Liquid crystal display and fabrication method thereof

A liquid crystal display and a method of fabricating the same is capable of strengthening adhesion between a sealant and a lower plate in a panel with a high aperture ratio to which an organic protective film is applied. The organic protective film and a gate insulating film are patterned in such a manner that the sealant comes into contact with a substrate directly. Accordingly, the organic protective film or the gate insulating film at the area coated with the sealant is partially or entirely removed to directly contact the sealant with the gate insulating film or the lower glass, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant and the lower plate.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 1999-18567 and 1999-28572, filed on May 21, 1999 and Jul. 14, 1999, respectively, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display which is capable of strengthening adhesion between the upper and lower plates of a panel with a high aperture ratio to which and organic protective film is applied, and a fabrication method thereof.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) controls the light transmissivity in accordance with video signals by liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix pattern to thereby display a picture corresponding to the video signals on a liquid crystal panel. To this end, the LCD includes a liquid crystal panel having liquid crystal cells arranged in an active matrix type, and driving integrated circuits (ICs) for driving the liquid crystal cells. The ICs are usually manufactured in the chip type, and mounted on a tape carrier package in the case of a tape automated bonding (TAB) system, or mounted on the surface of the liquid crystal panel in the case of a chips on glass (COG) system. In the case of a TAB system, the driving ICs are electrically connected, via the TCP, to a pad provided on the liquid crystal panel.

FIG. 1shows a plan view of a liquid crystal panel2having the structure of oppositely adhering a lower plate4to an upper plate6. Referring toFIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel2includes a picture display part8having liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix pattern, gate pads12and data pads14connected to gate lines and data lines of the picture display part8, respectively. In the picture display part8, the data lines supplied with video signals are intersected with gate lines supplied with a scanning signal, that is, a gate signal at the lower plate4. At the intersections, thin film transistors for switching the liquid crystal cells and pixel electrodes connected to the thin film transistors to drive the liquid crystal cells are provided. Color filters coated separately for each area by a black matrix and a common transparent electrode, which is a counterpart of the pixel electrode, are provided at the upper plate6. The lower plate4and the upper plate6having the configuration as described above are spaced apart by a spacer and include a cell gap inside thereof. The cell gap is filled with a liquid crystal material. The lower plate4is adhered to the upper plate6by a sealant coated on the seal10positioned at the outside of the picture display part8. The gate pad12and the data pad14are located at the edge of the lower plate4which is not overlapped with the upper plate6. The gate pad12applies gate signals applied from the gate driving ICs to the gate lines of the picture display part8. The data pad14applies video signals applied from the data driving ICs to the data lines of the picture display part8.

A protective film for protecting the metal electrodes and the thin film transistors is entirely coated on the lower plate4. The pixel electrodes are formed on the protective film for each cell area. An inorganic material such as SiNxor SiOxhas been conventionally used as the protective film. Since the inorganic protective film has a high dielectric constant and is formed by a vapor deposition technique, it has a drawback in that it is difficult to increase the height thereof. Accordingly, the pixel electrodes and the data lines having the inorganic film therebetween must keep a constant horizontal interval of, for example, 3 to 5 μm so as to minimize a coupling effect caused by a parasitic capacitor. As a result, the size of pixel electrodes having an influence on the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal cell is decreased to have a low aperture ratio. In order to solve this problem, an organic material with a relatively low dielectric constant has been used as the protective film recently. Since this organic protective film has a low dielectric constant of about 2.7 and is formed by a spin coating method, it has an advantage in that it can be formed to a desired height or thickness. Such an organic protective film minimizes a capacitance value of the parasitic capacitor, so that the pixel electrode can be overlapped with the data lines without any horizontal interval therebetween. As a result, the size of pixel electrodes is enlarged to improve the aperture ratio.

When the lower and upper plates of the liquid crystal display with such a high aperture ratio are adhered with a sealant, the sealant usually contacts the organic protective film of the lower plate. However, the organic protective film has a weak adhesive characteristic with respect to a sealant such as epoxy resin. Also, the organic protective film has a weak adhesive characteristic with respect to a gate insulating film positioned at the lower part thereof. Due to this, when the strength of the organic protective film itself is weak, or an adhesion between the organic protective film and the sealant or the gate insulating film is poor, a crack or a layer separation phenomenon is caused by a minute impact at the poor adhesive part. As a result, there is a problem in that liquid crystal is leaked through a poor adhesive part between the sealant and the gate insulating film of the lower and upper portions of the organic protective film. Hereinafter, the problem in the conventional liquid crystal display will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2is an enlarged view of a part of a data link crossed by the seal inFIG. 1. InFIG. 2, the data link16is a connecting part between the data pad14and the data line of the picture display part and is formed along with the data pad14and the data line. A semiconductor pattern18is extended into the data pad14at the lower portion of the data link16. The seal10coated with a sealant is located in a direction crossing the data link16. The data pad14contacts a transparent film17formed on the organic protective film through a contact hole defined in the organic protective film. The transparent film17is responsible for protecting the data pad, formed as a metal electrode, and for preventing oxidation of the metal electrode during the repetition of a TCP adhesion required for the TAB process.

FIG. 3Ashows a section of the seal10inFIG. 2taken along line A-A′, andFIG. 3Bshows a section of the seal10taken along line B-B′. InFIGS. 3A and 3B, the lower plate4has such a structure that a gate insulating film22, a semiconductor pattern18and a data link16are sequentially disposed on a lower glass20and an organic protective film24is entirely coated thereon. InFIG. 3B, a liquid crystal32of the picture display part has been injected into the right side of a sealant11. The upper plate6has a structure such that a color filter and a black matrix26are formed on an upper glass30and a common transparent electrode is entirely coated thereon. The lower plate4is adhered to the upper plate6with the sealant11. In this case, the sealant11is adhered to the organic protective film24, thereby providing weak adhesion. Also, the organic protective film24has a weak adhesion to the gate insulating film22at the lower portion thereof. There is a problem in that, when the adhesion between the organic protective film24and the sealant11or the gate insulating film22is weak, a crack is caused by a minute impact to leak a liquid crystal.

FIG. 4is an enlarged view of a part of a gate link crossed by the seal inFIG. 1. InFIG. 4, the gate link34is a connecting part between the gate pad12and the gate line of the picture display part and are formed along with the gate pad12and the gate line. The gate pad12contacts a transparent film17formed on the organic protective film through a contact hole19formed by way of the gate insulating film and the organic protective film. The transparent film17is responsible for protecting a metal electrode as the gate pad. The seal10coated with a sealant is located in a direction crossing the gate link34.

FIG. 5Ashows a section of the seal10inFIG. 4taken along line A-A′, andFIG. 5Bshows a section of the seal10taken along line B-B′. InFIGS. 5A and 5B, the lower plate4has a structure such that the gate link34and a gate insulating film22are sequentially disposed on a lower glass20and an organic protective film24is entirely coated thereon. The upper plate6has such a structure that a color filter and a black matrix26are formed on an upper glass30and a common transparent electrode is entirely coated thereon. The lower plate4is adhered to the upper plate6with the sealant11. In this case, the sealant11is adhered to the organic protective film24, thereby providing a weak adhesion. Also, the organic protective film24has a weak adhesion to the gate insulating film22at the lower portion thereof. There is a problem in that, when adhesion between the organic protective film24and the sealant11or the gate insulating film22is weak, a crack is caused by a minute impact to leak liquid crystal material.

As a result, since a liquid crystal display with a high aperture ratio to which the conventional organic protective film is applied has a weak adhesion characteristic between the organic protective film and the sealant or the gate insulating film, there is a problem in that a crack is easily caused by a slight exterior impact and hence liquid crystal is leaked through the crack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a liquid crystal display and a fabrication method thereof that substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus having such a structure that can strengthen adhesion between a sealant and a lower plate in a liquid crystal display with a high aperture ratio to which an organic protective film is applied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display that can strengthen adhesion between a sealant and a lower plate in a liquid crystal display with a high aperture ratio to which an organic protective film is applied.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a liquid crystal display according to one aspect of the present invention includes an organic protective film and a gate insulating film patterned in such a manner that a sealant comes into contact with a substrate directly.

In another aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal display includes an organic protective film patterned in such a manner that a sealant comes into contact with a gate insulating film directly.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display includes the step of patterning an organic protective film and a gate insulating film at an area coated with a sealant in such a manner that the sealant comes into contact with a substrate directly.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display includes the step of patterning an organic protective film at an area coated with a sealant in such a manner that the sealant comes into contact with a gate insulating film directly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6is a partially enlarged view of a data link of a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 6, the data link16is formed along with a data pad14and a data line of a picture display part. The data pad14is electrically connected, via a contact hole19defined at an organic protective film, to a transparent film17. A semiconductor pattern18is extended into the data pad14at the lower portion of the data link16. A seal10coated with a sealant is positioned in a direction crossing the data link16. The organic protective film and the gate insulating film positioned at the seal10between the data links16are patterned by a dry etching technique utilizing a mask pattern to form a number of holes40, thereby allowing the sealant to partially contact a lower glass directly through the holes40. Particularly, the holes40are extended into the outside of the seal10, thereby preventing a bubble from being generated at the time of coating the sealant.

FIG. 7shows a section of the lower plate in which the seal10defined with the hole40is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 6. A method of fabricating a data link according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 6andFIG. 7below. A gate insulating film22is formed on the entire surface of a lower glass20. After the semiconductor pattern18and the data link16are sequentially formed on the gate insulating layer22, an organic protective film24is formed on the entire surface thereof. Then, the organic protective film24and the gate insulating film22at a position to be coated with a sealant11are sequentially patterned to form the holes40. In this case, one end of the hole40is positioned at the outside of the seal10. Subsequently, the seal10is coated with the sealant11to adhere the upper plate to the lower plate. In this case, the sealant11partially contacts the lower glass20directly through the hole40, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 8is a partially enlarged view of a gate link of the liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 8, the gate link34is formed along with a gate pad12and a gate line of a picture display part. The gate pad12is electrically connected, via a contact hole19formed by way of the gate insulating film and the organic protective film, to a transparent electrode17. A seal10coated with a sealant is positioned in a direction crossing the gate link34. The organic protective film and the gate insulating film positioned at the seal10between the gate links34are patterned to form a number of holes40in similarity to the data link as mentioned above, thereby allowing a sealant to partially contact a lower glass directly through the holes40. Particularly, the holes40are extended into the outside of the seal10, thereby preventing a bubble from being generated at the time of coating the sealant.

A section of the lower plate in which the seal10defined with the hole40is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 8, similarly toFIG. 7. A method of fabricating a gate link according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 7andFIG. 8below. The gate link34is formed on the lower glass and a gate insulating layer22is formed on the entire surface thereof. After the organic protective film24is formed on the entire surface of the gate insulating film22, the organic protective film24and the gate insulating film22at a position to be coated with a sealant11are sequentially patterned by a dry etching technique utilizing a mask pattern to form the holes40. In this case, one end of the hole40is positioned at the outside of the seal10. Subsequently, the seal10is coated with the sealant11to adhere the upper plate to the lower plate. In this case, the sealant11partially contacts the lower glass20directly through the hole40, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 9is a partially enlarged view of a data link of a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 9, the data link44and a data pad42are formed simultaneously using the same metal material as a gate line at the time of forming the gate line. The data link44is electrically connected, via a transparent electrode45defined in a contact hole43, to a data line50formed at another layer. In other words, the data line50formed on a gate insulating film is electrically connected, via the transparent electrode17defined in the contact hole19, to the data link44formed at the lower portion of the gate insulating film. A semiconductor pattern46is positioned on the data link44crossing with a seal10. The gate insulating film, except for an organic protective film of the seal10and a portion formed with the semiconductor pattern46, is etched to thereby adhere the sealant to the semiconductor pattern46and the lower glass. In this case, as an area at which the sealant is adhered to the lower glass becomes enlarged, adhesion between the sealant and the lower plate is strengthened. Particularly, a width of the area48at which the organic protective film and the gate insulating film are etched, is set to be larger than that of the seal10, thereby preventing a bubble from being generated at the time of coating the sealant.

FIG. 10shows a section of the lower plate in which the seal10is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 9. A method of fabricating a data link according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 10below. After the data link44was formed on the lower glass20, the gate insulating layer22is entirely coated thereon. Then, the gate insulating layer22, except for a portion formed with the organic protective film of the seal and the semiconductor pattern46, is etched by means of a mask pattern. In this case, a width of the area48at which the organic protective film and the gate insulating film are etched is set to be larger than that of the seal10. The semiconductor pattern46acts as an etch stopper at the time of etching the gate insulating film to protect the gate insulating film22and the data link44under it. To this end, a width of the semiconductor pattern46is set to be wider than that of the data link44. Then, the seal10is coated with a sealant11to adhere the upper plate to the lower plate. In this case, the sealant11contacts the lower glass20and the semiconductor pattern46to strengthen the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 11is a partially enlarged view of a gate link of the liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 11, the gate link34is formed along with a gate pad12and a gate line of a picture display part. The gate pad12is electrically connected, via a contact hole19formed by way of the gate insulating film and the organic protective film, to a transparent electrode17. A semiconductor pattern46for protecting the gate link34is formed on the gate link34crossing with a seal10. The gate insulating film, except for an organic protective film positioned at the seal10and a portion formed with the semiconductor pattern46, is etched to thereby adhere the sealant to the semiconductor pattern46and the lower glass. In this case, as an area at which a sealant is adhered to the lower glass becomes more enlarged, the adhesion between the sealant and the lower plate is strengthened. Particularly, a width of the area48at which the organic protective film and the gate insulating film are etched, is set to be larger than that of the seal10, thereby preventing a bubble from being generated at the time of coating the sealant. A section of the lower plate in which the seal10is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 11has the same structure as that inFIG. 10, if the data link is replaced by the gate link.

FIG. 12is a partially enlarged view of a data link of a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 12, a data pad14and a data link16are formed simultaneously with a data line of a picture display part. The data link16is electrically connected, via a contact hole19formed by way of an organic protective film, to a transparent electrode17. A semiconductor pattern18is formed under the data link16. A portion18apositioned at the seal10in the semiconductor pattern18acts as an etch stopper at the time of etching a gate insulating film, thereby preventing the gate insulating film under the semiconductor pattern18afrom being undercut. To this end, a width of the semiconductor pattern18apositioned at the seal10is set to be wider than the other portion thereof. The gate insulating film except for the organic protective film in the seal10and the semiconductor pattern18aare etched. A transparent electrode47for protecting the data link16is positioned at the upper portion of the data link16. The transparent electrode47has a stronger adhesion to the sealant11than to the data link16. Accordingly, as the sealant11contacts the transparent electrode47and the lower glass directly, an adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate is more strengthened. Particularly, a width of the etched portion48is set to be larger than that of the seal10, thereby preventing a bubble from being generated at the time of coating the sealant.

FIG. 13shows a section of the lower plate in which the seal10crossing with the data link16is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 12. A method of fabricating a data link according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 13below. A gate insulating layer22is entirely coated on a lower glass20formed with the gate line. A semiconductor pattern18ain the seal10acts as an etch stopper in a process of etching the gate insulating film22later. A width of the semiconductor pattern18ais set to be wider than that of the other portion so as to prevent the gate insulating layer22under it from being undercut. After the data link16was formed, along with the data line and the data pad, on the semiconductor pattern18a, an organic protective film is entirely coated thereon. Then, the gate insulating layer22except for the organic protective film in the seal10and the semiconductor pattern18ais etched out using a mask pattern. Subsequently, after the transparent electrode47is formed in such a manner as to enclose the data link16, the semiconductor pattern18aand the gate insulating film22, the seal10is coated with the sealant11to adhere the lower plate to the upper plate. Accordingly, the sealant11is adhered to the lower glass20and the transparent electrode47, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 14is an enlarged view of a data link in a liquid crystal display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 15shows a section of the lower plate in which the seal10is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 14. Referring toFIG. 14andFIG. 15, a number of holes52are defined at an organic protective film24and a gate insulating film22between data links16crossing with the seal10in such a manner that a sealant11comes in contact with the lower glass20directly through the number of holes52to strengthen the adhesion therebetween. The data link16is formed on the lower glass20with the gate insulating layer22, along with the data pad and the data lines. A semiconductor pattern18is formed at the lower portion of the data link16. The organic protective film24is entirely coated on the lower plate formed with the data link16. The number of holes52are formed by patterning the organic protective film24and the gate insulating film22between the data links16crossing with the seal10. Accordingly, when a sealant22is coated on the organic protective film24, it comes into contact with the lower glass20directly through the holes52to strengthen the adhesion therebetween. In a similar manner, a number of holes52are defined at the organic protective film and the gate insulating film between gate links crossing with the seal10to strengthen the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 16is an enlarged view of a data link in a liquid crystal display according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 17AandFIG. 17Bshow sections of the lower plate in which the seal10is taken along line A-A′ and line B-B′ inFIG. 16, respectively. Referring toFIG. 16andFIGS. 17A and 17B, a line-shaped hole54is defined at an organic protective film24and a gate insulating film22in a direction crossing a data link16in such a manner that a sealant11comes in contact with the lower glass20directly through the line-shaped hole54to strengthen the adhesion therebetween. The data link16is formed on the lower glass20with the gate insulating layer22, along with the data pad and the data lines. A semiconductor pattern18is formed at the lower portion of the data link16. The organic protective film24is entirely coated on the lower plate formed with the data link16. The line-shaped hole54is formed by patterning the organic protective film24and the gate insulating film22in a direction crossing the data links16. Accordingly, when a sealant11is coated, it comes into contact with the lower glass20directly through the line-shaped hole54to strengthen the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate. In a similar manner, a line-shaped hole54is defined in the organic protective film and the gate insulating film between gate links crossing with the seal10to strengthen an adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 18is an enlarged view of a portion of a gate link of a liquid crystal display according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 18, the gate link34is integral to a gate pad12and a gate line. The gate pad12is electrically connected, via a contact hole19, formed by way of a gate insulating film and an organic protective film, to a transparent electrode17. An organic protective film in a seal area10is formed in a direction crossing the gate link34, thereby entirely or partially contacting the sealant with the gate insulating film positioned at the lower portion of the organic protective film. Particularly, an area in which the organic protective film has been removed is arranged like first to third etched areas D1to D3shown inFIG. 18in such a manner that each side or one side thereof is located beyond the line width of the seal10. In this case, air is evacuated through a space between the sealant11and the organic protective film24as shown inFIG. 19, thereby preventing a bubble from being generated at the time of coating the sealant. When the area at which the organic protective film has been removed is set to be wider than the line width of the seal10, like the first etched area D1shown inFIG. 18, the entire sealant contacts the gate insulating film. When one side of the area removed with the organic protective film is set to be located beyond the seal10, like the second and third etched areas D2and D3, the sealant partially contacts the gate insulating film.

FIG. 19shows a section of the lower plate in which the seal10is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 18. A method of fabricating the gate link according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 19below. The gate link34is formed on the lower glass20, and a gate insulating layer22is formed on the entire surface thereof. After an organic protective film24was formed on the entire surface of the gate insulating layer22, the organic protective film24at a position to be coated with the sealant11is etched out using a mask pattern. In this case, each side or one side of the etched area in the organic protective film24is located beyond the line width of a seal coated with the sealant. Then, the seal10is coated with the sealant11to adhere the lower plate to the upper plate. In this case, the sealant11contacts the gate insulating film22made from an inorganic material, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 20is a partially enlarged view of a data link of a liquid crystal display according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 20, the data link16is integral to a data pad14and a data line. The data pad14is electrically connected, via a contact hole19defined in the organic protective film, to a transparent electrode17. An organic protective film in a seal area10formed in a direction crossing the data link16, thereby entirely or partially contacting a sealant with the gate insulating film. In this case, a transparent electrode56that protects the data link16and has a good adhesion to the sealant is further provided at the upper portion of the data link16. In order to prevent generation of a bubble at the time of coating the sealant, an area at which an organic protective film is removed is set such that each side or one side thereof is located beyond the line width of the seal10, like first to third etched areas D1to D3shown inFIG. 20.

FIG. 21shows a section of the lower plate in which the seal10is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 20. A method of fabricating the data link according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 20below. A gate insulating layer22is formed on the entire surface of a lower glass20. After the data link16is formed on the gate insulating layer22, an organic protective film24is formed on the entire surface thereof. Then, the organic protective film24at a position to be coated with a sealant11is etched out using a mask pattern. In this case, each side or one side of the etched area in the organic protective film24is located beyond the line width of a seal coated with the sealant. Subsequently, a transparent electrode56is formed at the upper portion of the data link16exposed by an etching of the organic protective film. Then, the seal10is coated with the sealant11to adhere the lower plate to the upper plate. In this case, the sealant11contacts the gate insulating film22and the transparent electrode56, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 22is an enlarged view of a portion of a gate link of a liquid crystal display according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 22, an organic protective film in a seal area10provided in a direction crossing the gate link34is partially removed, thereby allowing a sealant to partially contact a gate insulating film positioned at the lower part of the organic protective film. In this case, line-shaped holes58,60and62parallel to the gate link34are defined at the organic protective film between the gate links34. Particularly, in order to prevent generation of a bubble at the time of coating a sealant, each end or one end of the line hole is extended beyond the seal10. More specifically, each end of the line-shape hole is extended beyond the seal10like the first line-shaped hole58, or one end of the line-shape hole is extended beyond the seal10like the second or third line-shaped hole60or62.

FIG. 23shows a vertical section of the lower plate in which the seal10is taken along a horizontal line A-A′ inFIG. 22. A method of fabricating the gate link according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 23below. The gate link34is formed on the lower glass20, and a gate insulating layer22is formed on the entire surface thereof. After an organic protective film24was formed on the entire surface of the gate insulating layer22, the organic protective film24at a position to be coated with a sealant11is partially etched out using a mask pattern. In other words, the line-shaped holes58,60and62are defined at the organic protective film24between the gate links34. In this case, each side or one side of the line-shaped holes58,60and62is located beyond the seal10. Then, the seal10is coated with the sealant11to adhere the lower plate to the upper plate. Accordingly, the sealant11partially contacts the gate insulating film22, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

FIG. 24is a partially enlarged view of a data link of a liquid crystal display according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 24, an organic protective film in a seal area10provided in a direction crossing the data link16is partially removed, thereby allowing the sealant to partially contact a gate insulating film positioned at the lower part of the organic protective film. In this case, line-shaped holes58,60and62parallel to the data link16are defined in the organic protective film between the data links16. Particularly, in order to prevent generation of a bubble at the time of coating a sealant, each end or one end of the line hole is extended beyond the seal10. More specifically, each end of the line-shape hole is extended beyond the seal10like the first line-shaped hole58, or one end of the line-shape hole is extended beyond the seal10like the second or third line-shaped hole60or62.

FIG. 25shows a section of the lower plate in which the seal10is taken along line A-A′ inFIG. 24. A method of fabricating the data link according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 25below. A gate insulating layer22is formed on the entire surface of a lower glass20. After the data link16is formed on the gate insulating layer22, an organic protective film24is formed on the entire surface thereof. Then, the organic protective film24at a position to be coated with a sealant11is etched out using a mask pattern. In other words, a line-shaped hole is defined in the organic protective film24between the data links16. In this case, each side or one side of the line-shaped holes58,60and62is extended beyond the seal10. Then, the seal10is coated with the sealant11to adhere the lower plate to the upper plate. In this case, the sealant11partially contacts the gate insulating film22, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant11and the lower plate.

As described above, in the liquid crystal display and the fabricating method thereof according to the present invention, an organic protective film and a gate insulating film at an area coated with a sealant are partially or entirely removed in such a manner that the sealant comes into contact with a glass substrate directly, thereby strengthening an adhesion between the sealant and the lower plate. Also, an organic protective film at an area coated with a sealant is partially or entirely removed to contact the sealant with the gate insulating film, thereby strengthening the adhesion between the sealant and the lower plate. Accordingly, the liquid crystal display with a high aperture ratio to which the organic protective film is applied can prevent leakage of liquid crystal caused by an external impact due to a weakened adhesion between the sealant and the organic protective film or between the organic protective film and the gate insulating film.