US 6,678,017 B1 · Display panel and method of fabricating the same

Abstract

An active matrix display panel includes a plurality of pixel electrodes formed in a matrix manner, a plurality of switching elements connected with these pixel electrodes, a plurality of scan lines for supplying a scan signal to thin film transistors, and a plurality of data lines for supplying a display data signal. Components except for the pixel electrodes are covered with an overcoat film. Since a contact hole extending through this overcoat film and a contact hole extending through the overcoat film and a gate insulating film are simultaneously formed, a jumper line for connecting a disconnected portion of a protect ring, a surface layer of a data line connecting pad, and a line protecting film are formed at the same time as the pixel electrodes are formed. This reduces the number of fabrication steps. Components such as the data line and source and drain electrodes are formed by a three-layered structure of Cr(Chromium)/Al(Aluminum)/Cr(Chromium). This reduces the contact resistance between the source electrode and the pixel electrode and also reduces the resistance of the data line. The sectional shape of, e.g., the data line made of the multilayered film is so formed as to be readily covered with the overcoat film. This improves the reliability.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A display panel comprising:

a plurality of pixel electrodes formed in a matrix manner in a display area;
a plurality of switching elements connected with said pixel electrodes and located in the display area;
a plurality of signal lines and a plurality of scan lines for supplying a signal voltage to said switching elements which are located in the display area;
a plurality of lines located in a non-display area including first lines connected to said signal lines, and second lines connected to said scan lines;
at least two line protecting films located in the non-display area and covering at least two lines of the first and/or second lines;
and
an overcoat film for covering components of said display panel except for said plurality of pixel electrodes and said plurality of line protecting films;
wherein a layer formed on said overcoat film is divided to form each of said,plurality of pixel electrodes and each of said plurality of line protecting films,
wherein said plurality of line protecting films are formed independently such that said plurality of line protecting films respectively correspond to said lines located in the non-display area, and said plurality of line protecting films are insulated from all of said plurality of lines by said overcoat film, and
wherein said plurality of line protecting films are made of the same material as said pixel electrodes.

7 more elements

A method of fabricating a display panel, wherein said display panel comprises a plurality of pixel electrodes formed in a matrix manner in a display area, a plurality of switching elements connected with said pixel electrodes and located in the display area, a plurality of lines formed in a non-display area, and a plurality of line protecting films formed in the non-display area, said method comprising:

forming an overcoat film which covers components of said display panel except for said plurality of pixel electrodes and said plurality of line protecting films;
and
forming said plurality of pixel electrodes and said plurality of line protecting films at the same time on said overcoat film out of the same material;
and
wherein said plurality of line protecting films are formed independently such that said plurality of line protecting films respectively correspond to said lines formed in the non-display area, and said plurality of line protecting films are insulated from all of said plurality of lines by the overcoat.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Display panel and method of fabricating the same

Life of this patent

Display panel and method of fabricating the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14