KR20060082139A - Liquid crystal display - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, a display device includes a pixel including first and second subpixels, a first gate line connected to the first subpixel, and configured to transmit a first gate signal to the second subpixel; A second gate line connected to the second gate line to transfer a second gate signal, and a plurality of data lines crossing the first and second gate lines, connected to the first and second subpixels, and transferring a data voltage; . In this case, the first subpixel includes a first switching element connected to the first gate line and the data line, a first liquid crystal capacitor and a first storage capacitor connected to the first switching element, and the second subpixel includes the first subpixel. A second switching element connected to a second gate line and the data line, a second liquid crystal capacitor connected to the second switching element, and the second storage capacitor, wherein the pixel includes first and second switching elements of the first and second switching elements. And a repair line in which both ends of the second drain electrode overlap each other. As a result, since the kickback voltages generated by the first and second subpixels are the same, the image quality of the display device is improved and the disconnected subpixels can be easily repaired.

Visibility, Pixel Division, Double Gamma, Gray Voltage, Disconnection, Bad

Description

Liquid crystal display {LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY}

1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one subpixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a layout view of a thin film transistor array panel for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a layout view of a common electrode display panel for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a layout view of a liquid crystal display including the thin film transistor array panel of FIG. 3 and the common electrode panel of FIG. 4.

6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 5 taken along lines VIa-VIa 'and VIb-VIb', respectively.

3 is a layout view illustrating a structure of a thin film transistor array panel for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a layout view illustrating a structure of a common electrode display panel for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.                 

5 is a layout view illustrating a structure of a liquid crystal display including the thin film transistor array panel of FIG. 3 and the thin film transistor array panel of FIG. 4.

6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 5 taken along lines VIa-VIa 'and VIb-VIb', respectively.

7 is a graph illustrating a gamma curve of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

8 to 10 are layout views illustrating the structure of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device.

The liquid crystal display is one of the most widely used flat panel display devices. The liquid crystal display includes two display panels on which field generating electrodes such as a pixel electrode and a common electrode are formed, and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. Is applied to generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer, thereby determining the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer and controlling the polarization of incident light to display an image.

Among them, the vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display in which the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules are arranged perpendicular to the upper and lower display panels without an electric field is applied, and thus a high contrast ratio and a wide reference viewing angle can be easily realized. Here, the reference viewing angle means a viewing angle having a contrast ratio of 1:10 or a luminance inversion limit angle between gray levels.

Means for implementing a wide viewing angle in a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display include a method of forming a cutout in the field generating electrode and a method of forming a protrusion on the field generating electrode. Since the inclination and the projection can determine the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules are tilted, the reference viewing angle can be widened by using these to disperse the oblique directions of the liquid crystal molecules in various directions.

However, the liquid crystal display of the vertical alignment type has a problem in that the side visibility is inferior to the front visibility. For example, in the case of a patterned vertically aligned (PVA) type liquid crystal display device having an incision, the image becomes brighter toward the side, and in a severe case, the luminance difference between the high grays disappears and the picture may appear clumped.

In order to solve this problem, one pixel is divided into two subpixels, two subpixels are capacitively coupled, and one subpixel is directly applied with voltage, and the other subpixel causes voltage drop due to capacitive coupling. A method of changing the transmittances by changing the voltages of the two subpixels has been proposed.

However, this method has a problem in that the transmittances of the two subpixels cannot be accurately adjusted to a desired level, and in particular, since the light transmittance is different depending on the color, this cannot be done despite the fact that the voltage combination for each color must be different. In addition, there is a problem in that the opening ratio decreases due to the addition of a conductor for capacitive coupling, and the transmittance decreases due to the voltage drop caused by the capacitive coupling.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to solve this problem.

On the other hand, in the liquid crystal display, a disconnection of the signal line occurs, thereby causing a defect in which the pixels are always dark. This defect serves as an important factor in increasing the manufacturing cost or decreasing the process yield. Therefore, the signal line should have a repair structure that is easy to repair even if such a defect occurs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device which can easily repair signal lines.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a display device includes a pixel including first and second subpixels, a first gate line connected to the first subpixel, and configured to transmit a first gate signal to the second subpixel; A second gate line connected to the second gate line to transfer a second gate signal, and a plurality of data lines crossing the first and second gate lines, connected to the first and second subpixels, and transferring a data voltage; . In this case, the first subpixel includes a first switching element connected to the first gate line and the data line, a first liquid crystal capacitor and a first storage capacitor connected to the first switching element, and the second subpixel includes the first subpixel. A second switching element connected to a second gate line and the data line, a second liquid crystal capacitor connected to the second switching element, and the second storage capacitor, wherein the pixel includes first and second switching elements of the first and second switching elements. And a repair line in which both ends of the second drain electrode overlap each other.                     

It is preferable to further include a storage electrode line connected to the first and second storage capacitors, and the repair line preferably includes a branch portion connected to the storage electrode line.

The display device may further include a shielding electrode overlapping at least a portion of the data line and electrically insulated from the data line.

Preferably, the first and second liquid crystal capacitors include first and second pixel electrodes, respectively.

In this case, the first and second pixel electrodes may have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to one straight line parallel to the gate line, and at least one of the first and second pixel electrodes may have an incision. It is preferable.

The display device may further include a common electrode facing the first and second pixel electrodes, and the common electrode may have a cutout. At least one of the first or second pixel electrodes and the common electrode preferably have cutouts arranged alternately, and a gap between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode and a cutout of the common electrode are provided. It is preferable that they are arranged alternately.

The common electrode may include at least one notch, and further include a shielding electrode overlapping the data line and positioned on the same layer as the first and second pixel electrodes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily practice the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one subpixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of display signal lines and a plurality of pixels PX connected to the display signal lines and arranged in a substantially matrix form when viewed in an equivalent circuit. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal display includes a lower panel 100, which is a thin film transistor array panel, an upper panel 200, which is a common electrode panel facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. Include 3). The display signal line is provided in the lower panel 100 and includes a plurality of gate lines GL for transmitting a gate signal (also referred to as a “scan signal”) and a data line DL for transmitting a data signal. The gate lines GL extend substantially in the row direction and are substantially parallel to each other, and the data lines DL extend substantially in the column direction and are substantially parallel to each other. In addition to the gate line GL and the data line DL, the display signal line includes the storage electrode line SL that extends substantially in parallel with the gate line GL.

Referring to FIG. 1, each pixel PX includes a pair of subpixels PXa and PXb, and each subpixel PXa and PXb has a corresponding gate line GLa and GLb and a data line DL. Switching elements Qa and Qb connected thereto and liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b connected thereto, and storage capacitors connected to switching elements Qa and Qb and sustain electrode lines SL. (storage capacitor) (C _ST a, C _ST b). The storage capacitors C _ST a and C _ST b can be omitted if necessary, and in this case, the storage electrode lines SL are also not necessary.

The switching elements Qa and Qb of each of the subpixels PXa and PXb are formed of a thin film transistor or the like provided in the lower panel 100, and each of the control terminal and data line DL connected to the gate line GL. ) And an output terminal connected to a liquid crystal capacitor (C _LC ) and a storage capacitor (C _ST ).

Referring to FIG. 2, the liquid crystal capacitor C _LC has two terminals between the subpixel electrode PE of the lower panel 100 and the common electrode CE of the upper panel 200, and between the two electrodes PE and CE. The liquid crystal layer 3 functions as a dielectric. The subpixel electrode PE is connected to the switching element Q, and the common electrode CE is formed on the entire surface of the upper panel 200 and receives the common voltage Vcom. Unlike in FIG. 2, the common electrode CE may be provided in the lower panel 100. In this case, at least one of the two electrodes PE and CE may be formed in a linear or bar shape.

The storage capacitor C _ST , which serves as an auxiliary part of the liquid crystal capacitor C _LC , is formed by overlapping the storage electrode line SL and the subpixel electrode PE provided in the lower panel 100 with an insulator interposed therebetween. A predetermined voltage such as the common voltage Vcom is applied to the electrode line SL. However, the storage capacitor C _ST may be formed by the subpixel electrode PE overlapping the front gate line directly above the insulator.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 'CF' denotes a color filter, which will be described in detail later.

Next, an example of the liquid crystal display having such structural features will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6B.

3 is a layout view of a thin film transistor array panel for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a layout view of a common electrode display panel for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a layout view of a liquid crystal display device including a thin film transistor array panel and a common electrode display panel of FIG. 4, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 5 taken along lines VIa-VIa ′ and VIb-VIb ′, respectively.

A plurality of pairs of first and second gate lines 121a and 121b, a plurality of storage electrode lines 131, and a plurality of repair lines 138 on an insulating substrate 110 made of transparent glass or the like. ) Is formed.

The gate lines 121a and 121b mainly extend in the horizontal direction, are physically and electrically separated from each other, and transmit gate signals. The first and second gate lines 121a and 121b are disposed at an upper side and a lower side, respectively, and the plurality of first and second gate electrodes 124a and 124b protruding from the lower side and the upper side of the other layer or an external driving circuit are disposed. It includes wide end portions 129a and 129b for connection.

The storage electrode line 131 extends mainly in the horizontal direction and is closer to the first gate line 121a than the second gate line 121b. Each storage electrode line 131 includes a plurality of pairs of first and second storage electrodes 137a and 137b extending up and down. The second storage electrode 137b has a longer length and a width than the first storage electrode 137a. Is narrow.

Each of the repair lines 138 is disposed between the first and second sustain electrodes 137a and 137b and extends toward them 137a and 137b to form a rod. At this time, both ends of the first and second sustain electrodes 137a and 137b are wider than other portions.

 However, the shape and arrangement of the storage electrode lines 131 including the storage electrodes 137a and 137b and the repair line 138 may be modified in various forms.

The gate line 121, the storage electrode line 131, and the repair unit 138 may be formed of aluminum-based metals such as aluminum (Al) and aluminum alloys, silver-based metals such as silver (Ag) and silver alloys, and copper (Cu) and copper. Copper-based metals such as alloys, molybdenum-based metals such as molybdenum (Mo) and molybdenum alloys, preferably made of chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta) and the like. However, the gate line 121 and the storage electrode line 131 may have a multilayer structure including two conductive layers (not shown) having different physical properties. One of the conductive films is a low resistivity metal such as an aluminum-based metal or a silver-based metal so as to reduce signal delay or voltage drop of the gate line 121, the storage electrode line 131, and the repair unit 138. And copper-based metals. In contrast, the other conductive film is made of a material having excellent contact properties with other materials, particularly indium tin oxide (ITO) and indium zinc oxide (IZO), such as molybdenum-based metals, chromium, titanium, tantalum, and the like. A good example of such a combination is a chromium bottom film and an aluminum top film, and an aluminum bottom film and a molybdenum top film. However, the gate line 121, the storage electrode line 131, and the repair unit 138 may be made of various metals and conductors.

In addition, side surfaces of the gate line 121, the storage electrode line 131, and the repair unit 138 are inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate 110, and the inclination angle is about 30-80 °.

A gate insulating layer 140 made of silicon nitride (SiN _x ) is formed on the gate lines 121a and 121b, the storage electrode line 131, and the repair unit 138.

A plurality of island-like semiconductors 154a, 154b, and 152 made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and the like are formed on the gate insulating layer 140. The island semiconductors 154a and 154b are mainly located above the gate electrodes 124a and 124b.

A plurality of isotropic ohmic contacts 163a, 163b, 165a, and 165b formed of a material such as n + hydrogenated amorphous silicon doped with a high concentration of silicide or n-type impurities on the semiconductors 154a and 154b. ) Is formed. The two islands of ohmic contacts 163a, 163b, 165a, and 165b are arranged in pairs and disposed on the semiconductors 154a and 154b, respectively, facing each other with respect to the gate electrodes 124a and 124b. Although not shown, island contact members are also formed on the semiconductor 152.

Side surfaces of the semiconductors 154a, 154b, and 152 and the ohmic contacts 163a, 163b, and 165a and 165b are also inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate 110 and have an inclination angle of 30-80 °.

A plurality of data lines 171 and a plurality of pairs of first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b are disposed on the ohmic contacts 163a, 163b, 165a, and 165b and the gate insulating layer 140, respectively. ) Is formed.

The data line 171 mainly extends in the vertical direction and crosses the gate line 121 and the storage electrode line 131 and transmits a data voltage. Each data line 171 is connected to a plurality of first and second source electrodes 173a and 173b extending toward the first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b, respectively, from another layer or an external device. It includes an end portion 179 extending in width.

The first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b extend from the rod-shaped end portions positioned on the semiconductors 154a and 154b, respectively, and have a large area that overlaps the first and second storage electrodes 137a and 137b. 177a, 177b and extensions 177a, 177b protrude from both ends of repair line 138 and each has protrusions 178a, 178b that overlap both ends of repair line 138. Each of the source electrodes 173a and 173b is bent to surround the rod-shaped ends of the drain electrodes 175a and 175b. The first and second gate electrodes 124a and 124b, the first and second source electrodes 173a and 173b, and the first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b are formed together with the island-like semiconductors 154a and 154b. And a second thin film transistor (TFT) Qa / Qb, and the channels of the thin film transistors Qa / Qb are the first / second source electrodes 173a / 173b and the drain electrode 175a. / 175b) between the semiconductors 154a and 154b.

The data line 171 and the drain electrodes 175a and 175b are preferably made of refractory metals such as chromium, molybdenum-based metals, tantalum and titanium, and an underlayer (not shown) such as refractory metals and the like. It may have a multi-layer structure consisting of a low-resistance material upper layer (not shown) disposed above. Examples of the multilayer film structure include a triple film of molybdenum film, aluminum film, and molybdenum film in addition to the above-described double film of chromium lower film and aluminum upper film or aluminum lower film and molybdenum upper film.

Similar to the gate line 121 and the storage electrode line 131, the data line 171 and the drain electrodes 175a and 175b are also inclined at an angle of about 30 to 80 °.

The ohmic contacts 163a, 163b, 165a, and 165b exist only between the semiconductors 154a and 154b below and the data lines 171 and drain electrodes 175a and 175b above and serve to lower contact resistance. do. The island-type semiconductors 154a and 154b have portions exposed between the source electrodes 173a and 173b and the drain electrodes 175a and 175b, and not exposed to the data line 171 and the drain electrodes 175a and 175b. Since the width is increased at the portion where the lines 121a and 121b meet, the data line 171 covers the boundary portion of the gate lines 121a and 121b through which the data line 171 passes, so that the profile of the surface at the boundary portion is smoothed to disconnect the data line 171. To prevent. The island type semiconductor 152 is formed at a portion where the storage electrode line 131 and the data line 171 meet to cover the boundary of the storage electrode line 131 through which the data line 171 passes, thereby smoothing the profile of the surface at these boundary portions. Disconnection of the data line 171 is prevented.

A passivation layer 180 is formed on the data line 171, the drain electrodes 175a and 175b, and the exposed portions of the semiconductors 154a and 154b. The passivation layer 180 is formed of an inorganic material made of silicon nitride or silicon oxide, an organic material having excellent planarization characteristics, photosensitivity, or a-Si: C: O formed by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), It consists of low dielectric constant insulating materials, such as a-Si: O: F. However, the passivation layer 180 may have a double layer structure of the lower inorganic layer and the upper organic layer in order to protect the exposed portion of the semiconductor 151 while maintaining the excellent characteristics of the organic layer.

The passivation layer 180 includes a plurality of contact holes 182, 187a, and 187b exposing end portions 179 of the data line 171 and the extended portions 177a and 177b of the drain electrodes 175a and 175b, respectively. A plurality of contact holes 181a and 181b exposing end portions 129a and 129b of the gate lines 121a and 121b are formed in the passivation layer 180 and the gate insulating layer 140.

On the passivation layer 180, a plurality of pixel electrodes 190 including the first and second subpixel electrodes 190a and 190b, a plurality of shielding electrodes 88, and a plurality of contact assistants, respectively. ) 81a, 81b, 82 are formed. The pixel electrode 190, the shielding electrode 88, and the contact assistants 81a, 81b, and 82 may be formed of a transparent conductor such as ITO or IZO or a reflective conductor such as aluminum.

The first and second subpixel electrodes 190a and 190b are physically and electrically connected to the first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b through the contact holes 185a and 185b to form the first and second drain electrodes ( Data voltage is applied from 175a / 175b).

The subpixel electrodes 190a and 190b to which the data voltage is applied generate an electric field together with the common electrode 270 to determine the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 3 between the two electrodes 190 and 270.                     

In addition, as described above, each of the subpixel electrodes 190a and 190b and the common electrode 270 form liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b to maintain the applied voltage even after the thin film transistors Qa and Qb are turned off. And the storage capacitors C _ST a and C _ST b connected in parallel with the liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b to enhance the voltage holding capability. The first and second subpixel electrodes 190a and 190b are connected to each other. And overlapping the drain electrodes 175a and 175b and the first and second sustain electrodes 137a and 137b connected thereto.

Each pixel electrode 190 is chamfered at the right corner, and the chamfered hypotenuse forms an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the gate lines 121a and 121b.

The pair of first and second subpixel electrodes 190a and 190b constituting one pixel electrode 190 are engaged with each other with a gap 92 therebetween, and an outer boundary thereof is substantially rectangular.

The first subpixel electrode 190a is a rotated equilateral trapezoid and has a right side positioned near the sustain electrode 137b, a left side positioned near the data line 171, and approximately 45 ° with the gate lines 121a and 121b. It has an upper hypotenuse and a lower hypotenuse. The second subpixel electrode 190b includes a pair of trapezoids facing the hypotenuse of the first subpixel electrode 190a and a vertical portion facing the right side of the first subpixel electrode 190a. Thus, the gap 92 has a substantially uniform width and includes a vertical portion having a substantially uniform width with upper and lower diagonal portions forming about 45 ° of the gate lines 121a and 121b.

The first subpixel electrode 190a has the central cutouts 91 and 94, the second subpixel electrode 190b has the lower and upper cutouts 93a and 93b, and the first and second subpixel electrodes. Each of 190a and 190b is divided into a plurality of partitions by these incisions 91, 94, 93a and 93b.

The lower and upper cutouts 93a and 93b are positioned at the lower half and the upper half of the pixel electrode 190, respectively, and the central cutouts 91 and 94 are positioned between the lower cutout 93a and the upper cutout 93b. do. The gap 92 and the cutouts 91, 94, 93a, and 93b form approximately inversion symmetry with respect to the storage electrode line 131.

The lower and upper cutouts 93a and 93b extend from near the right side of the second subpixel electrode 190b to near the lower and upper sides, respectively, and are parallel to the lower and upper oblique portions of the gap 92.

The central cutout 91 extends from the right side of the first subpixel electrode 190a to the horizontal portion extending substantially along the storage electrode line 131, and from the horizontal portion to the left side of the first subpixel electrode 190a. A pair of diagonal lines parallel to the lower and upper incisions 93a and 93b, respectively.

The central cutout 94 is recessed in the left side of the first subpixel electrode 190a and has a pair of hypotenuses parallel to the lower and upper cutouts 93a and 93b, respectively.

Therefore, the lower half of the first subpixel electrode 190a is divided into two parts by the central cutout 91, and the upper half is also divided into two parts by the central cutout 91 and the second subpixel electrode 190b. The lower half of is divided into two parts by the lower incision 93a, and the upper half is also divided into two parts by the upper incision 93b.

The number of regions or the number of cutouts varies depending on the size of the pixel, the ratio of the lengths of the horizontal and vertical sides of the first and second subpixel electrodes 190a and 190b, and the type and characteristics of the liquid crystal layer 3. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the gap 92 is also expressed as a cutout.

In addition, the first subpixel electrode 190a overlaps the first gate line 121a, and the second subpixel electrode 190b overlaps both the first and second gate lines 121a and 121b.

The shielding electrode 88 extends along the data line 171 and completely covers the data line 171. A common voltage is applied to the shielding electrode 88. The common electrode is connected to the storage electrode line 131 through a contact hole (not shown) of the passivation layer 180 and the gate insulating layer 140, or the common voltage is applied to the thin film transistor array panel. The display device may be connected to a short point (not shown) transferred from the 100 to the common electrode display panel 200. At this time, it is preferable to minimize the distance between the shielding electrode 88 and the pixel electrode 190 so that the aperture ratio decreases to a minimum.

As such, when the shielding electrode 88 to which the common voltage is applied is disposed on the data line 171, the shielding electrode 88 is disposed between the data line 171 and the pixel electrode 190, and the data line 171 and the common electrode ( By blocking the electric field formed between the 270, the voltage distortion of the pixel electrode 190 and the signal delay of the data voltage transmitted by the data line 171 are reduced.

In addition, in order to prevent a short circuit between the pixel electrode 190 and the shielding electrode 88, a distance is required between them, so that the pixel electrode 190 is further away from the data line 171, thereby reducing the parasitic capacitance therebetween. Furthermore, since the permittivity of the liquid crystal layer 3 is higher than that of the passivation layer 180, the parasitic capacitance between the data line 171 and the shielding electrode 88 is absent when the shielding electrode 88 is absent. It is smaller than the parasitic capacitance between 171 and the common electrode 270.

In addition, since the pixel electrode 190 and the shielding electrode 88 are made of the same layer, the distance between them is kept constant and thus the parasitic capacitance between them is constant. Although the parasitic capacitance between the pixel electrode 190 and the data line 171 may still vary depending on the exposure area divided during the split exposure process, the parasitic capacitance between the pixel electrode 190 and the data line 171 is relatively low. The overall parasitic capacity is almost constant. Therefore, stitch defects can be minimized.

The contact auxiliary members 81a, 81b, and 82 may contact the end portions 129a and 129b of the gate lines 121a and 121b and the end portions 179 of the data lines 171 through the contact holes 181a, 181b and 182. Each is connected. The contact auxiliary members 81a, 81b, and 82 complement adhesiveness between the end portions 129a and 129b of the gate lines 121a and 121b and the respective end portions 179 of the data line 171 and the external device, and It protects you.

An alignment film 11 capable of orienting the liquid crystal layer 3 is coated on the pixel electrode 190, the contact auxiliary members 81a, 81b, 82, and the passivation layer 180.

Next, the common electrode display panel 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6B.                     

A light blocking member 220 called a black matrix for preventing light leakage is formed on an insulating substrate 210 made of transparent glass or the like. The light blocking member 220 has a plurality of openings facing the pixel electrode 190 and having substantially the same shape as the pixel electrode 190. Alternatively, the light blocking member 220 may include a portion corresponding to the data line 171 and a portion corresponding to the thin film transistor. However, the light blocking member 220 may have various shapes to block light leakage near the pixel electrode 190 and the thin film transistors Qa and Qb.

A plurality of color filters 230 is also formed on the substrate 210. The color filter 230 may be mostly located in an area surrounded by the light blocking member 220, and may extend in the vertical direction along the pixel electrode 190. The color filter 230 may display one of primary colors such as red, green, and blue.

An overcoat 250 is formed on the color filter 230 and the light blocking member 220 to prevent the color filter 230 from being exposed and to provide a flat surface.

The common electrode 270 formed of a transparent conductor such as ITO or IZO is formed on the overcoat 250.

The common electrode 270 has a plurality of sets of cutouts 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b.

One set of cutouts 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, 74b faces a pair of first and second subpixel electrodes 190a, 190b and includes a plurality of lower and upper cutouts 73a, 74a. 73b, 74b and central incisions 71, 72. Each cutout 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, 74b is disposed between adjacent cutouts 91, 92a, 92b of the pixel electrode 190 or between the edge cutouts 93a, 93b and the pixel electrode 190. It is placed between the hypotenuses. In addition, each of the cutouts 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b includes at least one diagonal line extending in parallel with the lower or lower portions 91, 92a, 92b, 93a, and 93b of the pixel electrode 190. .

The cutout 71 includes a horizontal portion extending along a central horizontal line of the pixel electrode 190, a pair of diagonal portions extending from the horizontal portion to the left side of the pixel electrode 190, and the end of the pixel electrode 190 at the end of the diagonal portion. It includes a pair of vertical portions extending along the left side and overlapping the sides of the pixel electrode 190 and forming an obtuse angle with the oblique portion.

The cutout 72 extends along the vertical portion of the gap 92 near the center of the right side of the pixel electrode 190 and overlaps the right side of the first subpixel electrode 190a with the pixel at both ends of the central longitudinal portion. A pair of oblique portions extending to the left side of the electrode 190 and forming an obtuse angle with the central vertical portion, and extending along the left side of the pixel electrode 190 from the pair of diagonal portions, respectively, to the left of the pixel electrode 190. A longitudinal longitudinal portion that overlaps the sides and forms an obtuse angle with the oblique portion.

The lower and upper cutouts 73a and 73b respectively have an oblique portion extending from the upper left or lower left of the pixel electrode 190 near the right side of the pixel electrode 190 and a left or right side of the pixel electrode 190 at the end of the diagonal portion. It extends along the left side and includes a vertical portion overlapping the left side or the right side of the pixel electrode 190 and forms an obtuse angle with the oblique portion.

The lower and upper cutouts 74a and 74b respectively include diagonal portions extending from the right side of the pixel electrode 190 to the upper side or the lower side of the pixel electrode 190, and at the end of the diagonal portion of the pixel electrode 190. It includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion extending along the side and overlapping the side of the pixel electrode 190 to form an obtuse angle with the oblique portion.

In addition, the cutouts 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b of the common electrode 270 control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the cutouts 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b. Is formed.

The number of cutouts 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, 74b may vary depending on design elements, and the light blocking member 220 overlaps the cutouts 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, 74b. Light leakage near the cutouts 71, 72, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b may be blocked.

At least one of the cutouts 91-93b and 71-74b may be replaced by a protrusion or a depression, and the shape and arrangement of the cutouts 91-93b and 71-74b may be modified.

An alignment layer 21 is disposed on the common electrode 270 to align the liquid crystal molecules.

Orthogonal polarizing plates 12 and 22 are provided on the outer surfaces of the display panels 100 and 200, and the transmission axes of the two polarizing plates 12 and 22 are orthogonal, and one transmission axis (or absorption axis) is parallel to the horizontal direction. In the case of a reflective liquid crystal display, one of the two polarizing plates 12 and 22 may be omitted.

The liquid crystal layer 3 has negative dielectric anisotropy and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned such that their major axes are substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the two display panels 100 and 200 when there is no electric field.

When a common voltage is applied to the common electrode 270 and a data voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 190, an electric field substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the display panels 100 and 200 is generated. The cutouts 91-93b and 71-74b of the electrodes 190 and 270 distort this electric field to produce a horizontal component perpendicular to the sides of the cutouts 91-93b and 71-74b. Accordingly, the electric field indicates a direction inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the display panels 100 and 200. In response to the electric field, the liquid crystal molecules change their directions so that their major axis is perpendicular to the direction of the electric field. In this case, the electric fields near the sides of the cutouts 91-93b and 71-74b and the pixel electrode 190 are formed of the liquid crystal molecules. Since the liquid crystal molecules are formed at an angle without being parallel to the major axis direction, the liquid crystal molecules rotate in a direction in which the movement distance is short on the plane formed by the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules and the electric field. Accordingly, one set of cutouts 91-93b and 71-74b and the sides of the pixel electrode 190 may move the portion of the liquid crystal layer 3 positioned on the pixel electrode 190 to a plurality of domains in which the liquid crystal molecules are inclined. The reference viewing angle is thus enlarged.

On the other hand, the difference between the data voltage applied to the subpixels PXa and PXb and the common voltage Vcom is shown as the charging voltage of the liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b, that is, the pixel voltage. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules varies depending on the magnitude of the pixel voltage, thereby changing the polarization of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 3. The change in polarization is represented by a change in transmittance of light by a polarizer (not shown) attached to the display panels 100 and 200.

In such a liquid crystal display, the gamma curves Ta and Tb of the subpixels PXa and PXb representing the change in transmittance with respect to the input grayscales GS1-GSF are different from each other as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the pixel voltage applied to the first subpixel Pxa has a gamma curve Ta and the pixel voltage applied to the second subpixel PXb has a gamma curve Tb, and gamma of one pixel PX. The curve becomes the curve T which synthesize | combined these. When determining the pixel voltage of each subpixel PXa, PXb, the composite gamma curve T is close to the reference gamma curve at the front side, for example, the composite gamma curve T at the front side is determined to be the most suitable front side. And the composite gamma curve T at the side to be closest to the reference gamma curve at the front. For example, lower gamma curves at lower gradations can improve visibility.

As such, since the two subpixels PXa and PXb are individually controlled based on independent gamma curves using separate thin film transistors Qa and Qb, the voltages of the two subpixels PXa and PXb are desired. In accordance with this, the luminance value for each gray level in each of the subpixels PXa and PXb is kept to a maximum, thereby improving visibility, increasing aperture ratio, and improving transmittance.

In such a liquid crystal display device, an area ratio of the first subpixel electrode 190a and the second subpixel electrode 190b of the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb is determined, and the first and second obtained accordingly. The first and second subpixels PXa and PXb are designed based on the ratio of the capacities of the liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b.

That is, the ratio of the capacities of the first and second storage capacitors C _ST a and C _ST b and the first and the same amount as the ratio of the capacities of these first and second liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b. The ratio of the capacitances of the first and second parasitic capacitors C _GD a and C _GD b formed between the gate electrode and the drain electrode of the second thin film transistors Qa and Qb is determined.

Assuming that the area of the gate electrodes of the first and second thin film transistors Qa and Qb is constant and the channel length L is fixed at the minimum line width, the gate electrode overlaps with the gate electrode as the width W increases. As the area of the drain electrode increases and the width W of the channel decreases, the area of the drain electrode overlapping the gate electrode decreases, so that the capacitances of the first and second parasitic capacitors C _GD a and C _GD b decrease. The width W of the channels of the first and second thin film transistors Qa and Qb may be adjusted.

However, both the width W and the length L of the channel of the thin film transistors Qa and Qb may be adjusted, and the size of the thin film transistor may be determined by adjusting only the length L of the channel.

The pixel voltages of the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb are respectively represented by the liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b and the storage capacitors C _ST a and C _ST b as shown in Equation 1 below. It is influenced by the kickback voltage Vk whose magnitude is determined according to the capacity of the parasitic capacitors C _GD a and C _GD b.

Where C _LC is the capacitance of the liquid crystal capacitor, C _ST is the capacitance of the storage capacitor, C _GS is the parasitic capacitance of the parasitic capacitor generated between the gate line electrode and the drain electrode of the thin film transistor, and ΔVg is the variation width of the gate signal. to be.)

As a result, the first and second sustain capacitors C _ST a and C _ST b and the first and second parasitic capacitors (same as the ratio of the capacities of the first and second liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b). If the ratios of the capacitances of C _GD a and C _GD b are equal, the magnitudes of the kickback voltages generated in the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb are also equal. Furthermore, the capacity ratios of the capacitances C _LC a + C _ST a and C _LC b + C _ST b of the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb are also different from those of the liquid crystal capacitors C _LC a and C _LC b. The same.

In addition, in the liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a disconnection occurs in one of the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb, the display is always dark or an unwanted signal is transmitted to degrade the display characteristics. The defect of the pixel can be easily repaired using the line 138. That is, laser is irradiated to both ends of the repair line 138 to short-circuit the protrusions 178a and 178b of the first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b overlapping both ends of the repair line 138. Therefore, the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb are short-circuited with each other, and a signal of a subpixel having no disconnection is transmitted to the subpixel having a disconnection, whereby the pixel PX receives an image with one signal. Will be displayed. Through such repair, display characteristics can be improved, process yield can be improved, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

8 is a layout view illustrating a structure of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplary embodiment has the same structure as that of FIGS. 3 to 6B.

However, unlike the previous embodiment, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 178a of the first drain electrode 175a protrudes from the overlapping portion of the bar portion 92 of the bar portion disposed on the semiconductor 154a. The protruding portion 178b of the two drain electrode 175b extends from the rod portion extending from the expansion portion 177b toward the storage electrode line 131 and overlaps the vertical portion of the gap 92. The repair line 138 extends overlapping with the oblique portion and the vertical portion of the gap 92 to form a rod, and both ends thereof protrude portions 178a of the first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b as in the previous embodiment. 178b).

The liquid crystal display according to the present exemplary embodiment is located at a portion where the repair line 138 and the protrusions 178a and 178b of the first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b do not display an image, as compared with the previous embodiment. It overlaps with the clearance gap, and it can prevent that aperture ratio decreases because of these (138, 178a, 178b).

9 is a layout view illustrating a structure of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, most of the structures are the same as those of the liquid crystal display shown in FIGS. 3 to 6B.

However, unlike the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 6B, the repair line 138 extends in the vertical direction and has a branch portion 139 connected to the storage electrode line 131 extending in the horizontal direction.

5 and 8, the repair line 138 overlapping both ends of the first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b is floated to form the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb. ) Is a capacitively coupled structure due to repair line 138. Therefore, when the voltage changes in one subpixel due to capacitive coupling, the voltages of the other subpixels change so that respective voltages applied to the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb may vary. However, in the same structure as in the present exemplary embodiment, the repair line 138 is connected to the sustain electrode line 131 through the branch part 139, and is applied to the first subpixel PXa and the second subpixel PXb. Even if the voltage changes, the voltage changes of the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb are not affected with respect to each other.

10 is a layout view illustrating a structure of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, most of the structures are the same as those of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 8.

However, as in the liquid crystal display of FIG. 9, the repair line 138 extends in the vertical direction and has a branch portion 139 connected to the storage electrode line 131.

 Therefore, in the liquid crystal display according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the aperture ratio of the pixel from being reduced, and the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb are not affected by the voltage change with respect to each other.

According to the present invention, by accurately matching the voltage of the two sub-pixels to the desired level, the visibility is improved, the aperture ratio is increased, and the transmittance is improved.

In addition, the pixel is designed to have almost the same kickback voltage between the two subpixels, thereby reducing the charge rate variation between the two subpixels due to the difference in the kickback voltage, thereby improving image quality.

In addition, by arranging a repair line overlapping the drain electrodes and both ends of the two subpixels, even if one of the two subpixels is disconnected, pixel defects can be easily repaired to improve display characteristics, improve process yield, and reduce manufacturing cost. have.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

Claims (13)

A pixel comprising first and second subpixels, A first gate line connected to the first subpixel and transferring a first gate signal, A second gate line connected to the second subpixel and transferring a second gate signal, and A plurality of data lines intersecting the first and second gate lines, connected to the first and second subpixels, and transferring data voltages; Including, The first subpixel includes a first switching element connected to the first gate line and the data line, a first liquid crystal capacitor and a first storage capacitor connected to the first switching element. The second subpixel includes a second switching element connected to the second gate line and the data line, a second liquid crystal capacitor connected to the second switching element, and the second sustain capacitor. The pixel may include a repair line overlapping both ends of the first and second drain electrodes of the first and second switching devices. Liquid crystal display. In claim 1, And a storage electrode line connected to the first and second storage capacitors. In claim 2, The repair line includes a branch part connected to the sustain electrode line. In claim 1, And a shielding electrode at least partially overlapping the data line and electrically insulated from the data line. In claim 1, The first and second liquid crystal capacitors include first and second pixel electrodes, respectively. In claim 5, And the first and second pixel electrodes have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to a straight line parallel to the gate line. In claim 6, And at least one of the first and second pixel electrodes has a cutout. In claim 7, And a common electrode facing the first and second pixel electrodes. In claim 8, The common electrode has a cutout. In claim 9, And at least one of the first and second pixel electrodes and the common electrode have cutouts arranged alternately. In claim 10, And a gap between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode and the cutouts of the common electrode are alternately arranged. In claim 11, The common electrode has at least one notch formed therein. In claim 5, And a shielding electrode overlapping the data line and positioned on the same layer as the first and second pixel electrodes.

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