KR20230169057A - Liquid Crystal Display Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of sub-pixel regions, a first substrate and a second substrate positioned opposite to each other with a liquid crystal layer in between, a thin film transistor on the first substrate, and a thin film transistor on the thin film transistor. It is on a first spacer and a second substrate having a bar-shaped planar structure, and includes a second spacer that at least partially overlaps the first spacer and intersects each other, and the first spacer has a second spacer extending therefrom. and at least one protrusion formed to overlap the second spacer in one direction.

Description

Liquid Crystal Display Device

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more specifically, to a liquid crystal display device capable of improving aperture ratio and transmittance and improving liquid crystal spreading characteristics.

With the advent of the full-fledged information age, the field of displays that visually display electrical information signals is rapidly developing. Accordingly, research is continuing to improve the performance of various flat display devices such as thinner, lighter, and lower power consumption.

Representative examples of such flat panel displays include Liquid Crystal Display devices (LCD), Plasma Display Panel devices (PDP), Field Emission Display devices (FED), and organic light emitting display devices. (Organic Light Emitting Display device: OLED), etc.

Among them, liquid crystal displays are currently being used the most, replacing CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) as mobile image display devices due to their excellent image quality, light weight, thinness, and low power consumption. Liquid crystal display devices are being developed for various purposes, such as televisions and computer monitors that receive and display broadcast signals, in addition to mobile applications such as laptop computers.

A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a color filter array substrate on which color filters are formed, a thin film transistor array substrate on which thin film transistors are formed, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the color filter array substrate and the thin film transistor array substrate.

Among the liquid crystal display devices in various liquid crystal modes, the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal display device forms a horizontal electric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrode arranged in parallel on the lower substrate to switch the liquid crystal layer in an in-plane switching (IPS) method. Run . This in-plane switching liquid crystal display device has the advantage of a wide viewing angle, but has the disadvantage of low aperture ratio and low transmittance.

In order to improve the shortcomings of the IPS mode liquid crystal display device, a fringe field switching (FFS) type liquid crystal display device operated by a fringe field has been proposed. A fringe field switching liquid crystal display device includes a common electrode and a pixel electrode positioned in each pixel area with an insulating layer in between, and a parabolic fringe field is formed on top of the common electrode and the pixel electrode. By allowing all liquid crystal molecules interposed between the upper and lower substrates to operate by the fringe field, the aperture ratio and transmittance can be improved compared to an IPS mode liquid crystal display device.

A fringe field switching liquid crystal display device may include a thin film transistor and a plurality of protective layers formed on the thin film transistor. A contact hole is formed in each of the plurality of protective layers, and the lower electrode of the thin film transistor and the pixel electrode formed on the upper part of the thin film transistor are electrically connected through the contact hole.

A spacer is positioned between the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter array substrate of the liquid crystal display device to maintain a constant gap between the two substrates. Spacers can be classified into ball spacers and column spacers depending on their shape and arrangement method. Recently, column spacers that can be formed into a desired shape at a specific location are widely used, and the column spacer can be formed by patterning a column spacer material on a thin film transistor array substrate or a color filter array substrate.

However, when an external force is applied to the liquid crystal display device, the column spacer moves, and the alignment film may be damaged due to the movement of the column spacer, resulting in defects.

Specifically, the column spacer serves to maintain a constant cell gap of the liquid crystal display device, and is formed on the color filter array substrate and is in contact with the thin film transistor array substrate. When the column spacer receives an external force, it moves across the top of the thin film transistor array substrate and returns to its original position.

At this time, the moving column spacer damages the alignment film made of polyimide (PI) on the thin film transistor array substrate. This damage to the alignment film causes the liquid crystal layer interposed between the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter array substrate. The arrangement of the liquid crystals is distorted, causing light to leak out.

In other words, when an external force is applied, a positional deviation occurs between the color filter array substrate and the thin film transistor array substrate. As the liquid crystal display device is deformed by this external force, the column spacer formed on the color filter array substrate moves, causing scratches on the alignment film. Damage occurs. This scratch on the alignment film causes the alignment of the liquid crystal to deviate from its original arrangement even if the column spacer of the color filter array substrate returns to its original position, resulting in light leakage, which is a phenomenon where unwanted light leaks.

If the size of the black matrix is designed to be enlarged based on the formation position of the column spacer to prevent light leakage due to movement of the column spacer, the width of the black matrix increases, thereby reducing the aperture and transmittance of the liquid crystal display device. There are difficulties in improving it.

In addition, liquid crystal spreading characteristics in which the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer between the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter array substrate is not spread as evenly as required depending on the steps caused by various components formed on the thin film transistor array substrate and the arrangement of the column spacer. Deterioration may occur.

In other words, defects in the form of spots appear due to liquid crystal overfilling, where a specific part of the liquid crystal display device is filled with more liquid crystal than the required level, or liquid crystal underfilling, which is a specific part where the liquid crystal is filled less than the required level, causing defects in the liquid crystal display device. There is a problem with image quality deteriorating.

The present invention was conceived to solve the above problems, and provides a bump spacer structure in which a bump spacer located on a thin film transistor is configured to include at least one protrusion and is capable of securing a sufficient separation distance between a plurality of bump spacers. The aim is to provide a liquid crystal display device that can improve aperture ratio and transmittance and improve liquid crystal spreading characteristics by applying the present invention.

Problems to be solved according to embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

A liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of opening areas and a light blocking area excluding the plurality of opening areas, a first substrate and a second substrate positioned opposite to each other, and a first protection disposed on the first substrate. a protrusion comprising a plurality of first spacers disposed on the first protective layer of the first substrate in the layer and the light blocking region, wherein at least one of the plurality of first spacers protrudes toward between edges of adjacently disposed opening regions; has

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

A liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least a bump spacer having a bar-shaped planar structure located on a thin film transistor formed to overlap a gap spacer or a push spacer in the direction in which the gap spacer or a push spacer extends. By configuring it to include one protrusion, the size of the gap spacer or pressed spacer can be reduced while maintaining the shift margin between the gap spacer or pressed spacer and the bump spacer. Accordingly, the width of the black matrix can be reduced by reducing the size of the gap spacer or the pressing spacer, and thus the aperture ratio and transmittance of the liquid crystal display device can be improved.

In addition, in the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the bump spacer fills the first and second contact holes of the planarization layer, and both lower ends of the bump spacer fill the first and second contact holes of the planarization layer. By positioning it to cover at least part of it, a sufficient separation distance between the plurality of bump spacers can be secured. Accordingly, a space where the liquid crystal can be distributed between the plurality of bump spacers is secured, and the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device can be improved.

In addition, the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention improves the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device, thereby minimizing the occurrence of defects in the form of spots that may appear due to overfilling or underfilling of the liquid crystal, thereby improving the image quality of the liquid crystal display device. It can be improved.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

Since the content of the invention described above in the problem to be solved, the means for solving the problem, and the effect do not specify the essential features of the claim, the scope of the claim is not limited by the matters described in the content of the invention.

1 is a diagram showing the planar structure of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing the planar structure of a thin film transistor and an electrode of a unit pixel of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a bump spacer, gap spacer, and pressure spacer formation area of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a bump spacer and gap spacer formation area of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a bump spacer and gap spacer formation region in AB of FIG. 4 of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a planar structure of a region where bump spacers and pressure spacers are formed in a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a bump spacer and a pressed spacer formation area in the CD of FIG. 6 of the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a bump spacer, a gap spacer, and a pressure spacer formation area of a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a bump spacer and gap spacer formation area in EF of FIG. 8 of a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete, and are known to those skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The shapes, sizes, proportions, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings for explaining embodiments of the present invention are illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to the matters shown. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Additionally, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. When 'includes', 'has', 'consists of', etc. mentioned in this specification are used, other parts may be added unless 'only' is used. When a component is expressed in the singular, the plural is included unless specifically stated otherwise.

When interpreting a component, it is interpreted to include the margin of error even if there is no separate explicit description. In the case of a description of a positional relationship, for example, if the positional relationship of two parts is described as 'on top', 'on the top', 'on the bottom', 'next to', etc., 'immediately' Alternatively, there may be one or more other parts placed between the two parts, unless 'directly' is used.

Additionally, first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, the first component mentioned below may also be the second component within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Each feature of the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined or combined with each other, partially or entirely, and various technological interconnections and operations are possible, and each embodiment can be implemented independently of each other or together in a related relationship. It may be possible.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the planar structure of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of gate lines GL, a plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of gate lines GL and a plurality of data lines DL. ) is configured to include a first substrate 101 including a plurality of display pixels (P) connected to.

Additionally, the gate driving IC (integrated circuit) 130 and the data driving IC 135 of the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention are formed in the active area or a non-display area outside the display area. The gate driving IC 130 and data driving IC 135 are configured to provide gate signals and data signals on the gate line GL and data line DL, respectively, so that the display pixel P in the active area operates. do.

Each display pixel P includes a thin film transistor (TFT) having a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. Additionally, each display pixel P includes a capacitor formed of a pixel electrode 118 and a common electrode 114.

The gate electrode of the thin film transistor (TFT) is connected to the gate line (GL), the source electrode of the thin film transistor (TFT) is connected to the data line (DL), and the drain electrode of the thin film transistor (TFT) is connected to the display pixel (P). It is connected to the pixel electrode 118.

The gate line GL supplies a scan signal from the gate driving IC 130 through the gate pad, and the data line DL supplies a pixel signal from the data driving IC 135 through the data pad. These gate lines (GL) and data lines (DL) intersect with a gate insulation layer in between to define each display pixel (P) area.

In FIG. 1, the gate driver IC 130 and the data driver IC 135 are each shown as separate components in the liquid crystal display device 100, but some or all of these driver ICs may be integrated into a single component. It may be possible. For example, the gate driving IC 130 may be formed on the first substrate 101 and provided as a part of the first substrate 101 .

In addition, the data driving IC 135 is connected to common signal wires and data lines formed on the first substrate 101 along with a touch driving IC configured to transmit and receive signals related to touch sensing on the liquid crystal display device 100. It may also be formed on the same printed circuit board.

Additionally, the display pixels P of the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include capacitive elements or electrodes that can be used for display functions and touch sensing functions. For example, the common electrode 114 of the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be divided into a plurality of common electrode blocks.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a thin film transistor area of a unit pixel of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Additionally, Figure 5 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a bump spacer and gap spacer formation area of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the thin film transistor and electrode structure of the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5.

2 and 5, on the first substrate 101 of the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a gate electrode 106, a semiconductor layer 108, a source electrode 109, and a drain electrode are formed. A thin film transistor (TFT) with an inverted staggered structure including (110) is formed.

More specifically, a gate electrode 106 is formed on the first substrate 101, and a gate insulating layer 107 is formed on the gate electrode 106. A semiconductor layer 108 is formed on the gate insulating layer 107. A source electrode 109 and a drain electrode 110 are formed on the semiconductor layer 108.

In this specification, the thin film transistor is described as having an inverse staggered structure, but it is not limited thereto, and thin film transistors of various structures, including a coplanar structure, can be used in the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. there is.

In addition, in FIGS. 2 and 5 , it is assumed that the thin film transistor is a P-type thin film transistor, and the pixel electrode 118 is connected to the drain electrode 110. However, if the thin film transistor is an N-type thin film transistor, the pixel electrode 118 may be connected to the source electrode 109.

The first substrate 101 is used to support various components of the liquid crystal display device 100 and is made of an insulating material. For example, the first substrate 101 may be made of glass or a plastic substrate such as PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate), PEN (PolyEthylene Naphthalate), or polyimide.

A gate electrode 106 is formed on the first substrate 101. The gate electrode 106 is made of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof. It can be done. In addition, it may be made of a single layer or two or more multi-layers of the metal or alloy, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The gate electrode 106 is formed in a branched form from the gate line GL arranged in the first horizontal direction on the first substrate 101 to correspond to each display pixel P area.

A gate insulating layer 107 is formed on the entire surface of the first substrate 101 on the gate electrode 106 to cover the gate electrode 106.

The gate insulating layer 107 may be made of a single layer or two or more layers of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), etc., but is not limited thereto.

A semiconductor layer 108 is formed on the gate insulating layer 107 to overlap at least a portion of the gate electrode 106.

The semiconductor layer 108 is made of amorphous silicon, poly crystalline silicon, and metal oxide semiconductor materials such as indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) and zinc tin oxide. : ZTO) and zinc indium oxide (ZIO), but is not necessarily limited thereto.

A source electrode 109 and a drain electrode 110 are formed on both sides of the semiconductor layer 108, respectively, overlapping with the semiconductor layer 108 and positioned to be spaced apart from each other.

The source electrode 109 and the drain electrode 110 may be made of aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof, and may be a single layer or two layers of the metal or alloy. It may be composed of the above multiple layers, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The source electrode 109 is branched from the data line DL arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on the gate insulating layer 107 to correspond to each display pixel (P) area. is formed

The source electrode 109 and the drain electrode 110 are patterned together with the semiconductor layer 108 formed by sequentially stacking on the gate insulating layer 107 using a half tone mask to form one mask. It can be formed through a process.

Also, referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, a semiconductor layer 108 is formed on the entire surface of the first substrate 101 on the source electrode 109 and the drain electrode 110 to cover the source electrode 109 and the drain electrode 110. And a first protective layer 112 having contact holes 113a and 113b exposing a portion of the drain electrode 110 is formed.

The first protective layer 112 may be made of an organic insulating material with a flat surface such as photo-acryl or benzocyclobutene (BCB), and may include a planarization layer ( It may be a planarization layer). Accordingly, the first protective layer 112, which serves as a planarization layer, can cover the thin film transistor.

Additionally, a third protective layer 111 may be further included below the first protective layer 112. The third protective layer 111 may be made of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx), but is not necessarily limited thereto. And, the third protective layer 111 has a contact hole exposing a portion of the lower drain electrode 110.

Also, referring to FIG. 1, a common electrode 114 is formed on the first protective layer 112. The common electrode 114 may be made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) to correspond to the front surface of the first substrate 101 in a plate shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The common electrode 114 is formed to include a common electrode hole 115 that exposes a portion of the drain electrode 110.

A second protective layer 116 is formed on the entire surface of the first substrate 101 on the common electrode 114. The second protective layer 116 is formed to cover the common electrode 114 and has a second protective layer contact hole 117 that exposes a portion of the drain electrode 110. The second protective layer 116 may be made of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx), but is not necessarily limited thereto.

A pixel electrode 118 is formed on the second protective layer 116. The pixel electrode 118 has a contact hole provided in the third protective layer 111, a contact hole 113 provided in each of the first protective layer 112 and the second protective layer 116, and a contact hole in the second protective layer. It is connected to the drain electrode 110 through (117).

Additionally, the pixel electrode 118 may have a structure including a plurality of fingers, and the pixel electrode 118 may be formed in a straight shape or a zigzag shape that is at least one curved shape. It could be.

The pixel electrode 118 forms a fringe field with the common electrode 114 on a different layer with the second protective layer 116 interposed therebetween. Additionally, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 140 rotate due to dielectric anisotropy due to the fringe field, and the light transmittance passing through the display pixel area varies depending on the degree of rotation of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby creating an image.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a bump spacer, gap spacer, and pressure spacer formation area of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the fourth spacer 129 may be positioned to be spaced apart from the second spacer 128 with at least one sub-pixel area therebetween. Specifically, the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an N-th sub-pixel ((N)Sub-PXL) among a plurality of sub-pixels, that is, a first sub-pixel and an N+1-th sub-pixel ((N) +1) Sub-PXL), that is, the second spacer 128 disposed on the second substrate 121 between the second sub-pixels and disposed on the first substrate 101 in correspondence with the second spacer 128. includes the first spacer 119a, and the N+3-th sub-pixel ((N+3)Sub-PXL), that is, the 4th sub-pixel and the N+4-th sub-pixel ((N+4)Sub-PXL) That is, the fourth spacer 129 disposed on the second substrate 121 between the fifth sub-pixels and the third spacer 119b disposed on the first substrate 101 corresponding to the fourth spacer 129. Includes.

Additionally, it may further include a fifth spacer 119c disposed on the first substrate 101 and positioned between the first spacer 119a and the third spacer 119b. The fifth spacer 119c is formed on the second protective layer 116 and the pixel electrode 118 on the first protective layer 112, which serves as a planarization layer. That is, the fifth spacer 119c may be formed of the same material in the same layer as the first spacer 119a and the third spacer 119b.

That is, the column spacer configured in the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first spacer 119a and a third spacer 119b that are bump spacers, and a second spacer 128 that is a gap spacer. , it may include a fourth spacer 129, which is a pressing spacer, and a fifth spacer 119c, which is an auxiliary bump spacer.

Additionally, the fifth spacer 119c may be located corresponding to the third sub-pixel, which is the N+2-th sub-pixel ((N+2)Sub-PXL). More specifically, the fifth spacer 119c may be positioned between the first spacer 119a and the third spacer 119b, spaced apart from the first spacer 119a at a distance of W1, and may also be located between the first spacer 119a and the third spacer 119b. It can be located apart from 119b) with a distance of W2. The third sub-pixel to which the fifth spacer 119c corresponds may be a green sub-pixel, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

Unlike the first spacer 119a and the third spacer 119b, the fifth spacer 119c does not have a gap spacer or a pressed spacer at a corresponding position on the second substrate 121, and has a second spacer corresponding to the third sub-pixel. 5 It is formed to cover the contact hole 113e and can serve to reduce the level difference on the first substrate 101 caused by the contact hole. In addition, the fifth spacer 119c serves as an auxiliary bump spacer to prevent damage to the liquid crystal display device that may occur when the second spacer 128 or the fourth spacer 129 moves away from the required position due to external force. It may be possible.

And, among the plurality of sub-pixels, the N-th sub-pixel ((N)Sub-PXL) is the first sub-pixel, and the N+1-th sub-pixel ((N+1)Sub-PXL) is the second sub-pixel, N+2. The th sub-pixel ((N+2)Sub-PXL) is the third sub-pixel, the N+3th sub-pixel ((N+3)Sub-PXL) is the fourth sub-pixel, and the N+4th sub-pixel ((N +4)Sub-PXL) may be the fifth sub-pixel.

Additionally, the plurality of sub-pixels may be located in the following order: a blue sub-pixel, a red sub-pixel, and a green sub-pixel. That is, the first sub-pixel is a blue sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel is a red sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel is a green sub-pixel, the fourth sub-pixel is a blue sub-pixel, The fifth sub-pixel may be a red sub-pixel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a bump spacer and gap spacer formation area of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the first spacer 119a, which is a bump spacer, and the second spacer 128, which is a gap spacer, shown in FIG. 3.

Additionally, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a bump spacer and gap spacer formation region in A-B of FIG. 4 of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4 , for convenience of explanation, the thin film transistor, common electrode, and pixel electrode of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 other than the bump spacer and gap spacer are not shown.

4 and 5, when describing the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, redundant detailed descriptions of the same or corresponding components described with reference to the previous drawings will be omitted or simply described. Do this.

2 and 5, on the second substrate 121 located opposite to the first substrate 101 of the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, an opening area of a display pixel and a light blocking area are formed. A defining black matrix (BM, 122) is formed.

That is, the area where the black matrix 122 is formed is defined as a light blocking area, and the area where the black matrix 122 is not formed is defined as an opening area. Various driving elements and wiring, such as a thin film transistor (TFT), gate line (GL), and data line (DL), are formed in the area corresponding to the light blocking area, and the common electrode 114 and the pixel electrode are formed in the area defined as the opening area. (118) is formed.

The black matrix 122 is located adjacent to the second substrate 121. Additionally, the black matrix 122 is formed on the second substrate 121 to overlap at least one of the thin film transistor, gate line GL, and data line DL of the first substrate 101. More specifically, the black matrix 122 may include a gate BM 123 arranged along the gate line GL and a data BM 124 arranged along the data line DL. The black matrix 122 may be made of an opaque organic material, for example, black resin. Additionally, the black matrix 122 may be formed in a straight shape or in a zigzag shape that is at least one curved shape.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the gate BM 123 formed on the second substrate 121 may be formed to have a width of H1 so as to cover the gate line GL and the thin film transistor area disposed below.

Referring to FIG. 5, color filters 125 and 126 including red, green, and blue color filters are formed on the second substrate 121 and the black matrix 122. The color filters 125 and 126 can express red, green, and blue colors by absorbing or transmitting light of a specific wavelength through the red, green, and blue pigments they contain, respectively. Additionally, the color filters 125 and 126 may be formed in a straight shape or in at least one zigzag shape that is curved.

An overcoat 127 is formed on the color filters 125 and 126. The overcoat 127 may serve to protect the color filters 125 and 126, and may be made of an organic or inorganic material with excellent planarization characteristics.

Additionally, it may be configured to include a liquid crystal layer 140 made of liquid crystal (LC) having dielectric anisotropy between the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 121.

The liquid crystal layer 140 is formed between the lower alignment layer on the first substrate 101 and the upper alignment layer on the second substrate 121. The lower alignment layer and the upper alignment layer serve to determine and maintain the initial orientation of the liquid crystal (LC) in the liquid crystal layer 140.

The alignment state of the liquid crystal (LC) included in the liquid crystal layer 140 is adjusted by the electric field formed by the common electrode 114 and the pixel electrode 118. Liquid crystal (LC) with negative dielectric anisotropy, that is, negative liquid crystal, is a liquid crystal with a negative dielectric anisotropy (△ε=ε∥ - ε⊥), where the vertical dielectric constant is greater than the horizontal dielectric constant. has On the other hand, in the case of positive liquid crystal, the dielectric anisotropy is positive (+), and the horizontal dielectric constant is larger than the vertical dielectric constant.

In the liquid crystal (LC) having negative dielectric anisotropy, that is, the negative liquid crystal (LC), the director of the liquid crystal (LC) is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the electric field. Therefore, when an electric field is formed between the common electrode 114 and the pixel electrode 118, not only the liquid crystal in the area between the common electrode 114 and the pixel electrode 118 but also the upper area between the common electrode 114 and the pixel electrode 118 All liquid crystal directors of are arranged parallel to the horizontal planes of the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 121. Therefore, compared to positive liquid crystal, negative liquid crystal (LC) has improved light transmittance and can exhibit relatively excellent luminance characteristics.

And, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first spacer 119a and a second substrate 121 formed on the thin film transistor of the first substrate 101. It is located on the first spacer 119a and includes a second spacer 128 that at least partially overlaps and intersects the first spacer 119a. That is, the column spacer of the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first spacer 119a that is a bump spacer and a second spacer 128 that is a gap spacer.

The first spacer 119a has a first contact hole 113a and a second contact hole 113b, and a second protective layer 116 on the top of the first protective layer 112, which serves as a planarization layer, and a pixel It is formed on the electrode 118. In addition, the first spacer 119a is formed to cover the first contact hole 113a and the second contact hole 113b provided in the first protective layer 112, and the first spacer 119a is formed to cover the first contact hole 113a and the second contact hole 113b provided in the first protective layer 112. It can serve to reduce the level difference on the substrate 101. More specifically, the first spacer 119a is located adjacent to the first contact hole 113a corresponding to the N-th sub-pixel ((N)Sub-PXL) and the N-th sub-pixel ((N)Sub-PXL). It can be formed to cover all of the second contact holes 113b corresponding to the N+1th sub-pixel ((N+1)Sub-PXL). Here, the N-th sub-pixel ((N)Sub-PXL) may be the first sub-pixel, and the N+1-th sub-pixel ((N+1)Sub-PXL) may be the second sub-pixel. Also, the first sub-pixel may be a blue sub-pixel, and the second sub-pixel may be a red sub-pixel.

In addition, the first spacer 119a is disposed at a position corresponding to the second spacer 128 and is in contact with the second spacer 128 formed on the second substrate 121 to form a cell gap of the liquid crystal display device. ) plays the role of a bump spacer that maintains the The first spacer 119a may be made of a single layer of an inorganic film or an organic film, or a multi-layer of two or more layers of an inorganic film or an organic film, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The second spacer 128 is formed on the overcoat 127 of the second substrate 121 and is in contact with the first spacer 119a formed on the first substrate 101 to form a cell gap of the liquid crystal display device. It serves as a gap spacer that maintains the gap, and is arranged to overlap and intersect at least a portion of the first spacer 119a.

In addition, the second spacer 128 can be positioned to correspond to the light blocking area on the black matrix 122 such that at least a portion of the second spacer 128 overlaps the data line DL between the blue sub-pixel and the red sub-pixel. there is. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the second spacer 128 may be positioned to correspond to a light-shielding area on the black matrix 122 between the red sub-pixel and the green sub-pixel.

The second spacer 128 may be made of a single layer of an inorganic film or an organic film, or a multi-layer of two or more layers of an inorganic film or an organic film, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The first spacer 119a and the second spacer 128 may be made of the same material.

Additionally, the first spacer 119a has a bar-shaped planar structure and may be formed to be longer in the direction in which the gate line GL extends than in the direction in which the data line DL extends. Additionally, the second spacer 128 has a bar-shaped planar structure and may be formed to be longer in the direction in which the data line DL extends than in the direction in which the gate line GL extends. That is, the first spacer 119a and the second spacer 128 each have a planar structure in the shape of a bar, and at least some of them overlap each other and are arranged to cross each other.

Additionally, the first spacer 119a includes at least one protrusion formed to overlap the second spacer 128 in the direction in which the second spacer 128 extends.

The protrusion formed on the first spacer 119a may serve to reduce the size of the second spacer 128 while maintaining the shift margin between the second spacer 128 and the first spacer 119a. there is. Here, the shift margin refers to the fact that even if the first spacer 119a on the first substrate 101 and the second spacer 128 on the second substrate 121 deviate from their respective required positions due to external force, the first spacer 119a It means the minimum distance required to maintain contact between (119a) and the second spacer (128). That is, when applying a protrusion to the first spacer 119a, a shift margin, which is the distance M1 from the upper end of the second spacer 128 to the lower end of the first spacer 119a, and the first The shift margin, which is the distance M2 from the upper end of the spacer 119a to the lower end of the second spacer 128, remains the same as compared to the existing structure without applying the protrusion, and the second spacer 128 The size can be made smaller than the existing structure.

Therefore, when applying the protrusion to the first spacer 119a, the size of the second spacer 128 is reduced while maintaining the shift margin between the first spacer 119a and the second spacer 128. You can do it. Therefore, by reducing the size of the second spacer 128, the width of the gate BM 123 of the black matrix 122 to prevent light leakage can be minimized, and thus the aperture ratio and transmittance of the liquid crystal display device can be improved. .

In FIG. 4, the protrusion of the first spacer 119a is shown as being located at the lower end of the bar-shaped first spacer 119a, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and the protrusion of the first spacer 119a is shown as being located at the lower end of the bar-shaped first spacer 119a ( It may be located at the bottom, top, and at least one of the bottom and top of 119a). Additionally, the length (X1) in the minor axis direction of the first spacer (119a) including the protrusion may be smaller than the length (Y1) in the major axis direction of the second spacer (128).

That is, the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first spacer 119a, which is a bump spacer with a bar-shaped planar structure located on a thin film transistor, and a second spacer 128, which is a gap spacer. ), and the first spacer 119a is configured to include at least one protrusion formed to overlap the second spacer 128 in the direction in which the second spacer 128 extends, so that the first spacer 119a and The size of the second spacers 128 can be reduced while maintaining the shift margin between the second spacers 128 as is. Therefore, by reducing the size of the second spacer 128, the width of the gate BM 123 of the black matrix 122 to prevent light leakage can be minimized, and thus the aperture ratio and transmittance of the liquid crystal display device can be improved. .

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a planar structure of a region where bump spacers and pressure spacers are formed in a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the third spacer 119b, which is a bump spacer, and the fourth spacer 129, which is a push spacer, shown in FIG. 3.

Additionally, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the cross-sectional structure of the bump spacer and press spacer formation regions in C-D of FIG. 6 of the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7, when describing the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, overlapping detailed descriptions of the same or corresponding components described with reference to the previous drawings will be omitted or simply described. I decided to do it.

6 and 7, the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a third spacer 119b and a second substrate 121 formed on the thin film transistor of the first substrate 101. It further includes a fourth spacer 129 that is located on the first spacer 119b and at least partially overlaps and intersects the first spacer 119b.

That is, a column spacer configured in the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a third spacer 119b that is a bump spacer and a fourth spacer 129 that is a push spacer.

The third spacer 119b has a third contact hole 113c and a fourth contact hole 113d, and the second protective layer 116 on the top of the first protective layer 112, which serves as a planarization layer, and the pixel It is formed on the electrode 118. In addition, the third spacer 119b is formed to cover the third contact hole 113c and the fourth contact hole 113d provided in the first protective layer 112, so that the first contact hole 113c and 113d are formed. It can serve to reduce the level difference on the substrate 101. More specifically, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the third spacer 119b is a third contact hole 113c corresponding to the N+3-th sub-pixel ((N+3)Sub-PXL) and the N+3-th It may be formed to cover all of the fourth contact holes 113d corresponding to the N+4th sub-pixel ((N+4)Sub-PXL) located adjacent to the sub-pixel ((N)Sub-PXL).

The third spacer 119b is disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth spacer 129 and is a bump spacer located at a certain distance from the fourth spacer 129 formed on the second substrate 121. ) plays the role of That is, the third spacer 119b serves to prevent the liquid crystal display device from being damaged by pressing and moving the fourth spacer 129 of the second substrate 121 when an external force is applied to the second substrate 121. Do it. The third spacer 119b may be made of a single layer of an inorganic film or an organic film, or a multi-layer of two or more layers of an inorganic film or an organic film, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The fourth spacer 129 is formed on the overcoat 127 of the second substrate 121 and is positioned at a certain distance from the third spacer 119b formed on the first substrate 101 to display the liquid crystal display. It serves as a push spacer that forms a push gap of the device, and is disposed to overlap and cross each other at least in part with the third spacer 119b. The fourth spacer 129 may be formed to have a lower height than the second spacer 128, and the fourth spacer 129 and the second spacer 128 may be formed through a halftone process using a halftone mask. can be formed simultaneously.

Additionally, the fourth spacer 129 may be positioned to correspond to the light blocking area on the black matrix 122 such that at least part of the data line DL overlaps between the blue sub-pixel and the red sub-pixel. . However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the fourth spacer 129 may be positioned to correspond to a light-shielding area on the black matrix 122 between the red sub-pixel and the green sub-pixel.

The fourth spacer 129 may be made of a single layer of an inorganic film or an organic film, or a multi-layer of two or more layers of an inorganic film or an organic film, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The third spacer 119b and the fourth spacer 129 may be made of the same material.

Additionally, the third spacer 119b has a bar-shaped planar structure and may be formed to be longer in the direction in which the gate line GL extends than in the direction in which the data line DL extends. Additionally, the fourth spacer 129 has a circular planar structure, and the third spacer 119b and the fourth spacer 129 are arranged so that at least some of them overlap each other.

Additionally, the third spacer 119b includes at least one protrusion formed to overlap the fourth spacer 129 in one direction where the fourth spacer 129 is formed. Here, the direction in which the protrusion of the third spacer 119b is formed may be the same direction as the direction in which the data line DL extends.

The protrusion formed on the third spacer 119b can serve to reduce the size of the fourth spacer 129 while maintaining the shift margin between the fourth spacer 129 and the third spacer 119b. there is. That is, when applying a protrusion to the third spacer 119b, a shift margin, which is the distance M3 from the upper end of the fourth spacer 129 to the lower end of the third spacer 119b, and the third The shift margin, which is the distance M4 from the upper end of the spacer 119b to the lower end of the fourth spacer 129, remains the same as the existing structure without applying the protrusion, and the fourth spacer 129 The size can be made smaller than the existing structure.

Therefore, when applying the protrusion to the third spacer 119b, the size of the fourth spacer 129 is changed while maintaining the shift margin between the first third spacer 119b and the fourth spacer 129. can be reduced. Therefore, by reducing the size of the fourth spacer 129, the width of the gate BM 123 of the black matrix 122 to prevent light leakage can be minimized, and thus the aperture ratio and transmittance of the liquid crystal display device can be improved. .

In FIG. 6, the protrusion of the third spacer 119b is shown as being located at the lower end of the bar-shaped third spacer 119b, but this is not necessarily limited to this, and the protrusion of the third spacer 119b is bar-shaped. ) may be located at the bottom, top, and at least one of the bottom and top. Additionally, the length (X2) of the third spacer (119b) including the protrusion in the minor axis direction may be smaller than the diameter (Y2) of the fourth spacer (129).

That is, the liquid crystal display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a third spacer 119b, which is a bump spacer with a bar-shaped planar structure located on the thin film transistor, and a fourth spacer 129, which is a push spacer. ), and the third spacer 119b is configured to include at least one protrusion formed to overlap the fourth spacer 129 in one direction where the fourth spacer 129 is formed, so that the third spacer 119b and The size of the fourth spacer 129 can be reduced while maintaining the shift margin between the fourth spacers 129 as is. Therefore, by reducing the size of the fourth spacer 129, the width of the gate BM 123 of the black matrix 122 to prevent light leakage can be minimized, so the aperture ratio and transmittance of the liquid crystal display device can be improved. .

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a bump spacer, a gap spacer, and a pressure spacer formation area of a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, FIG. 9 shows bump spacers and gap spacers in EF of FIG. 8 of a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the castle area.

8 and 9, when describing the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, overlapping detailed descriptions of components that are the same or corresponding to those in the previously described embodiment will be omitted or simply simplified. Let me explain.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an N-th sub-pixel ((N)Sub-PXL), that is, a first sub-pixel, among a plurality of sub-pixels. It corresponds to the second spacer 128 and the second spacer 128 disposed on the second substrate 121 between the N+1th sub-pixel ((N+1)Sub-PXL), that is, the second sub-pixel. It includes a first spacer 219a disposed on the first substrate 101, and includes an N+3-th sub-pixel ((N+3)Sub-PXL), that is, a 4th sub-pixel and an N+4-th sub-pixel ( (N+4)Sub-PXL), that is, on the first substrate 101 corresponding to the fourth spacer 129 and the fourth spacer 129 disposed on the second substrate 121 between the fifth sub-pixels. It includes a third spacer 219b disposed.

That is, the column spacer configured in the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first spacer 119a and a third spacer 119b, which are bump spacers, and a second spacer 128, which is a gap spacer. ) and a fourth spacer 129, which is a pressed spacer.

The first spacer 219a of the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is disposed at a position corresponding to the second spacer 128 on the thin film transistor of the first substrate 101, and It contacts the second spacer 128 formed on (121) and serves as a bump spacer to maintain the cell gap of the liquid crystal display device.

In addition, the second spacer 128 is formed on the overcoat 127 of the second substrate 121 and is in contact with the first spacer 219a formed on the first substrate 101 to form a cell gap ( It serves as a gap spacer that maintains the cell gap, and is arranged to overlap and intersect with the first spacer 219a at least in part.

Additionally, the first spacer 219a has a bar-shaped planar structure and may be formed to be longer in the direction in which the gate line GL extends than in the direction in which the data line DL extends. Additionally, the second spacer 128 has a bar-shaped planar structure and may be formed to be longer in the direction in which the data line DL extends than in the direction in which the gate line GL extends. That is, the first spacer 219a and the second spacer 128 each have a bar-shaped planar structure, and at least some of them are arranged in a manner that overlaps and crosses each other. Additionally, the length of the first spacer 219a in the minor axis direction may be smaller than the length of the second spacer 128 in the major axis direction.

In addition, the first spacer 219a includes at least one protrusion formed to overlap the second spacer 128 in the direction in which the second spacer 128 extends.

The protrusion formed on the first spacer 219a may serve to reduce the size of the second spacer 128 while maintaining the shift margin between the second spacer 128 and the first spacer 119a. there is.

And, the first spacer 219a of the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention covers the first contact hole 113a and the second contact hole 113b, and the first spacer 219a Both ends of the lower part are positioned to cover at least part of the first contact hole 113a and the second contact hole 113b, respectively.

More specifically, the first spacer 219a includes a first contact hole 113a formed corresponding to the first sub-pixel, and a second contact hole 113b formed corresponding to the second sub-pixel located adjacent to the first sub-pixel. ) is filled with a material forming the first spacer 219a, the lower left end of the first spacer 219a is formed to overlap and cover at least a portion of the first contact hole 113a, and the first spacer 219a ) may be formed so that at least a portion of the lower right end overlaps and covers the second contact hole 113b. This first spacer 219a fills the first contact hole 113a and the second contact hole 113b, and both lower ends of the first spacer 219a fill the first contact hole 113a and the second contact hole 113b, respectively. A structure that covers at least a portion of (113b) may be formed through a halftone process using a halftone mask.

In addition, the third spacer 219b of the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth spacer 129, and the fourth spacer formed on the second substrate 121 It serves as a bump spacer located at a certain distance from (129). That is, the third spacer 219b serves to prevent the liquid crystal display device from being damaged by pressing and moving the fourth spacer 129 of the second substrate 121 when an external force is applied to the second substrate 121. Do it.

The fourth spacer 129 is formed on the overcoat 127 of the second substrate 121 and is positioned at a certain distance from the third spacer 219b formed on the first substrate 101 to display the liquid crystal display. It serves as a push spacer that forms a push gap of the device, and is arranged to overlap and cross each other at least in part with the third spacer 219b.

Additionally, the third spacer 219b has a bar-shaped planar structure and may be formed to be longer in the direction in which the gate line GL extends than in the direction in which the data line DL extends. Additionally, the fourth spacer 129 has a circular planar structure, and the third spacer 119b and the fourth spacer 129 are arranged so that at least some of them overlap each other. Additionally, the length of the third spacer 219b in the minor axis direction may be smaller than the diameter of the fourth spacer 129.

Also, referring to FIG. 8, the third spacer 219b includes at least one protrusion formed to overlap the fourth spacer 129 in one direction where the fourth spacer 129 is formed. Here, the direction in which the protrusion of the third spacer 119b is formed may be the same direction as the direction in which the data line DL extends.

The protrusion formed on the third spacer 219b may serve to reduce the size of the fourth spacer 129 while maintaining the shift margin between the fourth spacer 129 and the third spacer 219b. there is.

And, the third spacer 219a of the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention covers the third contact hole 113c and the fourth contact hole 113d, and the third spacer 219b Both ends of the lower part are positioned to cover at least a portion of the third contact hole 113c and the fourth contact hole 113d, respectively. This third spacer 219b fills the third contact hole 113c and the fourth contact hole 113d, and both lower ends of the third spacer 219b fill the third contact hole 113c and the fourth contact hole 113c, respectively. A structure that covers at least part of (113d) may be formed through a halftone process using a halftone mask.

And, in FIG. 8, the first protective layer 112, which serves as a planarization layer of the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, is the N+2th subpixel ((N+ 2) It further includes a fifth contact hole 113e in the area corresponding to the third sub-pixel (Sub-PXL), and the fifth contact hole 113e can be formed to be filled with a material for forming the first spacer 219a. there is. That is, no additional bump spacer is formed on the fifth contact hole 113e corresponding to the third sub-pixel, and the first spacer 219a is formed to be filled with a forming material to form a first substrate ( 101) The step difference on the top can be reduced.

That is, through the above structure, it is possible to reduce the step on the first substrate 101 that may occur due to a contact hole without placing an additional bump spacer between the first spacer 219a and the second spacer 219b, Since a sufficient separation distance of W3 can be secured between the first spacer 219a and the second spacer 219b, additional space can be secured so that the liquid crystal can easily spread, thereby improving the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device. It can be.

That is, in the liquid crystal display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first spacer 219a, which is a bump spacer, is connected to the first contact hole 113a and the second contact hole of the first protective layer 112, which is a planarization layer. At least a portion of the first contact hole 113a and the second contact hole 113b of the first protective layer 112, which fills (113b) and is a flattening layer at both lower ends of the first spacer 219a, which is a bump spacer. By positioning it so that it covers, a sufficient separation distance between the plurality of bump spacers can be secured. Accordingly, a space where the liquid crystal can be distributed between the plurality of bump spacers is secured, and the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device can be improved. In addition, the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device are improved to minimize the occurrence of defects in the form of spots that may appear due to overfilling or underfilling of the liquid crystal, thereby improving the image quality of the liquid crystal display device.

Therefore, the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is such that the bump spacer having a bar-shaped planar structure located on the thin film transistor overlaps the gap spacer or press spacer in the direction in which the gap spacer or press spacer extends. By configuring the column spacer to include at least one protrusion, the size of the column spacer can be reduced while maintaining the shift margin between the gap spacer or the push spacer and the bump spacer. Accordingly, the width of the black matrix can be reduced by reducing the size of the column spacer, and thus the aperture ratio and transmittance of the liquid crystal display device can be improved.

In addition, in the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the bump spacer fills the first contact hole and the second contact hole of the planarization layer, and both lower ends of the bump spacer fill at least the first contact hole and the second contact hole of the planarization layer. By positioning it so that it partially covers, a sufficient separation distance between the plurality of bump spacers can be secured, thereby securing a space where the liquid crystal can be distributed between the plurality of bump spacers, thereby improving the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device. .

In addition, the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention improves the image quality of the liquid crystal display device by improving the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device and minimizing the occurrence of defects in the form of stains that may appear due to overfilling or underfilling of the liquid crystal. You can do it.

A liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be described as follows.

A liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of sub-pixel regions, a first substrate and a second substrate positioned opposite to each other with a liquid crystal layer in between, a thin film transistor on the first substrate, and a thin film transistor on the thin film transistor. It is on a first spacer and a second substrate having a bar-shaped planar structure, and includes a second spacer that at least partially overlaps the first spacer and intersects each other, and the first spacer has a second spacer extending therefrom. and at least one protrusion formed to overlap the second spacer in one direction. That is, in the liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the bump spacer having a bar-shaped planar structure located on the thin film transistor includes at least one protrusion formed to overlap the column spacer in the direction in which the column spacer extends. By being configured to include the column spacer, the size of the column spacer can be reduced while maintaining the shift margin between the column spacer and the bump spacer. Accordingly, the width of the black matrix can be reduced by reducing the size of the column spacer, and thus the aperture ratio and transmittance of the liquid crystal display device can be improved.

According to another feature of the present invention, the protrusion may be located on at least one of the lower end and the upper end of the bar-shaped first spacer.

According to another feature of the present invention, the first substrate includes a gate line and a data line, and the first spacer may be formed to be longer in the direction in which the gate line extends than in the direction in which the data line extends.

According to another feature of the present invention, the second spacer has a bar-shaped planar structure and may be formed to be longer in the direction in which the data line extends than in the direction in which the gate line extends.

According to another feature of the present invention, it is on the second substrate, and further includes a black matrix defining an opening area and a light blocking area in each of a plurality of sub-pixels, wherein the plurality of sub-pixels include a blue sub-pixel, a red sub-pixel, and It can be located in the order of green sub-pixels.

According to another feature of the present invention, the second spacer may be positioned to correspond to the light blocking area between the blue sub-pixel and the red sub-pixel.

According to another feature of the present invention, the fourth spacer is positioned spaced apart from the second spacer with at least one sub-pixel area therebetween, and is on the thin film transistor and includes at least one protrusion formed to overlap the fourth spacer. It may further include a third spacer.

According to another feature of the present invention, the second spacer may have a bar-shaped planar structure, and the fourth spacer may have a circular planar structure.

According to another feature of the present invention, it may further include a fifth spacer positioned between the first spacer and the third spacer.

According to another feature of the present invention, it may include a planarization layer covering a thin film transistor and a contact hole provided in the planarization layer, and the first spacer may be formed to cover the contact hole.

According to another feature of the present invention, the black matrix includes a gate BM disposed along a gate line and a data BM disposed along a data line, and the first spacer includes a protrusion, thereby reducing the size of the second spacer, The width of the gate BM can be minimized.

In another aspect, a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a thin film transistor in a plurality of sub-pixels on a first substrate, a planarization layer on the thin film transistor, a first contact hole and a second contact hole, and a planarization layer. A first spacer on the layer is on a second substrate located opposite to the first substrate, and a black matrix (BM) having an opening area and a light blocking area is on the second substrate, corresponding to the first spacer, and a first It includes a second spacer located in a light-shielding area between the contact hole and the second contact hole, wherein the first spacer overlaps at least a portion of the second spacer and is positioned to intersect each other, and the first spacer is located between the first contact hole and the second spacer. It covers the contact hole, and both lower ends of the first spacer are positioned to cover at least a portion of the first contact hole and the second contact hole, respectively. That is, in the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the bump spacer fills the first and second contact holes of the planarization layer, and both lower ends of the bump spacer fill the first and second contact holes of the planarization layer. By positioning it to cover at least part of the hole, a sufficient separation distance between the plurality of bump spacers can be secured. Accordingly, a space where the liquid crystal can be distributed between the plurality of bump spacers is secured, and the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device can be improved. In addition, the liquid crystal spreading characteristics of the liquid crystal display device are improved, thereby minimizing the occurrence of defects in the form of spots that may appear due to overfilling or underfilling of the liquid crystal, thereby improving the image quality of the liquid crystal display device.

According to another feature of the present invention, the first spacer has a bar-shaped planar structure and may include at least one protrusion formed to correspond to and overlap the second spacer.

According to another feature of the present invention, the first contact hole may correspond to a first sub-pixel among a plurality of sub-pixels, and the second contact hole may correspond to a second sub-pixel among the plurality of sub-pixels.

According to another feature of the present invention, the second spacer has a bar-shaped planar structure, and the length of the minor axis of the first spacer may be smaller than the length of the major axis of the second spacer.

According to another feature of the present invention, the third contact hole and the fourth contact hole provided in the planarization layer are located to correspond to the third spacer on the planarization layer and the third spacer on the second substrate, and the third contact hole and the third spacer are provided on the planarization layer. It further includes a fourth spacer located in a light-shielding area between the four contact holes, wherein the third spacer overlaps at least a portion of the fourth spacer and is positioned to cross each other, and the third spacer is positioned to intersect the third contact hole and the fourth contact hole. Both lower ends of the third spacer may be positioned to cover at least a portion of the third contact hole and the fourth contact hole, respectively.

According to another feature of the present invention, the third contact hole may correspond to the fourth sub-pixel among the plurality of sub-pixels, and the fourth contact hole may correspond to the fifth sub-pixel among the plurality of sub-pixels.

According to another feature of the present invention, the planarization layer further includes a fifth contact hole corresponding to a third sub-pixel among the plurality of sub-pixels, and a first spacer forming material may be formed to cover the fifth contact hole. there is.

According to another feature of the present invention, the third spacer may include at least one protrusion formed to correspond to and overlap the fourth spacer.

According to another feature of the present invention, the fourth spacer has a circular planar structure, and the length of the third spacer in the minor axis direction may be smaller than the diameter of the fourth spacer.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, and may be implemented with various modifications without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. there is. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but are for illustrative purposes, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

100: liquid crystal display device
101: first substrate
106: gate electrode
107: Gate insulating layer
108: semiconductor layer
109: source electrode
110: drain electrode
111: third protective layer
112: first protective layer
113a: first contact hole
113b: second contact hole
113c: third contact hole
113d: 4th contact hole
113e: 5th contact hole
114: common electrode
115: common electrode hole
116: second protective layer
117: second protective layer contact hole
118: pixel electrode
119a: first spacer (first bump spacer)
119b: Third spacer (second bump spacer)
119c: Fifth spacer (auxiliary bump spacer)
121: second substrate
122: Black Matrix (BM)
123: Gate BM
124: data BM
125: Blue color filter
126: Red color filter
127: Overcoat
128: Second spacer (gap spacer)
129: Fourth spacer (pressed spacer)
130: Gate driving IC
135: data driving IC
140: liquid crystal layer
GL: Gate line
DL: data line
P: display pixel
(N)Sub-PXL: 1st sub-pixel
(N+1)Sub-PXL: 2nd sub pixel
(N+2)Sub-PXL: Third sub pixel
(N+3)Sub-PXL: 4th sub-pixel
(N+4)Sub-PXL: 5th sub-pixel

Claims (21)

A first substrate and a second substrate that are positioned opposite to each other and include a plurality of opening areas and a light blocking area excluding the plurality of opening areas;
a first protective layer disposed on the first substrate; and
A plurality of first spacers disposed on the first protective layer of the first substrate in the light blocking area,
At least one of the plurality of first spacers has a protrusion that protrudes between edges of adjacent opening regions. According to claim 1,
At least one of the plurality of first spacers is disposed in a first direction, the protrusion protrudes in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the protrusion has an inclined portion with respect to the first direction. According to claim 1,
At least one of the plurality of first spacers includes a bar shape corresponding to adjacent opening areas and is disposed in the light blocking area. According to claim 1,
The first protective layer includes a first contact hole and a second contact hole corresponding to each of the opening areas disposed adjacent to the light blocking area,
At least one of the plurality of first spacers is arranged to fill the first contact hole and the second contact hole of the first protective layer. According to clause 4,
The liquid crystal display device further includes a second spacer disposed on the second substrate to overlap at least one of the plurality of first spacers. According to clause 5,
The second spacer is disposed on the second substrate to correspond to a position between the first contact hole and the second contact hole. According to clause 5,
The liquid crystal display device wherein the protrusion of the first substrate is disposed to overlap the second spacer of the second substrate. According to clause 5,
A liquid crystal display device wherein the width of the first spacer in the first direction is greater than the width of the second spacer in the first direction. According to clause 5,
A liquid crystal display device wherein the protrusion of the first spacer is disposed to overlap the second spacer. According to clause 5,
Further comprising a black matrix disposed on the second substrate,
The first spacer and the second spacer are arranged to overlap the black matrix. According to clause 5,
The second spacer is located in correspondence with the light blocking area between the blue sub-pixel and the red sub-pixel. According to clause 5,
It further includes a fourth spacer disposed on the second substrate and spaced apart from the second spacer with at least one sub-pixel area therebetween,
The shape of the fourth spacer is different from that of the second spacer. According to clause 5,
The liquid crystal display device wherein the length of the first spacer in the second direction is smaller than the length of the second spacer in the second direction. According to claim 1,
The liquid crystal display device further includes a third spacer on the first protective layer on the first substrate, spaced apart from the first spacer, and disposed on the same layer as the first spacer in the light blocking area. According to claim 14,
The third spacer has an area that at least partially overlaps a contact hole corresponding to an adjacent opening area among the plurality of opening areas. According to claim 14,
The third spacer has a different planar shape from the first spacer. According to claim 14,
The liquid crystal display device further includes a fourth spacer disposed on the second substrate to overlap the third spacer. According to claim 17,
The third spacer has a protrusion, and the protrusion is arranged to overlap the fourth spacer. According to claim 17,
The fourth spacer is a liquid crystal display device having a circular shape on a plane. According to claim 17,
The liquid crystal display device wherein the length of the third spacer in the second direction is smaller than the length of the fourth spacer in the second direction. According to claim 14,
A liquid crystal display device further comprising a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate.