U.S. patent application number 11/308277 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for liquid crystal display panel.
Invention is credited to Tsung-Chien Chang, Chien-Kuo He.
Application Number | 20070216847 11/308277 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38517400 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070216847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Tsung-Chien ; et
al. |
September 20, 2007 |
LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY PANEL
Abstract
A liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a
plurality of horizontal and vertical conductive lines, a second
substrate, a main spacer, a compensation spacer and a liquid
crystal layer is provided. The horizontal and vertical conductive
lines are disposed on the first substrate and overlapped each other
to form a plurality of first protrusions. The second substrate is
disposed over the first substrate. The main spacer and the
compensation spacer are disposed on the second substrate. The main
spacer is in sliding contact with the first protrusions, and the
compensation spacer is disposed around the main spacer. The liquid
crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the
second substrate. When shift occurs between the first and the
second substrates, the reduced contacting area between the main
spacer and the first protrusion is equal to the increased
contacting area between the compensation spacer and another first
protrusion.
Inventors: |
Chang; Tsung-Chien; (Taipei
County, TW) ; He; Chien-Kuo; (Taoyuan County,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JIANQ CHYUN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE
7 FLOOR-1, NO. 100
ROOSEVELT ROAD, SECTION 2
TAIPEI
100
TW
|
Family ID: |
38517400 |
Appl. No.: |
11/308277 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
349/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/136286 20130101;
G02F 1/13394 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
349/155 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1339 20060101
G02F001/1339 |
Claims
1. A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, comprising: a first
substrate; a plurality of horizontal and vertical conductive lines,
disposed on the first substrate and overlapped to form a plurality
of first protrusions; a second substrate, disposed over the first
substrate; a main spacer and a compensation spacer, disposed on the
second substrate, the main spacer being in sliding contact with the
first protrusions, the compensation spacer being disposed around
the main spacer; and a liquid crystal layer, disposed between the
first substrate and the second substrate; wherein, when shift
occurs between the first substrate and the second substrate, the
main spacer moves away from the first protrusions, at the same
time, the compensation spacer comes into contact with the adjacent
first protrusion, and the reduced contacting area between the main
spacer and the first protrusions is equal to the increased
contacting area between the compensation spacer and the first
protrusions.
2. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area of each of
the first protrusions is greater than the areas of the main spacer
and the compensation spacer.
3. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area of each of
the first protrusions is smaller than the areas of the main spacer
and the compensation spacer.
4. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the compensation
spacer includes a first compensation spacer and a second
compensation spacer, the main spacer, the first compensation
spacer, and the second compensation spacer are disposed
corresponding to the same horizontal conductive line, and the main
spacer is disposed between the first compensation spacer and the
second compensation spacer; the main spacer protrudes a first
distance from the edge of the first protrusion in contact therewith
along direction +X and a second distance along direction -X; the
first compensation spacer is at the second distance from the
adjacent vertical conductive line; and the second compensation
spacer is at the first distance from the adjacent vertical
conductive line.
5. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the shifting
distance of the main spacer along direction -X is greater than the
first distance and smaller than the sum of the first distance and
the width of the second compensation spacer itself on axis X, the
second compensation spacer contacts the adjacent first protrusion
so that the reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the
first protrusion is equal to the increased contacting area between
the second compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
6. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the shifting
distance of the main spacer along direction +X is greater than the
second distance and smaller than the sum of the second distance and
the width of the first compensation spacer itself on axis X, the
first compensation spacer contacts the adjacent first protrusion so
that the reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the
first protrusion is equal to the increased contacting area between
the first compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
7. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the compensation
spacer further includes a third compensation spacer and a fourth
compensation spacer; the main spacer, the third compensation
spacer, and the fourth compensation spacer are disposed
corresponding to the same vertical conductive line, and the main
spacer is disposed between the third compensation spacer and the
fourth compensation spacer; the main spacer protrudes a third
distance from the edge of the first protrusion in contact therewith
along direction +Y and a fourth distance along direction -Y; the
third compensation spacer is at the third distance from the
adjacent horizontal conductive line; and the fourth compensation
spacer is at the fourth distance from the adjacent horizontal
conductive line.
8. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the shifting
distance of the main spacer along direction -Y is greater than the
third distance and smaller than the sum of the third distance and
the width of the third compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the
third compensation spacer contacts the adjacent first protrusion so
that the reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the
first protrusion is equal to the increased contacting area between
the third compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
9. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the shifting
distance of the main spacer along direction +Y is greater than the
fourth distance and smaller than the sum of the fourth distance and
the width of the fourth compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the
fourth compensation spacer contacts the adjacent first protrusion
so that the reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the
first protrusion is equal to the increased contacting area between
the fourth compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
10. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of
the horizontal and vertical conductive lines includes scan line, Cs
line, or data line.
11. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
substrate includes thin film transistor array substrate (TFT array
substrate).
12. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
substrate includes color filter substrate (CF substrate).
13. An LCD panel, comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of
horizontal and vertical conductive lines, disposed on the first
substrate and dividing the first substrate into a first area, a
second area, and a third area; a plurality of support pads,
respectively disposed under at least one of the horizontal and
vertical conductive lines to form a plurality of first protrusions;
a second substrate, disposed over the first substrate; a main
spacer and a compensation spacer, disposed on the second substrate,
the main spacer being in sliding contact with the first
protrusions, the compensation spacer being disposed around the main
spacer; and a liquid crystal layer, disposed between the first
substrate and the second substrate; wherein, when shift occurs
between the first substrate and the second substrate, the main
spacer moves away from the first protrusion, at the same time, the
compensation spacer comes into contact with the adjacent first
protrusion, and the reduced contacting area between the main spacer
and the first protrusions is equal to the increased contacting area
between the compensation spacer and the first protrusions.
14. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the area of each
of the first protrusions is greater than the areas of the main
spacer and the compensation spacer.
15. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the area of each
of the first protrusions is smaller than the areas of the main
spacer and the compensation spacer.
16. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the horizontal
conductive lines include a first horizontal conductive line, a
second horizontal conductive line, and a third horizontal
conductive line, and the second horizontal conductive line is
disposed between the first horizontal conductive line and the third
horizontal conductive line, the compensation spacer includes a
first compensation spacer and a second compensation spacer
respectively disposed on the first horizontal conductive line and
the third horizontal conductive line in the first area; the main
spacer retracts a first distance from the edge of the first
protrusion in contact therewith along direction -X and a second
distance along direction +X; the first compensation spacer is at
the second distance from the first protrusion disposed on the first
horizontal conductive line in the first area; and the second
compensation spacer is at the first distance from the first
protrusion disposed on the third horizontal conductive line in the
first area.
17. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein when the shifting
distance of the main spacer along direction -X is greater than the
second distance and smaller than the sum of the second distance and
the width of the first compensation spacer itself on axis X, the
first compensation spacer contacts the first protrusion on the
first horizontal conductive line so that the reduced contacting
area between the main spacer and the first protrusion on the second
horizontal conductive line is equal to the increased contacting
area between the first compensation spacer and the first protrusion
on the first horizontal conductive line.
18. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein when the shifting
distance of the main spacer along direction +X is greater than the
first distance and smaller than the sum of the first distance and
the width of the second compensation spacer itself on axis X, the
second compensation spacer contacts the first protrusion on the
third horizontal conductive line so that the reduced contacting
area between the main spacer and the first protrusion on the second
horizontal conductive line is equal to the increased contacting
area between the second compensation spacer and the first
protrusion on the third horizontal conductive line.
19. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the compensation
spacer further includes a third compensation spacer and a fourth
compensation spacer respectively disposed on the second horizontal
conductive line in the second area and on the second horizontal
conductive line in the third area; the main spacer is at a third
distance from the upper edge of the second horizontal conductive
line in direction +Y and at a fourth distance from the lower edge
of the second horizontal conductive line in direction -Y; the third
compensation spacer is at the third distance from the first
protrusion on the second horizontal conductive line in the second
area; and the fourth compensation spacer is at the fourth distance
from the first protrusion on the second horizontal conductive line
in the third area.
20. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 19, wherein when the shifting
distance of the main spacer along -Y direction is greater than the
fourth distance and smaller than the sum of the fourth distance and
the width of the fourth compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the
fourth compensation spacer contacts the first protrusion on the
second horizontal conductive line in the third area so that the
reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the first
protrusion on the second horizontal conductive line is equal to the
increased contacting area between the fourth compensation spacer
and the first protrusion on the second horizontal conductive line
in the third area.
21. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 19, wherein when the shifting
distance of the main spacer along direction +Y is greater than the
third distance and smaller than the sum of the third distance and
the width of the third compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the
third compensation spacer contacts the first protrusion on the
second horizontal conductive line in the second area so that the
reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the first
protrusion on the second horizontal conductive line is equal to the
increased contacting area between the third compensation spacer and
the first protrusion on the second horizontal conductive line in
the second area.
22. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of
the horizontal and vertical conductive lines includes scan line, Cs
line, or data line.
23. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first
substrate includes TFT array substrate.
24. The LCD panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second
substrate includes CF substrate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display
(LCD) panel. More particularly, the present invention relates to an
LCD panel which allows the spacers to have uniform compressing
density by applying biased compensation.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] An LCD panel is generally formed by a thin film transistor
array substrate (TFT array substrate) and a color filter substrate
(CF substrate). A gap has to be sustained between the TFT array
substrate and the CF substrate with spacers to fill in a liquid
crystal layer between the two substrates. Generally, the spacers
are disposed on the CF substrate and are in contact with the TFT
array substrate.
[0005] However, during assembly process, the spacers of an LCD
panel may shift along with the shift of the panel that the area
density (i.e. compressing density) of the spacers which is in
contact with the TFT array substrate will also be changed. Thus,
the gap between the two substrates will not be uniform, which
affects the display quality of the panel.
[0006] Accordingly, shift stopping and biased compensation are
provided in the conventional technology to resolve the problem of
the poor display quality resulted from spacer shift. FIGS. 1A and
1B are cross-sectional views of two conventional LCD panels. First,
referring to FIG. 1A, the LCD panel 100 includes a TFT array
substrate 110, a CF substrate 120, and a liquid crystal layer 130
located between the two substrates. Moreover, the TFT array
substrate 110 has a plurality of protrusions 112, and a groove 114
is located between two protrusions 112. It is remarkable that the
spacer 140 is disposed on the CF substrate 120 and in contact with
the groove 114 to prevent the spacer 140 from moving.
[0007] Then, referring to FIG. 1B, the LCD panel 200 also has a TFT
array substrate 210, a CF substrate 220, and a liquid crystal layer
230 located between the two substrates. Wherein, there is a drain
212 on the TFT array substrate 210 and a planarized layer 216
covers the drain 212. By fabricating a contact window opening 216a
in the planarized layer 216 above the drain 212, the pixel
electrode 214 is electrically connected to the drain 212 through
the contact window opening 216a. It is remarkable that the spacer
240 is disposed on the CF substrate 220 and locked in the contact
window opening 216a to prevent the spacer 240 from moving.
[0008] The spacers 140 and 240 can be prevented from moving and
further the panels can be prevented from shifting through the shift
stopping methods shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. However, because the
external power shifting the panels is generally stronger, the
spacers 140 and 240 may be pushed out of the groove 114 or the
contact window opening 216a, which may affect the supporting
performance of the spacers 140 and 240 and the uniformity of the
gap d.
[0009] In addition, FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of another
conventional LCD panel. In the LCD panel 300, a plurality of
spacers 344 and 342 (only one is shown) are respectively fabricated
on the TFT array substrate 310 and the CF substrate 320, the
spacers 344 are partially in contact with the spacers 342 to
sustain the gap d of the panel, and the liquid crystal layer 330 is
disposed between the two substrates.
[0010] FIG. 2B is a top view of the spacers in FIG. 2A. Referring
to both FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, when the CF substrate 320 shifts
rightward, the contacting area R1 between the spacers 342 and 344
in the first spacer group A1 is reduced, while the contacting area
R2 between the spacers 342 and 344 in the second spacer group A2 is
increased, thus the contacting area R1 of the first spacer group A1
and the contacting area R2 of the second spacer group A2 can
compensate each other horizontally. Based on the same principle,
the contacting area R3 of the third spacer group A3 and the
contacting area R4 of the fourth spacer group A4 can compensate
each other vertically.
[0011] However, the LCD panel 300 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is
only applicable when the panel does not shifts too much, that is,
the distance the panel shifts is within the range of half the sizes
of the spacers 342 and 344. Along with the development of large
size panels, the panel shift will increase accordingly. Hence, the
methods described above will become ineffective; the problems of
unevenness of the compressing density of the spacers,
non-uniformity of the panel gap, and poor panel display performance
still remain unsolved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to provide an
LCD panel to solve the problems in a large size panel of uneven
compressing density of spacers, non-uniform gap, and unsatisfactory
display performance of the panel due to excessive panel shift.
[0013] To achieve the aforementioned and other objectives, the
present invention provides an LCD panel including a first
substrate, a plurality of horizontal and vertical conductive lines,
a second substrate, a main spacer, a compensation spacer, and a
liquid crystal layer. The horizontal and vertical conductive lines
are disposed on the first substrate and overlapped with each other
to form a plurality of first protrusions. The second substrate is
disposed above the first substrate. The main spacer and the
compensation spacer are disposed on the second substrate. The main
spacer is in sliding contact with the first protrusions, and the
compensation spacer is disposed around the main spacer. The liquid
crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the
second substrate. Wherein, when shift occurs between the first
substrate and the second substrate, the main spacer moves away from
the first protrusion; at the same time, the compensation spacer
comes into contact with the adjacent first protrusion, and the
reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the first
protrusion is equal to the increased contacting area between the
compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
area of the aforementioned first protrusion is greater than the
areas of the main spacer and the compensation spacer.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
area of the aforementioned first protrusion is smaller than the
areas of the main spacer and the compensation spacer.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned compensation spacer includes a first compensation
spacer and a second compensation spacer. The main spacer, the first
compensation spacer, and the second compensation spacer are
disposed corresponding to the same horizontal conductive line, and
the main spacer is disposed between the first compensation spacer
and the second compensation spacer; the main spacer protrudes a
first distance from the edge of the first protrusion in contact
therewith along direction +X and a second distance along direction
-X; the first compensation spacer is at the aforementioned second
distance from the adjacent vertical conductive line; and the second
compensation spacer is at the aforementioned first distance from
the adjacent vertical conductive line.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the shifting distance of the aforementioned main spacer along
direction -X is greater than the first distance and smaller than
the sum of the first distance and the width of the second
compensation spacer itself on axis X, the second compensation
spacer will contact the adjacent first protrusion so that the
reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the first
protrusion is equal to the increased contacting area between the
second compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the shifting distance of the aforementioned main spacer along
direction +X is greater than the second distance and smaller than
the sum of the second distance and the width of the first
compensation spacer itself on axis X, the first compensation spacer
will contact the adjacent first protrusion so that the reduced
contacting area between the main spacer and the first protrusion is
equal to the increased contacting area between the first
compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned compensation spacer further includes a third
compensation spacer and a fourth compensation spacer. The main
spacer, the third compensation spacer, and the fourth compensation
spacer are disposed corresponding to the same vertical conductive
line, and the main spacer is disposed between the third
compensation spacer and the fourth compensation spacer; the main
spacer protrudes a third distance from the edge of the first
protrusion in contact therewith along direction +Y and a fourth
distance along direction -Y; the third compensation spacer is at
the aforementioned third distance from the adjacent horizontal
conductive line; and the fourth compensation spacer is at the
aforementioned fourth distance from the adjacent horizontal
conductive line.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the shifting distance of the aforementioned main spacer along
direction -Y is greater than the third distance and smaller than
the sum of the third distance and the width of the third
compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the third compensation spacer
will contact the adjacent first protrusion so that the reduced
contacting area between the main spacer and the first protrusion is
equal to the increased contacting area between the third
compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the shifting distance of the aforementioned main spacer along
direction +Y is greater than the fourth distance and smaller than
the sum of the fourth distance and the width of the fourth
compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the fourth compensation
spacer will contact the adjacent first protrusion so that the
reduced contacting area between the main spacer and the first
protrusion is equal to the increased contacting area between the
fourth compensation spacer and the first protrusion.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at
least one of the aforementioned horizontal and vertical conductive
lines includes a scan line, a Cs line, or a data line.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned first substrate includes thin film transistor array
substrate (TFT array substrate).
[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned second substrate includes color filter substrate (CF
substrate).
[0025] To achieve the aforementioned and other objectives, the
present invention further provides an LCD panel including a first
substrate, a plurality of horizontal and vertical conductive lines,
a plurality of support pads, a second substrate, a main spacer, a
compensation spacer, and a liquid crystal layer. The horizontal and
vertical conductive lines are disposed on the first substrate and
divide the first substrate into a first area, a second area, and a
third area. The support pads are respectively disposed under at
least one of the horizontal and vertical conductive lines to form a
plurality of first protrusions. The second substrate is disposed
over the first substrate. The main spacer and the compensation
spacer are disposed on the second substrate. The main spacer is in
sliding contact with the first protrusions, and the compensation
spacer is disposed around the main spacer. The liquid crystal layer
is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate;
when shift occurs between the first substrate and the second
substrate, the main spacer moves away from the first protrusion, at
the same time, the compensation spacer comes into contact with the
adjacent first protrusion, and the reduced contacting area between
the main spacer and the first protrusion is equal to the increased
contacting area between the compensation spacer and the first
protrusion.
[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
area of the aforementioned first protrusion is greater than the
areas of the main spacer and the compensation spacer.
[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
area of the aforementioned first protrusion is smaller than the
areas of the main spacer and the compensation spacer.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned horizontal conductive lines include a first
horizontal conductive line, a second horizontal conductive line,
and a third horizontal conductive line, and the second horizontal
conductive line is disposed between the first horizontal conductive
line and the third horizontal conductive line. The compensation
spacer includes a first compensation spacer and a second
compensation spacer respectively disposed on the first horizontal
conductive line and the third horizontal conductive line in the
first area; the main spacer retracts a first distance from the edge
of the first protrusion in contact therewith along direction -X and
a second distance along direction +X; the first compensation spacer
is at the aforementioned second distance from the first protrusion
disposed on the first horizontal conductive line in the first area;
and the second compensation spacer is at the aforementioned first
distance from the first protrusion disposed on the third horizontal
conductive line in the first area.
[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the shifting distance of the aforementioned main spacer along
direction -X is greater than the second distance and smaller than
the sum of the second distance and the width of the first
compensation spacer itself on axis X, the first compensation spacer
will contact the first protrusion on the first horizontal
conductive line so that the reduced contacting area between the
main spacer and the first protrusion on the second horizontal
conductive line is equal to the increased contacting area between
the first compensation spacer and the first protrusion on the first
horizontal conductive line.
[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the shifting distance of the aforementioned main spacer along
direction +X is greater than the first distance and smaller than
the sum of the first distance and the width of the second
compensation spacer itself on axis X, the second compensation
spacer will contact the first protrusion on the third horizontal
conductive line so that the reduced contacting area between the
main spacer and the first protrusion on the second horizontal
conductive line is equal to the increased contacting area between
the second compensation spacer and the first protrusion on the
third horizontal conductive line.
[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned compensation spacer further includes a third
compensation spacer and a fourth compensation spacer respectively
disposed on the second horizontal conductive line in the second
area and the second horizontal conductive line in the third area;
the main spacer is at a third distance from the upper edge of the
second horizontal conductive line along direction +Y and at a
fourth distance from the lower edge of the second horizontal
conductive line along direction -Y; the third compensation spacer
is at the aforementioned third distance from the first protrusion
on the second horizontal conductive line in the second area; and
the fourth compensation spacer is at the aforementioned fourth
distance from the first protrusion on the second horizontal
conductive line in the third area.
[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the shifting distance of the aforementioned main spacer along
direction -Y is greater than the fourth distance and smaller than
the sum of the fourth distance and the width of the fourth
compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the fourth compensation
spacer will contact the first protrusion on the second horizontal
conductive line in the third area so that the reduced contacting
area between the main spacer and the first protrusion on the second
horizontal conductive line is equal to the increased contacting
area between the fourth compensation spacer and the first
protrusion on the second horizontal conductive line in the third
area.
[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the shifting distance of the aforementioned main spacer along
direction +Y is greater than the third distance and smaller than
the sum of the third distance and the width of the third
compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the third compensation spacer
will contact the first protrusion on the second horizontal
conductive line in the second area so that the reduced contacting
area between the main spacer and the first protrusion on the second
horizontal conductive line is equal to the increased contacting
area between the third compensation spacer and the first protrusion
on the second horizontal conductive line in the second area.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at
least one of the aforementioned horizontal and vertical conductive
lines includes a scan line, a Cs line, or a data line.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned first substrate includes TFT array substrate.
[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned second substrate includes CF substrate.
[0037] In summary, according to the present invention, a main
spacer and a compensation spacer are disposed, and the reduced
contacting area between the main spacer and the first protrusion is
made equal to the increased contacting area between the
compensation spacer and another first protrusion, uniform
compressing density of spacers and consistent panel gap can be
obtained even when the panel shifts a great distance. Accordingly,
the LCD panel of the present invention has better display
performance.
[0038] In order to make the aforementioned and other objects,
features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, a
preferred embodiment accompanied with figures is described in
detail below.
[0039] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary,
and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0041] FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of two
conventional LCD panels.
[0042] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of another conventional
LCD panel.
[0043] FIG. 2B is a top view of the spacers in FIG. 2A.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a partial top view of an LCD panel according to
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the LCD panel in FIG. 3
along line A-A'.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a top view of an LCD panel according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a top view of an LCD panel according to the third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the LCD panel in FIG. 5
along line B-B'.
[0049] FIG. 6 is a top view of an LCD panel according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The First Embodiment
[0050] FIG. 3 is a partial top view of a LCD panel according to the
first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a
cross-sectional view of the LCD panel in FIG. 3 along line
A-A'.
[0051] Referring to both FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A, the LCD panel 400
includes a first substrate 410, a plurality of horizontal
conductive lines 420 and vertical conductive lines 430, a second
substrate 440, a main spacer 450, a compensation spacer 460, and a
liquid crystal layer 470. The horizontal conductive lines 420 and
the vertical conductive lines 430 are disposed on the first
substrate 410 and overlapped with each other to form a plurality of
first protrusions 480a, 480b, and 480c. The second substrate 440 is
disposed over the first substrate 410. The main spacer 450 and the
compensation spacer 460 are disposed on the second substrate 440.
The main spacer 450 is in sliding contact with the first protrusion
480a, and the compensation spacer 460 is disposed around the main
spacer 450. The liquid crystal layer 470 is disposed between the
first substrate 410 and the second substrate 440. Wherein, when
shift occurs between the first substrate 410 and the second
substrate 440, the main spacer 450 moves away from the first
protrusion 480a, at the same time, the compensation spacer 460
comes into contact with the adjacent first protrusions 480b/480c,
and the reduced contacting area between the main spacer 450 and the
first protrusion 480a is equal to the increased contacting area
between the compensation spacer 460 and the first protrusions
480b/480c.
[0052] In an embodiment, the horizontal conductive lines 420 may be
scan lines, or Cs lines, while the vertical conductive lines 430
may be data lines, or Cs lines. In addition, the first substrate
410 may be a thin film transistor array substrate (TFT array
substrate), and the second substrate 440 may be a color filter
substrate (CF substrate).
[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, the areas of the first protrusions
480a, 480b, and 480c are smaller than the areas of the main spacer
450 and the compensation spacer 460. However, in another
embodiment, the areas of the first protrusions 480a, 480b, and 480c
may be greater than the areas of the main spacer 450 and the
compensation spacer 460 (not shown).
[0054] The biased compensation in horizontal direction of the LCD
panel 400 in the present embodiment will be further described
below. Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the compensation
spacer 460 includes a first compensation spacer 460a and a second
compensation spacer 460b. The main spacer 450, the first
compensation spacer 460a, and the second compensation spacer 460b
are disposed corresponding to the same horizontal conductive line
420, and the main spacer 450 is disposed between the first
compensation spacer 460a and the second compensation spacer
460b.
[0055] It is remarkable that the main spacer 450 protrudes a first
distance B from the edge of the first protrusion 480a in contact
therewith along direction +X and a second distance C along
direction -X. The first compensation spacer 460a is at the
aforementioned second distance C from the adjacent vertical
conductive line 430. The second compensation spacer 460b is at the
aforementioned first distance B from the adjacent vertical
conductive line 430.
[0056] When the shifting distance of the main spacer 450 along
direction -X is greater than the first distance B and smaller than
the sum of the first distance B and the width W2 of the second
compensation spacer 460b itself on axis X, the second compensation
spacer 460b will be in contact with the adjacent first protrusion
480b so that the reduced contacting area between the main spacer
450 and the first protrusion 480a is equal to the increased
contacting area between the second compensation spacer 460b and the
first protrusion 480b.
[0057] In addition, when the shifting distance of the main spacer
450 along direction +X is greater than the second distance C and
smaller than the sum of the second distance C and the width W1 of
the first compensation spacer 460a itself on axis X, the first
compensation spacer 460a will be in contact with the adjacent first
protrusion 480c so that the reduced contacting area between the
main spacer 450 and the first protrusion 480a is equal to the
increased contacting area between the first compensation spacer
460a and the first protrusion 480c.
[0058] Accordingly, the main spacer 450 has a compensation value of
the first distance B in direction -X and the second distance C in
direction +X when the horizontal shifting distance of the LCD panel
400 is relatively small. Moreover, according to the design
described above, the LCD panel 400 can compensate the horizontal
shift within the range of "W1+C" or "W2+B" when the horizontal
shift of the panel is greater than the first distance B or the
second distance C. Thus, the LCD panel 400 of the present invention
can compensate larger panel shift horizontally. Accordingly, the
LCD panel 400 can obtain uniform compressing density of the spacers
and even panel gap, and further better display performance, even
though the panel shift is large.
The Second Embodiment
[0059] FIG. 4 is a top view of an LCD panel according to the second
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the LCD
panel 402 has compensation spacers 460 both horizontally and
vertically, wherein the disposition of the first compensation
spacer 460a and the second compensation spacer 460b in horizontal
direction is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, so the detail will
not be described again.
[0060] In addition, the horizontal conductive lines 420 may be scan
lines, or Cs lines, while the vertical conductive lines 430 may be
data lines, or Cs lines. Moreover, the first substrate 410 may be
TFT array substrate, while the second substrate 440 may be CF
substrate.
[0061] Similarly, the areas of the first protrusions 480a, 480b,
480c, 480d, and 480e shown in FIG. 4 may be smaller than the areas
of the main spacer 450 and the compensation spacer 460. However,
the areas of the first protrusions 480a, 480b, 480c, 480d, and 480e
may also be greater than the areas of the main spacer 450 and the
compensation spacer 460 (not shown).
[0062] It is remarkable that the compensation spacer 460 in the LCD
panel 402 may further include a third compensation spacer 460c and
a fourth compensation spacer 460d. The main spacer 450, the third
compensation spacer 460c, and the fourth compensation spacer 460d
are disposed corresponding to the same vertical conductive line
430, and the main spacer 450 is disposed between the third
compensation spacer 460c and the fourth compensation spacer
460d.
[0063] In particular, the main spacer 450 protrudes a third
distance D from the edge of the first protrusion 480a in contact
therewith along direction +Y and a fourth distance E along
direction -Y. The third compensation spacer 460c is at the
aforementioned third distance D from the adjacent horizontal
conductive line 420, and the fourth compensation spacer 460d is at
the aforementioned fourth distance E from the adjacent horizontal
conductive line 420.
[0064] When the shifting distance of the main spacer 450 along
direction -Y is greater than the third distance D and smaller than
the sum of the third distance D and the width W3 of the third
compensation spacer 460c itself on axis Y, the third compensation
spacer 460c will be in contact with the adjacent first protrusion
480d so that the reduced contacting area between the main spacer
450 and the first protrusion 480a is equal to the increased
contacting area between the third compensation spacer 460c and the
first protrusion 480d.
[0065] When the shifting distance of the main spacer 450 along
direction +Y is greater than the fourth distance E and smaller than
the sum of the fourth distance E and the width W4 of the fourth
compensation spacer 460d itself on axis Y, the fourth compensation
spacer 460d will be in contact with the adjacent first protrusion
480e so that the reduced contacting area between the main spacer
450 and the first protrusion 480a is equal to the increased
contacting area between the fourth compensation spacer 460d and the
first protrusion 480e.
[0066] Accordingly, the main spacer 450 itself has the compensation
value of the third distance D in direction -Y and the fourth
distance E in direction +Y when the vertical shift of the LCD panel
402 is little. Moreover, according to the design described above,
the LCD panel 402 can compensate the vertical shift within the
range of "W3+D" or "W4+E" when the vertical panel shift is greater
than the third distance D or the fourth distance E.
[0067] Moreover, since the first compensation spacer 460a and the
second compensation spacer 460b are also disposed in the LCD panel
402, it can compensate the horizontal panel shift within the range
of "W1 +C" or "W2+B". Thus, in the present embodiment, the LCD
panel 402 allows large panel shift both horizontally and
vertically. Accordingly, the LCD panel 402 can have uniform
compressing density of the spacers and even panel gap, and further
better display performance, even though the panel shift is
large.
The Third Embodiment
[0068] FIG. 5 is a top view of an LCD panel according to the third
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional
view of the LCD panel in FIG. 5 along line B-B'. Referring to both
FIG. 5 and FIG. 5A, the LCD panel 500 includes a first substrate
510, a plurality of horizontal conductive lines 520 and a plurality
of vertical conductive lines 530, a plurality of support pads 540,
a second substrate 550, a main spacer 560, a compensation spacer
570, and a liquid crystal layer 580. The horizontal conductive
lines 520 and the vertical conductive lines 530 are disposed on the
first substrate 510 and divide the first substrate 510 into a first
area 510a, a second area 510b (as shown in FIG. 6) and a third area
510c (as shown in FIG. 6). The support pads 540 are respectively
disposed under at least one of the horizontal conductive lines 520
and the vertical conductive lines 530 to form a plurality of first
protrusions 590. The second substrate 550 is disposed above the
first substrate 510. The main spacer 560 and the compensation
spacer 570 are disposed on the second substrate 550. The main
spacer 560 is in sliding contact with the first protrusion 590, and
the compensation spacer 570 is disposed around the main spacer 560.
The liquid crystal layer 580 is disposed between the first
substrate 510 and the second substrate 550. Wherein, when shift
occurs between the first substrate 510 and the second substrate
550, the main spacer 560 moves away from the first protrusions 590,
at the same time, the compensation spacer 570 comes into contact
with the adjacent first protrusions 590, and the reduced contacting
area between the main spacer 560 and the first protrusions 590 is
equal to the increased contacting area between the compensation
spacer 570 and the first protrusions 590.
[0069] In an embodiment, the horizontal conductive lines 520 may be
scan lines, or Cs lines, while the vertical conductive lines 530
may be data lines, or Cs lines. In addition, the first substrate
510 may be TFT array substrate, and the second substrate 550 may be
CF substrate.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 5A, in an embodiment, the area of the
first protrusion 590 is greater than the areas of the main spacer
560 and the compensation spacer 570. However, in another
embodiment, the area of the first protrusion 590 may also be
smaller than the areas of the main spacer 560 and the compensation
spacer 570 (not shown).
[0071] The biased compensation in horizontal direction of the LCD
panel 500 in the present embodiment will be further described
below. Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment, the horizontal
conductive lines 520 include a first horizontal conductive line
520a, a second horizontal conductive line 520b, and a third
horizontal conductive line 520c, and the second horizontal
conductive line 520b is disposed between the first horizontal
conductive line 520a and the third horizontal conductive line 520c.
The compensation spacer 570 includes a first compensation spacer
570a and a second compensation spacer 570b respectively disposed on
the first horizontal conductive line 520a and on the third
horizontal conductive line 520c in the first area 510a.
[0072] It is remarkable that the main spacer 560 retracts a first
distance B from the edge of the first protrusion 590 in contact
therewith along direction -X and a second distance C along
direction +X. The first compensation spacer 570a is at the
aforementioned second distance C from the first protrusion 590 on
the first horizontal conductive line 520a in the first area 510a.
The second compensation spacer 570b is at the aforementioned first
distance B from the first protrusion 590 on the third horizontal
conductive line 520c in the first area 510a.
[0073] When the shifting distance of the main spacer 560 along
direction -X is greater than the second distance C and smaller than
the sum of the second distance C and the width W1 of the first
compensation spacer 570a itself on axis X, the first compensation
spacer 570a will be in contact with the first protrusion 590 on the
first horizontal conductive line 520a so that the reduced
contacting area between the main spacer 560 and the first
protrusion 590 on the second horizontal conductive line 520b is
equal to the increased contacting area between the first
compensation spacer 570a and the first protrusion 590 on the first
horizontal conductive line 520a.
[0074] When the shifting distance of the main spacer 560 along
direction +X is greater than the first distance B and smaller than
the sum of the first distance B and the width W2 of the second
compensation spacer 570b itself on axis X, the second compensation
spacer 570b will be in contact with the first protrusion 590 on the
third horizontal conductive line 520c so that the reduced
contacting area between the main spacer 560 and the first
protrusion 590 on the second horizontal conductive line 520b is
equal to the increased contacting area between the second
compensation spacer 570b and the first protrusion 590 on the third
horizontal conductive line 520c.
[0075] Accordingly, the main spacer 560 has the compensation value
of the second distance C in direction -X and the first distance B
in direction +X when the horizontal shifting distance of the LCD
panel 500 is small. However, according to the design described
above, the LCD panel 500 can compensate the horizontal shift within
the range of "W1+C" or "W2+B" when the horizontal panel shift is
greater than the first distance B or the second distance C.
[0076] Thus, the LCD panel 500 in the present invention can
compensate large panel shift horizontally, and the LCD panel 500
can obtain consistent compressing density of the spacers and
uniform panel gap, and further better display performance, even
though the panel shift is large.
[0077] In particular, in the present embodiment, the support pads
540 are disposed under the horizontal conductive lines 520 and the
vertical conductive lines 530 to form the first protrusions 590.
Thus, compared to the first embodiment or the second embodiment,
the positions of the first protrusions 590 in the present
embodiment can be self-determined so as to obtain better biased
compensation effect.
The Fourth Embodiment
[0078] FIG. 6 is a top view of an LCD panel according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the LCD
panel 502 has compensation spacers 570 both horizontally and
vertically, wherein the disposition of the first compensation
spacer 570a and the second compensation spacer 570b in horizontal
direction is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, so the detail will
not be described again.
[0079] In addition, the horizontal conductive lines 520 may be scan
lines, or Cs lines. The vertical conductive lines 530 may be data
lines, or Cs lines. Moreover, the first substrate 510 may be TFT
array substrate, and the second substrate 550 may be CF
substrate.
[0080] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, the area of the first
protrusion 590 is greater than the areas of the main spacers 560
and the compensation spacer 570. However, the area of the first
protrusion 590 may also be smaller than the areas of the main
spacers 560 and the compensation spacer 570 (not shown).
[0081] It is remarkable that the compensation spacer 570 in the LCD
panel 502 can further includes a third compensation spacer 570c and
a fourth compensation spacer 570d respectively disposed on the
second horizontal conductive line 520b in the second area 510b and
on the second horizontal conductive line 520b in the third area
510c.
[0082] In particular, the main spacer 560 is at the third distance
D from the upper edge of the second horizontal conductive line 520b
in direction +Y and at the fourth distance E from the lower edge of
the second horizontal conductive line 520b in direction -Y. The
third compensation spacer 570c is at the aforementioned third
distance D from the first protrusion 590 on the second horizontal
conductive line 520b in the second area 510b. The fourth
compensation spacer 570d is at the fourth distance E from the first
protrusion 590 on the second horizontal conductive line 520b in the
third area 510c.
[0083] When the shifting distance of the main spacer 560 along
direction -Y is greater than the fourth distance E and smaller than
the sum of the fourth distance E and the width W4 of the fourth
compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the fourth compensation
spacer 570d will be in contact with the first protrusion 590 on the
second horizontal conductive line 520b in the third area 510c so
that the reduced contacting area between the main spacer 560 and
the first protrusion 590 on the second horizontal conductive line
520b is equal to the increased contacting area between the fourth
compensation spacer 570d and the first protrusion 590 on the second
horizontal conductive line 520b in the third area 510c.
[0084] When the shifting distance of the main spacer 560 along
direction +Y is greater than the third distance D and smaller than
the sum of the third distance D and the width W3 of the third
compensation spacer itself on axis Y, the third compensation spacer
570c will be in contact with the first protrusion 590 on the second
horizontal conductive line 520b in the second area 510b so that the
reduced contacting area between the main spacer 560 and the first
protrusion 590 on the second horizontal conductive line 520b is
equal to the increased contacting area between the third
compensation spacer 570c and the first protrusion 590 on the second
horizontal conductive line 520b in the second area 510b.
[0085] Accordingly, the main spacer 560 has the compensation value
of the fourth distance E in direction -Y and the third distance D
in direction +Y when the vertical shifting distance of the LCD
panel 502 is small. However, according to the design described
above, the LCD panel 502 can also compensate the vertical panel
shift within the range of "W3+D" or "W4+E" when the vertical panel
shift is greater than the third distance D or the fourth distance
E. In addition, the LCD panel 502 allows large panel shift both
horizontally and vertically since the first compensation spacer
570a and the second compensation spacer 570b are also disposed.
Accordingly, the LCD panel 502 can have uniform compressing density
of the spacers and consistent panel gap, and further better display
performance, even though the panel shift is large.
[0086] It is remarkable that the positions of the first protrusions
590 can be self-determined to obtain better biased compensation
effect because the first protrusions 590 are formed by support pads
540.
[0087] In addition, the support pads 540 in the present embodiment
can be the thin film in thin film transistors (not shown), so that
the first protrusion 590 can be formed by the protrusions on the
thin film transistors. As described above, biased compensation in
both horizontal and vertical directions can be performed by letting
the main spacer 560 be in contact with a first protrusion 590 of a
thin film transistor and disposing the compensation spacer 570
around the main spacer 560.
[0088] In overview, the LCD panel in the present invention has the
following advantages:
[0089] With the disposition the main spacer and the compensation
spacer in the present invention, large panel shift can be
compensated in horizontal and vertical directions, and uniform
compressing density of the spacers and consistent panel gap can be
obtained. In addition, by using the support pads, the flexibility
in disposing the first protrusions is improved, and the biased
compensation effect is further improved. Since the LCD panel in the
present invention has uniform panel gap and is not affected by
panel shift, the LCD panel in the present invention can have
outstanding display performance.
[0090] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the
present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
present invention cover modifications and variations of this
invention provided they fall within the scope of the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *