Patent Publication Number: US-2021181587-A1

Title: Liquid Crystal Display Panel

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display panel which is provided to reduce deformation between a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor array substrate. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Development of intelligent terminal screens has so far been able to achieve a full-screen level in which a screen-to-body ratio is greater than 90%. Based on a design of a full-screen structure, cameras, receivers, sensors, etc. need to be installed in display areas of a panel by means of drilling (such as a blind hole). In an existing design, since a liquid crystal layer is retained in a blind hole light transmission region, stress causes the panel to deform. Since lack of support leads to a thinner cell in the blind hole light transmission region, this causes non-uniform display, resulting in a problem with optical uniformity of a display panel. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a liquid crystal display panel to resolve the existing problem. 
     Technical Problem 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display to improve a problem with optical uniformity of a display panel. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to achieve above objective, a first aspect of the present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel comprising a blind hole area which comprises: 
     a blind hole light transmission region, a first transparent support disposed on a color filter substrate in the blind hole light transmission region, and the first transparent support configured to support the color filter substrate and a thin film transistor array substrate in the blind hole light transmission region; and a blind hole periphery region surrounding the blind hole light transmission region, a black matrix disposed on the color filter substrate in the blind hole periphery region, and a plurality of second transparent supports disposed corresponding to the black matrix. 
     Further, a width of the first transparent support located in the blind hole light transmission region is greater than a width of the blind hole light transmission region. 
     Further, the first transparent support and the plurality of second transparent supports are photo spacers, and a material of the photo spacers is transparent resin. 
     Further, the thin film transistor array substrate comprises: 
     a thin-film transistor (TFT) array base; 
     a gate insulation layer located above the TFT array base; 
     a dielectric layer located on the gate insulation layer; 
     a planarization layer located on the dielectric layer; and 
     a passivation layer located on the planarization layer. 
     Further, a material of the planarization layer is transparent resin. 
     Further, in the blind hole light transmission region, the gate insulation layer is provided with a first via, the dielectric layer is provided with a second via, and the planarization layer fills into the first via and the second via. 
     Further, the passivation layer is provided with a third via in the blind hole light transmission region. 
     Optionally, a height of the first transparent support located in the blind hole light transmission region is equal to a height of the plurality of second transparent supports located in the blind hole periphery region. 
     Optionally, a height of the first transparent support located in the blind hole light transmission region is greater than a height of the plurality of second transparent supports located in the blind hole periphery region. 
     Further, the passivation layer is provided with a via in the blind hole light transmission region. 
     Optionally, a height of the first transparent support located in the blind hole light transmission region is equal to a height of the plurality of second transparent supports located in the blind hole periphery region. 
     Optionally, a height of the first transparent support located in the blind hole light transmission region is greater than a height of the plurality of second transparent supports located in the blind hole periphery region. 
     Further, the color filter substrate comprises: 
     a color filter base; 
     the black matrix located on the color filter base; 
     a color resist layer located on the black matrix; 
     a protective layer located on the color resist layer; and 
     an upper alignment layer, located on the protective layer. 
     Optionally, the first transparent support and the plurality of second transparent supports are disposed on the upper alignment layer. 
     Optionally, the first transparent support and the plurality of second transparent supports are disposed on the protective layer and are covered by the upper alignment layer. 
     Further, a material of the protective layer is transparent resin. 
     A second aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device, comprising the liquid crystal display panel as mentioned above. 
     Beneficial Effect 
     A liquid crystal display panel designed according to the present invention may resolve a problem of nonuniform display caused by deformation between a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor array substrate in a blind hole light transmission region by providing a first transparent support. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     To make the objectives, technical schemes, and effects of the present invention clearer and more specific, the present invention is described in further detail below with reference to the appending drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining the present invention, the term “embodiment” used in the context means an example, instance, or illustration, it is not intended to limit the present invention. 
     The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, which has effects of reducing liquid crystals in a blind hole light transmission region and improving deformation between substrates in the blind hole light transmission region, so that electronic devices (such as cameras) installed in the blind hole light transmission region is able to function normally. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , which is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel  20  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment of the present invention provides the liquid crystal display panel  20 , which includes a color filter substrate  22  and a thin film transistor array substrate  21 , which are disposed opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer  23  disposed between the color filter substrate  22  and the thin film transistor array substrate  21 , wherein the liquid crystal display panel  20  includes a blind hole area, which is provided with a blind hole light transmission region and a blind hole periphery region which surrounds the blind hole light transmission region and is shielded by a black matrix (BM)  222 . The black matrix  222  is disposed on the color filter substrate  22 . Specifically, the color filter substrate  22  includes a color filter base  221  and the black matrix  222 , a color resist layer (not shown), a protective layer (OC)  223  used to cover and protect the color resist layer, and an upper alignment layer  2211 , which are disposed sequentially on the color filter base  221 . Furthermore, the thin film transistor array substrate  21  includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) array base  211  and a buffer layer  212 , a gate insulation layer  213 , a dielectric layer  214 , a planarization layer  215 , a passivation layer  216 , and a lower alignment layer  2212 , which are disposed sequentially on the TFT array base  211 , wherein the black matrix  222  is provided with an open hole, an area of the open hole is the blind hole light transmission region, and a non-opening area of the black matrix  222  is a non-displaying blind hole periphery region due to the shielding of the black matrix  222 . Further, the blind hole light transmission region and the blind hole periphery region corresponding to the color filter substrate  22  are disposed corresponding to the thin film transistor array substrate  21 , that is, the blind hole light transmission region corresponding to the color filter substrate  22  overlaps with the blind hole light transmission region corresponding to the thin film transistor array substrate  21 , and the blind hole periphery region corresponding to the color filter substrate  22  also overlaps with the blind hole periphery region corresponding to the thin film transistor array substrate  21 . 
     In the present embodiment, transparent supports prepared by an LCD standard process are used to prevent an interval between the color filter substrate  22  and the thin film transistor array substrate  21  from being too close and affecting functions of electronic devices installed in the blind hole light transmission region. Therefore, a plurality of second transparent supports  25  are formed between the color filter substrate  22  and the thin film transistor array substrate  21  by development and etching processes in the blind hole periphery region, and the plurality of second transparent supports are configured to support the color filter substrate  22  and the thin film transistor array substrate  21 . However, the interval between the color filter substrate  22  and the thin film transistor array substrate  21  in the blind hole light transmission region is still too close by means of this manner. Therefore, the present invention further provides a first transparent support  24  formed between the color filter substrate  22  and the thin film transistor array substrate  21  in the blind hole light transmission region, which is used to strengthen support in the blind hole light transmission region and reduce deformation of the color filter substrate  22  and the thin film transistor array substrate  21 . Specifically, the plurality of second transparent supports  25  located in the blind hole periphery region and the first transparent support  24  located in the blind hole light transmission region are formed on the upper alignment layer  2211  by development and etching processes, and are in contact with the lower alignment layer  2212  of the thin film transistor array substrate  21 . In the first embodiment of the present invention, the transparent support  24  located in the blind hole light transmission region is in close contact with the lower alignment layer  2212 , and the plurality of second transparent supports  25  located in the blind hole periphery region are also in close contact with the lower alignment layer  2212 . For the sake of convenience, the plurality of second transparent supports located in the blind hole light transmission region are all in close contact with the lower alignment layer in the embodiments described below, and no further elaboration on details will be made. 
     In the following paragraphs, the first transparent support and the second transparent supports may be photo spacers. For the sake of convenience, the first photo spacer and the second photo spacers are named exemplarily below. 
     In the present embodiment, a width of the first photo spacer  24  located in the blind hole light transmission region is slightly greater than a width of the blind hole light transmission region, and the first photo spacer  24  partially overlaps with the blind hole periphery region surrounding the first photo spacer  24 , hence making good use of space of the blind hole periphery region for better support. 
     In another embodiment, the photo spacers may be formed on the protective layer  223  and be covered by the upper alignment layer  2211 , that is, the photo spacers are formed on the protective layer  223  by development and etching processes after the protective layer  223  is formed. Then, the photo spacers are covered by the upper alignment layer  2211 , so that the upper alignment layer  2211  formed on the photo spacers is in direct contact with the lower alignment layer  2212 , wherein the photo spacers include the plurality of second photo spacers  25  located in the blind hole periphery region and the first photo spacer  24  located in the blind hole light transmission region. It can be understood that, as long as the first photo spacer  24  is formed in the blind hole light transmission region, it is within the protection scope of the present invention. 
     In the present embodiment, since function quality of electronic devices is substantially related to a transmission rate of liquid crystals and film layers located in the blind hole light transmission region, hence, another beneficial effect is that the first photo spacer  24  located in the blind hole light transmission region may further and maximally squeeze liquid crystals out of the blind hole light transmission region to increase light transmission rate. The first embodiment of the present invention provides an embodiment in which the first photo spacer  24  is in close contact with the lower alignment layer  2212 , and all liquid crystals located in the blind hole light transmission region can be squeezed out to minimize influence of liquid crystals on light transmission rate. 
     In the present embodiment, the protective layer  223 , the photo spacer  24 , and the planarization layer  215  are transparent organic layers or transparent resin, so that better light transmission rate can be obtained. That is, when external light passes through the blind hole light transmission region, it passes through the protective layer  223  with high light transmission rate, the photo spacer  24 , and the planarization layer  215  and reaches an electronic device (such as a camera). Therefore, how to increase the light transmission rate between the film layers becomes another key. The present invention provides a plurality of embodiments for improving the light transmission rate in the blind hole light transmission region, which are described in detail in subsequent embodiments. 
     Refer to  FIG. 2 , which is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel  30  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. To further improve the light transmission rate in the blind hole light transmission region, the second embodiment of the present invention further makes improvements on the first embodiment (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The difference is that the gate insulation layer  313  is provided with a first via  3131  and the dielectric layer  314  is provided with a second via  3141  in the blind hole light transmission region. When the planarization layer  315  is formed, the planarization layer  315  fills the first via  3131  and the second via  3141 , that is, the planarization layer  315  with better light transmission rate is used to replace the gate insulation layer  313  and the dielectric layer  314  in the blind hole light transmission region according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in a bid to obtain better light transmission rate. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel  40  according to a third embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel  50  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the first embodiment of the present invention (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the difference is that the passivation layer  416  is provided with a third via  4161 , and the third via  4161  is covered by the lower alignment layer  4212 . In the present embodiment, the passivation layer with lower light transmission rate is hollowed out to increase light transmission rate. Moreover, a height of the first photo spacer  44  located in the blind hole light transmission region may be equal to a height of the plurality of second photo spacers  45  located in the blind hole periphery region. Most liquid crystals located in the blind hole light transmission region can be squeezed out by the first photo spacer  44  located in the blind hole light transmission region, that is, there may still be some liquid crystals remaining between the lower alignment layer  4216  and the first photo spacer  44 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Further, the first photo spacer  54  located in the blind hole light transmission region may be formed to have a height and width corresponding to the third via  5161  according to requirements, that is, the height of the first photo spacer  54  located in the blind hole light transmission region may be greater than the height of the plurality of second photo spacers  55  located in the blind hole periphery region, so that more liquid crystals can be squeezed out of the blind hole light transmission region, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel  60  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel  70  according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. They combine concepts of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. The gate insulation layer  613  is provided with a fourth via  6131 , a dielectric layer  614  is provided with a fifth via  6141 , and the passivation layer  616  is provided with a sixth via  6161  in the blind hole light transmission region of the thin film transistor array substrate  61 . That is, the planarization layer  615  with better light transmission rate is used to replace the gate insulation layer  613  and the dielectric layer  614  which are located in the blind hole light transmission region, and the passivation layer with lower light transmission rate is hollowed out to maximally increase the light transmission rate in the blind hole light transmission region. Moreover, the height of the first photo spacers  64  in the blind hole light transmission may be equal to the height of the plurality of second photo spacers  65  in the blind hole periphery region, and the first photo spacer  64  in the blind hole light transmission region may squeeze out most liquid crystals located in the blind hole light transmission region. That is, there may still be some liquid crystals remaining in the blind hole light transmission region, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Further, the first photo spacer  74  located in the blind hole light transmission region may be formed to have a height and width corresponding to the third via  7161  according to requirements, that is, the height of the first photo spacer  74  located in the blind hole light transmission region may be greater than the height of the plurality of second photo spacers  75  located in the blind hole periphery region, so that more liquid crystals can be squeezed out of the blind hole light transmission region, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In the present invention, the blind hole light transmission region is used to allow external light to pass through the blind hole light transmission region to reach an electronic device, such as a camera. It can be understood that the present invention does not limit the types of the electronic device. As long as the electronic device has a structure and functions mentioned in the embodiments above, it is within the protection scope of the present invention. 
     The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that, for persons skilled in this art, various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the principles of the present application, and it should be considered as a protection scope of the present application.