KR20160060416A - Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, provided is a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a planarization layer, a touch sensing electrode and a column spacer. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate, and the planarization layer is disposed on the first substrate. The touch sensing electrode is also disposed on the planarization layer, and an alignment film is disposed on the touch sensing electrode. In addition, the column spacer is disposed under the second substrate. The planarization layer has a hole having a lower surface in an area corresponding to the column spacer, and part of the touch sensing electrode is disposed on the lower surface of the hole. As the part of the touch sensing electrode is arranged inside the hole, even if the column spacer and the touch sensing electrode are disposed to overlap with each other, distance between the touch sensing electrode and the column spacer may be maintained to a desired extent. Accordingly, damage to the alignment film due to the column spacer is minimized.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the same,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device with improved durability and a method of manufacturing the same by securing a distance between a push column spacer and an orientation film, .

A liquid crystal display device is a display device including a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display is driven by adjusting the transmittance of light from a light source such as a backlight unit. Recently, there is an increasing demand for liquid crystal displays having high resolution and low power consumption.

1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining a conventional liquid crystal display device. Referring to FIG. 1A, in a conventional liquid crystal display device 10, a black matrix 22 and a color filter 23 for preventing color mixing between sub-pixels are disposed under the second substrate 21. The color filters 23 overlap each other in the black matrix 22. An upper planarization layer 24 is formed under the color filter 23 and a push column spacer 25 and a gap column spacer 26 are disposed under the upper planarization layer 24. [ An upper alignment layer 16a is disposed under the upper planarization layer 24, the push column spacer 25, and the gap column spacer 26. [ The first substrate 11 is disposed opposite to the second substrate 21. A data line 13 is disposed on the first substrate 11 and a lower planarization layer 14, an insulating layer 15 and a lower alignment layer 16b are sequentially disposed on the data line 13.

As a method of performing alignment treatment on the alignment films 16a and 16b, a contact method such as a rubbing method is used. The rubbing method is a method of securing the alignment control force of the alignment film by rubbing the fiber on the alignment film. On the other hand, there is a non-contact method as another method of performing alignment treatment on the alignment films 16a and 16b. Among non-contact methods, an alignment method using ultraviolet (UV) light has attracted attention.

The alignment method using UV light can reduce the light leakage due to the alignment film scratch which can be caused by the contact method such as the rubbing method or disclination which is a disturbance occurring in the atomic arrangement in the liquid crystal crystal due to the step of the thin film transistor pattern And a liquid crystal display panel having a high contrast ratio can be realized. In addition, since the orientation method using UV light can secure more uniform visual acuity in the diagonal direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel as compared with the contact method, the viewing angle is improved and efforts to orientate the orientation film using the UV light continue have.

On the other hand, the hardness of the alignment films 16a, 16b subjected to alignment treatment by the UV light-based alignment method is generally lower than the hardness of the alignment film subjected to the alignment treatment by the rubbing method. When the hardness of the alignment films 16a and 16b is low, the alignment films 16a and 16b are damaged by the impact, and the alignment restraining force of the alignment films 16a and 16b is lowered. As a result, if the alignment restraining force against the liquid crystal is lowered, the light leakage may occur. In addition, particles of the alignment films 16a and 16b damaged by an external impact can be collected and recognized as defective luminescent spots.

Such damage to the alignment films 16a and 16b may be caused, for example, by the push column spacer 25. [ 1B, a case where an external force is applied to the second substrate 21 in the liquid crystal display device 10 will be described. 1B, when the push column spacer 25 and the upper alignment film 16a below the push column spacer 25 are brought into contact with the lower alignment film 16b on the first substrate 11 by an external force, The lower alignment film 16b may be damaged. More specifically, the push column spacers 25 can disperse the pressure that can be concentrated in the gap column spacers 26. However, when the difference between the height of the gap column spacer 26 and the height of the push column spacer 25 is lower than the proper range, a stronger pressure may be applied to the push column spacer 25. The formation of the gap column spacer 26 and the height of the push column spacer 25 in an appropriate range is highly dependent on the process conditions and process environment of the components disposed on the second substrate 21, This is a problem that it is difficult to stably manage by various variables. For example, when the color filters 23 adjacent to the black matrix 23 are formed so as to overlap with each other, the thickness of each of the adjacent color filters 23 and the areas where the adjacent color filters 23 are overlapped, . That is, the surface of the color filter 23 has an uneven step. Although it is possible to form the upper planarization layer 24 to compensate for the uneven step on the surface of the color filter 23, there is a limit to sufficiently increase the thickness of the upper planarization layer 24 for thinning of the liquid crystal display device . The surface of the upper planarization layer 24 may also be formed non-uniformly along the surface of the color filter 23 and as a result the step between the gap column spacer 26 and the push column spacer 25 is not constant Which can lead to problems.

In addition, as the push column spacer 25 is shifted out of its original position by the pressure, the upper alignment film 16a on the side or the periphery of the push column spacer 25 can be damaged. The alignment restraining force is lowered around the damaged alignment films 16a and 16b and the alignment of the liquid crystal around the damaged alignment films 16a and 16b may not be maintained in a desired direction.

 [Related Technical Literature]

1. Liquid crystal display panel (Korean Patent Application No. 2012-0151445)

The inventor of the present invention has found that in a liquid crystal display device, particularly a liquid crystal display device including an orientation film formed in a non-contact manner with a low hardness, the distance between the push column spacer and the bottom orientation film is set to be smaller than the height of the gap column spacer and the height of the push column spacer As a matter of fact.

More specifically, when the upper surface of the components on the substrate is not planar, the distance between the gap column spacer and the lower alignment layer may not be constant. Keeping the difference between the height of the gap column spacer and the height of the push column spacer within an appropriate range is presumed to be that the lower alignment film is flat. However, if the upper surface of the lower alignment film is not flat, particularly, the lower alignment film portion corresponding to the push column spacer largely protrudes, even if the difference between the height of the gap column spacer and the height of the push column spacer is kept within an appropriate range, A lot of pressure is concentrated. Accordingly, even if the difference between the height of the gap column spacer and the height of the push column spacer is maintained within an appropriate range, the upper alignment layer or the lower alignment layer may be damaged by the push column spacer, resulting in defective light leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel structure of a liquid crystal display device in which damage to an upper alignment layer and a lower alignment layer is minimized by adjusting a distance between a lower alignment layer and a push column spacer, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device in which even if a protruding component such as a touch sensing electrode is disposed on a lower alignment layer, the upper surface of the lower alignment layer is substantially flat, A liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device in which a lower alignment film is not damaged.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device including a first substrate, a second substrate, a planarization layer, a touch sensing electrode, and a column spacer. The second substrate is opposed to the first substrate, and the planarization layer is disposed on the first substrate. Further, a touch sensing electrode is disposed on the planarization layer, and an alignment film is disposed on the touch sensing electrode. Further, the column spacer is disposed under the second substrate. The planarization layer has a hole having a lower surface in an area corresponding to the column spacer, and a part of the touch sensing electrode is disposed on a lower surface of the hole. By disposing a part of the touch sensing electrode in the hole, the distance between the column spacer and the touch sensing electrode can be maintained at a desired level even if the column spacer and the touch sensing electrode are disposed in overlapping relation. Thus, the damage of the alignment film by the column spacer is minimized.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the column spacer is a push column spacer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal display further includes a gap column spacer having a height larger than that of the push column spacer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the gap column spacer is disposed so as not to overlap with the touch sensing electrode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the depth of the hole of the planarization layer is greater than or equal to the thickness of the touch sensing electrode.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal display further includes a plurality of color filters superimposed between the second substrate and the column spacer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal display further includes a black matrix disposed between the second substrate and the column spacer, wherein the black matrix overlaps the holes of the planarization layer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the width of the inlet of the hole is smaller than the width of the black matrix.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the width of the lower surface of the hole is larger than the width of the touch sensing electrode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the touch sensing electrode is formed of a metal.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal display further includes an alignment layer disposed on the touch-sensitive electrode, and the alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by UV (ultraviolet) light.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device, comprising: forming a planarization layer on a substrate, the planarization layer having a hole for connecting to a thin film transistor and a hole corresponding to a position of the column spacer; Next, at least a touch sensing electrode is formed in the hole of the planarization layer, and an alignment film is formed on the touch sensing electrode. Further, the second substrate on which the column spacer is disposed is adhered to the first substrate. In the case where the touch sensing electrode and the column spacer are disposed in an overlapped manner, the interval between the column spacer and the alignment film can be secured by lowering the upper surface of the touch sensing electrode through the hole of the planarization layer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of forming the planarization layer includes forming a hole using a half tone mask.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the step of forming an alignment film includes the step of irradiating the alignment film with polarized UV light.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The present invention can form a hole in which a protruding component such as a touch sensing electrode can be disposed in the planarization layer to limit the distance between the push column spacer and the lower alignment layer by the protruding component have.

As a result, when the push column spacer contacts the lower alignment layer by the pressure, excessive pressure is not applied to the lower alignment layer, so that the damage of the alignment layer is reduced and the light leakage is minimized. .

In addition, even in a liquid crystal display device including an alignment film having a low hardness such as an alignment film subjected to alignment treatment by UV light, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device in which damage to an alignment film by a push column spacer is minimized and durability is improved.

The effects according to the present invention are not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the specification.

1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining a conventional liquid crystal display device.
2 is a schematic plan view of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device taken along the line III-III 'of FIG.
Figure 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of region A of Figure 3;
5 is a schematic flow chart for explaining a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6A to 6D are schematic process sectional views for explaining the manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like disclosed in the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative, and thus the present invention is not limited thereto. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Where the terms "comprises", "having", "done", and the like are used in this specification, other portions may be added unless "only" is used. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, including the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In interpreting the constituent elements, it is construed to include the error range even if there is no separate description.

In the case of a description of the positional relationship, for example, if the positional relationship between two parts is described as 'on', 'on top', 'under', and 'next to' Or " direct " is not used, one or more other portions may be located between the two portions.

It is to be understood that an element or layer is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, including both intervening layers or other elements directly on or in between.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the technical scope of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

The sizes and thicknesses of the individual components shown in the figures are shown for convenience of explanation and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the size and thickness of the components shown.

It is to be understood that each of the features of the various embodiments of the present invention may be combined or combined with each other partially or entirely and technically various interlocking and driving is possible as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, It may be possible to cooperate with each other in association.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a schematic plan view of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device taken along the line III-III 'of FIG.

2, the data line 112, the scan line 111, the touch sensing electrode 116, the second substrate 120, and the second substrate 120 are disposed on the first substrate 110 of the liquid crystal display device 100, Only a plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 arranged below are shown.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid crystal display device 100 has a plurality of sub-pixel regions SPA. Each sub pixel region SPA is a sub pixel region SPA that displays one of red, green, and blue. The black matrix area BA is an area where no image is displayed, and a black matrix 121 is disposed. The black matrix 121 absorbs light so that light is not transmitted. The black matrix 121 is formed to cover opaque components such as, for example, thin film transistors. The black matrix 121 may also be formed between adjacent sub pixel regions SPA to minimize color mixing between sub pixels. In addition, the black matrix 121 is arranged to overlap with opaque or light reflecting layers such as wiring and the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, color filters 122 and 123 are disposed under the black matrix 121. The color filters 122 and 123 implement color by passing only a part of the wavelength of transmitted light. Accordingly, the color filters 122 and 123 are arranged to cover the plurality of sub pixel areas SPA which display the same color to realize the color of the sub pixels.

The color filters 122 and 123 may have a thickness of 20000 A to 35000 A, and preferably have a thickness of 28000 A to 33000 A. The color filters 122 and 123 are arranged so as to overlap each other on the black matrix 121. [ For example, and in FIG. 3, the red color filter 122 and the green color filter 123 are arranged to overlap.

Under the color filters 122 and 123 and the black matrix 121, an upper planarization layer 124 is disposed. The upper planarization layer 124 is formed on the entire surface of the second substrate 120 to planarize the upper portions of the black matrix 121 and the color filters 122 and 123. The upper planarization layer 124 is disposed on the color filters 122 and 123 in the portions where the color filters 122 and 123 are formed and in the portions where the color filters 122 and 123 are not disposed, Touch.

In order to reduce the thickness of the liquid crystal display device 100, the upper planarization layer 124 is required to have a minimum thickness capable of leveling the color filters 122 and 123 to some extent. For example, the top planarization layer 124 may have a thickness of 10000 A to 30000 A. Thus, the top planarization layer 124 may not be able to fully flatten the color filters 122, 123 and the top of the black matrix 121. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper planarization layer 124 may partially protrude in a region where the color filters 122 and 123 are overlapped.

A plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 are disposed below the upper planarization layer 124 and an upper alignment layer 117a is disposed to cover the plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 and the upper planarization layer 124. [ The plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 includes a gap column spacer 126 and a push column spacer 125. [ The gap column spacer 126 is disposed between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 so as to face the second substrate 120 and the first substrate 110 on which the thin film transistors are disposed. It is a spacer. The push column spacer 125 prevents the cell gap from being excessively reduced when the second substrate 120 is pressed and disperses the force that the gap column spacer 126 receives.

The gap column spacers 126 are formed to contact the components of the first substrate 110. For example, the gap column spacer 126 is formed to contact the lower alignment film 117b when the second substrate 120 and the first substrate 110 are bonded.

The plurality of column spacers 125, 126 are formed in a columnar shape. The plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 has a trapezoidal shape in which the width becomes narrower from the upper surface to the lower surface. Therefore, the side surfaces of the plurality of column spacers 125, 126 are inclined. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 may be formed in a rectangular column shape having a rectangular cross section.

The gap column spacer 126 and the push column spacer 125 have different diameters and heights. For example, the push column spacers 125 have a lower height than the gap column spacers 126. The gap column spacer 126 contacts the lower alignment layer 117b of the first substrate 110 while the lower surface of the push column spacer 125 contacts the lower alignment layer 117b of the liquid crystal layer 118 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 117b. ≪ / RTI >

The difference between the distance from the second substrate 120 to the lower surface of the push column spacer 125 and the distance from the second substrate 120 to the lower surface of the gap column spacer 126 may range from 3000 Å to 7000 Å Lt; / RTI > The probability that excess pressure is applied to the push column spacer 125 or the gap column spacer 126 when the liquid crystal display device 100 is pressed is reduced when the distance difference DELTA h is maintained within the target range, Thereby minimizing the damage to the second electrode 117. Accordingly, the durability of the liquid crystal display device 100 can be improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 are disposed corresponding to the black matrix area BA formed with the black matrices 121. The plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 are arranged so as to overlap with the black matrix 121 so that even if the alignment film 117 is damaged by the plurality of column spacers 125 and 126 and a part of the alignment restraining force is lost, 121 may shield the light leakage of the liquid crystal.

2 and 3, on the first substrate 110, the data lines 112 and the scan lines 111 intersecting the data lines 112 are arranged. Also, on the first substrate 110, a thin film transistor including a gate electrode, an active layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode may be disposed. A lower planarization layer 113 is disposed on the thin film transistor, the data line 112, and the scan line 111. The lower planarization layer 113 protects the thin film transistor and provides a flat surface to the pixel electrode and the common electrode 114. The lower planarization layer 113 is formed of an organic material such as photo-acryl.

In the liquid crystal display 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the lower planarization layer 113 has a hole H. The holes H in the lower planarization layer 113 are shown in a fine shape in a part of the lower planarization layer 113. That is, the holes H of the lower planarization layer 113 do not penetrate all of the lower planarization layer 113 but have a lower surface HB substantially parallel to the lower planarization layer 113.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hole H is defined as the entrance area of the hole H in which the hole H begins to pierce in the lower planarization layer 113. The holes H of the lower planarization layer 113 are arranged so as to overlap with the black matrix 121. The diameter D1 of the hole H or the width D1 of the inlet of the hole H may be smaller than the width D2 of the black matrix area BA. The hole H in the lower planarization layer 113 is overlapped with the black matrix 121 so that the deficiency of the light leakage caused by the step of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113 can be minimized.

Further, the holes H of the lower planarization layer 113 are formed at positions corresponding to the push column spacers 125. Referring to FIG. 2, the push column spacer 125 is positioned on the planar inner side of the hole H of the lower planarization layer 113. The distance between the push column spacer 125 and the lower planarization layer 113 is set such that the push column spacer 125 is spaced apart from the hole Hole 113 of the lower planarization layer 113 is smaller than the distance between the push column spacer 125 and the lower planarization layer 113 when the lower planarization layer 113 is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper surface of the lower planarization layer 113, H). Thus, even if a protruding component having a thick thickness is formed on the lower surface HB of the hole H, the distance between the push column spacer 125 and its layer can be maintained at a desired distance.

In FIG. 3, the common electrode 114 is disposed on the lower planarization layer 113. The common electrode 114 may be supplied with a voltage for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal. In addition, the common electrode 114 can be patterned to control the alignment of the liquid crystal and to function as an electrode for sensing a touch. For example, the common electrode 114 may be patterned in a subsequent rhombic shape so that a change in capacitance at a plurality of locations can be measured. Accordingly, the common electrode 114 can be configured to perform both liquid crystal alignment control and touch sensing through time division driving.

On the common electrode 114, a touch sensing electrode 116 for recognizing a touch from the user and compensating for the high resistance of the common electrode 114 is disposed. The touch sensing electrode 116 is disposed between the second substrate 120 and the first substrate 110 so that the liquid crystal display device 100 is connected to the touch screen integrated liquid crystal display device 100, Type liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. If the touch sensing electrode 16 is formed of an opaque material, the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal display device 100 may be reduced. Therefore, the touch sensing electrode 116 may be formed in a region where the black matrix 121 is disposed. have. Since the region where the black matrix 121 is disposed is the region where the thin film transistor is formed and the region where the wirings are arranged and the column spacers 125 and 126 are also formed in the region where the black matrix 121 is disposed, 126 and the touch sensing electrode 16 are overlapped with each other.

Referring to FIG. 2, the touch sensing electrode 116 is disposed over the data line 112 and the scan line 111. However, without being limited thereto, the touch sensing electrode 116 may be additionally disposed in the sub pixel region SPA.

A portion of the touch sensing electrode 116 is disposed on the lower surface HB of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113. The touch sensing electrode 116 extending along the data line 112 in FIG. 2 overlaps with the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113. That is, the touch sensing electrode 116 extends on the flat common electrode 114 and is arranged to cross the lower surface HB of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113.

The touch sensing electrode 116 may be made of a metal having a resistance lower than that of the common electrode 114. In addition, the touch sensing electrode 116 may have a thickness that is sufficiently thick to sufficiently compensate for the high resistance of the common electrode 114.

An insulating layer 115 and a lower alignment layer 117b are disposed on the touch sensing electrode 116 and the common electrode 114 to insulate the common electrode 114 and the pixel electrode. The lower alignment film 117b may be an alignment film subjected to alignment treatment by UV (ultraviolet) light. The lower alignment film 117b that has been subjected to the alignment treatment by UV light may have a lower hardness than the alignment alignment film that has been subjected to the alignment treatment such as rubbing. A liquid crystal layer 118 including a plurality of liquid crystals is disposed between the lower alignment film 117b and the upper alignment film 117a.

Conventionally, in the liquid crystal display device in which the touch sensing electrode is not formed, the upper portion of the lower planarization layer is sufficiently flat despite the thickness of the patterned common electrode and the pixel electrode on the lower planarization layer. Thus, by keeping the height difference (DELTA h) between the gap column spacer and the push column spacer at a desired height, the pressure applied to the lower alignment film by the push column spacer could be controlled. Therefore, the lower alignment layer may be damaged due to the damage of the lower alignment layer, thereby suppressing light leakage or staining due to particle generation.

However, if the touch sensing electrode 116 is disposed on the common electrode 114 to implement the liquid crystal display device and the touch screen in an in-cell manner, the upper portion of the lower planarization layer 113 is not substantially flat. Particularly, when the touch sensing electrode 116 is disposed along the data line 112 disposed between the sub pixel areas SPA, the liquid crystal layer 118 is formed in the area where the image is not displayed by the touch sensing electrode 116 A protruding structure is formed. On the other hand, the push column spacer 125 is disposed in an area where the image is not displayed so that the damage of the alignment layer 117 is minimized and the alignment layer 117 is damaged to cause light leakage, even if light leakage occurs. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal display device 100 of the in-cell type, positions where the touch sensing electrodes 116 and the push column spacers 125 are disposed may overlap. In this case, due to the thickness of the touch sensing electrode 116, the distance between the touch sensing electrode 116 and the push column spacer 125 becomes close to each other, and the push column spacer 125 and the touch sensing electrode 116 The lower alignment layer 117b may be more easily damaged.

Even if the push column spacer 125 and the touch sensing electrode 116 are disposed to overlap with each other in the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the overlapping touch sensing electrode 116 may overlap the lower flattening layer 113, Is arranged on the lower surface (HB) of the hole (H) As a result, the distance between the lower alignment film 117b on the touch sensing electrode 116 and the push column spacer 125 can be sufficiently secured, thereby suppressing the damage of the lower alignment film 117b by the push column spacer 125 can do. In addition, the push column spacer 125 is minimally shifted by the pressure generated by the contact between the push column spacer 125 and the lower alignment film 117b, minimizing damage to the upper alignment film 117a.

Even if the height difference between the push column spacer 125 and the gap column spacer 126 is smaller than the target value, the distance between the push column spacer 125 and the gap column spacer (not shown) by the depth of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113 126 may be compensated for. The gap between the push column spacer 125 and the gap column spacer 126 is further increased and the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device 100, particularly the overlapping of the color filters 122 and 123, Process error management can be facilitated.

The gap column spacer 126 is disposed so as not to overlap with the touch sensing electrode 116. The gap column spacer 126 is disposed in an area where the touch sensing electrode 116 is not disposed, and is configured to keep the cell gap constant.

Hereinafter, numerical values of the holes H of the lower planarization layer 113 and the lower planarization layer 113 in the liquid crystal display device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Figure 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of region A of Figure 3;

The depth h2 of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113 is greater than the thickness h1 of the touch sensing electrode 116. [ The depth h2 of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113 is greater than the thickness h1 of the touch sensing electrode 116 so that the thickness of the push column spacer 125 and the lower alignment film 117b can be compensated. The damage of the alignment film 117 caused by excessive pressure applied to the push column spacer 125 can be suppressed when the distance between the push column spacer 125 and the lower alignment film 117b is sufficiently maintained.

The width W2 of the lower surface HB of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113 is larger than the width W1 of the touch sensing electrode 116. [ The width W2 of the lower surface HB of the hole H is greater than the width W1 of the touch sensing electrode 116 so that the upper portion of the touch sensing electrode 116 on the cross section of Fig. As shown in FIG. Here, the fact that the upper portion of the touch sensing electrode 116 is formed substantially flat is intended to include that a part of the touch sensing electrode 116 is formed on the lower surface HB where the step of the hole H starts . When the upper portion of the touch sensing electrode 116 is flat, even if the push column spacer 125 contacts the lower alignment layer 117b on the touch sensing electrode 116, it may not be damaged by the protruding structure.

When the push column spacer 125 and the lower alignment layer 117b are in contact with each other, when the lower surface of the push column spacer 125 and the upper surface of the lower alignment layer 117b are both flat, damage to the lower alignment layer 117b is minimized . In other words, if the area of the flat portion of the upper surface of the touch sensing electrode 116 is larger than the area of the lower surface of the push column spacer 125, the damage of the lower alignment layer 117b can be minimized. Accordingly, the area of the lower surface HB of the hole H where the touch sensing electrode 116 is formed is larger than that of the upper surface of the touch sensing electrode 116 above the lower surface of the push column spacer 125 Can be adjusted to be sufficiently planarized. The touch sensing electrode 116 extends along a direction perpendicular to the direction of the width W1 of the touch sensing electrode 116 and is also formed on the side of the hole H. [ The push column spacer 125 is positioned so as not to contact the lower alignment film 117b on the touch sensing electrode 116 formed on the side of the hole H. [

In addition, since the holes H are formed in the lower planarization layer 113 of the liquid crystal display device 100, the area of the upper portion of the lower planarization layer 113 substantially increases. In other words, since the area of the upper portion of the lower planarization layer 113 is increased by a step generated by the holes H of the lower planarization layer 113, the area of the lower alignment layer 117b on the lower planarization layer 113 also increases .

Accordingly, even if the lower alignment film 117b contacting the push column spacer 125 is damaged due to an excessive external force, the distance from the damaged position to the sub pixel area SPA where the image is displayed increases, The time to propagate the damage can be increased. The damage of the lower alignment film 117b is propagated later, so that the durability of the liquid crystal display device 100 is further improved. As the width W3 of the entrance of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113 is increased, the path of the damage of the lower alignment film 117b may be longer.

Although the liquid crystal display device 100 including the touch sensing electrode 116 overlapped with the push column spacer 125 at the upper portion of the lower planarization layer 113 has been described in the present embodiment, the push column spacer 125 And the upper portion of the lower planarization layer 113 is not limited to the touch sensing electrode 116. [ For example, a structure for improving the alignment restraining force may be disposed on the lower planarization layer 113, and the structure may be disposed on the lower surface HB of the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113 have.

2 to 4, the distance between the push column spacer 125 and the lower alignment layer 117b in the liquid crystal display 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is smaller than the hole H of the lower planarization layer 113, Accordingly, the damage of the lower alignment film 117b, which may be caused by the push column spacer 125, is reduced, and the durability of the liquid crystal display device 100 can be improved.

Although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid crystal display 100 may further include a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor. The pixel electrode may be disposed in the sub pixel region SPA. Also, the liquid crystal display device 100 may be an IPS (In-Plane Switching) type liquid crystal display device in which the pixel electrode is positioned on the common electrode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquid crystal display device 100 may be an IPS type liquid crystal display device in which a common electrode is on a pixel electrode, or an IPS type liquid crystal display device in which a pixel electrode is formed on the same layer as a common electrode.

In addition, the shape of the sub pixel area SPA of the liquid crystal display device 100 may be a rectangular shape, a zigzag shape, a linear shape, or a shape having at least one bend. That is, the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the shape of the electrode, the color filter, and the black matrix applied to the IPS system, but may be implemented corresponding to various components having various shapes.

5 is a schematic flowchart for explaining a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A to 6D are schematic process sectional views for explaining the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, a lower planarizing layer is formed on the first substrate to connect to the thin film transistor, the lower planarizing layer having a hole passing through the lower planarization layer and a hole corresponding to the position of the column spacer (S510). 6A, a thin film transistor 616 and a data line 112 are disposed on a first substrate 110 and a lower planarization layer 630 is formed to cover the thin film transistor 616 and the data line 112 . The lower planarization layer 630 in FIG. 6A is formed on the entire surface of the first substrate 110 by applying or depositing an organic material such as photo-acrylic or the like. FIG. 6B shows a process in which holes are formed in the lower planarization layer 113. 6B, a halftone mask 620 having an opening region 622 and a half-tone region 621 is disposed on the lower planarization layer 113. In FIG. The opening region 622 is an open region through which light is transmitted, and the halftone region 621 is a region through which only a part of the irradiated light is transmitted.

A portion of the lower planarization layer 113 corresponding to the opening region 622 and a portion of the lower planarization layer 113 corresponding to the halftone region 621, that is, a portion corresponding to the hole of the lower planarization layer 113, do. The portion exposed to light can be developed and removed.

The hole of the lower planarization layer 113 corresponding to the opening region 622 is a hole for connecting with the thin film transistor 616 through the lower planarization layer 113 and the lower planarization layer 113 corresponding to the halftone region 621, The hole of the layer 113 is formed to pierce a portion of the lower planarization layer 113 without passing through the lower planarization layer 113 and becomes a hole H in which the touch sensing electrode 116 is disposed on the lower surface HB.

Next, at least the touch sensing electrode 116 is formed on the upper portion of the hole H of the lower planarization layer 113 (S520). 6C, the common electrode 114 is patterned on the lower planarization layer 113 and the touch sensing electrode 116 is formed on the hole H of the lower planarization layer 113 on the common electrode 114 . An insulating layer 115 for insulating the common electrode 114 and the pixel electrode 634 is disposed on the common electrode 114 and the touch sensing electrode 116. The insulating layer 115 is connected to the thin film transistor 616 The pixel electrode 634 connected through the hole H is formed.

Next, a lower alignment film 117b is formed on the pixel electrode 634. [ The lower alignment film 117b may be subjected to alignment treatment by irradiating polarized UV light and the lower alignment film 117b may be subjected to additional heat treatment or cleaning treatment.

Next, the first substrate 110 on which the column spacer 125 is disposed is attached to the second substrate 120 (S530). Referring to FIG. 6D, the column spacer 125 is a push column spacer, and the column spacer 125 is disposed to correspond to the hole H in the lower planarization layer 113. The holes H of the lower planarization layer 113 are arranged so as to overlap with the black matrix 121.

According to the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hole H having the lower surface HB is formed in the lower planarization layer 113 of the region corresponding to the column spacer 125 The damage to the lower alignment film 117b is minimized, and the durability of the liquid crystal display device 100 can be improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. . Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

10: Conventional liquid crystal display
11, 110: a first substrate
13, 112: data wiring
14, 113, 630: a lower planarization layer
15, 115: insulating layer
16b, and 117b:
17, 118: liquid crystal layer
21, 120: a second substrate
22, 121: black matrix
23, 122, 123: Color filter
24, 124: upper planarization layer
25, 125: push column spacer
26, 126: gap column spacer
16a, 117a: upper alignment film
H: hole
100: liquid crystal display
111: scan wiring
114: common electrode
116: touch sensing electrode
117: Orientation film
616: Thin film transistor
620: Halftone mask
621: Halftone area
622: opening area
634:

Claims (14)

A first substrate;
A second substrate facing the first substrate;
A planarization layer on the first substrate;
A touch sensing electrode disposed on the planarization layer;
An alignment layer on the touch sensing electrode; And
And a column spacer under the second substrate,
Wherein the flattening layer has a hole having a lower surface in an area corresponding to the column spacer, and a part of the touch sensing electrode is disposed on a lower surface of the hole. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the column spacer is a push column spacer. 3. The method of claim 2,
And a gap column spacer having a height greater than that of the push column spacer. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the gap column spacer is disposed so as not to overlap with the touch sensing electrode. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a depth of the hole of the planarization layer is equal to or greater than a thickness of the touch sensing electrode. The method according to claim 1,
And a color filter disposed between the second substrate and the column spacer. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a black matrix disposed between the second substrate and the column spacers,
And the black matrix overlaps the hole of the planarization layer. 8. The method of claim 7,
And the width of the entrance of the hole is smaller than the width of the black matrix. 8. The method of claim 7,
And the width of the lower surface of the hole is greater than the width of the touch sensing electrode. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the touch sensing electrode is made of a metal. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the alignment film is subjected to alignment treatment by UV (ultraviolet) light. Forming a planarization layer on the first substrate, the planarization layer having a hole for connection with the thin film transistor and a hole corresponding to the position of the column spacer;
Forming a touch sensing electrode in at least the hole of the planarization layer;
Forming an alignment layer on the touch sensing electrode; And
And bonding the second substrate on which the column spacer is disposed to the first substrate. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein forming the planarization layer comprises forming the hole using a half tone mask. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 8. < / RTI > 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the step of forming the alignment layer comprises irradiating polarized UV light to the alignment layer.

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