KR20080047832A - Liduid crystal display and method of fabricating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid crystal panel and its fabrication method are provided to uniformly form a liquid crystal layer and improve a production yield and display quality. TFTs(Thin Film Transistors) and a gate insulating layer are formed on the first base substrate(S110). Color filters are formed on the gate insulating layer(S120). Pixel electrodes are formed on the color filters(S130) to thus complete an array substrate. Black matrixes and a common electrode are formed on the second base substrate to complete a counter substrate(S140). Liquid crystal is dropped to an upper portion of the first base substrate with the pixel electrodes formed thereon to form a liquid crystal layer(S150). The array substrate and the counter substrate are combined with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween to complete a liquid crystal panel(S160).

Description

Liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing method thereof {LIDUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME}

1 is a plan view illustrating a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 1.

3 is a plan view illustrating the color filter illustrated in FIG. 2.

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

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of forming the color filter illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the mask illustrated in FIG. 6.

8 is a plan view illustrating another example of the color filter illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a mask for forming the color filter illustrated in FIG. 8.

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

100-Array Board 200-Counter Board

300-Liquid Crystal Layer 400-Liquid Crystal Display Panel

410-Photosensitive layer 420, 430-Mask

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device capable of improving screen quality.

In general, the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image and a backlight assembly for providing light to the liquid crystal display panel.

The liquid crystal display panel includes an array substrate, a color filter substrate facing the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate. The array substrate is composed of a plurality of pixel portions which are the minimum units representing the image. Each pixel portion includes a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode. The thin film transistor switches the pixel voltage provided to the liquid crystal layer. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistor and faces the common electrode formed on the color filter substrate with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. On the other hand, the color filter layer formed on the color filter substrate is composed of a plurality of color pixels, and each color pixel is provided in an area corresponding to the area where each pixel portion is formed to display an image.

As described above, since the LCD is normally displayed only when the pixel and the pixel portion are aligned, the alignment between the color pixel and the pixel portion should be precisely performed.

In order to minimize the energy error between the color pixels and the pixel portion, a COA liquid crystal display panel in which a color filter is formed on an array substrate has been developed. However, since the COA liquid crystal display panel does not have a black matrix between two adjacent color pixels, the COA liquid crystal display panel partially overlaps each other at a boundary between two adjacent color pixels, thereby causing a step. That is, the thickness of the portion where the color pixels overlap each other is formed in the array substrate to be thicker than the thickness of other regions. Therefore, when the amount of liquid crystal is insufficient, since the liquid crystal layer is not formed at the portion where the color pixels overlap with each other, a region in which the liquid crystal is not formed appears in the form of a line, and the display quality and the yield of the product are reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display panel in which the liquid crystal layer can be formed uniformly.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing the above-described liquid crystal display panel.

A liquid crystal display panel according to one feature for realizing the above object of the present invention comprises an array substrate, an opposing substrate, and a liquid crystal layer.

The array substrate includes a first base substrate, at least one pixel portion formed on the first base substrate to display an image, and a color filter formed on the first base substrate. Specifically, the color filter, at least one first pixel to express a first color using the light, and a second color different from the first color by using the light, and the first color Located adjacent to the pixel, a first end overlaps with the first color pixel, and when viewed in plan view, the first end includes at least one second color pixel having a first uneven pattern. On the other hand, the opposing substrate is coupled to face the array substrate, the liquid crystal layer is interposed between the array substrate and the opposing substrate to adjust the light transmittance.

In addition, the first color pixel has a second uneven pattern at the second end overlapping the second color pixel, and the second uneven pattern is continuously along the direction in which the second end of the first color pixel extends. Is formed.

Meanwhile, the first pixel has the same shape as the second pixel, and the first and second color pixels have a second uneven pattern of the first pixel and a first uneven pattern of the second pixel. Are interlocked with each other.

In addition, the liquid crystal display panel manufacturing method according to one feature for realizing the above object of the present invention is as follows.

First, at least one thin film transistor is formed on the first base substrate. A color filter including at least two color pixels having different colors is formed on the first base substrate. A pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor is formed on the color filter. Meanwhile, a common electrode is formed on the second base substrate. A liquid crystal layer is formed on the color filter, and the first base substrate and the second base substrate are coupled with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween.

Here, two color pixels having different colors among the color pixels and adjacent to each other are formed such that one end thereof overlaps each other, and in plan view, one of the overlapping ends has a first uneven pattern. .

According to the liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, the liquid crystal layer is uniformly formed by minimizing portions overlapping each other between the color pixels, thereby improving product yield and display quality.

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

1 is a plan view illustrating a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the liquid crystal display panel 400 of the present invention is an array substrate 100, an opposing substrate 200 facing the array substrate 100, and the array substrate 100 facing the array substrate 100. And a liquid crystal layer 300 interposed between the substrate 200 and the substrate 200.

The array substrate 100 includes a first base substrate 110, a gate line DL, a plurality of data lines DL1 to DL3, a pixel portion PX, and a color filter 140.

The first base substrate 110 defines a plurality of pixel areas for displaying an image, and the pixel areas include first to third pixel areas PA1 to PA3.

The gate line GL extends in the first direction D1 on the upper surface of the first base substrate 110 and transmits a gate signal. The data lines DL1 to DL3 are formed on the first base substrate 110 and transmit data signals. The data lines DL1 to DL3 extend in a second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1, and cross each other to be insulated from the gate line GL. In addition, the data lines DL1 to DL3 include first to third data lines DL1 to DL3, and the first to third data lines DL1 to DL3 are together with the gate line GL. The first to third pixel areas PA1 to PA3 are defined.

The pixel portion PX is formed in each of the first to third pixel regions PA1 to PA3. The pixel portion PX includes a thin film transistor 120 and a pixel electrode 130 electrically connected to the thin film transistor 120. The thin film transistor 120 includes a gate electrode 121 branched from the gate line GL, a semiconductor layer 122 formed on the gate electrode 121, and a source formed on the semiconductor layer 122. An electrode 123 and a drain electrode 124 are included. The source electrode 123 formed in the first pixel area PA1 is branched from the first data line DL1. The pixel electrode 130 is formed on an upper surface of the color filter 140 and is electrically connected to the drain electrode 124 to output a pixel voltage. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pixel electrode 130 has one side in parallel with the first to third data lines DL1 to DL3 in the first direction D1 in which a central portion thereof extends the gate line GL. It has a shape bent into). In addition, the pixel electrode 130 is partially removed to form two pixel openings, and the two pixel openings extend in the first direction D1 to extend the first to third pixel areas PA1 to PA3. Tilt at an angle with respect to any imaginary line across the central portion of c). In this case, the two pixel openings are formed symmetrically with respect to the virtual line.

The array substrate 100 further includes a common voltage line CL for transmitting a common voltage and first and second storage lines SL1 and SL2. The common voltage line CL extends in the same direction as the gate line GL, and the first and second storage lines are branched from the common voltage line CL. Each of the first and second storage lines SL1 and SL2 is formed in each of the pixel areas PA1 to PA3, extends in the second direction D2, and faces each other. In a plan view, the first and second storage lines SL1 and SL2 partially overlap the pixel electrode 130 to form a storage capacitor between the pixel electrode 130 and the pixel electrode 130.

In addition, the array substrate 100 further includes a connection electrode 160 for electrically connecting common voltage lines adjacent to each other. The connection electrode 160 is made of the same material as the pixel electrode 130, is formed on the same layer as the pixel electrode 130, and is positioned in different pixel areas in the second direction D2. Electrically connect the storage line and the common voltage line.

In addition, the array substrate 100 further includes a gate insulating layer 150 formed on the first base substrate 110. The gate insulating layer 150 may include wirings formed on an upper surface of the first base substrate 110, for example, the gate line GL, the gate electrode 121, the common voltage line CL, and the first and second lines. Covers the second storage lines SL1 and SL2.

The color filter 140 is disposed on the gate insulating layer 150, and the color filter 140 is formed on the upper surface of the gate insulating layer 150, for example, the source and drain electrodes 123 and 124. ) And the first to third data lines DL1 to DL3. In detail, the color filter 140 includes blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 expressing a predetermined color by using light, and each color pixel 141, 142, and 143 may be formed in each color pixel. The pixel regions PA1, PA2, and PA3 are formed correspondingly. In an exemplary embodiment, the blue pixel 141 is formed in the first pixel area PA1, the green pixel 142 is formed in the second pixel area PA2, and the third pixel is formed in the first pixel area PA1. The red pixel 143 is formed in the area PA3. Details of the configuration of the blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

On the other hand, the counter substrate 200 is provided on the array substrate 100. The opposing substrate 200 may include a second base substrate 210 facing the first base substrate 110, a black matrix 220 formed on an upper surface of the second base substrate 210 to block light, and The common electrode 230 is formed on the second base substrate 210. The black matrix 220 is formed in a region corresponding to a region in which the gate lines GL, the first to third data lines DL1 to DL3, and the thin film transistor 120 are formed. The common electrode 230 outputs a common voltage, and a plurality of openings are formed in respective regions corresponding to the pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3. The openings may include first to third openings 231, 232, and 233. The first opening 231 has a shape in which a central portion thereof is bent in the first direction D1. The second opening 232 and the third opening 233 are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the imaginary line crossing the first to third pixel areas PA1 to PA3 when viewed in a plan view. Position them symmetrically with respect to the line.

Each pixel area PA1, PA2, and PA3 is divided into a plurality of domains by pixel openings of the pixel electrode 130 and openings 231, 232, and 233 of the common electrode 230. The liquid crystals of the layer 300 are oriented differently for each domain.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a plan view illustrating the color filter illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II ′ of FIG. 3.

2 to 4, the blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 are made of a photosensitive material. The blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 are disposed in the first direction D1, and two color pixels adjacent to the first direction D1 partially overlap each other. In an embodiment of the present invention, color pixels having the same color are formed in the pixel areas disposed adjacent to the second direction D2, and different pixel areas are disposed adjacent to the first direction D1. Color pixels of color are formed. In addition, as an example of the present invention, the color filter 140 is formed in the order of the blue, green and red color pixels (141, 142, 143).

In detail, the green color pixel 142 is positioned between the blue color pixel 141 and the red color pixel 143 and borders the blue color pixel 141 and the red color pixel 143, respectively. In the regions OLA1 and OLA2, the blue color 141 and the red color 143 partially overlap each other. That is, the first end 142a of the green color pixel 142 extends in the second direction D2 and is positioned in the first boundary area OLA1 in contact with the blue color pixel 141. The first boundary area OLA1 is located in an area where the first data line DL1 is formed. The first end 142a of the green color pixel 142 has a first concave-convex pattern consisting of a convex portion and a concave portion when viewed in plan view.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first end 142a of the green color pixel 142 is formed on an upper surface of the blue color pixel 141 at a portion where the convex portion is formed. On the other hand, since the recessed portion is removed from the upper surface of the blue color pixel 141, as shown in FIG. 4, the concave portion is not formed in contact with the upper surface of the blue color pixel 141 and is formed to have the same thickness as the peripheral portion. do. Accordingly, the first boundary region OLA1 has a smaller thickness than the region on which the convex portion is formed. In addition, the thickness of the region where the concave portion is formed is an area excluding the second boundary region OLA2 in which the green color pixel 142 and the red color pixel 143 are in contact with each other in the second pixel area PA2. It is formed to the same thickness as the area AA.

As described above, since the green color pixel 142 is partially removed from the first boundary area OLA1, the thickness difference between the first boundary area OLA1 and the effective area AA may be minimized. Accordingly, even if the liquid crystal amount of the liquid crystal layer 300 is less than the reference amount, the liquid crystal layer 300 may be prevented from being formed in the first boundary region OLA1.

On the other hand, the second end 141b of the green color pixel 142 is positioned in the second boundary area OLA2 in contact with the red color pixel 143 and has a linear shape. The second end 141b of the green pixel 142 partially overlaps the red color 143. In this embodiment, the blue color pixel 141 and the red color pixel 143 have the same shape as the green color pixel 142. That is, each of the first ends 141a and 143a of the blue and red color pixels 141 and 143 corresponding to the first end 142a of the green color pixel 142 has the first uneven pattern. Each of the second ends 141b and 143b of the blue and red pixels 141 and 143 corresponding to the second end 142b of the green pixel 142 has a straight shape. In the present embodiment, the blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 have first uneven patterns formed at the first ends 141a, 142a, and 143a, respectively. However, the blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 have the first end portions 141a, 142a, and 143a formed in a straight line shape, and the second end portions 141b, 142b, and 143b have a straight line shape. It may be formed of the first uneven pattern.

As described above, the blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 have the first uneven pattern formed at the first ends 141a, 142a, and 143a, and thus are adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. Minimize the area where the color pixels overlap. Accordingly, the liquid crystal layer 300 may be uniformly formed even in an area in which color pixels adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 overlap each other, thereby improving product yield and display quality.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 400 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 5, first, the thin film transistor 120 and the gate insulating layer 150 are formed on the first base substrate 110 (step S110).

The color filter 140 is formed on the gate insulating layer 150 (step S120), and the pixel electrode 130 is formed on the top surface of the color filter 140 (step S130). As a result, the array substrate 100 is completed. Here, the process of forming the color filter 140 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Meanwhile, the black substrate 220 and the common electrode 230 are formed on the second base substrate 210 to complete the counter substrate 200 (step S140).

The liquid crystal layer 300 is formed by dropping liquid crystal on the first base substrate 110 on which the pixel electrode 130 is formed (step S150).

The liquid crystal display panel 400 is completed by combining the array substrate 100 and the counter substrate 200 with the liquid crystal layer 300 therebetween (step S160).

6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of forming the color filter illustrated in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the mask illustrated in FIG. 6.

2 and 6, the blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143 are formed through the same process, respectively. Therefore, hereinafter, in the description of the process of forming the blue, green, and red color pixels 141, 142, and 143, the process of forming the blue color 141 is described as an example, and the green and red colors are described. A description of the formation process of the color pixels 142 and 143 is omitted.

Referring to the process of forming the blue pixel 141, first, a blue photosensitive layer 140 is deposited on the gate insulating layer 150 on which the data lines DL1 to DL3 are formed.

Subsequently, a mask 420 is formed on the photosensitive layer 420 including a blocking part 421 for blocking ultraviolet rays (UV) and a transmission part 422 for transmitting the ultraviolet rays.

6 and 7, the transmission part 422 of the mask 420 is formed in an area corresponding to the first pixel area PA1, and the width of the mask 420 is larger than that of the first pixel area PA1. do. When viewed in plan view, the first surface 422a extending in the second direction D2 among the surfaces defining the transmissive portion 422 has the first uneven pattern and faces the first surface 422a. The second surface 422b has a straight shape.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the photosensitive layer 420 is made of a negative photoresist in which the portion exposed to the ultraviolet (UV) is not removed. Accordingly, in the photosensitive layer 420, an area except for an area corresponding to the transmission part 422, that is, an area corresponding to the blocking part 421 is removed, and thus, the first pixel area PA1 is removed. The blue pixel 141 (see FIG. 2) is formed. Here, the photosensitive layer 420 is patterned in the same shape as the transmission portion 422, so that the blue color 141 is an end corresponding to the first surface 422a of the transmission portion 422, that is, the The first uneven pattern is formed at the first end 141a (see FIG. 3).

Although not shown, the green color pixel 142 and the red color pixel 143 are similarly formed through an etching process using the mask 420.

8 is a plan view illustrating another example of the color filter illustrated in FIG. 3.

1 and 8, the color filter 160 includes blue, green, and red color pixels 161, 162, and 163, and the blue, green, and red color pixels 161, 162, and 163 correspond to the color filter 160. The gate line GL is disposed adjacent to the first direction D1 extending. That is, the green color pixel 162 is positioned between the blue color pixel 161 and the red color pixel 163 and is in contact with the blue color pixel 161 and the red color pixel 163. When viewed in a plan view, the first ends 161a, 162a, and 163a of the blue, green, and red color pixels 161, 162, and 163 extending in the second direction D2 have a first uneven pattern. Each of the second ends 161b, 162b, and 163b extending in the second direction D2 has a second uneven pattern. The first and second uneven patterns may include a convex portion and a concave portion, and the convex portions and the concave portions of the first uneven pattern are alternately positioned with the convex portions and the concave portions of the second uneven pattern. For example, the convex portion of the first concave-convex pattern formed at the first end of the green color pixel 162 is inserted into the concave portion of the second concave-convex pattern formed at the second end 161b of the blue color pixel 161. The convex portion of the second concave-convex pattern formed at the second end 161b of the blue color pixel 162 is inserted into the concave portion of the first concave-convex pattern formed at the first end 162a of the green color pixel 162.

As described above, since both boundary surfaces of the blue, green, and red color pixels 161, 162, and 163 respectively have the first and second uneven patterns, two adjacent color pixels do not overlap each other. Accordingly, since the array substrate 100 has a uniform thickness, the liquid crystal layer 300 may be formed to have a uniform thickness, and thus the yield and display quality of the product may be improved.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a mask for forming the color filter illustrated in FIG. 8.

8 and 9, the mask 430 of the present invention is used to etch and pattern each photosensitive layer for forming the blue, green, and red color pixels 161, 162, and 163, respectively. The mask 430 includes a blocking part 431 for blocking ultraviolet rays and a transmission part 432 for transmitting the ultraviolet rays. The first surface 432a extending in the first direction D1 among the surfaces defining the transmissive part 432 has the first uneven pattern and faces the first surface 432a and the second surface 432b. ) Has the second uneven pattern. Since each photosensitive layer is patterned in the same shape as the transmissive part 432, the first uneven pattern may be formed at each of the first ends 161a, 162a, and 163a of the blue, green, and red color pixels 161, 162, and 163a. The second uneven pattern is formed at each of the second ends 161b, 162b, and 163b.

According to the present invention as described above, the portion of the two adjacent color pixels overlap each other is reduced to minimize the step of the array substrate. Accordingly, the liquid crystal display panel can uniformly form the liquid crystal layer, and can improve the yield and display quality of the product.

Although described with reference to the embodiments above, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can 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 (10)

An array substrate having a first base substrate, at least one pixel portion formed on the first base substrate to display an image, and a color filter formed on the first base substrate; An opposing substrate facing and coupled to the array substrate; And A liquid crystal layer interposed between the array substrate and the counter substrate to control light transmittance; The color filter, At least one first pixel expressing a first color using the light; And The light is used to express a second color different from the first color, and is positioned adjacent to the first color pixel, and the first end portion overlaps with the first color pixel, when viewed in plan view, the first color. A liquid crystal display panel, characterized in that the end portion includes at least one second color pixel having a first uneven pattern. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 1, wherein the first uneven pattern is continuously formed in a direction in which the first end of the second color pixel extends. The method of claim 1, The first color pixel has a second end portion overlapping the second color pixel has a second uneven pattern, and the second uneven pattern is continuously formed along a direction in which the second end portion of the first color pixel extends. A liquid crystal display panel characterized by the above. The method of claim 3, The first and second color pixels have the same shape, And the first and second color pixels are positioned such that the second uneven pattern of the first color pixel and the first uneven pattern of the second color pixel are engaged with each other. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second color pixels have the same shape. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 1, wherein the first and first color pixels are formed of one of red, green, and blue color pixels, respectively. The method of claim 1, wherein the pixel unit, A thin film transistor formed on an upper surface of the first base substrate; And And a pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor to output a pixel voltage and formed on an upper surface of the color filter. Forming at least one thin film transistor on the first base substrate; Forming a color filter on the first base substrate, the color filter comprising at least two different color pixels; Forming a pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor on the color filter; Forming a common electrode on the second base substrate; Forming a liquid crystal layer on the color filter; And Coupling the first base substrate and the second base substrate with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, Two color pixels having different colors and adjacent to each other among the color pixels are formed such that one end thereof overlaps each other, and in plan view, one of the overlapping ends has a first uneven pattern formed thereon. A liquid crystal display panel manufacturing method. The method of claim 8, wherein the forming of each of the color pixels is performed by: Forming a photosensitive layer; Disposing a mask formed on an upper portion of the photosensitive layer, the mask including a transmitting part transmitting light and a blocking part blocking the light, wherein the first uneven pattern is formed on at least one of the surfaces defining the transmitting part; And And forming a color pixel by patterning the photosensitive layer through an etching process using the mask. The method of claim 9, wherein forming each of the color pixels is performed by: The method may further include forming a second uneven pattern at an end of the overlapping ends except for an end at which the first uneven pattern is formed. And the second concave-convex pattern is further formed on a surface of the mask facing a surface on which the first concave-convex pattern is formed.

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