a digital form based on the second control signal CNTL2 and the gray voltage VGMA applied from the timing controller 310, and outputs the data signals D1. And Dm), and output timings of the data signals D1, ..., Dm are controlled and output to the data lines DL1, ..., DLm.

The gate driver 350 includes a gate TCP 351. The gate TCP 351 may be formed in plural to drive n gate lines GL by dividing into a plurality of blocks.

The gate driver 350 generates gate signals in response to the third control signal CNTL3 applied by the timing controller 310 and the gate on / off voltage Von. Voff output from the power supply 320. G1, ..., Gn) are generated and sequentially output to the gate lines GL1, ..., GLn.

The touch position detector 400 detects the position coordinates of the point where the external pressure is applied when the external pressure is applied to the upper portion of the opposing substrate 220.

That is, when the first protrusion electrodes formed on the counter substrate 220 are in contact with the first signal wires formed on the array substrate 210 by the external pressure, the first signal wires are applied to the first signal wires. The initial driving voltage Vid is sensed to determine a position coordinate of the y-axis of the point where the external pressure is applied.

In addition, when the second protrusion electrodes formed on the array substrate 210 are in contact with the second signal wires formed on the array substrate 210 by the external pressure, they are applied to the second signal wires SL2. The positional coordinate of the x-axis is determined by detecting that the initial driving voltage Vid is changed.

To this end, the touch position detector 400 may include a voltage supply controller (not shown) that provides the initial driving voltage Vid to the first and second signal wires in response to the fifth control signal CNTL5. A data sampling unit which detects that the initial driving voltage Vid is changed in each of the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2 and outputs a first detection signal DS1 and a second detection signal DS2, respectively. (Not shown).

The touch position detector 400 may be formed in the data driver 340 included in the panel driver 300.

The position determiner 500 combines the position coordinates of the y-axis and the x-axis determined by the first and second detection signals DS1 and DS2 output from the touch position detector 400. The position at which external pressure is applied to the display panel 200 is determined.

3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an array substrate and an opposing substrate of the display panel illustrated in FIG. 2 separated from each other.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display panel 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an array substrate 210 and an opposing substrate 220.

A plurality of data lines DL formed in a first direction D1 and a plurality of gate lines GL formed in a second direction D2 are formed in the array substrate 210.

In addition, a plurality of first signal lines SL1 and a plurality of second signal lines SL2 are formed on the array substrate 210 to perform the touch screen function. The first signal lines SL1 extend in the first direction D1, and the second signal lines SL2 extend in the second direction D2.

In addition, the array substrate 210 further includes a plurality of sensing electrodes ES formed on the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2. Each of the sensing electrodes ES includes first and second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2 electrically connected to the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2 through contact holes CTH1 and CTH2, respectively. do.

A plurality of protrusion electrodes ER having a first length is formed on the opposing substrate 220 to perform the touch screen function, and to maintain a gap between the array substrate 210 and the opposing substrate 220. A plurality of support patterns 226 having a second length are formed. The protrusion electrodes ER and the support patterns 226 are directly formed on the base substrate so as to contact a base substrate (not shown) constituting the array substrate 210.

The protruding electrode ER may be connected to the first protruding electrodes ER1, which are in electrical contact with the first signal lines SL1, and the second protruding electrode ER2, which is in electrical contact with the second signal lines SL2. Include. In this case, the first protruding electrodes ER1 are formed on the opposing substrate 220 corresponding to the first sensing electrode ES1, and the second protruding electrodes ER2 are the second sensing electrodes. Is formed on the opposing substrate 220 corresponding to ES2).

In this case, since the first length of the protruding electrode ER is formed to be relatively smaller than the second length of the support pattern 226, the first protruding electrode ER1 is applied as an external pressure PO is applied. ) Are electrically in contact with the first sensing electrode ES1, and the second protrusion electrodes ER2 are in electrical contact with the second sensing electrode ES2.

Accordingly, the first and second signal wires SL1 and SL2 are formed in electrical contact with the first and second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2, respectively, and the first and second protrusion electrodes ER1 and ER2, respectively. Electrical contact.

In addition, a common voltage Vcom output from the power supply unit 320 shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the protrusion electrodes ER, and the power supply unit is applied to the first and second signal wires SL1 and SL2. The initial driving voltage Vid output from 320 is applied. The initial driving applied to the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2 at a position where the protrusion electrodes ER and the sensing electrodes ES are in contact with each other by the external pressure PO. The potential of the voltage Vid changes.

At this time, the potential variation of the initial driving voltage Vid in the first signal line SL1 is used to determine the position coordinate of the y-axis, that is, the direction of the first direction D1, and the second signal line SL2. The potential change of the initial driving voltage Vid at) is used to determine the position coordinate of the x-axis, that is, the second direction D2.

4 is a plan view schematically illustrating a portion of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an external pressure applied to the display panel shown in FIG.

4 and 5, the liquid crystal display panel 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an array substrate 210, an opposing substrate 220, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates (not shown). It includes.

The array substrate 210 is a substrate on which a plurality of pixels, which are a basic unit for displaying an image, is formed in a matrix form on the base substrate 210. The j th pixel Pji of the plurality of pixels includes a j th gate line GLj, an i th data line DLi, a j th TFT Tji, and a j th pixel electrode PEji.

The j-th gate line GLj extends in a first direction D1, and the i-th data line DLi extends in a second direction D2 crossing the first direction D1 to extend the j-th gate line. Intersect with the gate line GLj insulated.

The j th pixel line PAji is formed by the i th data line DLi and the j th gate line GLj which are adjacent to the i th data line DLi + 1 and the j th gate line GLj-1. ). The j th TFT Tji and the j th pixel electrode PEji are formed in the j th pixel region PAji.

The gate electrode G of the j th TFT Tji is branched from the j th gate line GLj, the source electrode S is branched from the i th data line DLi, and the drain electrode D is It is electrically connected to the ji pixel electrode PEji. Accordingly, the TFT Tji outputs the data signal applied to the i th data line DLi to the j th pixel electrode PEji in response to the gate signal applied to the j th gate line GLj.

In addition, the ji pixel Pji is applied with a common voltage Vcom, and further includes a ji storage voltage line SEji defining the storage capacitor Cst.

The array substrate 210 has first signal lines SL1 extending in a first direction D1 in parallel with the gate lines GL and a second direction D2 in parallel with the data lines DL. ) Second signal lines SL2 are formed.

The first signal lines SL1 may be formed on the same layout as the gate line GL, and the second signal lines SL2 may be formed on the same layout as the data line DL. have. An initial driving voltage Vid is provided to the first signal lines SL1 and the second signal lines SL2.

A first sensing electrode ES1 is formed on the array substrate 210 and is formed on the first signal lines SL1 and in electrical contact with the first protrusion electrode ER1 formed on the opposing substrate 220. do. In addition, a second sensing electrode ES2 is formed on the second signal line SL2 and is in electrical contact with the second protrusion electrode ER2 formed on the second substrate 120.

Referring to FIG. 5, the array substrate 210 includes a base substrate 211, a TFT array layer 212, and a pixel electrode PE.

The base substrate 211 is made of a transparent insulating material such as glass.

The TFT array layer 212 is provided on the base substrate 211. The TFT array layer 212 includes a plurality of TFTs, a passivation layer 213, a planarization layer 214, and a first signal line SL1.

Each of the plurality of TFTs includes a gate electrode 212a, a gate insulating film 212b, an active layer 212c, an ohmic contact layer 212d, a source electrode 212e, and a drain electrode 212f.

The protective film 213 is made of an organic insulating film covering the TFT.

The planarization layer 214 is formed of an organic insulating layer formed on the passivation layer 213 to planarize the first substrate 211.

In addition, a contact hole CTH3 for exposing the drain electrode 212f of the TFT is formed in the passivation layer 213 and the planarization layer 214.

Since the first signal line SL1 is formed on the same layout as the gate electrode 212a, the gate insulating layer 212b, the passivation layer 213, and the planarization layer 214 may be formed on the first signal line SL1. To cover the top. Therefore, the first signal line SL1 is electrically insulated from the first protrusion electrode ER1.

The pixel electrode PE is formed of a transparent conductive material, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), and is formed on the planarization layer 214 in a region corresponding to each pixel.

In the etching process of forming the pixel electrode PE, a first sensing electrode ES1 for electrically contacting the first signal line SL1 and the first protrusion electrode ER1 is simultaneously formed.

Therefore, the first sensing electrode ES1 is formed on the planarization layer 214 in the same manner as the pixel electrode PE.

The gate insulating layer 212b, the passivation layer 213, and the planarization layer 214 may connect the first signal line SL1 to electrically connect the first sensing electrode ES1 to the first signal line SL1. A contact hole (not shown) for exposing is formed.

The opposing substrate 220 includes a base substrate 221, a light blocking layer 222, a color filter layer 223, a planarization film 224, a protrusion pattern 225, a support pattern 226, and a common electrode layer 227. do.

The base substrate 221 is made of a transparent insulating material such as glass or polycarbonate (PC). The base substrate 221 uses a substrate made of a plastic material such as polycarbonate (PC) so that bending occurs even at a small external pressure in order to provide a touch screen function to the display panel 200. In addition, the base substrate 221 may be used after being formed to have a thin thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 mm by performing an etching or grinding process on the glass substrate.

The light blocking layer 222 is formed at a position corresponding to the thin film transistor TFT, the data line DL, the gate line GL, the first signal line SL1, and the second signal line SL2. The light blocking layer 222 blocks light passing through the liquid crystal in a region that is not controlled by the pixel electrode PE to improve the contrast ratio of the liquid crystal display panel.

The color filter layer 223 includes, for example, a red filter pattern R, a green filter pattern G, and a blue filter pattern B, and is formed at a position corresponding to the pixel. The color filter layer 223 preferably covers a portion of the light blocking film 222.

The planarization layer 224 is formed of an organic insulating layer formed on the color filter layer 223 to planarize the opposing substrate 220.

The protrusion pattern 225 and the support pattern 226 apply a photosensitive polymer organic material directly on the base substrate 221 on which the light blocking layer 222 is formed, and then expose an exposure mask on the photosensitive polymer organic material. It may be formed through a photo process to be developed later.

In this case, the protrusion pattern 225 and the support pattern 226 are formed to have different lengths based on different meltability depending on the optical environment of the photosensitive polymer organic material, that is, the degree of exposure. Accordingly, the support pattern 226 is formed to have a first length a1 in order to maintain the separation distance between the array substrate 210 and the opposing substrate 220, and the protrusion pattern 225 has a touch screen function. It is formed as a second length (a2) of a length relatively smaller than the first length (a1) to perform.

In addition, a plurality of protrusion patterns 225 are formed in regions corresponding to the first signal lines SL1 formed on the array substrate 210. Similarly, a plurality of protrusion patterns 225 are formed for each second signal wire SL2 in a region corresponding to the second signal wires SL2 formed on the array substrate 210.

The support pattern 226 may be formed inside a region of the light blocking layer 222 so as not to affect the light transmittance of the display panel 200 due to its shape. The support pattern 226 may be formed for each unit pixel or for each predetermined number of unit pixels. Preferably, it is formed in uniform density over the whole display panel.

The common electrode layer 227 is made of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or the like, which is a transparent conductive material, and covers the protrusion pattern 225 while the planarization film ( 224). In this case, the common electrode layer 227 is also formed on the support pattern 226, but the common electrode layer 227 formed on the support pattern 226 may be removed through a separate process.

Here, since the common electrode layer 227 covers the upper portion of the protrusion pattern 225, the protrusion pattern 225 and the common electrode layer 227 constitute the first protrusion electrodes ER1.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the first protrusion electrodes ER1 flow in the direction of the array substrate 221 together with the base substrate 221 that is bent by an external pressure PO, and thus the sensing electrode ES1. Is in electrical contact with As described above, as the protruding electrode ER and the sensing electrode ES contact each other, the potential level of the initial driving voltage Vid applied to the signal lines SL is changed to apply the external pressure PO. The position coordinates can be detected.

The first protruding electrode ER1 is formed inside the black matrix 126 region, and the first protruding electrode ER1 and the first sensing electrode ES1 are formed so as not to overlap with the transmissive region of the pixels, so that the aperture ratio of the pixels is increased. It is preferable to form so as not to affect.

To this end, the first signal line SL1 has a branch wiring BR branched from the signal line extending in the first direction D1 in the second direction D2, and the first signal line SL1 is formed. The protruding electrode ER1 and the first sensing electrode ES1 may be formed in the black matrix area where the branch wiring BR is formed.

In addition, in order to form the first protrusion electrode ER1, the j−1 th pixel Pji + 1, the j th pixel Pji, and the j th + 1 pixel (showing the colors of R, G, and B, respectively) It is preferable to form the light shielding layer 222 having a width sufficient to cover the first protrusion electrode ER1 between the unit pixel composed of Pji + 1 and the adjacent unit pixel.

Further, the first sensing electrode ES1 is formed on the same layout as the ji + 1 pixel electrode PEji + 1, and the ji + 1 pixel electrode PEji + 1 and the first sensing electrode ( In order to prevent coupling between the ES1, the ji + 1 pixel electrode PEji + 1 is formed to be spaced apart from the first sensing electrode ES1 by a predetermined distance. Therefore, the pixel electrode PEji + 1 adjacent to the first sensing electrode ES1 may be formed by being recessed into the ji + 1 pixel area PAji + 1.

Here, in one embodiment of the present invention, the protruding electrode ER and the signal wire SL are described using the first protruding electrode ER1 and the first signal wire SL1 as an example, but the second protrusion shown in FIG. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the electrode ER2 and the second signal wire SL2 may be formed in substantially the same manner.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second sensing electrodes ER1 and ER2 and the first and second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2 formed at positions corresponding thereto are different from each other. Although illustrated as being formed in the light blocking layer 222, the branch wiring BR and the second signal wiring SL2 of the first signal wiring SL1 are formed adjacent to each other in the same light blocking layer 222, and the first signal wiring SL1 is formed in the light blocking layer 222. The second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2 may be formed on the branch wiring BR and the second signal wiring SL2, respectively, to form the same light blocking layer 222.

In this case, the first and second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2 are formed adjacent to each other in the same light blocking layer 222, and the first and second protrusion electrodes ER1 are integrally formed. , ER2) may be formed as one integrated protrusion electrode.

Herein, a method of performing the touch screen function of the display panel will be described.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram illustrating a touch position detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the touch position detector illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the timing diagram of FIG. 7.

7 and 8, a fifth control output from the timing controller 310 shown in FIG. 1 in a state in which the common voltage Vcom is applied to the common electrode layer 227 shown in FIG. 5 (before SY1). The voltage supply controller 410 is driven in response to the signal CNTL5, and the initial driving voltage Vid output from the power supply unit 320 is provided to the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2 (SY1). ~ SY2).

In this state, predetermined protrusion electrodes ER1p + q and ER2p + q of the first and second protrusion electrodes ER1 and ER2 formed on the first and second signal wires SL1 and SL2 are formed. When the first and second signal wires SL1 and SL2 are in contact with each other by an external pressure PO (SY2 to SY3), the first and second contacts the protruding electrodes ER1p + q and ER2p + q. The potential level of the signal lines SL1 and SL2 is varied.

In this case, when the potential level of the common voltage Vcom is relatively lower than the potential level of the initial driving voltage Vid, for example, the common voltage Vcom is provided with a voltage of 0 V, and the initial driving When a voltage of 5 V is provided as the voltage Vid, current flowing through the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2 moves to the common electrode layer 227, and the first and second signal lines The potentials of the SL1 and SL2 are formed close to the potential level of the common voltage Vcom (SY3 to SY4).

Under these conditions, the data sampling unit 420 latches the changed potential levels of the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2 in response to the sampling signal SS provided from the timing controller 310. The first and second detection signals DS1 and DS2 are generated and output.

To this end, the data sampling unit 420 may include a latch that receives the sampling signal SS as a control input.

The data sampling unit 420 may be formed independently for each of the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2. In addition, the voltage supply controller 410 may be formed of a switching element such as a MOS transistor, and the voltage supply controller 410 may be commonly connected to both the first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2. .

Subsequently, the positioning unit 500 illustrated in FIG. 1 may determine the y-axis and x− of the respective y-axes determined by the first and second detection signals DS1 and DS2 output from the data sampling unit 420. The position where the external pressure is applied to the display panel 200 is determined by combining the position coordinates of the axes.

9 through 16 are cross-sectional views illustrating a process of manufacturing a display substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the manufacturing process of the opposing substrate including the projection pattern and the support pattern shown in FIG. 5 is shown.

Referring to FIG. 9, the pixels are partitioned on the base substrate 221 forming the opposing substrate, and the light blocking layer 222 is formed to prevent light from flowing into the pixels. In this case, the light shielding layer 222 may be a metal thin film such as chromium (Cr) or a carbonate-based organic material, and a double layer such as chromium / chromium oxide (Cr / CrOx) for the purpose of low reflection. It may be formed into a film structure.

Referring to FIG. 10, a photosensitive polymer organic PP is coated on the entire surface of the base substrate 221 on which the light blocking layer 222 is formed. In this case, it is preferable that the thickness of the photosensitive polymer organic material PP be applied to be equal to the second length a2 of the support pattern 226 shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 11, an exposure mask MASK is spaced apart from the photosensitive polymer organic PP at a predetermined interval b, and a light source is disposed on the exposure mask MASK, so that the photosensitive polymer organic PP is disposed. Is exposed. The exposure mask MASK is made of a light blocking material such as chromium (Cr) that can block light. In addition, a first mask pattern MP1 and a second mask pattern MP2 are formed in the exposure mask MASK, and a light blocking region LCA is formed in a region other than the mask patterns MP1 and MP2. do.

In this case, the first mask pattern MP1 is a mask pattern for forming a support pattern on the base substrate 221, and the second mask pattern MP2 forms a protrusion pattern on the base substrate 221. It is a mask pattern for forming. In addition, the first mask pattern MP1 has a shape substantially the same as that of the second mask pattern MP2 and is formed to have a relatively large size. For example, when the first and second mask patterns MP1 and MP2 are formed in a circular shape, the diameter of the first mask pattern MP1 is wider than the diameter of the second mask pattern MP2.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the photosensitive polymer organic material PP is exposed using the exposure type mask, the first and second mask patterns MP1 and MP2 may be exposed. The photosensitive polymer organic PP in the corresponding region is full exposed, but the photosensitive organic PP in the region corresponding to the light blocking region LCA is not exposed.

In addition, a difference in the degree of diffraction of light occurs according to the sizes of the first and second mask patterns MP1 and MP2, and thus a difference in exposure amount occurs. That is, the first mask pattern MP1 having a relatively large size has a smaller diffraction degree of light than the second mask pattern MP2 having a relatively small size. According to the degree of diffraction of the light, the photosensitive polymer organic material PP in the region corresponding to the first mask pattern MP1 is exposed to the photosensitive polymer organic PP in the region corresponding to the second mask pattern MP2. Will become large.

When the photosensitive polymer organic material (PP) having a difference in the exposure amount is developed after the baking process, the photosensitive polymer organic material PP corresponding to the light blocking area is removed, and the difference in the exposure amount is applied. Accordingly, a support pattern 226 having a first length a1 is formed under the first mask pattern MP1 while maintaining the thickness of the photosensitive polymer organic PP initially applied.

In addition, the projection pattern 225 having the second length a2 may be formed by removing the photosensitive polymer organic material PP by a predetermined step below the second mask pattern MP2 according to the difference in the exposure amount. Is formed.

The first length a1 of the support pattern 226 and the second length a2 of the protrusion pattern 225 may be controlled by the spaced distance b between the photosensitive polymer organic PP and the exposure mask MASK. Can be. That is, in the case of a proximity type exposure method, since the exposure process is performed by a facility capable of adjusting the separation interval b, when the separation interval b is increased, the orthogonality of the light decreases and the exposure amount decreases. When the separation distance b decreases, the length of the support pattern 226 and the protrusion pattern 225 is controlled by controlling the exposure degree of the photosensitive polymer organic material PP by using the principle that the orthogonality of light increases to increase the exposure amount. Can be controlled. Preferably, the support pattern 226 and the protrusion pattern 225 are formed on the light blocking layer 222.

In summary, when the exposure and development processes are performed using the mask patterns MP1 and MP2 formed on the exposure mask MASK as shown in FIG. 17, the photosensitive polymer organic material is proportional to the size of the mask patterns MP1 and MP2. The thickness of the residual film of (PP) is determined. In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, the thickness of the remaining film of the photosensitive polymer organic material PP is determined in inverse proportion to the separation distance b between the exposure mask MASK and the photosensitive polymer organic material PP.

Referring to FIG. 13, the color filter layer 223 is formed on the base substrate 221 on which the support pattern 226 and the protrusion pattern 225 are formed. The color filter layer 223 is formed at a position where the color filter patterns of R, G, and B correspond to the pixel with respect to the light blocking layer 224.

In this case, the color filter layer 223 is preferably formed by a spin coating method having excellent thickness uniformity, and a pigment forming a color filter according to the spin coating is formed by the support pattern 226 and the protrusion pattern. The color filter layer 223 is not formed on the support pattern 226 and the protrusion pattern 225 because it is ejected in a region lower than the upper portion of 225.

Referring to FIG. 14, in order to protect the color filter layer 223 on the base substrate 221 on which the color filter layer 223 is formed and to planarize the counter substrate 220, an acrylic or The planarization film 224 is formed using a polyimide resin.

Referring to FIG. 15, the liquid crystal is deposited by sputtering ITO, which is a transparent electrode having good permeability and conductivity and excellent chemical and thermal stability on the base substrate 221 on which the planarization layer 224 is formed. The common electrode layer 227 applying the common voltage Vcom to the material is formed. Accordingly, the protrusion pattern 225 and the common electrode layer 227 constitute one protrusion electrode ER, and are electrically contacted with the signal wire SL shown in FIG. By changing the potential level of (Vid) it is possible to detect the position coordinates to which the external pressure is applied.

Referring to FIG. 16, as the common electrode layer 227 is formed by sputtering, the common electrode layer 227 is coated on the support pattern 226. This is a change in the common voltage Vcom applied to the common electrode layer 227 by being in electrical contact with the array substrate 210 illustrated in FIG. 5, or as a common voltage Vcom for the elements formed in the array substrate 210. The non-conductive support pattern 226 is formed through a separate process so as not to have an electrical effect.

In the present invention, the photosensitive polymer organic material (PP) in the region exposed to the mask pattern has been described as being formed through a negative exposure process in which the development process is carried out, but the positive method is the reverse method. It can also be formed through the exposure process of.

According to the present invention as described above, the opposite substrate of the display panel having a touch screen function to be in electrical contact with the array substrate on which the first and second signal lines for sensing the touch position is determined to determine the position coordinates of the touch position. The display substrate may be formed by simultaneously forming a projection pattern, which is in electrical contact with the first and second signal wires, and detects a position coordinate of a touch position through a single process with a support member that maintains a separation distance between the array substrate and the opposing substrate. Can reduce the manufacturing process.

Accordingly, the manufacturing process of the display panel may be simplified to improve manufacturing convenience, and manufacturing cost may be reduced.

Although described above with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be variously modified and changed within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below I can understand that you can.

Claims (24)

A touch screen function in which a plurality of pixels are defined by gate lines and data lines, and are electrically contacted with an array substrate on which first and second signal lines for sensing a touch position are formed to determine position coordinates of the touch position. In a display substrate of a display panel having a The display substrate A base substrate; A support pattern formed directly on the base substrate to a first length to maintain a constant distance from the array substrate; And And a first and second protrusion pattern formed on the base substrate to have a second length and in electrical contact with the first and second signal lines, respectively, at the touch position. The display substrate of claim 1, wherein the first length is longer than the second length. The display substrate of claim 2, wherein a conductive film is formed on the first and second protrusion patterns. The display substrate of claim 3, wherein the first and second protrusion patterns are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. The display substrate of claim 3, wherein the first and second protrusion patterns are adjacent to each other. The display device of claim 3, further comprising: a light blocking layer formed on the base substrate to define the base substrate as a plurality of pixel portions. The support pattern and the first and second protrusion patterns are formed on the light blocking layer. The display substrate of claim 1, wherein a conductive film is formed on the first and second protrusion patterns. The display substrate of claim 7, wherein the first length is longer than the second length. The method of claim 8, further comprising a light blocking layer formed on the base substrate to define a plurality of pixels. The support pattern and the first and second protrusion patterns are formed on the light blocking layer. The display substrate of claim 1, wherein the support pattern and the first and second protrusion patterns are formed by a single exposure process. A touch screen function in which a plurality of pixels are defined by gate lines and data lines, and are electrically contacted with an array substrate on which first and second signal lines for sensing a touch position are formed to determine position coordinates of the touch position. In a display substrate of a display panel having a (a) applying an organic layer on the base substrate; (b) disposing an exposure mask on which the first mask pattern for forming the support pattern and the second mask patterns for forming the first and second protrusion patterns are formed on the organic layer; (c) exposing the organic layer by maintaining a constant distance between the exposure mask and the organic layer; And and (d) developing the exposed organic material layer to form the support pattern and the projection patterns. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming a light blocking layer on the base substrate, the light blocking layer defining a pixel portion. The method of claim 12, wherein the length of the support pattern and the protrusion pattern is controlled according to the separation interval of the step (c). The method of claim 11, (e) removing the organic layer of the photosensitive region and then forming a color filter layer; (f) forming a conductive layer on the base substrate on which the color filter layer is formed; And and (g) patterning the conductive layer to remove the conductive layer in a region corresponding to the support member. The method of claim 14, wherein in the step (e), the color filter layer is formed by spin coating. The method of claim 11, wherein the support pattern and the protrusion pattern are formed by a proximity type exposure method. An array substrate in which a plurality of pixels are defined by gate lines and data lines, and first signal lines and second signal lines for sensing a touch position are formed in the same direction as the gate lines and data lines, respectively; And A counter substrate coupled with the array substrate to receive a liquid crystal material; The opposite substrate is A light blocking layer formed on the base substrate to correspond to the gate and data lines; A support pattern formed directly on the light shielding layer at a first length and maintaining a constant distance from the array substrate; And And first and second protrusion patterns directly formed on the light blocking layer to have a second length. The display panel of claim 17, wherein the first and second protrusion patterns are formed on a light blocking layer corresponding to the data line. The display panel of claim 18, wherein the first and second protrusion patterns are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. The display panel of claim 18, wherein the first and second protrusion patterns are adjacent to each other. The display panel of claim 17, wherein a conductive film is formed on the first and second protrusion patterns. The method of claim 21, wherein the array substrate First and second sensing electrodes respectively formed on the first and second signal lines and electrically connecting the first and second protrusion patterns on which the conductive layer is formed, and the first and second signal lines, respectively. A display panel further comprising an electrode. The display panel of claim 17, wherein the support pattern and the first and second protrusion patterns are formed in a proximity type exposure method. The display panel of claim 23, wherein the first length is longer than the second length.

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