CN101216626B - Liquid crystal display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an LCD panel, which comprises a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer. A patterned filter layer is arranged on the surface of the first substrate, and the second substrate includes a plurality of pixel regions in array arrangement and a plurality of sensing regions corresponding to and partially overlapping the pixel regions one by one. The second substrate includes a pixel electrode and a sensing element. Pixel electrodes are arranged in the pixel region of the second substrate. A sensing element is arranged on the sensing regions of the second substrate and includes a sensing unit and a switch unit, wherein the sensing element includes at least one opaque layer partially overlapping the pixel electrodes. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first and the substrate substrates.

Description

LCD panel

technical field

The invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel, in particular to a liquid crystal display panel with a touch function.

Background technique

In general, touch panel devices are often used as input devices for personal computers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or the like, where information can be displayed on the display screen of a display device with a finger or a pen tip. Touched to be entered.

The current touch display is to install a touch panel on the screen surface of the general display. The touch panel has many different touch technologies, such as capacitive, resistive, sonic and infrared. And there is another display panel that integrates the photosensitive unit in the display, please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. ). In the second substrate 20, there are a plurality of pixel regions (where the pixel electrodes 26 are formed) and a plurality of sensing regions 21, the pixel regions are arranged in a matrix, and each sensing region 21 corresponds to each pixel region and does not overlap with each pixel region. Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a cross-sectional view of the sensing area 21 (see FIG. 1 ) in the display panel. In the second substrate 20 , the sensing area 21 includes a light sensing unit 211 and a switch unit 212 , and the switch unit 212 is used for reading or outputting information transmitted by the light sensing unit 211 . The light sensing unit 211 and the switching unit 212 include a gate metal layer 221 , 222 , a gate insulating layer 23 , a semiconductor layer 241 , 242 and a patterned second metal layer 25 . The gate metal layers 221 and 222 are disposed on the surface of the second substrate 20 . The gate insulating layer 23 is disposed on the gate metal layers 221 , 222 and the surface of the second substrate 20 . After patterning, the semiconductor layers 241 and 242 are disposed on the surface of the gate insulating layer 23 at the photo-sensing unit 211 and the switching unit 212 . The patterned second metal layer 25 is disposed on the surface of the semiconductor layer 241, 242 and the surface of the gate insulating layer 23, and the second metal layer 25 on the surface of the semiconductor layer 241, 242 is respectively located at the photosensitive unit 211 and the switch unit 212. It can be used as a source 252 , 254 and a drain 251 , 253 . Here, the drain 251 of the light sensing unit 211 can be electrically connected to the drain 253 of the switch unit 212, and the source 252 of the light sensing unit 211 can be electrically connected to a common line (not shown in the figure). connect. Furthermore, the source 254 of the switch unit 212 can be used as a readout line, so that the information of the light sensing unit 211 can be transmitted. Finally, a patterned pixel electrode 26 can be formed on the surface of the second substrate 20 . A patterned light-shielding layer 11 is disposed on a surface of the first substrate 10 . The light-shielding layer 11 has an opening area 111 corresponding to the light sensing unit 111 . In addition, the first substrate 10 is further configured with a filter layer 12 interspersed between the light shielding layers 11 . In addition, a liquid crystal layer 30 is also interposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, so that a conventional liquid crystal display panel can be completed.

Here, the opening of the light-shielding layer in the first substrate will cause the photo-sensing unit to generate photo current required by the touch signal due to the irradiation of ambient light. When the first substrate and the second substrate of the display panel are assembled, there will be alignment errors (approximately 5 μm˜7 μm) resulting in offset phenomena. The offset of the light-shielding layer will cover the aperture area of the pixel electrode, resulting in a decrease in cell transmittance, thereby affecting the overall brightness of the display panel.

Contents of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display panel to solve the problem in the prior art that the transmittance decreases due to alignment errors when the first substrate and the second substrate are paired together .

To achieve the above object, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display panel, comprising: a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The surface of the first substrate is configured with a patterned filter layer. The second substrate has a plurality of pixel regions and a plurality of sensing regions, the pixel regions are arranged in an array, and each sensing region corresponds to and partially overlaps with each pixel region. The second substrate includes a pixel electrode and a sensing element, and the pixel electrode is arranged in the pixel area of the second substrate. The sensing element is arranged in the sensing area of the second substrate, and the sensing element includes a sensing unit and a switch unit, wherein the sensing element has at least one opaque layer partially overlapping the pixel electrode. Finally, the liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. Furthermore, the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention was completed.

In the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention, the sensing element may further include a storage capacitor.

In the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention, the switch unit may include: a gate metal layer, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer and a patterned second metal layer. Here, the metal layer is a gate metal layer disposed on the surface of the second substrate. The gate insulation layer is configured on the surface of the gate metal layer. The semiconductor layer is configured on the surface of the gate insulating layer. The patterned second metal layer is disposed on the surface of the semiconductor layer and the surface of the gate insulating layer, and the second metal layer on the surface of the semiconductor layer is respectively used as a source and a drain, and the second metal layer on the surface of the gate insulating layer The metal layer serves as a storage capacitor electrode and a data line, and the source and drain are electrically connected to the sensing unit. In addition, more optionally, a protective layer is disposed on the surface of the second metal layer. Wherein, the opaque layer may include an opaque metal layer.

One aspect of the sensing unit of the present invention is a light sensing unit, which may include: the opaque layer, an insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a patterned second metal layer. Here, the opaque layer is a gate metal layer disposed on the surface of the second substrate, and part of the gate metal layer overlaps with the projection of the pixel electrode. The insulating layer is a gate insulating layer disposed on the surface of the gate metal layer. The semiconductor layer is configured on the surface of the gate insulating layer. The patterned second metal layer is arranged on the surface of the semiconductor layer, and the second metal layer is respectively used as a source and a drain, and one of the source and the drain is electrically connected to the switch unit. In addition, more optionally, a protective layer is arranged on the surface of the second metal layer, and the protective layer is arranged between the gate metal layer and the pixel electrode.

The sensing unit of the present invention can also be another form, which is a photo sensing unit comprising: a gate metal layer, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, the opaque layer and a protection layer. The gate metal layer is configured on the surface of the second substrate. The gate insulation layer is configured on the surface of the gate metal layer. The semiconductor layer is configured on the surface of the gate insulating layer. The opaque layer is a patterned second metal layer, which is arranged on the surface of the semiconductor layer and the surface of the gate insulating layer, and the second metal layer on the surface of the semiconductor layer is respectively used as a source and a drain. A portion of the drain overlaps with the projection of the pixel electrode, and the other of the source and the drain is electrically connected to the switch unit. The protection layer is disposed on the surface of the patterned second metal layer, the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer.

In addition, in the present invention, the filter layer of the first substrate may have an opening area, and the opening area is correspondingly arranged on the sensing unit. Furthermore, the first substrate may further include a black matrix disposed on the switch unit corresponding to the sensing element. Moreover, the first substrate may further include a transparent electrode layer.

The pixel electrode in the present invention can be a transparent conductive layer. For example, it can be indium tin oxide (indium tin oxide, ITO), silicon indium oxide (silicon indium oxide), aluminum zinc oxide (aluminum zinc oxide, AZO), indium zinc oxide (indium zinc oxide, IZO) or antimony tin oxide Antimony tin oxide (ATO) and other materials.

In the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention, the material used for the semiconductor layer is preferably an amorphous silicon material, a polycrystalline silicon layer, a single crystal silicon layer or a combination thereof.

In an aspect of the present invention, the pixel electrode and the gate metal layer in the light sensing unit are projected and overlapped to complete a form of liquid crystal display panel.

In another aspect of the present invention, the pixel electrode and the patterned second metal layer in the photosensitive unit (that is, one of the source electrode and the drain electrode formed in the photosensitive unit) are partially overlapped by projection, so as to Another form of liquid crystal display panel is completed.

Therefore, in the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention, when the first substrate and the second substrate are paired, there will be no alignment error, and therefore, the problem of lowering the transmittance will not be caused. The invention can improve the overall brightness of the liquid crystal display panel.

The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but not as a limitation of the present invention.

Description of drawings

1 is a top view of a second substrate of a liquid crystal display panel in the prior art;

2 is a cross-sectional view of a sensing region of a liquid crystal display panel in the prior art;

3 is a top view of a second substrate of a liquid crystal display panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a cross-sectional view of a sensing area of a liquid crystal display panel in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a sensing area of a liquid crystal display panel according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Among them, reference signs:

10: First substrate 11: Shading layer

111: Opening area 12: Filter layer

20: Second substrate 21: Sensing area

211: Light sensing unit 212: Switching unit

221, 222: gate metal layer 23: gate insulating layer

241, 242: semiconductor layer 25: second metal layer

251, 253: drain 252, 254: source

26: Pixel electrode 30: Liquid crystal layer

40: First substrate 41: Shading layer

42: Filter layer 421: Opening area

50: Second substrate 51: Inductive element

511: Light sensing unit 512: Switching unit

513: storage capacitor 521, 522: gate metal layer

53: Gate insulating layer 541, 542: Semiconductor layer

55: second metal layer 551, 553: drain

552, 554: source 555: data line

56: Protective layer 57: Pixel electrode

60: liquid crystal layer

Detailed ways

The implementation of the present invention is described below through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made to the details in this specification based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

These drawings in the embodiments of the present invention are simplified schematic diagrams. However, these drawings only show the components related to the present invention, and the components shown are not the appearance of the actual implementation. The number and shape of the components in the actual implementation are a selective design, and the layout of the components Types can be more complex.

Example 1

Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 at the same time, wherein FIG. 3 is a top view of a second substrate in a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sensing region of a liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the liquid crystal display panel of this embodiment includes a first substrate 40 , a second substrate 50 and a liquid crystal layer 60 interposed therebetween (as shown in FIG. 4 ). Please refer to FIG. 4 , the first substrate 40 is a transparent substrate, such as a glass substrate. And a patterned light-shielding layer 41 is formed on the surface of the first substrate 40 . In addition, a filter layer 42 is also disposed on the surface of the first substrate 40 , interspersed on the light shielding layer 41 , and the filter layer 42 has an opening area 421 . In addition, a transparent electrode (not shown in the figure) can be formed on the surface of the filter layer 42, and the transparent electrode can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) is used in this embodiment.

The part of the second substrate 50 of the liquid crystal display panel of this embodiment, please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. unit 511, switch unit 512, and storage capacitor 513). The second substrate 50 has a plurality of pixel areas (i.e., the area where the pixel electrode 57 is formed) and a plurality of sensing areas (i.e., the area where the sensing element 51 is formed), and the pixel areas are arranged in a matrix (this matrix arrangement can refer to FIG. 1 ). , and each sensing area corresponds to each pixel area and partially overlaps with it. The pixel electrode 57 is disposed in the pixel area of the second substrate 50 . The sensing element 51 is disposed on the sensing areas of the second substrate 50, and the sensing element 51 includes at least a sensing unit 511 and a switching unit 512. In this embodiment, the sensing unit 511 includes a light sensing unit, wherein the sensing element 51 has at least one opaque layer, such as an opaque metal layer, which partially overlaps with the pixel electrode 57 in the subsequent process.

Here, the steps of forming the sensing unit 511 and the switching unit 512 in the sensing area, please refer to FIG. 4 , firstly, a patterned gate metal layer 521 , 522 is formed on the surface of the second substrate 50 . Next, a gate insulating layer 53 is formed on the gate metal layers 521 , 522 and the surface of the second substrate 50 . Then, a semiconductor layer 541, 542 is formed on the surface of the gate insulating layer 53 corresponding to the gate metal layer 521, 522 respectively. The material of the semiconductor layer 541, 542 can be amorphous silicon material, polycrystalline silicon material, single crystal silicon material, etc. Material. Furthermore, a patterned second metal layer 55 is formed on the surface of the semiconductor layers 541, 542 and the surface of the gate insulating layer 53, and the second metal layer 55 on the surface of the semiconductor layers 541, 542 serves as a source 552, 554 respectively. And a drain 551, 553, and the second metal layer 55 on the surface of the gate insulating layer 53 serve as a storage capacitor line (not shown in the figure) and a data line 555 (as shown in FIG. 3 ). Wherein, the sensing unit 511 and the switching unit 512 have sources 552, 554 and drains 551, 553 respectively, and the drain 551 of the sensing unit 511 can be electrically connected to the drain 553 of the switching unit 512, and the source of the switching unit 512 The pole 552 is used as a readout line to transmit the information of the sensing unit 511 .

In this embodiment, the second metal layer 55 (that is, the drain 551 and the source 552 of the sensing unit 511 and the drain 553 and the source 554 of the switching unit 512) can further form a contact with the surface of the gate insulating layer 53. The protective layer 56, the protective layer 56 can be an insulating material.

Next, a pixel electrode 57 is formed on the surface of the passivation layer 56, and the material of the pixel electrode 57 can be a transparent conductive material, which is indium tin oxide (ITO) in this embodiment.

Besides, the sensing element 51 also includes a storage capacitor 513 (as shown in FIG. 3 ). The sensing unit 511 in this embodiment can be electrically connected to the switch unit 512 through the storage capacitor 513 . Wherein, the storage capacitor 513 can be formed by part of the second metal layer, the protection layer 56 and the pixel electrode 57 .

Here, it is worth noting that, in this embodiment, the opaque layer is that the gate metal layer 521 in the sensing unit 511 partially overlaps the pixel electrode 57 in projection.

Moreover, the opening area 421 of the filter layer 42 of the first substrate 40 in this embodiment corresponds to the sensing unit 511, and through the extension of the pixel electrode 57 and the gate metal layer 521, the pixel electrode 57 is partly connected to the gate metal layer 521. Overlapping can make the influence of light leakage on the aperture ratio smaller.

Example 2

This embodiment is substantially the same as Embodiment 1, but the difference is that, please refer to FIG. The opaque layer is used to partially overlap the projection of the pixel electrode 57 in the subsequent manufacturing process. In this embodiment, the projections of the gate metal layer 521 and the pixel electrode 57 are not overlapped. All the other steps are the same as in Example 1.

To sum up, the present invention utilizes at least one metal layer in the sensing unit, that is, the extension of the gate metal layer or the source (patterned second metal layer), and the extension of the pixel electrode to the sensing unit for partial Projection overlapping can also reduce the influence of light leakage on aperture ratio. Therefore, the problem in the prior art that the offset of the light-shielding layer covers the opening area of the pixel electrode and affects the overall brightness of the display panel can be solved.

Certainly, the present invention also can have other multiple embodiments, without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and deformations according to the present invention, but these corresponding Changes and deformations should belong to the scope of protection of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims (16)

1. A liquid crystal display panel, characterized in that, comprising: A first substrate, the surface of which is configured with a patterned filter layer; A second substrate, which has a plurality of pixel areas and a plurality of sensing areas, the pixel areas are arranged in an array, and each sensing area corresponds to each of the pixel areas and partially overlaps with it, including: a pixel electrode disposed on the pixel regions of the second substrate; A photosensitive element is arranged in the sensing areas of the second substrate, and the photosensitive element includes a photosensitive unit and a switch unit, wherein the photosensitive element has at least one opaque layer, and the pixel electrode part overlap; and A liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. 2. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the light sensing element further comprises a storage capacitor. 3. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the switch unit comprises: a gate metal layer configured on the surface of the second substrate; a gate insulating layer configured on the surface of the gate metal layer; a semiconductor layer disposed on the surface of the gate insulating layer; and A patterned second metal layer is arranged on the surface of the semiconductor layer and the surface of the gate insulating layer, and the second metal layer on the surface of the semiconductor layer is respectively used as a source and a drain, and on the surface of the gate insulating layer The second metal layer on the layer surface is used as a storage capacitor electrode and a data line, and one of the source and the drain is electrically connected to the light sensing unit. 4. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 3, wherein a protective layer is further disposed on the surface of the second metal layer. 5. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the opaque layer comprises an opaque metal layer. 6. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the light sensing unit comprises: The opaque layer is a gate metal layer disposed on the surface of the second substrate, and part of the gate metal layer overlaps with the projection of the pixel electrode; a gate insulating layer configured on the surface of the gate metal layer; a semiconductor layer disposed on the surface of the gate insulating layer; and A patterned second metal layer is arranged on the surface of the semiconductor layer. The second metal layer serves as a source and a drain respectively, and one of the source and the drain is electrically connected to the switch unit. 7 . The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 6 , wherein a protection layer is disposed on the surface of the second metal layer, and the protection layer is disposed between the gate metal layer and the pixel electrode. 8 . The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 6 , wherein the filter layer of the first substrate has an opening area, and the opening area is correspondingly disposed on the light sensing unit. 9. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 6, wherein the first substrate further comprises a light-shielding layer disposed on the switch unit corresponding to the light sensing element. 10. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 6, wherein the semiconductor layer is one of an amorphous silicon layer, a polycrystalline silicon layer, a single crystal silicon layer and a combination thereof. 11. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the pixel electrode is a transparent conductive layer. 12. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the light sensing unit comprises: a gate metal layer configured on the surface of the second substrate; a gate insulating layer configured on the surface of the gate metal layer; a semiconductor layer configured on the surface of the gate insulating layer; The opaque layer is a patterned second metal layer disposed on the surface of the semiconductor layer and the surface of the gate insulating layer, and the second metal layer on the surface of the semiconductor layer serves as a source and a drain respectively , one of the source and the drain overlaps with the pixel electrode projection, and the other of the source and the drain is electrically connected to the switch unit; and A protective layer is configured on the surface of the patterned second metal layer, the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer. 13. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 12, wherein the filter layer of the first substrate has an opening area, and the opening area is correspondingly disposed on the light sensing unit. 14. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 12, wherein the first substrate further comprises a light-shielding layer disposed on the switch unit corresponding to the light sensing element. 15. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 12, wherein the pixel electrode is a transparent conductive layer. 16. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 12, wherein the semiconductor layer is one of an amorphous silicon layer, a polycrystalline silicon layer, a single crystal silicon layer and a combination thereof.

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