Abstract:
An exemplary liquid crystal panel ( 20 ) includes a first and a second substrates ( 21, 22 ), opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer ( 23 ) sandwich between the first and the second substrates; and a sealant ( 24 ) sandwiched between the peripheral region of the first and the second substrates, for adhering the first and the second substrates. The sealant has a plurality of first spacers ( 25 ) and a plurality of second spacers ( 26 ) different from the first spacers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to liquid crystal panels, and in particular to a liquid crystal panel having two different spacers in a sealant thereof.  
       GENERAL BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Because liquid crystal displays have the merits of being thin, light in weight, and drivable by a low voltage, they are extensively employed in various electronic devices.  
         [0003]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a typical liquid crystal panel  10  has a first substrate  11 , a second substrate  12  opposite to the first substrate  11 , a sealant  14  formed at a peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  10  between the first and second substrates  11 ,  12 , a liquid crystal layer  13  contained in a space defined by the first and second substrates  11 ,  12  and the sealant  14 . The sealant  14  is used to adhere the first and the second substrates  11 ,  12 , and surround and airproof the liquid crystal layer  13 .  
         [0004]     The sealant  14  contains a plurality of spacers  15 , which are used to support the first and second substrates  11 ,  12  and thereby keep the distance (cell gap) between the first and second substrates  11 ,  12  uniform. The spacers  15  are incompressible rod spacers, which have a columnar configuration. A length of each spacer  15  is in the range from 10 to 100 micrometers, and a diameter of the spacer  15  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers.  
         [0005]     However, an inner surface of one of the first and second substrates  11 ,  12  is formed with a plurality of wires, such as data lines or gate lines. Thus, the inner surface of the first substrate  11  or the second substrate  12  is uneven. When the first and second substrates  11 ,  12  are attached together, the sealant  14  may not be able to attain a uniform cell gap between the first and second substrates  11 ,  12 , due to the uneven inner surface and the rigidity (lack of flexibility) of the spacers  15 . Thus the liquid crystal layer  13  has different thicknesses over a whole expanse of the liquid crystal panel  10 , and the display quality of the liquid crystal panel  10  may be inconsistent or otherwise impaired.  
         [0006]     What is needed, therefore, is a liquid crystal display that can overcome the above-described deficiencies.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     In a preferred embodiment, a liquid crystal panel includes a first and a second substrates, opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer sandwich between the first and the second substrates; and a sealant sandwiched between the peripheral region of the first and the second substrates, for adhering the first and the second substrates. The sealant has a plurality of first spacers and a plurality of second spacers different from the first spacers.  
         [0008]     Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, all the views are schematic. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional liquid crystal panel. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a liquid crystal panel  20  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal panel  20  has a first substrate  21 , a second substrate  22  opposite to the first substrate  21 , a sealant  24  formed at a peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  20  between the first and second substrates  21 ,  22 , and a liquid crystal layer  23  contained in a space defined by the first and the second substrates  21 ,  22  and the sealant  24 . The sealant  24  is used to adhere the first and second substrates  21 ,  22  together, and surround and airproof the liquid crystal layer  23 .  
         [0015]     The sealant  24  has a plurality of first spacers  25 , and a plurality of second spacers  26  different from the first spacers  25 . The first and second spacers  25 ,  26  are used to support the first and second substrates  21 ,  22 , and keep a distance between the first and the second substrates  21 ,  22  at the peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  20  uniform.  
         [0016]     The first spacers  25  are rod spacers, which have a columnar shape. A length of each first spacer  25  is in the range from 10 to 100 micrometers, and a diameter of the first spacer  25  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The second spacers  26  are silica spacers, which are spherical. A diameter of each second spacer  26  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The first and the second spacers  25 ,  26  are incompressible spacers.  
         [0017]     When the first and second substrates  21 ,  22  are attached together, because the first and second spacers  25 ,  26  are differently sized and differently shaped, the first and second spacers  25 ,  26  can cooperatively adapt to any uneven inner surface of the first and/or second substrates  21 ,  22 . That is, the first and second spacers  25 ,  26  can attain a consistent distance between the first and second substrates  21 ,  22 , so that the liquid crystal layer  23  has a uniform thickness. Thus the liquid crystal panel  20  can provide consistent, good display quality.  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a liquid crystal panel  30  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal panel  30  has a first substrate  31 , a second substrate  32  opposite to the first substrate  31 , a sealant  34  formed at a peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  30  between the first and second substrates  31 ,  32 , and a liquid crystal layer  33  contained in a space defined by the first and second substrates  31 ,  32  and the sealant  34 . The sealant  34  is used to adhere the first and second substrates  31 ,  32  together, and surround and airproof the liquid crystal layer  33 .  
         [0019]     The sealant  34  has a plurality of first spacers  35 , and a plurality of second spacers  36  different from the first spacers  35 . The first and second spacers  35 ,  36  are used to support the first and second substrates  31 ,  32 , and keep a distance between the first and second substrates  31 ,  32  at the peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  30  uniform.  
         [0020]     The first spacers  35  are rod spacers, which have a columnar shape. A length of each first spacer  35  is in the range from 10 to 100 micrometers, and a diameter of the first spacer  35  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The second spacers  26  are plastic spacers, which are spherical. A diameter of each second spacer  26  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The first spacers  35  are incompressible spacers, and the second spacers  36  are compressible spacers.  
         [0021]     When the first and second substrates  31 ,  32  are attached together, the two different spacers  35 ,  36  can cooperatively adapt to any uneven inner surface of the first and/or second substrate  31 ,  32 . That is, the first and second spacers  35 ,  36  can attain a consistent distance between the first and second substrates  31 ,  32 , so that the liquid crystal layer  33  has a uniform thickness. Thus the liquid crystal panel  30  can provide consistent, good display quality.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a liquid crystal panel  40  according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal panel  40  has a first substrate  41 , a second substrate  42  opposite to the first substrate  41 , a sealant  44  formed at a peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  40  between the first and second substrates  41 ,  42 , and a liquid crystal layer  43  contained in a space defined by the first and second substrates  41 ,  42  and the sealant  44 . The sealant  44  is used to adhere the first and second substrates  41 ,  42  together, and surround and airproof the liquid crystal layer  43 .  
         [0023]     The sealant  44  has a plurality of first spacers  45 , and a plurality of second spacers  46  different from the first spacers  45 . The first and second spacers  45 ,  46  are used to support the first and second substrates  41 ,  42 , and keep a distance between the first and second substrates  41 ,  42  at the peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  40  uniform.  
         [0024]     The first spacers  45  are silica spacers, which are spherical. A diameter of each first spacer  45  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The second spacers  46  are plastic spacers, which are spherical. A diameter of each second spacer  46  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The first spacers  45  are incompressible spacers, and the second spacers  36  are compressible spacers.  
         [0025]     When the first and second substrates  41 ,  42  are attached together, the two different spacers  45 ,  46  can cooperatively adapt to any uneven inner surface of the first and/or second substrates  41 ,  42 . That is, the first and second spacers  35 ,  36  can attain a consistent distance between the first and the second substrates  41 ,  42 , so that the liquid crystal layer  43  has a uniform thickness. Thus the liquid crystal panel  40  can provide consistent, good display quality.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a liquid crystal panel  50  according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal panel  50  has a first substrate  51 , a second substrate  52  opposite to the first substrate  51 , a sealant  54  formed at a peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  50  between the first and second substrates  51 ,  52 , and a liquid crystal layer  53  contained in a space defined by the first and second substrates  51 ,  52  and the sealant  54 . The sealant  54  is used to adhere the first and second substrates  51 ,  52  together, and surround and airproof the liquid crystal layer  53 .  
         [0027]     The sealant  54  has a plurality of first spacers  55 , a plurality of second spacers  56  which different from the first spacers  55 , and a plurality of third spacers  57  which are different from both the first and second spacers  55 ,  56 . The first, second and third spacers  55 ,  56 ,  57  are used to support the first and second substrates  51 ,  52 , and keep a distance between the first and second substrates  51 ,  52  at the peripheral region of the liquid crystal panel  50  uniform.  
         [0028]     The first spacers  55  are rod spacers, which have a columnar shape. A length of each first spacer  55  is in the range from 10 to 100 micrometers, and a diameter of the first spacer  55  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The second spacers  56  are silica spacers, which are spherical. A diameter of each second spacer  56  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The third spacers  57  are plastic spacers, which are spherical. A diameter of each third spacer  57  is in the range from 2 to 10 micrometers. The first and second spacers  55 ,  56  are incompressible spacers, and the second spacers  57  are compressible spacers.  
         [0029]     When the first and second substrates  51 ,  52  are attached together, the three different spacers  55 ,  56 ,  57  can cooperatively adapt to any uneven inner surface of the first and/or second substrates  51 ,  52 . That is, the first, second and third spacers  55 ,  56 ,  57  can attain a consistent distance between the first and second substrates  51 ,  52 , so that the liquid crystal layer  53  has a uniform thickness. Thus the liquid crystal panel  50  can provide consistent, good display quality.  
         [0030]     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set out in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.