Defect correction of pixel electrode by connection to gate line

• US 7,289,188 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2007
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Yang, Yong-Ho, Yoon, Joo-Sun, Park, Jin-Suk, Choo, Kyo-Seop
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu; Phu
• Application Number:
  US11/675,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20070139336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• Field of Search: 349 54- 55, 349/192
• US Class Current: 349/192
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136259 Repairing; Defects
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136268 Switch defects
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/124 with a particular composition, shape or layout of the wiring layers specially adapted to the circuit arrangement, e.g. scanning lines in LCD pixel circuits wiring structures per se H01L23/52

Abstract

In an array substrate and an LCD apparatus having the same, the array substrate includes a signal line, a first insulating layer formed on the signal line, and a pixel electrode formed on the first insulating layer and overlapped with the signal line. The pixel electrode is electrically connected with the signal line so as to discharge a signal through the signal line. A second insulating layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the first insulating layer, and includes an opening formed in an overlapped area of the pixel electrode and the signal line so as to partially expose the first insulating layer. Thus, the LCD apparatus may have an enhanced display quality.

Claims

1. An array substrate comprising:

a substrate;

a gate signal line formed on the substrate;

a first insulating layer being formed on the substrate and the gate signal line, and having a first contact hole formed therein;

a second insulating layer being formed on the first insulating layer, and having a second contact hole and an opening portion formed therein, the first insulating layer exposed externally in the opening portion; and

a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the first and second insulating layers, at least one of the pixel electrodes overlapped with the gate signal line in the opening portion.

2. The array substrate of claim 1, further comprising a third insulating layer formed between the first insulating layer and the substrate.

3. The array substrate of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the gate signal line to discharge a gate signal externally.

4. The array substrate of claim 3, wherein the pixel electrodes comprise:

a transmissive electrode formed in a transmissive area and a reflective area; and

a reflective electrode being formed on the transmissive electrode, and exposing the transmissive electrode in the transmissive area.

5. The array substrate of claim 4, wherein the first contact hole is aligned with the second contact hole in the reflective area, to electrically connect the pixel electrode with a thin film transistor (TFT).

6. The array substrate of claim 4, wherein the second insulating layer has a first thickness in the reflective area and a second thickness in the transmissive area, and the first thickness is thicker than the second thickness.

7. The array substrate of claim 4, wherein the gate signal line is formed in the reflective area.

8. The array substrate of claim 4, wherein the gate signal line is formed in the transmissive area.

9. The array substrate of claim 4, wherein the second insulating layer in the reflective area has a plurality of concavo-convex portions.

10. A liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus comprising:

a first substrate including;

a gate signal line formed on the first substrate;

a first insulating layer being formed on the first substrate and the gate signal line, and having a first contact hole formed therein;

a second insulating layer being formed on the first insulating layer, and having a second contact hole and an opening portion formed therein, the first insulating layer exposed externally in the opening portion; and

a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the first and second insulating layers, at least one of the pixel electrodes overlapped with the gate signal line in the opening portion;

a second substrate facing the first substrate and including a common electrode; and

a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates.

11. The LCD apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the gate signal line to discharge a gate signal externally.

12. The LCD apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pixel electrodes comprise:

a transmissive electrode formed in a transmissive area and a reflective area; and

a reflective electrode being formed on the transmissive electrode, and exposing the transmissive electrode in the transmissive area.

13. The LCD apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first contact hole is aligned with the second contact hole in the reflective area, to electrically connect the pixel electrode with a thin film transistor (TFT).

14. The LCD apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second insulating layer has a first thickness in the reflective area and a second thickness in the transmissive area, and the first thickness is thicker than the second thickness.

15. The LCD apparatus of claim 14, wherein a first distance between the transmissive electrode and the common electrode is larger than a second distance between the reflective electrode and the common electrode.

16. The LCD apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gate signal line is formed in the reflective area.

17. The LCD apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gate signal line is formed in the transmissive area.