Liquid crystal display panel and method for manufacturing the same

• US 8,130,209 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2008
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Display Company Limited (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Chang, Jong-Woong
• Primary Examiner(s): Lao, Lun-Yi
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAH, PRIYANK J
• Application Number:
  US12/024,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20080186288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 345204-215, 349/12, 178 1801- 1809
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panel includes a touch spacer formed in a first substrate, a common electrode formed to cover the touch spacer, a first touch conductive line formed in a first direction in a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, a second touch conductive line formed in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first touch conductive line, and first and second contact electrodes respectively electrically connected to the first and second touch conductive lines and portions of the first and second contact electrodes formed at a same height, wherein the portions of the first and second contact electrodes contact the common electrode by the touch spacer in a contact position. A method for manufacturing the LCD panel is also provided.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display panel, comprising:

a touch spacer formed in a first substrate;

a common electrode formed to cover the touch spacer;

a first touch conductive line formed in a first direction in a second substrate opposite to the first substrate;

a second touch conductive line formed in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first touch conductive line; and

first and second contact electrodes respectively electrically connected to the first and second touch conductive lines, portions of the first and second contact electrodes formed at a same height within the second substrate, wherein the portions of the first and second contact electrodes contact the common electrode by the touch spacer in a contact position, and

wherein a plurality of first edges defining the portion of the first contact electrode face a plurality of second edges defining the portion of the second contact electrode,

wherein at least two of the first edges extend in different directions and are substantially parallel to corresponding at least two of the second edges,

wherein the second substrate comprises;

a gate line formed substantially in parallel with the first touch conductive line;

a gate insulating layer formed to cover the first touch conductive line and the gate line;

a data line formed on the gate insulating layer substantially in parallel with the second touch conductive line;

a passivation film formed to cover the data line and having a first contact hole which exposes a portion of the data line; and

a pixel electrode formed on the passivation film to be electrically connected to the data line,

wherein the first and second touch conductive lines are formed at a same level as the gate line and the data line, respectively, so that a step difference exists between the first and second touch conductive lines,

wherein the first contact electrode is formed on the passivation film and is electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via a second contact hole which penetrates the passivation film and the gate insulating layer, and the second contact electrode is formed on the passivation film and is electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via a third contact hole,

wherein the first contact electrode comprises a first electrode contact portion electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via the second contact hole and a first electrode extending portion extending from the first electrode contact portion, and the second contact electrode comprises a second electrode contact portion electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via the third contact hole and a second electrode extending portion extending from the second electrode contact portion, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are alternately arranged.

2. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are formed at the same height within the second substrate by the gate insulating layer and the passivation film.

3. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 2, wherein the first electrode extending portion includes one or more first electrode extending portions and the second electrode extending portion includes one or more second electrode extending portions.

4. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 3, wherein the first and second contact electrodes are formed such that at least one first electrode extending portion protrudes from the first electrode contact portion toward the second contact electrode, and at least one second electrode extending portion protrudes from the second electrode contact portion toward the first contact electrode.

5. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 4, wherein the first and second contact electrodes are respectively substantially formed in a block letter “

C”

shape and in a reverse block letter “

C”

shape to engage with each other.

6. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 5, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are each formed substantially in a right angle extending toward the second and first contact electrodes, respectively.

7. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 3, wherein the first contact electrode is formed such that the first electrode extending portion extends substantially in a “

T”

shape formed from a central portion of the first electrode contact portion toward the second contact electrode.

8. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 7, wherein the second contact electrode is formed such that two second electrode extending portions extend substantially in right angles from end portions of the second electrode contact portion toward the first contact electrode, so that the two second electrode extending portions are arranged to embrace the first electrode extending portion.

9. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel, the method comprising:

forming a touch spacer in a first substrate;

forming a common electrode to cover the touch spacer;

forming a gate metal pattern having a gate line, a gate electrode, and a first touch conductive line in a second substrate opposite to the first substrate;

forming a gate insulating layer to cover the gate metal pattern;

forming a semiconductor layer on a portion of the gate insulating layer over the gate electrode;

forming a data metal pattern having a data line, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a second touch conductive line over the gate metal pattern;

forming a passivation film to cover the data metal pattern, the passivation film having first to third contact holes which expose a portion of the drain electrode and portions of the first and second touch conductive lines, respectively; and

forming portions of the first and second contact electrodes on the passivation film at a same height within the second substrate, the first and second contact electrodes respectively electrically connected to the first and second touch conductive lines, wherein a plurality of first edges defining the portion of the first contact electrode face a plurality of second edges defining the portion of the second contact electrode, and

wherein at least two of the first edges extend in different directions and are substantially parallel to corresponding at least two of the second edges,

wherein the first and second contact electrodes are formed at a same time as a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode via the first contact hole,

wherein the first contact electrode comprises a first electrode contact portion electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via the second contact hole and a first electrode extending portion extending from the first electrode contact portion, and the second contact electrode comprises a second electrode contact portion electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via the third contact hole and a second electrode extending portion extending from the second electrode contact portion, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are alternately arranged.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first contact electrode comprises a first electrode contact portion electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via the second contact hole and a first electrode extending portion extending from the first electrode contact portion, and the second contact electrode comprises a second electrode contact portion electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via the third contact hole and a second electrode extending portion extending from the second electrode contact portion, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions have a plurality of adjacent surfaces with respect to each other.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are formed at the same height within the second substrate by the gate insulating layer and the passivation film.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first electrode extending portion includes one or more first electrode extending portions and the second electrode extending portion includes one or more second electrode extending portions.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second contact electrodes are formed such that at least one first electrode extending portion protrudes from the first electrode contact portion toward the second contact electrode, and at least one second electrode extending portion protrudes from the second electrode contact portion toward the first contact electrode.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second contact electrodes are respectively substantially formed in a block letter “

C”

shape and in a reverse block letter “

C”

shape to engage with each other.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are each formed substantially in a right angle extending toward the second and first contact electrodes, respectively.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the first contact electrode is formed such that the first electrode extending portion extends substantially in a “

T”

shape formed from a central portion of the first electrode contact portion toward the second contact electrode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second contact electrode is formed such that two second electrode extending portions extend substantially in right angles from end portions of the second electrode contact portion toward the first contact electrode, so that the two second electrode extending portions are arranged to embrace the first electrode extending portion.

18. A liquid crystal display panel, comprising:

a touch spacer formed in a first substrate;

a common electrode formed to cover the touch spacer;

a first touch conductive line formed in a first direction in a second substrate opposite to the first substrate;

a second touch conductive line formed in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first touch conductive line; and

first and second contact electrodes respectively electrically connected to the first and second touch conductive lines, portions of the first and second contact electrodes formed at a same height within the second substrate, wherein the portions of the first and second contact electrodes contact the common electrode by the touch spacer in a contact position, and wherein a plurality of first edges defining the portion of the first contact electrode face a plurality of second edges defining the portion of the second contact electrode,

wherein at least two of the first edges extend in different directions and are substantially parallel to corresponding at least two of the second edges,

wherein the second substrate comprises;

a gate line formed substantially in parallel with the first touch conductive line;

a gate insulating layer formed to cover the first touch conductive line and the gate a data line formed on the gate insulating layer substantially in parallel with the second touch conductive line;

a passivation film formed to cover the data line and having a first contact hole which exposes a portion of the data line; and

a pixel electrode formed on the passivation film to be electrically connected to the data line,

wherein the first and second touch conductive lines are formed at a same level as the gate line and the data line, respectively, so that a step difference exists between the first and second touch conductive lines,

wherein the first contact electrode is formed on the passivation film and is electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via a second contact hole which penetrates the passivation film and the gate insulating layer, and the second contact electrode is formed on the passivation film and is electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via a third contact hole,

wherein the first contact electrode comprises a first electrode contact portion electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via the second contact hole and a first electrode extending portion extending from the first electrode contact portion, and the second contact electrode comprises a second electrode contact portion electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via the third contact hole and a second electrode extending portion extending from the second electrode contact portion, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are arranged in a form for engaging with each other.

19. A liquid crystal display panel, comprising:

a touch spacer formed in a first substrate;

a common electrode formed to cover the touch spacer;

a first touch conductive line formed in a first direction in a second substrate opposite to the first substrate;

a second touch conductive line formed in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first touch conductive line; and

first and second contact electrodes respectively electrically connected to the first and second touch conductive lines, portions of the first and second contact electrodes formed at a same height within the second substrate, wherein the portions of the first and second contact electrodes contact the common electrode by the touch spacer in a contact position, and wherein a plurality of first edges defining the portion of the first contact electrode face a plurality of second edges defining the portion of the second contact electrode,

wherein at least two of the first edges extend in different directions and are substantially parallel to corresponding at least two of the second edges,

wherein the second substrate comprises;

a gate line formed substantially in parallel with the first touch conductive line;

a gate insulating layer formed to cover the first touch conductive line and the gate

a data line formed on the gate insulating layer substantially in parallel with the second touch conductive line;

a passivation film formed to cover the data line and having a first contact hole which exposes a portion of the data line; and

a pixel electrode formed on the passivation film to be electrically connected to the data line,

wherein the first and second touch conductive lines are formed at a same level as the gate line and the data line, respectively, so that a step difference exists between the first and second touch conductive lines,

wherein the first contact electrode is formed on the passivation film and is electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via a second contact hole which penetrates the passivation film and the gate insulating layer, and the second contact electrode is formed on the passivation film and is electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via a third contact hole,

wherein the first contact electrode comprises a first electrode contact portion electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via the second contact hole and a first electrode extending portion extending from the first electrode contact portion, and the second contact electrode comprises a second electrode contact portion electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via the third contact hole and a second electrode extending portion extending from the second electrode contact portion, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions have a plurality of adjacent surfaces with respect to each other,

wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are formed at the same height within the second substrate by the gate insulating layer and the passivation film,

wherein the first electrode extending portion includes one or more first electrode extending portions and the second electrode extending portion includes one or more second electrode extending portions,

wherein the first and second contact electrodes are formed such that at least one first electrode extending portion protrudes from the first electrode contact portion toward the second contact electrode, and at least one second electrode extending portion protrudes from the second electrode contact portion toward the first contact electrode,

wherein the first and second contact electrodes are respectively substantially formed in a block letter “

C”

shape and in a reverse block letter “

C”

shape to engage with each other.

20. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 19, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are each formed substantially in a right angle extending toward the second and first contact electrodes, respectively.

21. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel, the method comprising:

forming a touch spacer in a first substrate;

forming a common electrode to cover the touch spacer;

forming a gate metal pattern having a gate line, a gate electrode, and a first touch conductive line in a second substrate opposite to the first substrate;

forming a gate insulating layer to cover the gate metal pattern;

forming a semiconductor layer on a portion of the gate insulating layer over the gate electrode;

forming a data metal pattern having a data line, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a second touch conductive line over the gate metal pattern;

forming a passivation film to cover the data metal pattern, the passivation film having first to third contact holes which expose a portion of the drain electrode and portions of the first and second touch conductive lines, respectively; and

forming portions of the first and second contact electrodes on the passivation film at a same height within the second substrate, the first and second contact electrodes respectively electrically connected to the first and second touch conductive lines, wherein a plurality of first edges defining the portion of the first contact electrode face a plurality of second edges defining the portion of the second contact electrode, and

wherein at least two of the first edges extend in different directions and are substantially parallel to corresponding at least two of the second edges,

wherein the first and second contact electrodes are formed at a same time as a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode via the first contact hole,

wherein the first contact electrode comprises a first electrode contact portion electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via the second contact hole and a first electrode extending portion extending from the first electrode contact portion, and the second contact electrode comprises a second electrode contact portion electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via the third contact hole and a second electrode extending portion extending from the second electrode contact portion, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are arranged in a form for engaging with each other,

wherein the first contact electrode comprises a first electrode contact portion electrically connected to the first touch conductive line via the second contact hole and a first electrode extending portion extending from the first electrode contact portion, and the second contact electrode comprises a second electrode contact portion electrically connected to the second touch conductive line via the third contact hole and a second electrode extending portion extending from the second electrode contact portion, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions have a plurality of adjacent surfaces with respect to each other,

wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are formed at the same height within the second substrate by the gate insulating layer and the passivation film,

wherein the first electrode extending portion includes one or more first electrode extending portions and the second electrode extending portion includes one or more second electrode extending portions,

wherein the first and second contact electrodes are respectively substantially formed in a block letter “

C”

shape and in a reverse block letter “

C”

shape to engage with each other.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second electrode extending portions are each formed substantially in a right angle extending toward the second and first contact electrodes, respectively.