U.S. patent application number 13/771672 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Display CO., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Youngjoon Cho, Won-ki Hong, Seongmo Hwang, Incheol Kim, Hyun-Ju Lee, Seungho Nam, Sooguy Rho, Sunghwan Won.
Application Number | 20130271689 13/771672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48143438 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130271689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Incheol ; et
al. |
October 17, 2013 |
DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Abstract
A display apparatus includes a first base substrate, a touch
sensing part provided on the first base substrate, an electronic
device provided on the first base substrate, a black matrix
provided on the first base substrate, a signal line provided on the
black matrix to apply a driving signal to the electronic device, a
second base substrate facing the first base substrate, and a liquid
crystal layer disposed between the first base substrate and the
second base substrate.
Inventors: |
Kim; Incheol;
(Chungcheongnam-do, KR) ; Cho; Youngjoon;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; Hwang; Seongmo; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) ; Nam; Seungho; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; Rho;
Sooguy; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; Won; Sunghwan;
(Seoul, KR) ; Lee; Hyun-Ju; (Seoul, KR) ;
Hong; Won-ki; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD. |
Yongin-City |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Display CO., Ltd.
Yongin-City
KR
|
Family ID: |
48143438 |
Appl. No.: |
13/771672 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
349/44 ; 349/110;
438/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0446 20190501;
G06F 3/0443 20190501; G06F 2203/04111 20130101; G06F 3/0412
20130101; G02F 1/136209 20130101; H01L 27/1262 20130101; H01L
27/124 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101; G06F 2203/04103 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
349/44 ; 438/30;
349/110 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1362 20060101
G02F001/1362 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 12, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0038081 |
Claims
1. A display apparatus comprising: a first base substrate; a touch
sensing part on the first base substrate; an electronic device on
the first base substrate; a black matrix on the first base
substrate; a signal line on the black matrix; a second base
substrate facing the first base substrate; and a liquid crystal
layer between the first base substrate and the second base
substrate.
2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device
comprises a first electrode, a second electrode configured to form
an electric field in the liquid crystal layer in cooperation with
the first electrode, and a switching device connected to the first
electrode.
3. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the touch sensing part
comprises: a plurality of first lines extended in a first
direction, the plurality of first lines configured to receive an
operating voltage; and a plurality of second lines extended in a
second direction different from the first direction, the plurality
of second lines configured to receive a sensing voltage, wherein
the second lines are capacitively coupled to the first lines, and
wherein the sensing voltage is changed by the capacitive coupling
between the first and second lines.
4. The display apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the
first lines comprises a plurality of first blocks arranged in the
first direction and a plurality of first bridges, at least one of
the first bridges connecting adjacent first blocks to each other,
wherein at least one of the second lines comprises a plurality of
second blocks arranged in the second direction and a plurality of
second bridges, at least one of the second bridges connecting
adjacent second blocks to each other, and wherein the first bridges
are insulated from and cross the second bridges while the black
matrix is disposed between the first and second bridges.
5. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein the black matrix is
disposed between the electronic device and the first blocks, the
electronic device and the second blocks, and the electronic device
and the first bridges.
6. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switching device
comprises: a gate electrode on the black matrix; a source
electrode, a portion of the source electrode corresponding to the
gate electrode while a first insulating layer is disposed between
the source electrode and the gate electrode; and a drain electrode
spaced apart from the source electrode, a portion of the drain
electrode corresponding to the gate electrode while the first
insulating layer is disposed between the drain electrode and the
gate electrode, the drain electrode being connected to the first
electrode.
7. The display apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gate electrode and
a portion of the second bridges are disposed on the black
matrix.
8. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein the signal line
comprises a plurality of gate lines extended in the first direction
and configured to apply a gate signal to the gate electrode and a
plurality of data lines extended in the second direction and
configured to apply a data signal to the source electrode.
9. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein contact holes are
formed through the black matrix to expose a portion of the second
blocks, and the second bridges are connected to the second blocks
through the contact holes.
10. The display apparatus of claim 9, wherein the contact holes are
provided in the black matrix corresponding to the gate lines.
11. The display apparatus of claim 9, wherein the contact holes are
provided in the black matrix corresponding to the data lines.
12. The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the black matrix has
a width in an area through which the contact holes are formed,
wherein the width of the black matrix is greater than a width in an
area through which the contact holes are not formed.
13. The display apparatus of claim 4, further comprising one or
more switching devices, the switching devices respectively
corresponding to the gate lines and the data lines, and wherein at
least one of the first blocks or the second blocks corresponds to
at least one switching device when viewed in a plan view.
14. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the signal line
comprises a plurality of gate lines extended in the first direction
and configured to apply a gate signal to the gate electrode and a
plurality of data lines extended in the second direction and
configured to apply a data signal to the source electrode, and
wherein the touch sensing part comprises a plurality of touch
sensing lines capacitively coupled to the gate lines and extended
in the second direction, wherein a voltage applied to the touch
sensing part is changed by the capacitive coupling between the
touch sensing lines and the gate lines.
15. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first electrode
and the second electrode are provided on the first base
substrate.
16. The display apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first electrode
comprises a plurality of first branch portions, the second
electrode comprises a plurality of second branch portions, and the
first branch portions are alternately arranged with the second
branch portions when viewed in a plan view.
17. The display apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first electrode
comprises a plurality of first branch portions, the second
electrode is formed as a single plate, and the first branch
portions overlap the second electrode when viewed in a plan
view.
18. The display apparatus of claim 17, wherein the switching device
comprises: a gate electrode disposed on the black matrix; and a
source and drain electrode disposed on a first insulating layer,
wherein a portion of the source and drain electrode corresponds to
the gate electrode.
19. The display apparatus of claim 18, wherein the signal line
further comprises: a plurality of gate lines extended in a first
direction and configured to apply a gate signal to the gate
electrode; a common line extended in the first direction and spaced
apart from the gate lines, the common line configured to apply a
common voltage to the second electrode; a plurality of data lines
extended in a second direction crossing the first direction and
configured to apply a data signal to the source electrode.
20. The display apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a second
insulating layer on the switching device and a third insulating
layer on the second insulating layer, wherein the first electrode
is disposed on the third insulating layer, and the second electrode
is disposed between the second insulating layer and the third
insulating layer.
21. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the black matrix
comprises at least one of molybdenum oxide, manganese oxide,
amorphous carbon, silicon-germanium compound, or germanium
oxide.
22. A display apparatus comprising: a first base substrate; a touch
sensing part on the first base substrate; a black matrix on the
first base substrate; a signal line on the black matrix, the signal
line configured to output a driving signal; a second base substrate
facing the first base substrate; a liquid crystal layer between the
first base substrate and the second base substrate; and an
electronic device configured to drive the liquid crystal layer in
response to the driving signal.
23. The display apparatus of claim 22, wherein the electronic
device comprises a first electrode, a second electrode configured
to form an electric field in the liquid crystal layer in
cooperation with the first electrode, and a switching device
connected to the first electrode.
24. The display apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first electrode
is disposed on the first base substrate, and the second electrode
is disposed on the second base substrate.
25. The display apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one of the
first electrode or the second electrode comprises a domain divider
and divides the liquid crystal layer into a plurality of
domains.
26. The display apparatus of claim 25, wherein the domain divider
includes a slit or a protrusion.
27. A method of manufacturing a display apparatus, comprising:
forming a touch sensing part on a first base substrate; forming a
black matrix on the first base substrate; forming a signal line on
the black matrix; forming an electronic device connected to the
signal line; and forming a liquid crystal layer between the first
base substrate and a second base substrate.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein forming the electronic device
comprises: forming a switching device on the first base substrate,
the switching device connected to the signal line; forming a first
electrode on the first base substrate, the first electrode
connected to the switching device; and forming a second electrode
on the second base substrate.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein forming the electronic device
comprises: forming a switching device on the first base substrate,
the switching device connected to the signal line; forming a first
electrode on the first base substrate, the first electrode
connected to the switching device; and forming a second electrode
on the first base substrate, the second electrode spaced from and
insulated from the first electrode.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising forming an
insulating layer between the first electrode and the second
electrode.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein forming the switching device
comprises: forming a gate electrode on the black matrix; and
forming a source and drain electrode to be insulated from the gate
electrode.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein forming the touch sensing part
comprises: forming a plurality of first lines extended in a first
direction; and forming a plurality of second lines extended in a
second direction different from the first lines, the second lines
capacitively coupled to the first lines.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of the first lines
comprises a plurality of first blocks arranged in the first
direction and a plurality of first bridges, at least one of the
first bridges connecting adjacent first blocks to each other, at
least one of the second lines comprises a plurality of second
blocks arranged in the second direction and a plurality of second
bridges insulated from and crossing the first bridges, wherein the
black matrix is disposed between the first bridges and the second
bridges, and wherein the first blocks, the second blocks, and the
first bridges or the second bridges are formed by a single mask
process.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the gate electrode and
remaining bridges of the first and second bridges are formed by a
single mask process.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein forming the signal line
comprises forming a plurality of gate lines extended in the first
direction and configured to apply a gate signal to the gate
electrode and forming a plurality of data lines extended in the
second direction and configured to apply a data signal to the
source electrode, and wherein forming the touch sensing part
comprises forming a plurality of touch sensing lines extended in
the first direction and capacitively coupled to the gate lines, and
wherein a voltage applied to the touch sensing part is changed by
the capacitive coupling between the touch sensing lines and the
gate lines.
36. The method of claim 27, wherein the black matrix comprises at
least one of molybdenum oxide, manganese oxide, amorphous carbon,
silicon-germanium compound, or germanium oxide.
37. A display apparatus comprising: a first base substrate; a
second base substrate facing the first base substrate; a liquid
crystal layer between the first base substrate and the second base
substrate; a touch sensing part and an electronic device on an
inner surface of the first base substrate; and a signal line on the
touch sensing part or the electronic device.
38. The display apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a black
matrix on the first base substrate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of Korean Patent Application No.
10-2012-0038081, filed on Apr. 12, 2012, the contents of which are
herein incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus and a
method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to a display apparatus capable of sensing a
touch event and a method of manufacturing the display
apparatus.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] In general, a touch panel is disposed on an image display
apparatus to allow a user to select contents on the image display
apparatus by contacting the touch panel with a finger or an object.
The image display apparatus senses the touched position through the
touch panel and receives the content corresponding to the touched
position as an input signal.
[0004] An increasing number of image display apparatuses adopt the
touch panel which results in elimination of the need for a separate
external input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse.
[0005] When employed in a liquid crystal display, the touch panel
is disposed on a liquid crystal display panel, which displays
images, to sense position information in response to a user's
input. When the touch panel is separately prepared from the liquid
crystal display panel, optical properties of the liquid crystal
display, such as, e.g., brightness or viewing angle, are degraded,
and a thickness of the liquid crystal display increases.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display
apparatus that can increase touch sensitivity and display quality
and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus.
[0007] An embodiment of the inventive concept provides a display
apparatus includes a first base substrate, a touch sensing part
provided on the first base substrate, an electronic device provided
on the first base substrate, a black matrix provided on the first
base substrate, a signal line provided on the black matrix to apply
a driving signal to the electronic device, a second base substrate
facing the first base substrate, and a liquid crystal layer
disposed between the first base substrate and the second base
substrate.
[0008] The electronic device includes a first electrode, a second
electrode that forms an electric field in the liquid crystal layer
in cooperation with the first electrode, and a switching device
connected to the first electrode.
[0009] The touch sensing part includes a plurality of first lines
extended in a first direction and applied with an operating voltage
and a plurality of second lines extended in a second direction
different from the first lines and applied with a sensing voltage.
The second lines are capacitively coupled to the first lines and
the sensing voltage is changed by the capacitive coupling between
the first and second lines. At least one of the first lines
includes a plurality of first blocks arranged in the first
direction and a plurality of first bridges at least one of which
connects adjacent first blocks to each other, at least one of the
second lines includes a plurality of second blocks arranged in the
second direction and a plurality of second bridges at least one of
which connects adjacent second blocks to each other, and the first
bridges are insulated from and cross with the second bridges while
the black matrix is disposed between the first and second
bridges.
[0010] The black matrix is disposed between the electronic device
and the first blocks, the electronic device and the second blocks,
and the electronic device and the first bridges.
[0011] The switching device includes a gate electrode disposed on
the black matrix, a source electrode disposed so that a portion of
the source electrode corresponds to the gate electrode while a
first insulating layer is disposed between the source electrode and
the gate electrode, a drain electrode spaced apart from the source
electrode and disposed so that a portion of the drain electrode
corresponds to the gate electrode while the first insulating layer
is disposed between the drain electrode and the gate electrode, the
drain electrode being connected to the first electrode. The gate
electrode and a portion of the second bridges are disposed on the
black matrix.
[0012] The signal line includes a plurality of gate lines extended
in the first direction to apply a gate signal to the gate electrode
and a plurality of data lines extended in the second direction to
apply a data signal to the source electrode. The black matrix
includes contact holes formed therethrough to expose a portion of
the second blocks and the second bridges are connected to the
second blocks through the contact holes. Three contact holes are
provided in the black matrix corresponding to the gate lines or in
the black matrix corresponding to the data lines. The black matrix
has a width in an area through which the contact holes are formed.
The width of the black matrix is greater than a width in an area
through which the contact holes are not formed.
[0013] The switching device is provided in a plural number, the
switching devices respectively correspond to the gate lines and the
data lines, and at least one of the first blocks and the second
blocks corresponds to at least one switching device when viewed in
a plan view.
[0014] According to an embodiment, the signal line includes a
plurality of gate lines extended in the first direction to apply a
gate signal to the gate electrode and a plurality of data lines
extended in the second direction to apply a data signal to the
source electrode, and the touch sensing part includes a plurality
of touch sensing lines capacitively coupled to the gate lines and
extended in the second direction. A voltage applied to the touch
sensing part is changed by the capacitive coupling between the
touch sensing lines and the gate lines. According to an embodiment,
the extension direction of the touch sensing part should not be
limited to the second direction. That is, the touch sensing part
may be extended in a different direction from the second
direction.
[0015] According to an embodiment, the first electrode includes a
plurality of first branch portions, the second electrode includes a
plurality of second branch portions, and the first branch portions
are alternately arranged with the second branch portions when
viewed in a plan view. In addition, according to embodiments, the
first electrode includes a plurality of first branch portions, the
second electrode is formed as a single plate, and the first branch
portions overlap the second electrode when viewed in a plan
view.
[0016] An embodiment of the inventive concept provides a display
apparatus includes a first base substrate, a touch sensing part
provided on the first base substrate, a black matrix provided on
the first base substrate, a signal line provided on the black
matrix to output a driving signal, a second base substrate facing
the first base substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between
the first base substrate and the second base substrate, and an
electronic device that drives the liquid crystal layer in response
to the driving signal. The electronic device includes a first
electrode, a second electrode that forms an electric field in the
liquid crystal layer in cooperation with the first electrode, and a
switching device connected to the first electrode. The first
electrode is disposed on the first base substrate and the second
electrode is disposed on the second base substrate.
[0017] At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode
includes a domain divider to divide the liquid crystal layer into a
plurality of domains.
[0018] An embodiment of the inventive concept provides a method of
manufacturing a display apparatus includes forming a touch sensing
part on a first base substrate, forming a black matrix on the first
base substrate, forming a signal line on the black matrix, forming
an electronic device connected to the signal line, and forming a
liquid crystal layer between the first base substrate and a second
substrate.
[0019] According to an embodiment, the electronic device is formed
by forming a switching device on the first substrate to be
connected to the signal line, forming a first electrode on the
first substrate to be connected to the switching device, and
forming a second electrode on the second base substrate. According
to embodiments, the electronic device is formed by forming a
switching device on the first substrate to be connected to the
signal line, forming a first electrode on the first substrate to be
connected to the switching device, and forming a second electrode
on the first base substrate to be spaced from and insulated from
the first electrode.
[0020] The touch sensing part is formed by forming a plurality of
first lines extended in a first direction and forming a plurality
of second lines extended in a second direction different from the
first lines and capacitively coupled to the first lines. At least
one of the first lines includes a plurality of first blocks
arranged in the first direction and a plurality of first bridges at
least one of which connects adjacent first blocks to each other, at
least one of the second lines includes a plurality of second blocks
arranged in the second direction and a plurality of second bridges
insulated from and crossing with the first bridges while the black
matrix is disposed between the first and second bridges, and the
first blocks, the second blocks, and the first bridges or the
second bridges are formed by a single mask process.
[0021] According to an embodiment, the signal line is formed by
forming a plurality of gate lines extended in the first direction
to apply a gate signal to the gate electrode and forming a
plurality of data lines extended in the second direction to apply a
data signal to the source electrode, and the touch sensing part is
formed by forming a plurality of touch sensing lines extended in
the first direction and capacitively coupled to the gate lines. A
voltage applied to the touch sensing part is changed by the
capacitive coupling between the touch sensing lines and the gate
lines.
[0022] The black matrix includes at least one of molybdenum oxide,
manganese oxide, amorphous carbon, silicon-germanium compound, or
germanium oxide.
[0023] According to the above, the signal line and the electronic
device are formed on the substrate on which the touch event occurs
by the user, and thus influences may be prevented from entering the
liquid crystal layer LC, which are caused by the user's touch, and
the display disturbance may be prevented. The display apparatus may
prevent the external light from being reflected by the signal line
SL and the electronic device ED by using the black matrix BM.
Accordingly, the display apparatus may improve the touch
sensitivity and the display quality.
[0024] According to an embodiment, there is provided a display
apparatus including a first base substrate, a second base substrate
facing the first base substrate, a liquid crystal layer between the
first base substrate and the second base substrate, a touch sensing
part and an electronic device on an inner surface of the first base
substrate, and a signal line on the touch sensing part or the
electronic device.
[0025] According to an embodiment, the display apparatus further
includes a black matrix on the first base substrate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The embodiments of the present invention will become readily
apparent by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I' of
FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a portion of a display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 3B is an enlarged plan view showing a pixel part of
FIG. 3A;
[0031] FIG. 4A is an enlarged plan view of FIG. 3B;
[0032] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II'
of FIG. 4A;
[0033] FIGS. 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, and 11A are plan views
showing a method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIGS. 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, 10B, and 11B are cross-sectional
views respectively taken along a line II-II' of FIGS. 5A, 6A, 7A,
8A, 9A, 10A, and 11A;
[0035] FIG. 12A is a plan view showing a display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line
III-III' of FIG. 12A;
[0037] FIGS. 13A, 14A, 15A, 16A, 17A, and 18A are plan views
showing a method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIGS. 13B, 14B, 15B, 16B, 17B, and 18B are cross-sectional
views respectively taken along a line III-III' of FIGS. 13A, 14A,
15A, 16A, 17A, and 18A;
[0039] FIG. 19A is a plan view showing a portion of a display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 19B is an enlarged plan view showing a pixel part of
FIG. 19A;
[0041] FIG. 20A is an enlarged plan view of FIG. 19B;
[0042] FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV'
of FIG. 20A;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a plan view showing a portion of a display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 22A is an enlarged view showing a portion P3 of FIG.
21;
[0045] FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V'
of FIG. 22A; and
[0046] FIG. 23A is a plan view showing a display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0047] FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI'
of FIG. 23A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] It will be understood that when an element or layer is
referred to as being "on", "connected to" or "coupled to" another
element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to
the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be
present. Like reference numbers may refer to like or similar
elements throughout the specification and the drawings. As used
herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one
or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the
singular forms, "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
[0049] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art,
embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a system,
method, computer program product, or a computer program product
embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer
readable program code embodied thereon. The computer readable
program code may be provided to a processor of a general purpose
computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data
processing apparatus. The computer readable medium may be a
computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage
medium. The computer readable storage medium may be any tangible
medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in
connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or
device.
[0050] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention may be embodied in various different ways and
should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments
described herein.
[0051] A display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment
includes a touch panel display apparatus that senses a touch event
that occurs when a user contacts the touch panel display apparatus
with a finger or an object and displays or transmits information
corresponding to the touch event.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I' of FIG. 1.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a touch event occurs on an
upper portion of the display apparatus, and an image is displayed
in an upper direction of the display apparatus. A light source (not
shown) is provided under a lower portion of the display apparatus
to provide light to the display apparatus.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display apparatus includes a
plurality of pixels PXL arranged in a matrix form. Each pixel PXL
includes a display area DP in which the image is displayed and a
non-display area NDP except for the display area DP when viewed in
a plan view. Each pixel PXL includes a first substrate SUB1, a
second substrate SUB2 facing the first substrate SUB1, a liquid
crystal layer LC disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the
second substrate SUB2, and an electronic device ED that drives the
liquid crystal layer LC. The non-display area NDP is disposed
adjacent to at least one side of the display area DP, and according
to an embodiment, surrounds the display area DP.
[0054] The first substrate SUB1 includes an external surface on
which the touch event occurs by the user. The first substrate SUB1
includes a first base substrate BS1, a touch sensing part TSP
disposed on the first base substrate BS1, a black matrix BM
disposed on the first base substrate BS1, and a signal line SL
disposed on the black matrix BM to apply a driving signal to the
electronic device ED. The touch sensing part TSP, the black matrix
BM, and the signal line SL are disposed on a surface opposite to
the external surface, e.g., between the first base substrate BS1
and the liquid crystal layer LC.
[0055] The first base substrate BS1 includes, but is not limited
to, a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, or a plastic substrate.
The first base substrate BS1 is formed of a transparent material.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the first base substrate BS1
includes a portion of each pixel PXL.
[0056] The touch sensing part TSP senses the touch event occurring
on the display apparatus by a user's finger or an object. According
to an embodiment, the touch sensing part TSP includes a capacitive
type touch sensor, a resistive type touch sensor, or an infrared
sensitive type touch sensor.
[0057] The black matrix BM is disposed in the non-display area NDP
of each pixel PXL to block light traveling through an area except
the display area DP.
[0058] The signal line SL is disposed on the black matrix BM in the
non-display area NDP and connected to the electronic device ED and
applies the driving signal to the electronic device ED. The signal
line SL includes a conductive material, e.g., a metal material.
According to an embodiment, the signal line SL is formed of a
single metal material, but it should not be limited thereto or
thereby. Alternatively, the signal line SL is formed of two or more
metal materials or an alloy thereof. According to an embodiment,
the signal line SL has a single-layered structure or a
multi-layered structure.
[0059] The second substrate SUB2 includes a second base substrate
BS2 and color filters CF disposed on the second base substrate BS2.
According to an embodiment, the color filters CF are omitted or
disposed on the first substrate SUB1 rather than the second
substrate SUB2. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second
base substrate BS2 includes a portion of each pixel PXL.
[0060] The electronic device ED is connected to the signal line SL
and drives the liquid crystal layer LC in response to the driving
signal provided through the signal line SL. The electronic device
ED includes electrodes to apply an electric field to the liquid
crystal layer LC and a switching device to apply voltages to the
electrodes. The electrodes are disposed on the first substrate SUB1
and/or the second substrate SUB2 in accordance with the electric
field applied to the liquid crystal layer LC.
[0061] The liquid crystal layer LC is driven by the electric field
and transmits or blocks the light, thereby displaying an image.
[0062] A conventional display apparatus includes a first substrate
on which a signal line and an electronic device are formed, a
second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer, and a touch event
occurs on an external surface of the second substrate. When no
electrical shielding member is provided between the liquid crystal
layer and the portion at which the touch event occurs, an electric
field applied to the liquid crystal layer is fluctuated by the
user's touch, and thus display disturbance arises. To prevent this,
the conventional display apparatus further includes a separate
electrical shielding member (e.g., a transparent conductive layer)
disposed on the external surface of the second substrate. However,
the transparent conductive layer disposed on the external surface
of the second substrate blocks the electric field used to sense the
touch event, and thus the touch sensitivity of the conventional
display apparatus is degraded.
[0063] According to an exemplary embodiment, the signal line SL and
the electronic device ED are disposed on the first substrate SUB1,
so that the liquid crystal layer LC may be prevented from being
influenced or disturbed by the user's touch. The black matrix BM in
the display apparatus may prevent external light from being
reflected by the signal line SL and the electronic device ED.
Accordingly, the display apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment may improve touch sensitivity and display quality.
[0064] FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a portion of a display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 3B is an enlarged plan view showing a pixel part of
FIG. 3A, FIG. 4A is an enlarged plan view of FIG. 3B, and FIG. 4B
is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II' of FIG. 4A. In
an exemplary embodiment, for convenience of description, a side of
the display apparatus, where a touch event occurs and an image is
displayed, is referred to as being in a lower direction of the
display apparatus. A plurality of pixels are shown with the touch
sensing part disposed in the pixels. According to an embodiment, a
light source (not shown) is provided on an upper side of the
display apparatus and provides light to the display apparatus.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, the display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of pixels
PXL arranged in a matrix form. Each pixel PXL includes a display
area DP in which an image is displayed and a non-display area NDP
except for the display area DP when viewed in a plan view. Each
pixel PXL includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2
facing the first substrate SUB1, a liquid crystal layer LC disposed
between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and
an electronic device that drives the liquid crystal layer LC. The
non-display area NDP is disposed adjacent to at least one side of
the display area DP, and according to an embodiment, surrounds the
display area DP as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0066] The first substrate SUB1 includes a first base substrate
BS1, a touch sensing part disposed on the first base substrate BS1,
a black matrix BM disposed on the first base substrate BS, and a
signal line disposed on the black matrix BM to apply a driving
signal to the electronic device.
[0067] The first base substrate BS1 includes, but is not limited
to, a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, or a plastic substrate.
According to an embodiment, the first base substrate BS1 includes a
transparent material. In an exemplary embodiment, the first base
substrate BS1 includes a portion of each pixel PXL.
[0068] The touch sensing part TSP senses the touch event occurring
on the display apparatus by a user's finger or an object. In an
exemplary embodiment, the touch sensing part operates in a
capacitive mode. The touch sensing part includes a plurality of
first lines LN1 extended in a first direction and applied with an
operating voltage and a plurality of second lines LN2 extended in a
second direction different from the first direction and applied
with a sensing voltage. The first lines LN1 are capacitively
coupled with the second lines LN2, and the sensing voltage of the
second lines LN2 is changed by the capacitive coupling between the
first and second lines LN1 and LN2. In an embodiment, the operating
voltage is applied to the second lines LN2, and the sensing voltage
is applied to the first lines LN1.
[0069] Each of the first lines LN1 includes a plurality of first
blocks BL1 arranged in the first direction and a plurality of first
bridges BR1 each of which connects adjacent first blocks BL1 to
each other. The first blocks BL1 have various shapes, such as a bar
shape, or a lozenge shape. Each of the second lines LN2 includes a
plurality of second blocks BL2 arranged in the second direction and
a plurality of second bridges BR2 each of which connects adjacent
second blocks BL2 to each other. The second blocks BL2 have various
shapes, such as a bar shape, or a lozenge shape. The first blocks
BL1 are alternately arranged with the second blocks BL2 in a matrix
form on the first base substrate BS1.
[0070] The first blocks BL1 and the first bridges BR1 that form
each first line LN1 are integrally formed with each other. The
second blocks BL2 and the second bridges BR2 that form each second
line LN2 are integrally formed with each other. In an exemplary
embodiment, each first line LN1 is integrally formed as one piece.
According to an embodiment, the second bridges BR2 of each second
line LN2 are formed on a layer different from a layer on which the
second blocks BL2 are formed. The first blocks BL1, the first
bridges BR1, and the second blocks BL2 are disposed on the first
base substrate BS1, and a first insulating layer INS1 is disposed
on the first blocks BL1, the first bridges BR1, and the second
blocks BL2. According to an embodiment, the first insulating layer
INS1 includes silicon nitride or silicon oxide. The first
insulating layer INS1 is provided with a first contact hole CH1
formed therethrough to expose a portion of each of the second
blocks BL2, and each second bridge BR2 connects the adjacent second
blocks BL2 to each other through the first contact hole CH1.
[0071] According to an embodiment, a controller may be provided to
apply a sensing input signal to the first lines LN1 and the second
lines LN2 or to detect a sensing output signal from the first lines
LN1 and the second lines LN2.
[0072] The touch sensing part having the above-mentioned structure
is charged with electric charges in accordance with the sensing
input signal from the controller. When the touch event occurs on
the external surface of the first base substrate BS1 by the user,
the capacitance of the first lines LN1 and the second lines LN2 is
changed, the sensing signal according to the capacitance is output,
and the sensing signal is analyzed by the controller, to thereby
find the touch position.
[0073] The first blocks BL1 and the second blocks and BL2
correspond to the pixels PXL in a one-to-several correspondence.
Therefore, components in each pixel PXL may correspond to the first
blocks BL1 and/or the second blocks BL2 in a one-to-several
correspondence. For instance, a switching device SWD included in
each pixel PXL correspond to the first blocks BL1 and/or the second
blocks BL2 in a one-to-several correspondence. In FIGS. 3A and 3B,
one first block BL1 or one second block BL2 corresponds to plural
pixels PXL. However, the correspondence between the first and
second blocks BL1 and BL2 and the pixels PXL should not be limited
to the above-mentioned structure. For example, according to an
embodiment, the first blocks BL1 and the second blocks BL2
correspond to the pixels PXL in a one-to-one correspondence.
[0074] The black matrix BM is disposed on the touch sensing part.
The black matrix BM is partially opened corresponding to the
display area DP and is disposed in the non-display area NDP. The
black matrix BM is formed of an insulating material that absorbs
light and displays black. According to an embodiment, the black
matrix BM includes at least one of molybdenum oxide, manganese
oxide, amorphous carbon, silicon-germanium compound, and germanium
oxide.
[0075] The signal line and the electronic device are disposed on
the first base substrate BS1 on which the black matrix BM is
formed. The signal line includes a plurality of gate lines GL, a
plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of common lines CL. The
electronic device includes a switching device SWD, a first
electrode ELL and a second electrode EL2.
[0076] The gate lines GL and the common lines CL are disposed on
the black matrix BM corresponding to the non-display area NDP. Each
gate line GL and each common line CL are extended in the first
direction in which the first lines LN1 of the touch sensing part
are extended, and the gate line GL and the common line CL are
spaced apart from each other.
[0077] A second insulating layer INS2 is disposed on the gate lines
GL and the common lines CL. According to an embodiment, the second
insulating layer INS2 includes silicon nitride or silicon
oxide.
[0078] The data lines DL are disposed on the second insulating
layer INS2 and correspond to the non-display area NDP. The data
lines DL are extended in the second direction in which the second
lines LN2 of the touch sensing part are extended. The data lines DL
are insulated from the gate lines GL and the common lines CL while
the second insulating layer INS2 is disposed between the data lines
DL and the gate and common lines GL and CL. The extension
directions in which the gate lines GL and the data lines DL are
extended are the same as the first and second directions in which
the first lines LN1 and the second lines LN2 are extended, but the
extension directions should not be limited to the first and second
directions. According to an embodiment, the extension directions of
the gate lines GL and the data lines DL are different from the
first and second directions in which the first lines LN1 and the
second lines LN2 of the touch sensing part are extended.
[0079] According to an embodiment, the gate lines GL, the data
lines DL, and the common lines CL are formed of a conductive
material, e.g., a metal material. According to an embodiment, the
gate lines GL, the data lines DL, and the common lines CL are
formed of a single metal material, but it should not be limited
thereto or thereby. Alternatively, the gate lines GL, the data
lines DL, and the common lines CL are formed of two or more metal
materials or an alloy thereof. According to an embodiment, the gate
lines GL, the data lines DL, and the common lines CL have a
single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure.
[0080] The switching device SWD is connected to a corresponding
gate line of the gate lines GL and a corresponding data line of the
data lines DL. The switching device SWD includes a gate electrode
GE, a semiconductor layer SM, a source electrode SE, and a drain
electrode DE.
[0081] The gate electrode GE is branched from the corresponding
gate line. The semiconductor layer SM is provided on the second
insulating layer INS2 in a thin layer shape. The semiconductor
layer SM is disposed above the gate electrode GE and overlaps the
gate electrode GE when viewed in a plan view. The source electrode
SE is branched from the data line DL.
[0082] A third insulating layer INS3 is disposed on the second
insulating layer INS2 and covers the switching device SWD.
According to an embodiment, the third insulating layer INS3
includes silicon nitride or silicon oxide.
[0083] The first electrode EL1 is disposed on the third insulating
layer INS3. The second insulating layer INS2 and the third
insulating layer INS3 are provided with a second contact hole CH2
formed therethrough and exposes a portion of the common line CL.
The first electrode EL1 is connected to the common line CL through
the second contact hole CH2. The first electrode EL1 is provided as
a single plate and disposed in the display area DP and covers the
non-display area NDP.
[0084] The first electrode EL1 includes a transparent conductive
material. Particularly, the first electrode EL1 includes a
transparent conductive oxide, such as indium tin oxide (ITO),
indium zinc oxide (IZO), or indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO).
[0085] A fourth insulating layer INS4 is disposed on the first base
substrate BS1 on which the first electrode EL1 is disposed.
According to an embodiment, the fourth insulating layer INS4
includes silicon nitride or silicon oxide. The second electrode EL2
is disposed on the fourth insulating layer INS4. The second
electrode EL2 is disposed corresponding to the display area DP and
covers a portion of the non-display area NDP. The third and fourth
insulating layers INS3 and INS4 are provided with a third contact
hole CH3 formed therethrough. The third contact hole CH3 exposes a
portion of the drain electrode DE. The second electrode EL2 is
connected to the drain electrode DE through the third contact hole
CH3. The second electrode EL2 overlaps the first electrode EL1. The
second electrode EL2 includes a plurality of slits SLT formed by
removing part of the second electrode EL2. The slits SLT are
inclined with respect to the first direction or the second
direction. The second electrode EL2 includes a plurality of areas
in which the slits SLT are inclined in different directions from
each other. According to an embodiment, the areas are
axisymmetrical or substantially axisymmetrical with respect to an
imaginary line crossing the pixel or point-symmetrical or
substantially point-symmetrical with respect to a position of the
pixel. As an example, the slits SLT axisymmetrical or substantially
axisymmetrical with respect to the imaginary line crossing the
pixel along the first direction are shown in FIG. 4A.
[0086] In other words, the second electrode EL2 includes a trunk
portion EL2a formed in each pixel PXL and a plurality of branch
portions EL2b divided by the slits SLT and protruded from the trunk
portion EL2a. The branch portions EL2b are spaced apart from each
other at regular intervals. The branch portions EL2b of the second
electrode EL2 form a fringe electric field in cooperation with the
first electrode EL1. The branch portions EL2b are extended in a
predetermined direction and are parallel or substantially parallel
to each other. The trunk portion EL2a and the branch portions EL2b
have various shapes. For instance, according to an embodiment, the
branch portions EL2b are inclined in a direction in which the trunk
portion EL2a is extended and in a direction perpendicular to the
extension direction of the trunk portion EL2a. According to an
embodiment, the trunk portion EL2a is bent several times.
[0087] The second electrode EL2 is formed of a transparent
conductive material. For example, according to an embodiment, the
second electrode EL2 is formed of a transparent conductive oxide,
such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or indium
tin zinc oxide (ITZO).
[0088] The second electrode EL2 overlaps a portion of the common
lines CL, and thus the second electrode EL2 forms a storage
capacitor together with the common lines CL while the second to
fourth insulating layers INS2 to INS4 are disposed between the
second electrode EL2 and the common lines CL.
[0089] The second substrate SUB2 includes a second base substrate
BS2 and color filters CF disposed on the second base substrate BS2.
The color filters CF allow light passing through the liquid crystal
layer LC to have colors. The color filters CF include a red color
filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter. The red,
green, and blue color filters are arranged to respectively
correspond to the pixels. In an exemplary embodiment, the color
filters CF are disposed on the second substrate SUB2, but they
should not be limited thereto or thereby. Alternatively, the color
filters CF are disposed in the first substrate SUB1. For instance,
according to an embodiment, one of the insulating layers of the
first substrate SUB1 is replaced with the color filters CF, or the
color filters CF are additionally disposed between the insulating
layers of the first substrate SUB1.
[0090] The liquid crystal layer LC including liquid crystal
molecules is disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the
second substrate SUB2.
[0091] According to an embodiment, the first electrode EL1 includes
a plurality of slits SLT formed by removing part of the first
electrode EL1, which is similar to the second electrode EL2. In
other words, the first electrode EL1 includes a trunk portion
formed in each pixel PXL and a plurality of branch portions divided
by the slits and protruded from the trunk portion. According to an
embodiment, the branch portions of the first electrode EL1 are
alternately arranged with the branch portions EL2b of the second
electrode EL2 when viewed in a plan view, and the branch portions
of the first electrode EL1 and the branch portions EL2b of the
second electrode EL2 form a horizontal electric field.
[0092] In the display apparatus having the above-mentioned
structure, the thin film transistor is turned on in response to a
driving signal provided through a corresponding one of the gate
lines. When the thin film transistor is turned on, an image signal
provided through the data lines is applied to the first electrode
through the thin film transistor. Thus, an electric field is
generated between the first electrode and the second electrode and
the liquid crystal molecules are arranged, thereby resulting in
displaying an image.
[0093] As a result, the display apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment may prevent the display disturbance from occurring and
external light from being reflected by the signal line, to thereby
increase display quality.
[0094] FIGS. 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, and 11A are plan views
showing a method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5B, 6B,
7B, 8B, 9B, 10B, and 11B are cross-sectional views respectively
taken along a line II-II' of FIGS. 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, and
11A.
[0095] Hereinafter, the method of manufacturing the display
apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A,
6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, and 11A and FIGS. 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, 10B, and
11B.
[0096] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a portion of the touch sensing
part is formed on the first base substrate BS1. A portion of the
touch sensing part formed on the first base substrate BS1 includes
the first lines LN1 including the first blocks BL1 and the first
bridges BR1 and the second blocks BL2. The first blocks BL1, the
first bridges BR1, and the second blocks BL2 are formed by forming
a transparent conductive layer on the first base substrate BS1
using a transparent conductive material and by patterning the
transparent conductive layer through a photolithography process
using a single mask. According to an embodiment, the transparent
conductive material includes indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc
oxide (IZO), or indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO). The first blocks BL1
and the first bridges BR1 of each first line LN1 are integrally
formed with each other, and the second blocks BL2 are formed to be
spaced apart from the first blocks BL1 and the first bridges
BR1.
[0097] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first insulating layer
INS1 is formed on the first base substrate BS1 on which the first
blocks BL1, the first bridges BR1, and the second blocks BL2 are
formed, and the second bridges BR2 are formed on the first
insulating layer INS1. The first insulating layer INS1 includes the
first contact hole CH1 to expose a portion of the second blocks
BL2. The second bridges BR2 are connected to the second blocks BL2
through the first contact hole CH1, and thus second blocks BL2
adjacent to each other are electrically connected to each other.
According to an embodiment, the second bridges BR2 include a
transparent conductive material or a non-transparent conductive
material. According to an embodiment, the transparent conductive
material includes ITO, IZO, or ITZO, and the non-transparent
conductive material includes metal materials, such as nickel,
chromium, molybdenum, aluminum, titanium, copper, or tungsten. When
the second bridges BR2 are formed of the transparent conductive
material, the second bridges BR2 are formed in the display area DP
or the non-display area NDP. However, When the second bridges BR2
are formed of the non-transparent conductive material, the second
bridges BR2 are formed only in the non-display area NDP, e.g., an
area in which the data line DL is formed.
[0098] To form the second blocks BL2, the first insulating layer
INS1 is formed on the first base substrate BS1 using the insulating
material, and then part of the first insulating layer INS1 is
etched through a photolithography process to thereby form the first
contact hole CH1. Then, the conductive layer is formed on the first
insulating layer INS1 using the transparent or non-transparent
conductive material, and the conductive layer is patterned by a
photolithography process, thereby forming the second blocks
BL2.
[0099] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the black matrix BM is formed
on the first base substrate BS1 on which the touch sensing part is
formed. FIG. 7A shows an example where the black matrix BM is
formed in the non-display area NDP but not in the display area DP.
The area in which the black matrix BM is formed corresponds to the
area in which the signal line and a portion of the electronic
device, e.g., the switching device SWD, are formed. According to an
embodiment, the black matrix BM is formed of a black insulating
material. For instance, according to an embodiment, the black
matrix BM is formed by forming the insulating layer using at least
one of molybdenum oxide, manganese oxide, amorphous carbon,
silicon-germanium compound, and germanium oxide and by patterning
the insulating layer through a photolithography process.
[0100] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a gate line part is formed on
the first base substrate BS1 on which the black matrix BM is
formed. The gate line part includes the gate line GL, the gate
electrode GE, and the common line CL.
[0101] The gate line part is formed of a conductive material, e.g.,
a metal material. According to an embodiment, the gate line part is
formed by forming a metal layer over the first base substrate BS1
and by patterning the metal layer using a photolithography process.
According to an embodiment, the gate line part is formed of a
single metal material or an alloy, but it should not be limited
thereto or thereby. Alternatively, the gate line part is formed of
two or more metal materials or an alloy thereof. According to an
embodiment, the gate line part has a single-layered structure or a
multi-layered structure.
[0102] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the second insulating layer
INS2 is formed on the gate line part, and the semiconductor layer
SM and a data line part are formed on the second insulating layer
INS2. The semiconductor layer SM is disposed above the gate
electrode GE and overlaps at least a portion of the gate electrode
GE when viewed in a plan view. The data line part is formed on the
semiconductor layer SM. The data line part includes the data line
DL, the source electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE.
[0103] According to an embodiment, the semiconductor layer SM
includes silicon semiconductor, including doped or undoped silicon
semiconductor or oxide semiconductor. According to an embodiment,
the data line part is formed of a conductive material, e.g., a
metal material. For instance, according to an embodiment, the data
line part is formed by forming a metal layer over the first base
substrate BS1 and by patterning the metal layer using a
photolithography process. According to an embodiment, the data line
part is formed of a single metal material or an alloy, but it
should not be limited thereto or thereby. According to an
embodiment, the data line part is formed of two or more metal
materials or an alloy thereof. According to an embodiment, the data
line part has a single-layered structure or a multi-layered
structure.
[0104] The semiconductor layer SM and the data line part are formed
by sequentially forming a semiconductor material and a conductive
material (e.g., a metal material) on the second insulating layer
INS2 and by patterning the semiconductor material and the
conductive material through a photolithography process using a
half-tone mask or a diffraction mask. In an exemplary embodiment,
the semiconductor layer SM and the data line part are formed by a
photolithography process using the half-tone mask or the
diffraction mask, but they should not be limited thereto or
thereby. According to an embodiment, the semiconductor layer SM and
the data line part are formed through a photolithography process
using a plurality of masks.
[0105] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the third insulating layer
INS3 is formed on the data line part, and the first electrode EL1
is formed on the third insulating layer INS3.
[0106] The second insulating layer INS2 and the third insulating
layer INS3 are provided with the second contact hole CH2 formed
therethrough. The second contact hole CH2 exposes the portion of
the common line CL. According to an embodiment, the third
insulating layer INS3 is formed by a deposition method using an
insulating material, and the second contact hole CH2 is formed by
using a photolithography process.
[0107] The first electrode EL1 is formed by forming a conductive
layer on the third insulating layer INS3 using a conductive
material and by patterning the conductive layer using a
photolithography process. The first electrode EL1 is connected to
the common line CL through the second contact hole CH2.
[0108] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the fourth insulating layer
INS4 is formed on the first electrode EL1, and the second electrode
is formed on the fourth insulating layer INS4.
[0109] The fourth insulating layer INS4 is formed by a deposition
method using an insulating material. The third insulating layer
INS3 and the fourth insulating layer INS4 are provided with a third
contact hole CH3 formed therethrough. The third contact hole CH3
exposes the portion of the drain electrode DE. The third contact
hole CH3 is formed by using a photolithography process. The second
electrode EL2 is formed by forming a conductive layer on the fourth
insulating layer INS4 using a conductive material and by patterning
the conductive layer through a photolithography process. The second
electrode EL2 is connected to the drain electrode DE through the
third contact hole CH3.
[0110] According to an embodiment, the first electrode EL1 and the
second electrode EL2 are formed of a transparent conductive
material. The transparent conductive material includes ITO, IZO, or
ITZO.
[0111] According to an embodiment, the second substrate SUB2
includes the second base substrate BS2 and the color filters CF
disposed on the second base substrate BS2. The color filters CF are
disposed to respectively correspond to the pixels PXL and formed
through a coating process, an inkjet process, or a photolithography
process.
[0112] According to an embodiment, the first substrate SUB1 is
disposed to face the second substrate SUB2, and the liquid crystal
layer LC is formed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second
substrate SUB2.
[0113] FIG. 12A is a plan view showing a display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III' of
FIG. 12A.
[0114] Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, each pixel PXL includes a
display area DP in which an image is displayed and a non-display
area NDP except for the display area DP when viewed in a plan view.
Each pixel PXL includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate
SUB2 facing the first substrate SUB1, a liquid crystal layer LC
disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate
SUB2, and an electronic device that drives the liquid crystal layer
LC.
[0115] The first substrate SUB1 includes a first base substrate
BS1, a touch sensing part disposed on the first base substrate BS1,
a black matrix BM disposed on the first base substrate BS1, and a
signal line disposed on the black matrix BM to apply a driving
signal to the electronic device.
[0116] In an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensing part operates
in a capacitive mode. The touch sensing part includes a plurality
of first lines LN1 extended in a first direction and applied with
an operating voltage and a plurality of second lines LN2 extended
in a second direction different from the first direction and
applied with a sensing voltage. The first lines LN1 are
capacitively coupled with the second lines LN2, and the sensing
voltage of the second lines LN2 is changed by the capacitive
coupling between the first lines LN1 and the second lines LN2. Each
of the first lines LN1 includes a plurality of first blocks BL1
arranged in the first direction and a plurality of first bridges
BR1 each of which connects adjacent first blocks BL1 to each other.
Each of the second lines LN2 includes a plurality of second blocks
BL2 arranged in the second direction and a plurality of second
bridges BR2 each of which connects adjacent second blocks BL2 to
each other. The first blocks BL1 are alternately arranged with the
second blocks BL2 in a matrix form on the first base substrate
BS1.
[0117] The first blocks BL1 and the first bridges BR1 that form
each first line LN1 are integrally formed with each other. The
second blocks BL2 and the second bridges BR2 that form each second
line LN2 are integrally formed with each other. In an exemplary
embodiment, each first line LN1 is integrally formed as one piece.
According to an embodiment, the second bridges BR2 of each second
line LN2 are formed on a layer different from a layer on which the
second blocks BL2 are formed. The first blocks BL1, the first
bridges BR1, and the second blocks BL2 are disposed on the first
base substrate BS1.
[0118] Part of the black matrix BM is opened corresponding to the
display area DP and is disposed in the non-display area NDP. The
black matrix BM includes an area in which the signal line and a
switching device SWD of the electronic device are formed. Thus, the
black matrix BM covers the area in which the signal line is
formed.
[0119] The black matrix BM is formed of an insulating material that
absorbs light and displays black. According to an embodiment, the
black matrix BM includes at least one of molybdenum oxide,
manganese oxide, amorphous carbon, silicon-germanium compound, and
germanium oxide.
[0120] The second bridges BR2, the signal line, and the electronic
device are disposed on the first base substrate BS1 on which the
black matrix BM is disposed.
[0121] The second bridges BR2 are insulated from and cross the
first bridges BR1 while the black matrix BM is disposed between the
second bridges BR2 and the first bridges BR1.
[0122] The signal line is disposed on the black matrix BM of the
non-display area NDP. The signal line includes a plurality of gate
lines GL, a plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of common
lines CL. The electronic device includes a switching device SWD, a
first electrode EL1, and a second electrode EL2.
[0123] A first insulating layer INS1 is disposed on the second
bridges BR2, the gate lines GL, and the common lines CL. The data
lines DL are disposed on the first insulating layer INS1 to
correspond to the non-display area NDP and overlaps the second
bridges BR2 when viewed in a plan view. In the black matrix BM, the
first contact hole CH1 and the second bridges BR2 are positioned on
the black matrix BM corresponding to the data lines DL.
[0124] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first contact hole
CH1 is positioned on the black matrix BM in the area corresponding
to the data lines DL. The black matrix BM is not formed in the area
(e.g., the opened portion) through which the first contact hole CH1
is formed. The opened portion is surrounded by the black matrix BM.
According to an embodiment, the black matrix BM is cut away in the
area through which the first contact hole CH1 is formed without
being continuously formed when viewed in a plan view. According to
an embodiment, a width of the black matrix BM corresponding to the
area through which the first contact hole CH1 is formed is larger
than a width of the black matrix BM corresponding to an area in
which the first contact CH1 is not formed, and thus the black
matrix BM may sufficiently cover the first contact hole CH1.
[0125] The data lines DL are extended in the second direction in
which the second lines LN2 of the touch sensing part are extended.
The data lines DL are insulated from the gate lines GL and the
common lines CL while the first insulating layer INS1 is disposed
between the data lines DL and the gate and common lines GL and
CL.
[0126] According to an embodiment, the second bridges BR2, the gate
lines GL, the data lines DL, and the common lines CL are formed of
a conductive material, e.g., a metal material. According to an
embodiment, the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, and the common
lines CL are formed of a single metal material, but it should not
be limited thereto or thereby. According to an embodiment, the gate
lines GL, the data lines DL, and the common lines CL are formed of
two or more metal materials or an alloy thereof. According to an
embodiment, the second bridges BR2, the gate lines GL, the data
lines DL, and the common lines CL have a single-layered structure
or a multi-layered structure.
[0127] The switching device SWD is connected to a corresponding
gate line of the gate lines GL and a corresponding data line of the
data lines DL. The switching device SWD includes a gate electrode
GE, a semiconductor layer SM, a source electrode SE, and a drain
electrode DE.
[0128] The gate electrode GE is branched from the corresponding
gate line. The semiconductor layer SM is provided on the first
insulating layer INS1 in a thin layer shape. The semiconductor
layer SM is disposed above the gate electrode GE and overlaps the
gate electrode GE when viewed in a plan view. The source electrode
SE is branched from the data line DL.
[0129] A second insulating layer INS2 is disposed on the switching
device SWD and covers the switching device SWD.
[0130] The first electrode EL1 is disposed on the second insulating
layer INS2. The first insulating layer INS1 and the second
insulating layer INS2 are provided with a second contact hole CH2
formed therethrough. The second contact hole CH2 exposes a portion
of the common line CL. The first electrode EL1 is connected to the
common line CL through the second contact hole CH2. According to an
embodiment, the first electrode EL1 is provided as a single plate
and disposed in the display area DP.
[0131] A third insulating layer INS3 is disposed on the first base
substrate BS1 on which the first electrode EL1 is disposed. The
second electrode EL2 is disposed on the third insulating layer
INS3. The second and third insulating layers INS2 and INS3 are
provided with a third contact hole CH3 formed therethrough. The
third contact hole CH3 exposes a portion of the drain electrode DE.
The second electrode EL2 is connected to the drain electrode DE
through the third contact hole CH3. The second electrode EL2
includes a plurality of slits SLT formed by removing part of the
second electrode EL2. The slits SLT are inclined with respect to
the first direction or the second direction. The second electrode
EL2 includes a plurality of areas in which the slits SLT are
inclined in different directions from each other, and according to
an embodiment, the areas are axisymmetrical or substantially
axisymmetrical with respect to an imaginary line crossing the pixel
or point-symmetrical or substantially point-symmetrical with
respect to a position of the pixel.
[0132] The second electrode EL2 overlaps a portion of the common
lines CL, and thus the second electrode EL2 forms a storage
capacitor together with the common line CL while the first to third
insulating layers INS1 to INS3 are disposed between the second
electrode EL2 and the common line CL.
[0133] The second substrate SUB2 includes a second base substrate
BS2 and color filters CF disposed on the second base substrate BS2.
The color filters CF allow light passing through the liquid crystal
layer LC to have colors.
[0134] The liquid crystal layer LC including liquid crystal
molecules is disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the
second substrate SUB2.
[0135] According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus
prevents the display disturbance from occurring and external light
from being reflected by the signal line, to thereby increase
display quality.
[0136] FIGS. 13A, 14A, 15A, 16A, 17A, and 18A are plan views
showing a method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 13B,
14B, 15B, 16B, 17B, and 18B are cross-sectional views respectively
taken along a line III-III' of FIGS. 13A, 14A, 15A, 16A, 17A, and
18A.
[0137] Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment will be described in detail
with reference to FIGS. 13A, 14A, 15A, 16A, 17A, and 18A and FIGS.
13B, 14B, 15B, 16B, 17B, and 18B.
[0138] Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, a portion of the touch
sensing part is formed on the first base substrate BS1. The portion
of the touch sensing part formed on the first base substrate BS1
includes the first lines LN1 including the first blocks BL1 and the
first bridges BR1 and the second blocks BL2. The first blocks BL1,
the first bridges BR1, and the second blocks BL2 are formed by
forming a transparent conductive layer on the first base substrate
BS1 using a transparent conductive material and by patterning the
transparent conductive layer through a photolithography process
using a single mask.
[0139] Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the black matrix BM is
formed on the first base substrate BS1 on which the portion of the
touch sensing part is formed. FIG. 14A shows an example where the
black matrix BM is formed in the non-display area NDP but not in
the display area DP. The area in which the black matrix BM is
formed corresponds to the area in which the signal line and a
portion of the electronic device, e.g., the switching device SWD,
are formed. The black matrix BM includes the first contact hole CH1
corresponding to the area in which a portion of the signal line is
formed. The black matrix BM is formed of a black insulating
material. For instance, according to an embodiment, the black
matrix BM is formed by forming the insulating layer using at least
one of molybdenum oxide, manganese oxide, amorphous carbon,
silicon-germanium compound, and germanium oxide and by patterning
the insulating layer through a photolithography process.
[0140] Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the second bridges BR2 and a
gate line part are formed on the first base substrate BS1, on which
the black matrix BM is formed, through a single process. The gate
line part includes the gate line GL, the gate electrode GE, and the
common line CL. The second bridges BR2 and the gate line part are
formed of a conductive material, e.g., a metal material. According
to an embodiment, the second bridges BR2 and the gate line part are
formed by forming a metal layer over the first base substrate BS1
and by patterning the metal layer through a photolithography
process using one mask. According to an embodiment, the second
bridges BR2 and the gate line part are formed of a single metal
material or an alloy, but it should not be limited thereto or
thereby. According to an embodiment, the gate line part is formed
of two or more metal materials or an alloy thereof. According to an
embodiment, the gate line part has a single-layered structure or a
multi-layered structure.
[0141] Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the first insulating layer
INS1 is formed on the gate line part, and the semiconductor layer
SM and a data line part are formed on the first insulating layer
INS1. The semiconductor layer SM is disposed above the gate
electrode GE and overlaps at least a portion of the gate electrode
GE when viewed in a plan view. The data line part is formed on the
semiconductor layer SM. The data line part includes the data line
DL, the source electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE.
[0142] The semiconductor layer SM and the data line part are formed
by sequentially forming a semiconductor material and a conductive
material (e.g., a metal material) on the first insulating layer
INS1 and by patterning the semiconductor material and the
conductive material through a photolithography process using a
half-tone mask or a diffraction mask. According to an embodiment,
the data line part is formed of a single metal material or an
alloy, but it should not be limited thereto or thereby. According
to an embodiment, the data line part is formed of two or more metal
materials or an alloy thereof. According to an embodiment, the data
line part has a single-layered structure or a multi-layered
structure.
[0143] Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the second insulating layer
INS2 is formed on the data line part, and the first electrode EL1
is formed on the second insulating layer INS2. The first insulating
layer INS1 and the second insulating layer INS2 are provided with
the second contact hole CH2 formed therethrough. The second contact
hole CH2 exposes the portion of the common line CL.
[0144] The second insulating layer INS2 is formed by a deposition
method using an insulating material, and the second contact hole
CH2 is formed by using a photolithography process. The first
electrode EL1 is formed by forming a conductive layer on the second
insulating layer INS2 using a conductive material and by patterning
the conductive layer using a photolithography process.
[0145] The first electrode EL1 is connected to the common line CL
through the second contact hole CH2.
[0146] Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the third insulating layer
INS3 is formed on the first electrode EL1, and the second electrode
EL2 is formed on the third insulating layer INS3.
[0147] The third insulating layer INS3 is formed by a deposition
method using an insulating material. The second insulating layer
INS2 and the third insulating layer INS3 are provided with a third
contact hole CH3 formed therethrough. The third contact hole CH3
exposes the portion of the drain electrode DE. The third contact
hole CH3 is formed by using a photolithography process. The second
electrode EL2 is formed by forming a conductive layer on the third
insulating layer INS3 using a conductive material and by patterning
the conductive layer through a photolithography process. The second
electrode EL2 is connected to the drain electrode DE through the
third contact hole CH3.
[0148] The first electrode EL1 and the second electrode EL2 are
formed of a transparent conductive material. The transparent
conductive material includes ITO, IZO, or ITZO.
[0149] According to an embodiment, the second substrate SUB2
includes the second base substrate BS2 and the color filters CF
disposed on the second base substrate BS2. The color filters CF are
disposed to respectively correspond to the pixels PXL and formed
through a coating process, an inkjet process, or a photolithography
process.
[0150] According to an embodiment, the first substrate SUB1 is
disposed to face the second substrate SUB2, and the liquid crystal
layer LC is formed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second
substrate SUB2.
[0151] According to an exemplary embodiment, since the second
bridges and the data line part are formed once through the single
mask process when the touch sensing part and the signal line are
formed, manufacturing time and cost of the display apparatus may be
reduced. When the touch sensing part is formed, the first bridges
or the second bridges are not formed by using a separate mask. The
first bridges or the second bridges are not formed in a separate
layer. Therefore, a thickness of the display apparatus may be
reduced.
[0152] FIG. 19A is a plan view showing a portion of a display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 19B is an enlarged plan view showing a pixel part
of FIG. 19A, FIG. 20A is an enlarged plan view of FIG. 19B, and
FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV' of
FIG. 20A
[0153] In an exemplary embodiment, for convenience of description,
a side, on which the touch event occurs and an image is displayed,
is referred to as being in a lower direction of the display
apparatus. According to an embodiment, a light source is provided
above on an upper side of the display apparatus to provide light to
the display apparatus.
[0154] Referring to FIGS. 19A, 19B, 20A, and 20B, the display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a plurality
of pixels PXL arranged in a matrix form. In FIGS. 19A and 19B, for
convenience of description, the pixels PXL are shown with a touch
sensing part in the pixels PXL.
[0155] Each pixel PXL includes a display area DP in which the image
is displayed and a non-display area NDP except for the display area
DP when viewed in a plan view. Each pixel PXL includes a first
substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2 facing the first substrate
SUB1, a liquid crystal layer LC disposed between the first
substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and an electronic
device that drives the liquid crystal layer LC. The non-display
area NDP is disposed adjacent to at least one side of the display
area DP, and according to an embodiment, surrounds the display area
DP as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B.
[0156] The first substrate SUB1 includes a first base substrate
BS1, a touch sensing part disposed on the first base substrate BS1,
a black matrix BM disposed on the first base substrate BS, and a
signal line disposed on the black matrix BM to apply a driving
signal to the electronic device.
[0157] The touch sensing part includes a plurality of first lines
LN1 extended in a first direction and applied with an operating
voltage and a plurality of second lines LN2 extended in a second
direction different from the first direction and applied with a
sensing voltage. The first lines LN1 are capacitively coupled with
the second lines LN2, and the sensing voltage of the second lines
LN2 is changed by the capacitive coupling between the first lines
LN1 and the second lines LN2. Each of the first lines LN1 includes
a plurality of first blocks BL1 arranged in the first direction and
a plurality of first bridges BR1 each of which connects adjacent
first blocks BL1 to each other. Each of the second lines LN2
includes a plurality of second blocks BL2 arranged in the second
direction and a plurality of second bridges BR2 each of which
connects adjacent second blocks BL2 to each other. The first blocks
BL1 are alternately arranged with the second blocks BL2 in a matrix
form on the first base substrate BS1.
[0158] According to an embodiment, the second blocks BL2 and the
second bridges BR2 that form each second line LN2 are integrally
formed with each other. The first blocks BL1, the second blocks
BL2, and the second bridges BR2 are disposed on the first base
substrate BS1. In each first line LN1, the first bridges BR1 are
disposed on a different layer from the first blocks BL1.
[0159] The black matrix BM is disposed on the first blocks BL1, the
second blocks BL2, and the second bridges BR2. Part of the black
matrix BM is opened corresponding to the display area DP and is
disposed in the non-display area NDP. The black matrix BM includes
the area in which the signal line and the electronic device, e.g.,
the switching device SWD, are formed.
[0160] The first bridges BR2, the signal line, and the electronic
device are disposed on the first base substrate BS1 on which the
black matrix BM is formed. The first bridges BR1 are insulated from
and cross the second bridges BR2 while the black matrix BM is
disposed between the first bridges BR1 and the second bridges
BR2.
[0161] The signal line includes a plurality of gate lines GL, a
plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of common lines CL. The
electronic device includes the switching device SWD, a first
electrode EL1, and a second electrode EL2.
[0162] The first bridges BR1, the gate lines GL, and the common
lines CL are disposed on the black matrix BM corresponding to the
non-display area NDP. Each gate line GL and each common line CL are
extended in the first direction in which the first lines LN1 of the
touch sensing part are extended, and the gate and common lines GL
and CL are spaced apart from each other. In an exemplary
embodiment, the gate lines GL are spaced apart from the first
bridges BR1 when viewed in a plan view. The first bridges BR1 are
in parallel or substantially in parallel with the extension
direction of the gate lines GL. The gate lines GL are bent several
times in the area in which the first bridges BR1 are formed to
allow the gate lines GL not to overlap the first bridges BR1 when
viewed in a plan view. However, the gate lines GL are substantially
extended along the first direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the
first bridges BR1 have a rectangular shape and are in parallel or
substantially in parallel with the gate lines GL, but they should
not be limited thereto or thereby. Alternatively, the first bridges
BR1 have other shapes or other directions when the first bridges
BR1 are disposed in the area, in which the gate lines GL are not
formed in the non-display area NDP covered by the black matrix
BM.
[0163] The black matrix BM includes first contact holes CH1 to
expose portions of the first blocks BL1, and the first bridges BR1
connect adjacent first blocks BL1 to each other through the first
contact hole CH1. In the black matrix BM, the first contact holes
CH1 and the first bridges BR1 are disposed on the black matrix BM
corresponding to the gate lines GL.
[0164] A first insulating layer INS1 is disposed on the first
bridges BR1, the gate lines GL, and the common lines CL.
[0165] The data lines DL are extended in the second direction in
which the second lines LN2 of the touch sensing part are extended.
The data lines DL are insulated from the gate lines GL and the
common lines CL while the first insulating layer INS1 is disposed
between the data lines DL and the gate and common lines GL and
CL.
[0166] The switching device SWD is connected to a corresponding
gate line of the gate lines GL and a corresponding data line of the
data lines DL. The switching device SWD includes a gate electrode
GE, a semiconductor layer SM, a source electrode SE, and a drain
electrode DE.
[0167] A second insulating layer INS2 is disposed on the first
insulating layer INS1 and covers the switching device SWD.
[0168] The first electrode EL1 is disposed on the second insulating
layer INS2. The first insulating layer INS1 and the second
insulating layer INS2 are provided with a second contact hole CH2
formed therethrough. The second contact hole CH2 exposes a portion
of the common line CL. The first electrode EL1 is connected to the
common line CL through the second contact hole CH2. According to an
embodiment, the first electrode EL1 is provided as a single plate
and disposed in the display area DP.
[0169] A third insulating layer INS3 is disposed on the first base
substrate BS1 on which the first electrode EL1 is disposed, and the
second electrode EL2 is disposed on the third insulating layer
INS3. The second and third insulating layers INS2 and INS3 are
provided with a third contact hole CH3 formed therethrough. The
third contact hole CH3 exposes a portion of the drain electrode DE.
The second electrode EL2 is connected to the drain electrode DE
through the third contact hole CH3. The second electrode EL2
overlaps the first electrode EL1.
[0170] The second substrate SUB2 includes a second base substrate
BS2 and color filters CF disposed on the second base substrate BS2.
The color filters CF allow light passing through the liquid crystal
layer LC to have colors.
[0171] The liquid crystal layer LC including liquid crystal
molecules is disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the
second substrate SUB2.
[0172] According to an exemplary embodiment, since the first
bridges and the data line part are formed once through the single
mask process when the touch sensing part and the signal line are
formed, manufacturing time and cost of the display apparatus may be
reduced. The area of the display area may be increased since the
first bridges are formed in the area that is covered by the black
matrix and in which the gate lines GL or the switching device SWD
are not formed.
[0173] FIG. 21 is a plan view showing a portion of a display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 22A is an enlarged view showing a portion P3 of
FIG. 21, and FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line
V-V' of FIG. 22A.
[0174] In an exemplary embodiment, for convenience of description,
a side, on which the touch event occurs and an image is displayed,
is referred to as being in a lower direction of the display
apparatus. According to an embodiment, a light source is provided
on an upper side of the display apparatus to provide light to the
display apparatus.
[0175] Referring to FIGS. 21, 22A, and 22B, the display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of pixels
PXL arranged in a matrix form. In FIG. 21, for convenience of
description, the pixels PXL are shown with a touch sensing part in
the pixels PXL.
[0176] Each pixel PXL includes a display area DP in which the image
is displayed and a non-display area NDP except for the display area
DP when viewed in a plan view. Each pixel PXL includes a first
substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2 facing the first substrate
SUB1, a liquid crystal layer LC disposed between the first
substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and an electronic
device that drives the liquid crystal layer LC. The non-display
area NDP is disposed adjacent to at least one side of the display
area DP, and according to an embodiment, surrounds the display area
DP as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B.
[0177] The first substrate SUB1 includes a first base substrate
BS1, a touch sensing part disposed on the first base substrate BS1,
a black matrix BM disposed on the first base substrate BS, and a
signal line disposed on the black matrix BM to apply a driving
signal to the electronic device.
[0178] The touch sensing part senses a touch event occurring on the
display apparatus by a user's finger or separate input devices. In
an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensing part is operated in a
capacitive mode.
[0179] The touch sensing part includes a plurality of touch sensing
lines TSL to which is applied a sensing voltage. Each of the touch
sensing lines TSL includes a plurality of touch blocks TB and a
plurality of connection bridges TC each of which connects adjacent
touch blocks TB to each other. In each touch sensing line TSL, part
of the connection bridges TC overlaps a gate electrode GE or/and a
gate line GL and is capacitively coupled with the gate electrode GE
or/and the gate line GL. According to an embodiment, the touch
sensing lines TSL are extended in a direction crossing a direction
in which the gate line GL is extended.
[0180] The black matrix BM is disposed in the non-display area NDP,
and part of the black matrix BM overlaps the touch sensing lines
TSL when viewed in a plan view.
[0181] The signal line and the electronic device are disposed on
the first base substrate BS1 on which the black matrix BM is
provided. The signal line includes a plurality of gate lines GL, a
plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of common lines CL. The
electronic device includes a switching device SWD, a first
electrode EL1, and a second electrode EL2.
[0182] The gate lines GL and the common lines CL are disposed on
the black matrix BM corresponding to the non-display area NDP. Each
gate line GL and each common line CL are extended in the first
direction and spaced apart from each other. A first insulating
layer INS1 is disposed on the gate lines GL and the common lines
CL. The data lines DL are disposed on the first insulating layer
INS1 to correspond to the non-display area NDP. The data lines DL
are extended in the second direction crossing the first direction.
The data lines DL are insulated from the gate lines GL and the
common lines CL while the first insulating layer INS1 is disposed
between the data lines DL and the gate and common lines GL and CL.
The touch sensing lines TSL are extended in the direction in which
the data lines DL are extended, e.g., the second direction.
[0183] The switching device SWD is connected to a corresponding
gate line of the gate lines GL and a corresponding data line of the
data lines DL. The switching device SWD includes a gate electrode
GE, a semiconductor layer SM, a source electrode SE, and a drain
electrode DE.
[0184] The gate electrode GE is branched from a corresponding gate
line GL and overlaps a corresponding connection bridge TC of the
connection bridges TC of the touch sensing line TSL. The
semiconductor layer SM is disposed above the gate electrode GE and
overlaps the gate electrode GE when viewed in a plan view. The
source electrode SE is branched from the data line DL.
[0185] A second insulating layer INS2 is disposed on the first
insulating layer INS1 and covers the switching device SWD.
[0186] The first electrode EL1 is disposed on the second insulating
layer INS2. The first insulating layer INS1 and the second
insulating layer INS2 are provided with a first contact hole CH1
formed therethrough. The first contact hole CH1 exposes a portion
of the common line CL. The first electrode EL1 is connected to the
common line CL through the first contact hole CH1. According to an
embodiment, the first electrode EL1 is provided as a single plate
and disposed in the display area DP.
[0187] A third insulating layer INS3 is disposed on the first base
substrate BS1 on which the first electrode EL1 is disposed and the
second electrode EL2 is disposed on the third insulating layer
INS3. The second and third insulating layers INS2 and INS3 are
provided with a second contact hole CH2 formed therethrough. The
second contact hole CH2 exposes a portion of the drain electrode
DE. The second electrode EL2 is connected to the drain electrode DE
through the second contact hole CH2.
[0188] The second substrate SUB2 includes a second base substrate
BS2 and color filters CF disposed on the second base substrate BS2.
The color filters CF allow the light passing through the liquid
crystal layer LC to have colors.
[0189] The liquid crystal layer LC including liquid crystal
molecules is disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the
second substrate SUB2.
[0190] In an exemplary embodiment, although not shown in figures,
the touch sensing lines TSL further include a sensing unit (not
shown) protruded from the touch sensing lines TSL and extended in
the first direction in which the gate lines GL are extended, and
thus a touch sensitivity of the touch sensing lines TSL may be
increased.
[0191] The touch sensing lines TSL are capacitively coupled with
the gate line GL and/or the gate electrode GE, and a voltage of the
touch sensing lines TSL is changed by the capacitive coupling
between the touch sensing lines TSL and the gate line GL and/or the
gate electrode GE. According to an embodiment, a controller is
provided to apply a sensing input signal to the touch sensing lines
TSL and the gate lines GL and/or the gate electrode GE or to detect
a sensing output signal from the gate lines GL and/or the gate
electrode GE and the touch sensing lines TSL.
[0192] The touch sensing part having the above-described structure
is charged with electric charges in accordance with the sensing
input signal from the controller. When the touch event occurs on
the external surface of the first base substrate BS1 by the user,
the capacitance of the touch sensing lines TSL and the gate lines
GL and/or the gate electrodes GE is changed, the sensing signal
according to the capacitance is output, and the sensing signal is
analyzed by the controller, to thereby figure out the touch
position.
[0193] According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus
may prevent the display disturbance from occurring and the external
light from being reflected by the signal line, to thereby increase
display quality. Since the touch sensing part is formed by using
the gate line and/or the gate electrode, a process of forming the
touch sensing part may be simplified.
[0194] FIG. 23A is a plan view showing a display apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and
FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI' of
FIG. 23A.
[0195] Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, each pixel PXL includes a
display area DP in which an image is displayed and a non-display
area NDP except for the display area DP when viewed in a plan view.
Each pixel PXL includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate
SUB2 facing the first substrate SUB1, a liquid crystal layer LC
disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate
SUB2, and an electronic device that drives the liquid crystal layer
LC.
[0196] The first substrate SUB1 includes a first base substrate
BS1, a touch sensing part disposed on the first base substrate BS1,
a black matrix BM disposed on the first base substrate BS1, and a
signal line disposed on the black matrix BM to apply a driving
signal to the electronic device.
[0197] The touch sensing part includes a plurality of first lines
LN1 extended in a first direction and applied with an operating
voltage and a plurality of second lines LN2 extended in a second
direction different from the first direction and applied with a
sensing voltage. The first lines LN1 are capacitively coupled with
the second lines LN2, and the sensing voltage of the second lines
LN2 is changed by the capacitive coupling between the first lines
LN1 and the second lines LN2. Each of the first lines LN1 includes
a plurality of first blocks BL1 arranged in the first direction and
a plurality of first bridges BR1 each of which connects adjacent
first blocks BL1 to each other. Each of the second lines LN2
includes a plurality of second blocks BL2 arranged in the second
direction and a plurality of second bridges BR2 each of which
connects adjacent second blocks BL2 to each other. The first blocks
BL1, the first bridges BR1, and the second blocks BL2 are disposed
on the first base substrate BS1, and a first insulating layer INS1
is disposed on the first blocks BL1, the first bridges BR1, and the
second blocks BL2. The first insulating layer INS1 is provided with
first contact holes CH1 formed therethrough. The first contact
holes CH1 expose a portion of the second blocks BL2. The second
bridges BR2 connect adjacent second blocks BL2 to each other
through the first contact holes CH1.
[0198] The second substrate SUB2 includes a second base substrate
BS2 and color filters CF disposed on the second base substrate BS2.
The color filters CF allow the light passing through the liquid
crystal layer LC to have colors.
[0199] The electronic device includes a switching device SWD, a
first electrode EL1, and a second electrode EL2. The switching
device SWD and the first electrode EL1 of the electronic device are
disposed on the first base substrate BS1, and the second electrode
EL2 of the electronic device is disposed on the second base
substrate BS2.
[0200] The gate lines GL and the common lines CL are disposed on
the black matrix BM corresponding to the non-display area NDP. Each
gate line GL and each common line CL are extended in the first
direction and spaced apart from each other. The first insulating
layer INS1 is disposed on the gate lines GL and the common lines
CL. The data lines DL are disposed on the first insulating layer
INS1 to correspond to the non-display area NDP. The data lines DL
are extended in the second direction crossing the first direction.
The data lines DL are insulated from the gate lines GL and the
common lines CL while the first insulating layer INS1 is disposed
between the data lines DL and the gate and common lines GL and
CL.
[0201] The switching device SWD is connected to a corresponding
gate line of the gate lines GL and a corresponding data line of the
data lines DL. The switching device SWD includes a gate electrode
GE, a semiconductor layer SM, a source electrode SE, and a drain
electrode DE.
[0202] The gate electrode GE is branched from a corresponding gate
line GL. The semiconductor layer SM is provided on the first
insulating layer INS1 in a thin layer shape. The semiconductor
layer SM is disposed above the gate electrode GE and overlaps the
gate electrode GE when viewed in a plan view. The source electrode
SE is branched from the data line DL.
[0203] A second insulating layer INS2 is disposed on the first
insulating layer INS1 and covers the switching device SWD. The
first insulating layer INS1 and the second insulating layer INS2
are provided with a second contact hole CH2 formed therethrough.
The second contact hole CH2 exposes a portion of the drain
electrode DE of the switching device SWD. The first electrode EL1
is connected to the drain electrode DE through the second contact
hole CH2.
[0204] The second electrode EL2 is disposed on the color filters CF
of the second substrate SUB2. The second electrode EL2 faces the
first electrode EL1 while the liquid crystal layer LC is provided
between the first and second electrodes EL1 and EL2.
[0205] The liquid crystal layer LC including liquid crystal
molecules is disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the
second substrate SUB2.
[0206] According to an embodiment, the first electrode EL1 and/or
the second electrode EL2 are formed as a single plate. According to
an embodiment, a domain divider is provided to the first electrode
EL1 and/or the second electrode EL2 to form a plurality of domains
that control the liquid crystal layer LC. For instance, according
to an embodiment, the first electrode EL1 and/or the second
electrode EL2 include a plurality of slits or protrusions.
According to an embodiment, the first electrode EL1 includes a
plurality of fine slits to allow the first electrode EL1 to include
a plurality of branches.
[0207] According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus
may prevent the display disturbance from occurring and external
light from being reflected by the signal line in a twisted nematic
mode display apparatus or a vertical alignment mode display
apparatus in which electrodes are respectively formed on first and
second substrates, thereby increasing display quality.
[0208] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention
have been described, it is understood that the present invention
should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various
changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in
the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as
hereinafter claimed.
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