Liquid crystal panel having recesses for holding spacers

An exemplary liquid crystal panel (1) includes a first substrate assembly (110), a second substrate assembly (120) generally opposite to the first substrate assembly, a liquid crystal layer (130) sandwiched between the two substrate assemblies, and spacers (140) spacing the two substrate assemblies. An area of the liquid crystal panel corresponding to the black matrix is defined as a non-display region. The non-display region defines recesses (129). Ends of the spacers are arranged in the recesses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to, and claims the benefit of, a foreign priority application filed in China as Serial No. 200710076262.6 on Jun. 29, 2007. The related application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel, and particularly to a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of recesses for receiving spacers.

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Liquid crystal displays are commonly used as display devices for compact electronic apparatuses, because they provide good quality images and are very thin. A major component of a typical liquid crystal display is a liquid crystal panel.

Referring toFIG. 13, a typical liquid crystal panel13includes a first substrate assembly910, a second substrate assembly920generally opposite to the first substrate assembly910, a liquid crystal layer930sandwiched between the two substrate assemblies910,920, and a plurality of spacers940spacing the first substrate assembly910and the second substrate assembly920. The liquid crystal layer930includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules931.

Referring also toFIG. 14, the second substrate assembly920includes a second transparent substrate921, a plurality of gate lines922that are parallel to each other and that each extend along a first direction, and a plurality of data lines923that are parallel to each other and that each extend along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The gate lines922and the data lines923cross each other, thereby defining a plurality of pixel regions925. Each pixel region925includes a thin film transistor (TFT)926disposed in the vicinity of the intersection of the data line923and the gate line922, and a pixel electrode927.

The first substrate assembly910includes a first transparent substrate911, and a color filter918disposed on an inner surface of the first transparent substrate911. The color filter918includes a plurality of red filter units914, a plurality of green filter units915, a plurality of blue filter units916, and a black matrix917separating the filter units914,915,916. The filter units914,915,916are arrayed in a predetermined pattern, and are spaced from each other by the black matrix917to avoid color mixing.

The black matrix917corresponds to the gate lines922, the data lines923, and the TFTs926. An area of the liquid crystal panel13corresponding to the black matrix917is defined as a non-display region because the black matrix917can absorb incident light. The filter units914,915,916correspond to the pixel electrodes927. An area of the liquid crystal panel13corresponding to the filter units914,915,916is defined as a display region.

The spacers940are distributed in both the non-display region and the display region. Surfaces of the spacers940may affect the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules931in the display region, thereby impairing the display performance of the liquid crystal panel13. Furthermore, the spacers940in the display region may move and gather together preventing light from transmitting through the display region. In addition, the pitch between the two substrate assemblies910,920may not be uniform, further impairing the display performance of the liquid crystal panel13.

Therefore, a liquid crystal panel that can overcome the above-described deficiencies is desired.

SUMMARY

In one preferred embodiment, a liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate assembly, a second substrate assembly generally opposite to the first substrate assembly, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the two substrate assemblies, and a plurality of spacers spacing the two substrate assemblies. An area of the liquid crystal panel corresponding to the black matrix is defined as a non-display region. The non-display region defines a plurality of recesses. Ends of the spacers are arranged in the recesses.

Other novel features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention in detail.

Referring toFIG. 1, a liquid crystal panel1according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal panel1includes a first substrate assembly110, a second substrate assembly120generally opposite to the first substrate assembly110, a liquid crystal layer130sandwiched between the two substrate assemblies110,120, and a plurality of spacers140spacing the two substrate assemblies110,120. The liquid crystal layer130includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules131.

The first substrate assembly110includes a first transparent substrate111, and a color filter113disposed on an inner surface of the first transparent substrate111that is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer130. The color filter113includes a plurality of red filter units114, a plurality of green filter units115, a plurality of blue filter units116, and a black matrix117. The filter units114,115,116are arrayed in a predetermined pattern, and are spaced from each other by the black matrix117to avoid color mixing. An area of the liquid crystal panel1corresponding to the black matrix117is defined as a non-display region because the black matrix117can absorb incident light. An area of the liquid crystal panel1corresponding to the filter units114,115,116is defined as a display region.

The second substrate assembly120includes a second transparent substrate121, a plurality of gate lines122that are parallel to each other and that each extend along a first direction, and a plurality of data lines123that are parallel to each other and that each extend along a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The gate lines122and the data lines123cross each other, thereby defining a plurality of pixel regions125. Each pixel region125includes a thin film transistor126(TFT) disposed in vicinity of the intersection of the data line123and the gate line122, and a pixel electrode127.

The gate lines122and the data lines123correspond to the black matrix117. The pixel electrodes127correspond to the filter units114,115,116. The gate lines122and the data lines123each include a plurality of patterned recesses129formed thereon. The recesses129are made typically by etching the gate lines122and the data lines123. Ends of the spacers140are located in the recesses129.

Referring also toFIGS. 2 and 3, the recesses129are substantially continuously square-wave-patterned and have an essentially rectangular cross-sectional configuration. In another aspect, each of the recesses129can be considered to be generally concertina-like in shape. The spacers140are sprayed in the recesses129by a spacer-sprayer (not shown). The spacers140are arrayed in the recesses129in an orderly fashion and movement is limited by the recesses129such that the spacers140cannot move into the display region.

The spacers140are typically micro-balls made from melamine, urea, or benzoquanamine. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacers140are elongate. The black matrix117is generally made from a light-sensitive black resin.

In contrast to conventional liquid crystal panels, the gate lines122and the data lines123of the liquid crystal panel1have a plurality of recesses129that restrict the spacers140to the non-display region. Therefore, the spacers140cannot affect the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules131in the display region, preventing the display performance of the liquid crystal panel1from being impaired. In addition, the display performance of the liquid crystal panel1is further improved because the spacers140cannot flow together to prevent the transmission of light, and the pitch between the two substrate assemblies110,120is maintained at an essentially constant value.

Referring toFIG. 4, a liquid crystal panel2according to a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel1inFIG. 1, except that the black matrix217includes a plurality of recesses229formed thereon. The recesses229are substantially continuously square-wave-patterned and have an essentially rectangular cross-sectional configuration. The liquid crystal panel2can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel1.

Referring toFIG. 5, a liquid crystal panel3according to a third embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel1inFIG. 1. A plurality of recesses329formed on gate lines322and data lines323are line-patterned and parallel to each other. The liquid crystal panel3can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel1.

Referring toFIG. 6, a liquid crystal panel4according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel2inFIG. 4. A plurality of recesses429formed on a black matrix417are line-patterned and are parallel to each other. The liquid crystal panel4can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel2.

Referring toFIG. 7, a liquid crystal panel5according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel2inFIG. 2. A plurality of recesses529formed on a black matrix517are each circular. The recesses529are typically arranged in a predetermined pattern according to need. In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined pattern is in the form of straight rows and straight columns. The liquid crystal panel5can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel2.

Referring toFIG. 8, a liquid crystal panel6according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel5inFIG. 7. A plurality of recesses629formed on a black matrix617are each annulus-shaped. In one embodiment, a circular portion of the black matrix617inside each annulus is recessed (lower, as viewed inFIG. 8) compared to a major surface of the black matrix617. The recesses629are typically arranged in a predetermined pattern according to need. In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined pattern is in the form of straight rows and straight columns. The liquid crystal panel6can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel5.

Referring toFIG. 9, a liquid crystal panel7according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel2inFIG. 2. A plurality of recesses729formed on a black matrix715are each rectangular (e.g., square). The recesses729are typically arranged in a predetermined pattern according to need. In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined pattern is in the form of straight rows and straight columns. The liquid crystal panel7can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel2.

Referring toFIG. 10, a liquid crystal panel8according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel1inFIG. 1. A plurality of recesses829formed on gate lines822and data lines823are each circular. The recesses829are typically arranged in a predetermined pattern according to need. In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined pattern is in the form of spaced rows or spaced columns. The liquid crystal panel8can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel1.

Referring toFIG. 11, a liquid crystal panel9according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel8inFIG. 10. A plurality of recesses929formed on gate lines922and data lines923are each annulus-shaped. In one embodiment, a circular portion of each gate line922inside each annulus is recessed (lower, as viewed inFIG. 11) compared to a major surface of the gate line922. Similarly, a circular portion of each data line923inside each annulus is recessed (lower, as viewed inFIG. 11) compared to a major surface of the data line923. The recesses929are typically arranged in a predetermined pattern according to need. In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined pattern is in the form of spaced rows or spaced columns. The liquid crystal panel9can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel8.

Referring toFIG. 12, a liquid crystal panel10according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal panel9inFIG. 11. A plurality of recesses1029formed on gate lines1022and data lines1023are each rectangular (e.g., square). The recesses1029are typically arranged in a predetermined pattern according to need. In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined pattern is in the form of spaced rows or spaced columns. The liquid crystal panel10can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal panel9.

Further or alternative embodiments may include the following two examples. In one example, a passivation layer is disposed on the gate lines122and the data lines123, and the recesses129are made by etching the passivation layer. In another example, the black matrix117includes a plurality of first recesses formed thereon, and the gate lines122and the data lines123include a plurality of second recesses corresponding to the first recesses.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.