KR20130056748A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device which prevents light leakage caused when the two substrates are shifted from each other by an external force and thus recovers light defects by varying the shape and arrangement of the column spacers, the first substrate and the second substrate facing each other; And a plurality of gate lines and data lines crossing each other on the first substrate to define pixel regions; thin film transistors formed at intersections of the gate lines and data lines; A planarization film covering a thin film transistor and having a planarization thereon; a common electrode formed on the planarization film; a common line formed in direct contact with the common electrode in the gate line or data line direction; and the common electrode. And a passivation layer covering a common line and having a contact hole exposing a portion of the thin film transistor. And contact with a transistor, is branched to the display region pixel electrode formed in the pixel region; and a column spacer, and crosses the common line is formed; And a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Description

Liquid Crystal Display Device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device in which light leakage caused when the two substrates are shifted from each other by an external force and then restored due to an external force is prevented.

(PDP), Electro Luminescent Display (ELD), Vacuum Fluorescent (VFD), and the like have been developed in recent years in response to the demand for display devices. Display) have been studied, and some of them have already been used as display devices in various devices.

Among them, LCD is the most widely used as the substitute for CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) for mobile image display device because of its excellent image quality, light weight, thinness, and low power consumption. In addition to the use of the present invention has been developed in various ways such as a television and a computer monitor for receiving and displaying broadcast signals.

In order to use such a liquid crystal display as a general screen display device in various parts, it is a matter of how high quality images such as high definition, high brightness and large area can be realized while maintaining the characteristics of light weight, thinness and low power consumption. Can be.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display according to the related art will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional liquid crystal display device.

A conventional liquid crystal display device is injected between a first substrate 1 and a second substrate 2 bonded to each other with a predetermined space as shown in FIG. 1, and between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2. It consists of the liquid crystal layer 3 which became.

In more detail, the first substrate 1 may have a plurality of gate lines 4 in one direction and constant in a direction perpendicular to the gate lines 4 at regular intervals to define the pixel region P. FIG. A plurality of data lines 5 are arranged at intervals. In addition, a pixel electrode 6 is formed in each pixel region P, and a thin film transistor T is formed at a portion where the gate line 4 and the data line 5 cross each other to form the gate line 4. A data signal of the data line 5 is applied to each of the pixel electrodes 6 according to a signal applied to the.

In addition, a black matrix layer 7 is formed on the second substrate 2 to block light in portions other than the pixel region P, and portions R corresponding to the respective pixel regions are formed to express colors. , G, B color filter layers 8 are formed, and a common electrode 9 for realizing an image is formed on the color filter layers 8.

In the liquid crystal display device as described above, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 3 formed between the first and second substrates 1 and 2 is aligned by an electric field between the pixel electrode 6 and the common electrode 9, The amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 3 may be adjusted according to the degree of alignment of the liquid crystal layer 3 to express an image.

Spacers are formed between the first and second substrates 1 and 2 of the liquid crystal display device formed as described above to maintain a constant gap between the liquid crystal layers.

Such spacers are divided into ball spacers or column spacers according to their shape.

The column spacer 20 selected according to the request for forming the spacer at a fixed position is positioned between the first and second substrates 1 and 2 in a cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. 1, to form the liquid crystal layer 3. The first and second substrates 1 and 2 are supported to maintain the thickness thereof.

The column spacer 20 is formed to correspond to the black matrix layer 7.

2 is a photograph showing a light leakage defect of FIG. 1.

However, as shown in FIG. 1, when the column spacer 20 is disposed at the same position on the black matrix layer 7 adjacent to pixels of a specific color (R pixels in the illustrated drawing), the column spacer 20 Light leakage defects occur at the corresponding site.

In order to reduce such light leakage defects, a method of increasing the width of the black matrix layer 7 formed under the column spacer 20 was used. In this case, the aperture ratio is reduced to reduce luminance.

Hereinafter, the principle of the above-described light leakage failure will be described.

3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a conventional liquid crystal display device, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the original view after applying an external force in the conventional liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 3 is a conventional liquid crystal display device, in which the first and second substrates 1 and 2 facing each other and the column spacer 20 formed therebetween and the first and second substrates 1A and 2B are disposed between each other. 1 shows an alignment film 11 formed on the uppermost surface of the substrate 1.

When the conventional liquid crystal display device is applied with an external force pushing in one direction as shown in FIG. 4A, the column spacer 20 passes when the alignment layer 11 is scratched, and even if it is restored again, as shown in FIG. 4B, the external force is reduced. When applied, damage occurs to the alignment film 11 of the portion under the strongest pressure. In this case, the light leakage defects appear as shown in FIG. 2 at the portion where the alignment layer damage occurs by changing the basic alignment direction not only by the tearing failure in which the alignment layer 11 is peeled off directly but also by slight contact.

The conventional liquid crystal display device has the following problems.

Each forming portion of the column spacer is designated as the same position of the black matrix layer, and when the external force is applied to shift both substrates, the column spacer enters the pixel at the portion where the external force is applied, scratches the alignment layer, and causes damage. Even if it is, the light leakage defect occurs due to the damaged alignment film.

When the column spacer is adjacent only to a pixel of a specific color, light leakage defects of pixels of the color are generated. For example, a defect by a column spacer adjacent to an R pixel is a red-eye defect, and G is a defect. The defects caused by the column spacers adjacent to the pixels are called green-eye defects, and the defects caused by the column spacers adjacent to the B pixels are called blue-eye defects.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and to provide a liquid crystal display device which prevents light leakage caused when the two substrates are shifted from each other by an external force and then undone by changing the shape and arrangement of the column spacers. , Its purpose is.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device including a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, and a plurality of gate lines and data lines crossing each other on the first substrate to define pixel regions. A thin film transistor formed at each intersection of the gate line and the data line, a planarization film covering the gate line, the data line, and the thin film transistor and having a flattened upper portion; and a common electrode formed on the planarization film. And a common line formed in direct contact with the common electrode in the gate line or data line direction, and a passivation layer covering the common electrode and the common line and having a contact hole exposing a portion of the thin film transistor. A pixel electrode contacting the thin film transistor through the contact hole and branched to the pixel region and formed in the pixel region; Intersecting the common line and formed of the column spacer; And a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Here, the column spacer is formed long in a direction crossing the common line so as to be placed on the common line even when shifted by an external force.

For example, the common line may be formed to be spaced apart from the first common line and the second common line in a direction parallel to each of the gate lines. The first common line and the second common line may be formed to pass through both sides of the thin film transistors to which the gate lines are connected. In this case, the column spacers are formed in a 'bar' shape on the data lines so as to overlap the first common line and the second common line together.

In some cases, the column spacer includes a first column spacer overlapping only the first common line and a second column spacer overlapping only the second common line, and the first column spacer and the second column spacer It can be formed by passing over another data line. In this case, the first and second column spacers are formed symmetrically with each other in the cross section passing through the first common line and the second common line. In this case, the first column spacer and the second column spacer are alternately formed.

Alternatively, the common line may be formed to pass through some of the plurality of data lines. In this case, the column spacer may be symmetrically formed in the gate line or the thin film transistor of adjacent pixel regions around each common line. In this case, the column spacer is formed in a 'bar shape' long in the gate line direction.

Alternatively, the column spacer may include a first column spacer overlapping only the left part with respect to an adjacent common line, and a second column spacer overlapping only the right part. In this case, the first and second column spacers may be formed symmetrically with respect to the common lines adjacent to each other. In this case, the first column spacer and the second column spacer are alternately formed.

The common electrode may have an opening corresponding to the contact hole, and may be integrally formed on the planarization layer.

The common line is preferably formed on the common electrode.

In addition, the common line is made of a light-shielding metal, and the common line is preferably formed to have a thickness of 2000 mW or more and less than 6000 mW for a constant step in a portion where the column spacer is placed.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the said protective film is an inorganic film.

A black matrix layer formed on an area of the second substrate other than the pixel area; And first to third color filter layers having different colors formed corresponding to the pixel areas. In this case, the column spacers are formed on the black matrix layer.

The liquid crystal display of the present invention as described above has the following effects.

In the structure in which the common electrode is formed on the entire surface of the planarization film, and the common line is formed in the gate line or data line direction, the column spacer is disposed so as to intersect the common line, so that it is pushed in any direction by external force or touch. A column spacer is placed on the common line to allow the return to the original state without damaging the alignment layer in the pixel region.

That is, even if the movement of the column spacer occurs in any of the up, down, left, and right cross directions by an external force, the column spacer partially overlaps the common line having the step, and the column spacer is formed in a bar shape, or the first and second symmetric structures are formed. The column spacer is formed so that a part of the column spacer or one of the first and second column spacers is placed on the common line in the shifted region so that the column spacer is directly opposed to the counter substrate even when the column spacers correspond to the remaining pixel regions. It does not contact with the alignment film of a phase, and can prevent the light leakage defect by an alignment film scratching or damage.

In addition, the damage of the alignment film is prevented by the planar shape and arrangement of the column spacers without increasing the width of the black matrix layer. Therefore, the aperture ratio is increased, and the luminance improvement is expected.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional liquid crystal display device
2 is a photograph showing a light leakage defect of FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a conventional liquid crystal display device.
4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the original view after applying an external force in a conventional liquid crystal display device.
5 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a liquid crystal display of the present invention.
6A is a cross-sectional view of the initial state along the line II ′ of FIG. 5.
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view when shifting a direction along the line II ′ of FIG. 5.
7A is a plan view showing a second embodiment of a liquid crystal display of the present invention.
FIG. 7B is a plan view when shifting the c direction of FIG. 7A
FIG. 7C is a plan view when shifting in the d direction of FIG. 7A
8A to 8C are cross-sectional views taken along lines II to II 'and III to III' of FIGS. 7A to 7C, respectively.
9 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of a liquid crystal display of the present invention.
FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of an initial state along a line IV to IV 'of FIG. 9. FIG.
FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the e-direction shifted along the line IV to IV 'of FIG.
11A is a plan view showing a fourth embodiment of a liquid crystal display of the present invention.
FIG. 11B is a plan view at the g direction shift of FIG. 11A
FIG. 11C is a plan view at the h direction shift of FIG. 11A
12A to 12C are cross-sectional views taken along lines V to V 'and VI to VI' of FIGS. 11A to 11C, respectively.

Hereinafter, the liquid crystal display of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the liquid crystal display of the present invention, in the transverse electric field mode in which the common electrode is formed in a flat plate shape and the pixel electrodes are branched on each pixel area, the structure on the first substrate on which the thin film transistor array is formed is the common electrode. Since the planarization film is flattened at the lower portion, the column spacers are formed at positions corresponding to the common line where the protrusions do not protrude on the planarization film in the layer forming the gate line / data line or the thin film transistor, so that a step occurs in addition to the projections. It is structure to let.

In addition, by positioning the column spacer in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the common line, even if there is a shift due to an external force or a touch in any direction, the column spacer contacts only the upper part of the common line at the shifted corresponding portion, thereby aligning the alignment layer of the pixel region. This is to prevent light leakage at the time of restoring by preventing the phenomenon of spacer contact.

Hereinafter, the embodiments divided according to the arrangement of the common lines or the shape of the column spacer will be described.

Commonly, in the illustrated embodiments, the column spacer is formed long in a direction crossing the common line so as to be placed on the common line even when shifted by an external force.

First Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the liquid crystal display of the present invention, and FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of an initial state along the line II ′ of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A, the liquid crystal display of the present invention defines a pixel region by crossing the first substrate 100 and the second substrate 200 opposed to each other, and on the first substrate 100. A plurality of gate lines 101 and data lines 102, thin film transistors (TFTs) formed at intersections of the gate lines 101 and the data lines 102, the gate lines 101, and data lines. A planarization film 105 having a top surface planarized to cover the 102 and the thin film transistor TFT, a common electrode 107 formed on the planarization film, and the common electrode 107 toward the gate line 101. ), A passivation layer 109 having a common line 108 formed in direct contact with the semiconductor layer, a contact hole covering the common electrode 107 and the common line 108 and exposing a part of the thin film transistor, and the contact hole. Contacting the thin film transistor through 117a and branching to the pixel area to The liquid crystal layer between the pixel electrode 110 formed in the pixel region, the column spacer 210 formed to cross the common line 108, and the first and second substrates 100 and 200 (the first and second electrodes). In the region excluding the column spacers between the substrates).

Here, the column spacer 210 is formed long in a direction crossing the common line so that the column spacer 210 is placed on the common line 108 even when shifted by an external force.

Even if the external force is substantially applied, the shift degree between the first and second substrates 100 and 200 does not exceed 25 μm, so that the column spacer 210 is placed on the common line 108 even under the maximum external force. The length of the spacer 210 is set.

In the first embodiment, the common line 108 is formed to be spaced apart from the first common line and the second common line in a direction parallel to each of the gate lines 101. The first common line and the second common line are formed to pass through both sides of the thin film transistors to which the gate lines 101 are connected. In this case, the column spacer 210 is formed in a 'bar' shape over the data line so as to overlap the first common line and the second common line 108 together.

Here, the common line 108 is made of a light-shielding metal, and the common line is preferably formed to have a thickness of 2000 mW or less and 6000 mW or less for a constant step at the portion where the column spacer 210 is placed. The protective film 109 formed on the upper portion is an inorganic film formed to a thickness of about 2000 kPa, and reflects the step of the lower common line 108 as it is, and the column spacer 210 is formed on the common line ( 108) Keep contact directly at the top only.

In addition, a plurality of branched pixel electrodes 110 are formed on the passivation layer 109 corresponding to each pixel area.

Although not shown, an alignment layer may be further formed on the top surface of the first substrate 100 and the top surface of the second substrate 200, and thus, the first substrate 100 directly on the common line 108. The alignment layer on the phase and the alignment layer on the column spacer 210 may contact each other. In this case, the alignment layers do not contact the regions between the common lines 108, and both substrates are shifted even in a left and right shift state, and thus the spacers 210 on the second substrate 200 are moved as shown in FIG. 6B. The column spacer 210 may be positioned on the common line 108 to prevent damage to the alignment layer in the pixel area.

Referring to the drawings, the configuration of the first substrate 100 of the liquid crystal display of the present invention will be described in detail.

The thin film transistor (see FIG. 10A) includes a semiconductor layer formed through a gate electrode 101a protruding from the gate line 101 and a gate insulating film 104 on the gate electrode 101a (see 103 of FIG. 10A). And a data line 101 intersecting the gate line 101 and passing through a portion of the gate electrode 101a and integrally having a source electrode, spaced apart from the data line 101a, and separated from the semiconductor layer (not shown). Some overlapping drain electrode 102b.

In addition, the drain electrode 101b has an electrical connection through the contact hole 117 and the pixel electrode connection unit 110a for integrally connecting the pixel electrode 110.

In addition, an inorganic insulating film 114 is formed on the gate insulating film 104 so as to cover the data line 102 and the drain electrode 102b, and a planarization film 105 for flattening the upper portion is formed continuously. The planarization film 105 is formed of an organic film such as an acrylic component.

In addition, the common electrode 107 may have an opening 107a corresponding to a portion of the contact hole 117a and may be integrally formed on the planarization layer 105. The common electrode 107 is a layer formed entirely except for the opening 107a and is formed as a transparent electrode for transmitting light.

In addition, the common line 108 is formed by being directly connected to the common electrode 107 and is supplied with a common voltage to uniformly supply the common voltage to the common electrode 107 of the transparent electrode component for each region. . The common line 108 may be formed in parallel with the gate line 101 as described in the present embodiment, and as described below in the third embodiment, in parallel with the data line 102. It may be formed overlapping.

In this case, the common line 108 is made of a light-shielding metal having good conductivity, and the common line 108 is formed to have a thickness of 2000 mV or more and less than 6000 mV for a constant step at the portion where the column spacer 210 is placed. It is preferable to be.

Here, the common electrode 107 has a plate shape and the pixel electrode 110 has a finger shape in which not only a vertical electric field but a transverse electric field is generated between the two electrodes, thereby driving the liquid crystal in the pixel region.

Meanwhile, a black matrix layer (not shown) formed on an area except the pixel area and first to third color filter layers (not shown) of different colors formed on the second substrate 200 in correspondence with the pixel area may be formed. It may further include. Here, the first to third color filter layers may be replaced with red, green, and blue color filter layers, or other combinations in which three colors may be synthesized to realize white color. In some cases, the color filter may be empty at a portion including the white color filter or corresponding to the white subpixel. In this case, the column spacer 210 is formed to correspond to the black matrix layer.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view when shifting a direction along the line II ′ in FIG. 5.

In the first embodiment, the alignment film on the common line 108 and the alignment film on the column spacer on the second substrate 200 do not contact the region between the common lines 108.

When the shift between the first and second substrates occurs due to an external force, a touch, or the like, in the case of vertical shift or left and right shift, the spacer 210 passes over the wiring of the gate line or the data line. Even if scratched, the wiring part is not a part used for the display, so this does not cause light leakage.

Hereinafter, the problem of the occurrence of the shift in the diagonal direction in which the penetration of the column spacer into the pixel region is considered directly when the shift between the first and second substrates occurs.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the column spacer 210 is common as shown in FIG. 6B even when both substrates are shifted and the spacer 210 on the second substrate 200 is shifted even in a 'a' shift to the upper right side. Located on the line 108, damage to the alignment layer in the pixel region can be prevented.

This is similar to the situation in the 'b' shift, in which the moved spacer 210 is placed on top of any one of the common lines 108 and does not directly contact the alignment layer in the pixel region, thereby preventing damage to the alignment layer in the pixel region. .

This may achieve the same line-coordinate effect of the column spacer in the case of shifting to the upper left side or to the lower right side, which are not shown.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7A is a plan view illustrating a second exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display of the present invention, FIG. 7B is a plan view during c direction shift in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7C is a plan view during d direction shift in FIG. 7A. 8A to 8C are cross-sectional views taken along lines II to II 'and III to III' of FIGS. 7A to 7C, respectively.

In the second embodiment, the first and second column spacers 220a and 220b are divided into symmetrical positions of the common lines without having the same shape of the column spacers in the same common line corresponding structure as the first embodiment described above. The parts which are not described follow the description of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the column spacer according to the second embodiment includes a first column spacer 220a overlapped only with the first common line (the lower common line of FIG. 7A), and the second common line (the upper common side of FIG. 7A). A second column spacer 220b overlapping the line).

Here, the first column spacer 220a and the second column spacer 220b are formed to pass on different data lines. In this case, the first and second column spacers 220a and 220b are symmetrically formed in a cross section passing through the first common line and the second common line. In this case, the first column spacer 220a and the second column spacer 220b are alternately formed.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, when there is a 'c' shift of the second substrate 200 to the upper right side due to an external force or a touch, the first column spacer 220a and the second column spacer 220b. In this case, the first column spacer 220a meets the upper common line to prevent direct contact of the alignment layer in the pixel region of the column spacers.

As shown in FIG. 7C, when there is a 'd' shift of the second substrate 200 to the lower left side due to an external force or a touch, the second column spacer 220b meets the lower common line and the alignment layer of the pixel regions of the column spacers. Direct contact is prevented.

As a result, as in the second embodiment, although the column spacers are relatively short enough to overlap only one common line in the longitudinal direction, the first and second column spacers differ from each other in the initial bonding state (first and second substrates). In the case where the symmetrical structure overlaps with the common line at the position, in any case, at least one column spacer corresponds to the common line so that direct contact of the alignment film in the pixel region of the column spacers is prevented.

Hereinafter, the arrangement and structure of the column spacer when the direction of the common line is designed in the direction of the data line will be described.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a third embodiment of a liquid crystal display of the present invention, and FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of an initial state along a line IV to IV 'of FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal display according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the common lines 140 are formed by overlapping the three data lines 102 one by one. Thus, the arrangement of the column spacers 230 to be crossed is different.

Here, the common line 140 shows an example in which one data line is disposed every three data lines 102. However, the common line 140 is not limited thereto, and the common line 140 may be designed to have a regular arrangement structure for every n (one or more natural numbers) data lines. .

In addition, the column spacer 230 may be symmetrically formed in the gate line 101 or the thin film transistor TFT of adjacent pixel regions with respect to each common line 140. In this case, the column spacer 230 is formed in a 'bar shape' long in the gate line direction.

In the illustrated example, the column spacer 230 is formed with a considerable width in one pixel region, but this is only an embodiment and is not limited to this length, and can be added or decreased. In any case, the length of the column spacer 230 is set under the condition that the shifted column spacer 230 is positioned on the common line 140 even when the external force is applied to the maximum.

The specific structure of the thin film transistor has been described in the first embodiment, and thus omitted. 103a and 103b, which are not described, are amorphous silicon layers and ohmic contact layers, respectively, and the semiconductor layer 103 including them is not limited thereto. Instead, replacement with an oxide semiconductor or polysilicon layer may be possible.

Hereinafter, the correspondence degree of the column spacer during the shift of the third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view when shifting in the e direction along a line IV to IV 'of FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 10B, in the case of the third embodiment, the alignment film on the common line 140 and the alignment film on the column spacer 230 on the side of the second substrate 200 are disposed on the common line 140 having a constant step. Does not touch.

When the shift between the first and second substrates occurs due to an external force, a touch, or the like, in the case of vertical shift or left and right shift, the column spacer 230 passes over the wiring of the gate line or the data line. Even if the alignment film is scratched, the wiring portion is not a portion used for display, and thus light leakage does not occur.

Hereinafter, the problem of the occurrence of the shift in the diagonal direction in which the penetration of the column spacer into the pixel region is considered directly when the shift between the first and second substrates occurs.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, even when the 'e' shifts to the upper right side, both substrates are shifted so that the column spacer 230 moves on the second substrate 200, as shown in FIG. 10B. Located on the common line 140, damage to the alignment layer may be prevented in the pixel area.

This is similar to the situation in the 'f' shift, in which the moved spacer 230 is placed on the common line 140 formed to have a considerable length of the pixel region width, so that it is not directly in contact with the alignment layer in the pixel region, thereby preventing damage to the alignment layer in the pixel region. You can do it.

This may achieve the same line-coordinate effect of the column spacer in the case of shifting to the upper left side or to the lower right side, which are not shown.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 11A is a plan view illustrating a fourth exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display of the present invention, FIG. 11B is a plan view during g direction shift in FIG. 11A, and FIG. 11C is a plan view during h direction shift in FIG. 11A. 12A to 12C are cross-sectional views taken along lines V to V 'and lines VI to VI' of FIGS. 11A to 11C, respectively.

11A and 12A, the liquid crystal display according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the same common line corresponding structure as that of the third exemplary embodiment described above, without increasing the length of the individual column spacers by the width level of the pixel region. The structure has a column spacer arrangement corresponding to a common line even when shifting both substrates by external force or touch.

To this end, the column spacer may include a first column spacer 240a overlapping only the left part with respect to the adjacent common line 140, and a second column spacer 240b overlapping only the right part.

In this case, the first and second column spacers 240a and 240b may be symmetrically formed with respect to the common lines adjacent to each other. This is also called a harmonic phrase. In this case, the first column spacer 240a and the second column spacer 240b are alternately formed.

The fourth embodiment forms the first and second column spacers 240a and 240b by dividing the common lines into symmetrical positions. Parts not described will follow the description of the third embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 12B, when there is a 'g' shift of the second substrate 200 to the upper left side due to an external force or a touch, the first column spacer 240a and the second column. The spacer 240b moves together to the upper right side, where the first column spacer 240a meets at the shifted position with the left common line 140 so as to directly contact the alignment layer of the pixel region of the column spacers 240a and 240b. This is avoided.

11C and 12C, when there is a 'h' shift of the second substrate 200 on the lower right side due to an external force or a touch, the second column spacer 240b meets at the shifted position with the right common line. Direct contact of the alignment layer in the pixel region of the column spacers 240a and 240b is prevented.

As a result, as in the fourth embodiment, even when the first and second column spacers 240a and 240b are relatively short enough to overlap only one side common line 140 in the longitudinal direction, the initial bonding state (first and second) Substrate, the first and second column spacers 240a and 240b have a symmetrical structure overlapping the common line at different positions, so that at least one column spacer is the common line 240 regardless of which shift occurs. Correspondingly, direct contact of the alignment film in the pixel region of the column spacers is prevented.

On the other hand, the column spacer is not limited to this illustrated shape, it may be a polygonal column having a polygonal plane to maintain the horizontal length.

In the above description, since the individual column spacers may be larger than the conventional structure, an appropriate level of batch density and area density may be applied in consideration of liquid crystal margin.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

100: first substrate 101: gate line
101a: gate electrode 102: data line
102b: drain electrode 103: semiconductor layer
104: gate insulating film 105: planarization film
107: common electrode 108, 140: common line
109: protective film 110: pixel electrode
110a: pixel electrode connection portion 114: inorganic insulating film
107a: opening 117: contact hole
200: second substrate 210, 230: column spacer
220a, 240a: first column spacer 220b, 240b: second column spacer

Claims (21)

A first substrate and a second substrate facing each other;
A plurality of gate lines and data lines crossing each other on the first substrate to define pixel regions;
A thin film transistor formed at each intersection of the gate line and the data line;
A planarization layer covering the gate line, the data line, and the thin film transistor and having a flattened upper surface;
A common electrode formed on the planarization layer;
A common line formed in direct contact with the common electrode in the gate line or data line direction;
A passivation layer covering the common electrode and the common line and having a contact hole exposing a portion of the thin film transistor;
A pixel electrode contacting the thin film transistor through the contact hole and branched to the pixel area and formed in the pixel area;
A column spacer formed to intersect the common line; And
And a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. The method of claim 1,
And the column spacer is elongated in a direction crossing the common line so as to be placed on the common line even when shifted by an external force. The method of claim 1,
The common line may be formed to be spaced apart from the first common line and the second common line in a direction parallel to each of the gate lines. The method of claim 3, wherein
And the first common line and the second common line pass through both sides of the thin film transistors to which the gate lines are connected. 5. The method of claim 4,
And the column spacer is formed in a 'bar' shape on the data line such that the column spacer overlaps the first common line and the second common line. 5. The method of claim 4,
The column spacer includes a first column spacer overlapping only the first common line, and a second column spacer overlapping only the second common line,
And the first column spacer and the second column spacer pass on different data lines. The method according to claim 6,
And the first and second column spacers are symmetrically formed in a cross section passing through the first common line and the second common line. The method according to claim 6,
And the first column spacer and the second column spacer are alternately formed. The method of claim 1,
And the common line is formed to pass through some of the plurality of data lines. The method of claim 9,
And the column spacers are symmetrically formed on gate lines or thin film transistors of adjacent pixel regions with respect to each common line. The method of claim 10,
And the column spacer is formed in a bar shape to extend in the gate line direction. The method of claim 9,
The column spacer includes a first column spacer overlapping only the left part with respect to an adjacent common line, and a second column spacer overlapping only the right part. 13. The method of claim 12,
And the first and second column spacers are symmetrically formed with respect to the common lines adjacent to each other. The method of claim 13,
And the first column spacer and the second column spacer are alternately formed. The method of claim 1,
And the common electrode has an opening corresponding to the contact hole, and is integrally formed on the planarization layer. 16. The method of claim 15,
And the common line is formed on the common electrode. The method of claim 1,
And the common line is formed of a light blocking metal. 18. The method of claim 17,
And the common line has a thickness of 2000 mW or more and less than 6000 mW. 18. The method of claim 17,
The protective film is an inorganic film, characterized in that the liquid crystal display device. The method of claim 1,
A black matrix layer formed on an area of the second substrate other than the pixel area; And
And a first to third color filter layers having different colors formed corresponding to the pixel areas. The method of claim 20,
And the column spacer is formed on the black matrix layer.

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