Camera module integrated liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

Camera module integrated liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof. A liquid crystal display (LCD) device, comprising: an array substrate on which sub-pixels are arranged; a color filter substrate on which color filters corresponding to each of the sub-pixels are arranged; and a liquid crystal layer located between the array substrate and the color filter substrate. The array substrate comprises a lens hole, the color filter substrate comprises a lens hole guide, and the diameter of the lens hole is smaller than the diameter of the lens hole guide.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the original invention patent application with application number 201611035761.6 (application date: November 18, 2016, invention name: Camera module integrated liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof). Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD), and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device including a lens hole for a camera module and a method of manufacturing the same. Background Art

[0003] The LCD device is a transmissive display device and includes a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit. The liquid crystal panel includes: an array substrate for controlling a liquid crystal layer, a polarizing plate disposed on a surface of the array substrate, a color filter substrate facing the array substrate, a polarizing plate disposed on a surface of the color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate. The liquid crystal panel controls the liquid crystal layer, thereby adjusting the transmittance of each sub-pixel of the liquid crystal panel.

[0004] The backlight unit includes an optical sheet, a light guide plate, a light source unit, a reflective plate, and a guide plate. The optical sheet is disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the light guide plate. For example, the optical sheet may include a prism film and / or a diffusion film. The light source is disposed on a side surface of the light guide plate so that light is diffused through the light guide plate. The reflective plate is disposed on a bottom surface of the light guide plate to reflect light leaking toward the reflective plate. The guide plate supports the optical sheet, the light guide plate, the light source, the reflective plate, etc., so as to allow the liquid crystal panel to be stably mounted thereon. Summary of the invention

[0005] The inventors of the present application have studied and developed an LCD device into which a camera module (or a portion thereof) can be inserted, a user-pressable button, and the like.

[0006] The inventors of the present application have designed an LCD device with a minimum thickness and an array substrate of the LCD device having a lens hole in which a lens unit of a camera module or some other functional element can be inserted. Specifically, the lens hole is formed in the array substrate with a drill or the like.

[0007] However, the inventors have recognized that many problems may occur during the process of forming such holes. For example, the hole itself or a portion of the substrate may be damaged during the drilling process.

[0008] In addition, after forming certain elements on the surface of the array substrate, it may be necessary to form the desired holes at the locations of several transparent material layers having different refractive indices, respectively. Therefore, there may be errors in measuring the exact depth or thickness at the location where the hole is to be formed, so that the substrate may be damaged when the lens hole is formed with a drill or similar device based on inaccurate thickness measurements. The thickness of the substrate (which may or may not have certain layers) requires very accurate drilling. Doing so requires accurate substrate thickness measurements to prevent inaccurate drilling (i.e., over-drilling or under-drilling) and minimize roughness or burrs at the inner surface of the hole.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a camera module integrated liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages as described above.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an LCD device having a minimum thickness to accommodate a camera module inserted therein while suppressing damage to a substrate that may occur during a manufacturing process, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0011] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be described in the following description, and some of them will become clearer from the description, or can be understood through the practice of the present invention. The purposes and other advantages of the present invention will be realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the written description and its claims and drawings.

[0012] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the concept of the invention as embodied and broadly described, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes: an array substrate on which sub-pixels are arranged; a color filter substrate on which color filters corresponding to the respective sub-pixels are arranged; and a liquid crystal layer located between the array substrate and the color filter substrate. The array substrate includes a lens hole, the color filter substrate includes a lens hole guide, and the diameter of the lens hole is smaller than the diameter of the lens hole guide.

[0013] On the other hand, a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes the following steps: measuring the thickness of the array substrate using a confocal sensor by using a measurement pattern on the array substrate; forming a groove having a depth thinner than the thickness of the array substrate in a position where a lens hole is to be formed based on the thickness of the array substrate measured using the confocal sensor; attaching a glass core to an area where the groove is formed by applying an adhesive using a tape device, and then separating the glass core from the array substrate using the tape device to thereby form the lens hole; and inserting a camera module into the array substrate through the lens hole.

[0014] Details of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, by forming a lens hole in the array substrate to insert the camera module into the lens hole, even if the camera module is inserted into the LCD device, the thickness of the LCD device can be reduced.

[0016] In addition, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the lens portion is inserted into the lens hole and the lens hole guide, so that the camera module can capture an image through the color filter substrate.

[0017] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a lens hole guide is formed around the lens hole, so that damage to the array substrate can be suppressed by the lens hole guide during a process of forming the lens hole in the array substrate.

[0018] Also, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, defects during the process of forming the lens hole may be reduced by measuring a pattern.

[0019] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an LCD device and a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA';

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view of

[0025] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method for forming a lens hole of an LCD device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The numbers, scales, ratios, angles, quantities of elements given in the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and non-restrictive. Throughout the specification, the same figure numbers represent the same elements. In addition, when describing the present disclosure, the description of well-known technologies may be omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the main points of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "including", "having", "comprising", etc. used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the devices listed thereafter. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun (for example, "a", "an", "the"), the plural form of the noun is included unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0028] When describing the components, they are construed as including error tolerances even if not explicitly stated.

[0029] When describing a positional relationship, such as “element A is on element B,” “element A is above element B,” “element A is below element B,” and “element A is adjacent to element B,” another element C may be disposed between element A and element B, unless the terms “directly” or “immediately following” are explicitly used.

[0030] As used herein, the phrase “element A is on element B” means that element A may be directly disposed on element B, and / or element A may be indirectly disposed on element B via another element C.

[0031] The terms first, second, etc. in this specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements, and are not necessarily used to describe order or chronological order. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Therefore, as used herein, within the technical concept of the present disclosure, the first element may be referred to as the second element.

[0032] Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements. The drawings are not drawn to scale, and the relative sizes of the various elements in the drawings are depicted schematically and not necessarily to scale.

[0033] The features of the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined in part or in whole. As those skilled in the art will clearly appreciate, various interactions and operations in technology are possible. Each exemplary embodiment may be practiced individually or in combination.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 , the LCD device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a pixel area AA provided with a plurality of pixels, and a peripheral area PA surrounding the pixel area AA. In the peripheral area PA, a pad unit PAD is provided so that various driver units are attached thereto. For example, a gate driver or a data driver may be attached to the pad unit PAD. In addition, a camera module 140 is inserted in the peripheral area PA.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an LCD device and a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an LCD device 100 includes: an array substrate 110, a lens hole 150 formed in the array substrate 110, a measurement pattern 175 disposed around the lens hole 150, a lens hole guide 155 corresponding to the lens hole 150, an overcoat 135 disposed above the lens hole guide 155, a black matrix 130 disposed on the overcoat 135 and including a small hole (aperture) 160 corresponding to the lens hole 150, a color filter substrate 120 disposed on the black matrix 130, and a second polarizing plate 125 disposed on the color filter substrate 120 and having a transparent portion 165.

[0038] The camera module 140 includes a lens portion 140 a and a sensor portion 140 b. The lens portion 140 a (or a portion thereof) is inserted into the lens hole 150 .

[0039] The lens portion 140a includes a lens and a guide portion for supporting the lens. The lens portion 140a may have a cylindrical shape. However, this is merely exemplary.

[0040] The sensor part 140b includes an image sensor for converting an image having passed through the lens part 140a into an electric signal and a circuit board on which the image sensor is disposed. However, this is merely exemplary.

[0041] The camera module 140 (or a portion thereof) is inserted into the lens hole 150 on the array substrate 110. The LCD device 100 has an advantage in that by inserting the camera module 140 into the lens hole 150, the total thickness or space occupied by the camera module 140 can be reduced.

[0042] The lens portion 140a is inserted into the lens hole 150 and the lens hole guide 155. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the camera module 140 can capture an image via the small hole 160.

[0043] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA'.

[0044] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged cross-sectional view of .

[0045] Reference Figure 3 to Figure 4 , an LCD device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an array substrate 110 including a lens hole 150 and a color filter substrate 120 including a pinhole 160. The camera module 140 is inserted into the lens hole 150 of the LCD device 100. The first polarizing plate 105 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the array substrate 110, and may polarize light supplied from the light source unit.

[0046] The liquid crystal layer 115 is disposed between the array substrate 110 and the color filter substrate 120. Liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 115 are tilted by signals applied from the pixel electrode of the sub-pixel and the common electrode. As the liquid crystal molecules tilt, the transmittance of each sub-pixel of the LCD device 100 is adjusted.

[0047] The sealant 117 surrounds the periphery of the liquid crystal layer 115 disposed between the array substrate 110 and the color filter substrate 120. Therefore, the liquid crystal layer 115 is sealed by the sealant 117.

[0048] The second polarizing plate 125 may be disposed on the top surface of the color filter substrate 120 , and may absorb polarized light according to an inclination angle of a polarization axis of light polarized by the liquid crystal layer 115 .

[0049] The LCD device 100 may include a pixel area AA and a peripheral area PA.

[0050] A sub-pixel for driving the liquid crystal layer 115 is disposed on the array substrate 110 in the pixel area AA. The sub-pixel may include: a pixel electrode; a common electrode corresponding to the pixel electrode; a data line configured to apply an image signal to the pixel electrode; a gate line configured to apply a conduction signal to the pixel electrode; a switching element configured to apply an image signal to the pixel electrode by receiving a signal applied from the gate line and the data line; an insulating film for insulating the elements from each other; and an alignment layer disposed on the liquid crystal layer 115 to align the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 115. It should be noted that the LCD device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the elements of the pixel area AA. The color filter 122 and the black matrix 130 are disposed on the color filter substrate 120 in the pixel area AA. The color filter 122 may include a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter. The black matrix separates the color filters 122 from each other. The overcoat layer 135 covers the color filter 122 and the black matrix 130 to reduce or flatten the step difference caused by the color filter 122 and the black matrix 130. An alignment layer may be provided between the overcoat layer 135 and the liquid crystal layer 115 to align liquid crystal molecules. It should be noted that the LCD device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the elements of the pixel area AA.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a common electrode may be formed on a color filter substrate. For example, for a vertical alignment (VA) or twisted nematic (TN) LCD device, a common electrode may be formed on a color filter substrate.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a color filter may be included in a sub-pixel. For example, for a color filter on a thin film transistor (COT) LCD device, the color filter may be formed on an array substrate.

[0053] A variety of drivers may be provided on the array substrate in the peripheral area PA. The driver may include a gate driver configured to apply a signal to a gate line and a data driver configured to apply a signal to a data line. The driver may be attached to the pad unit PAD formed in the peripheral area PA by a conductive adhesive, or may be formed on the array substrate together with the switching element during the process of forming it. It should be noted that the LCD device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the driver and the pad unit.

[0054] A lens hole 150 (or a similar small hole or opening for accommodating some elements) may be formed on the array substrate 110 in the peripheral area PA. More than one lens hole 150 may be formed. The camera module 140 may be inserted into the lens hole 150.

[0055] The lens hole 150 may be formed by penetrating the array substrate 110 using a drill bit or similar device. The drill bit may have a tip made of diamond. The tip of the drill bit may have a ring shape, and a ring or a hole may be formed in the array substrate 110 when the drill bit rotates at a high speed. The diameter L1 of the lens hole 150 may be determined according to the diameter of the drill bit. For example, the diameter L1 of the lens hole 150 may vary within a range of 4 mm to 6 mm. However, this is merely exemplary.

[0056] The camera module 140 may be inserted into the lens hole 150. The camera module 140 includes a lens portion 140a and a sensor portion 140b.

[0057] The lens portion 140a may include a lens and a mold for supporting the lens. The lens portion 140a may have a viewing angle. The lens portion 140a may have a cylindrical shape. It should be noted that the shape of the lens portion 140a is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may have different shapes according to the mold shape.

[0058] The lens hole 150 may have a shape corresponding to the lens portion 140a. That is, the lens hole 150 is consistent with the lens portion 140a so that the lens portion 140a or a portion thereof may be inserted into the lens hole 150. For example, if the lens portion 140a has a circular shape, the lens hole 150 may also have a circular shape. The diameter L1 of the lens hole 150 may be equal to or greater than the diameter L2 of the outer side surface of the lens portion 140a of the camera module 140. With the above configuration, the lens portion 140a may be inserted into the lens hole 150. Therefore, the thickness of the LCD device 100 including the camera module 140 may be reduced.

[0059] The sensor part 140b may include a circuit board and an image sensor. The sensor part 140b converts an image captured by the lens part 140a into an electrical signal. The image signal output from the sensor part 140b may be transmitted to another system via a line.

[0060] The measurement pattern 175 (or a similar element configured to improve measurement) is disposed at, near, or around the lens hole 150 in the array substrate 110. The measurement pattern 175 may have a shape corresponding to the lens hole 150. In order to form the lens hole 150 in the array substrate 110, it is necessary to measure the thickness of the array substrate 110 at the position where the hole is to be formed. Specifically, since there may be a slight deviation in the entire thickness of the array substrate 110, it may be necessary to measure the precise thickness of the hole to be formed.

[0061] The thickness of the array substrate 110 can be measured using a confocal sensor or some other measuring equipment. In addition, it is also necessary to reduce the measurement error when measuring the thickness of the array substrate 110 using a confocal sensor.

[0062] The measurement pattern 175 may be made of at least one of the metal materials of the gate line or the data line on the array substrate 110. For example, the measurement pattern 175 may be made of at least one of copper, aluminum, molybdenum, and titanium. With the above configuration, no additional process is required to form the measurement pattern 175, and thus, the measurement pattern 175 may be formed by changing the mask. Therefore, no additional mask may be required to form the measurement pattern 175.

[0063] The measurement pattern 175 is disposed on the top surface of the array substrate 110. Therefore, by measuring the distance from the bottom surface of the array substrate 110 to the measurement pattern 175, the thickness of the array substrate 110 and the depth of the array substrate 110 that must be drilled to form the lens hole 150 can be measured.

[0064] The measurement pattern 175 may have a shape corresponding to the lens hole 150. For example, if the lens hole 150 has a circular shape, the measurement pattern 175 may have a circular shape, such as a ring shape or a circle shape. The measurement pattern 175 has a specific width and / or a specific diameter. For example, the width range of the ring-shaped measurement pattern 175 may vary from 200 μm to 700 μm. It should be noted that the LCD device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the width and / or diameter of the measurement pattern 175.

[0065] With the above configuration, the thickness of the array substrate 110 can be measured more accurately by measuring the thickness of the array substrate 110 having the measurement pattern 175 at the hole formation position using such a confocal sensor.

[0066] For example, the thickness of the array substrate 110 may range from 150 μm to 400 μm. More specifically, if the thickness of the array substrate 110 is, for example, 250 μm, the confocal sensor measures the distance from the bottom surface of the array substrate 110 to the measurement pattern 175 disposed on the top surface of the array substrate 110. Therefore, compared with the thickness measurement performed without the measurement pattern 175, the thickness of the array substrate 110 can be measured more accurately.

[0067] The measurement pattern 175 is made of a metal material and is thus opaque. Therefore, the measurement error of the confocal sensor can be reduced by the measurement pattern 175. The shape of the measurement pattern 175 is not limited to the above shape, but can have a variety of shapes as long as the measurement using the confocal sensor can be performed more accurately.

[0068] Without the measurement pattern 175, only transparent material exists at and around the lens hole position of the LCD device. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately measure the thickness of the array substrate using only the confocal sensor. Due to this inaccurate measurement, the hole formed in the array substrate 110 with the drill may be too shallow. As a result, the lens hole may not be formed as desired.

[0069] On the other hand, the hole formed in the array substrate 110 using the drill may be too deep. Specifically, the hole may reach the black matrix 130 formed on the color filter substrate 120. As a result, glass fragments or debris may be generated when the lens hole 150 is formed, and defects due to such foreign matter may occur. In addition, light may leak from the damaged black matrix 130.

[0070] The inner diameter L3 of the measurement pattern 175 may be larger than the diameter L1 of the lens hole 150. With the above configuration, even if the lens hole 150 is formed by a drill, the measurement pattern 175 does not contact the drill because the inner diameter L3 of the measurement pattern 175 is larger than the diameter of the drill. Therefore, the measurement pattern 175 is not damaged by the drill.

[0071] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer diameter of the measurement pattern 175 may be equal to or less than the diameter L1 of the lens hole 150. With the above configuration, since the inner diameter L3 of the measurement pattern 175 is less than the diameter of the drill, the measurement pattern 175 may be effectively removed during the process of forming the lens hole 150 using the drill. Specifically, the thickness of the array substrate 110 is more accurately measured relative to the measurement pattern 175 using the confocal sensor, and then the lens hole 150 is formed in the array substrate 110 using the drill based on the accurately measured thickness. That is, once the thickness of the array substrate 110 is measured, the measurement pattern may be removed. Therefore, the measurement pattern may be removed during the process of forming the lens hole 150. Alternatively, only a portion of the measurement pattern may be removed, and the rest may remain around the lens hole 150.

[0072] A lens hole guide 155 corresponding to the lens hole 150 is formed in the color filter substrate 120 within the peripheral area PA. The lens hole guide 155 corresponds to the lens hole 150. The lens hole guide 155 may support the array substrate 110 around the lens hole 150. For example, if the lens portion 140a of the camera module 140 is cylindrical in shape, the lens hole 150 may be circular in shape, and the inner side of the lens hole guide 155 may also be circular in shape. The center of the lens hole 150 may be adjacent to or correspond to (aligned with) the center of the lens hole guide 155. The lens hole guide 155 is made of an organic material or an inorganic material.

[0073] Specifically, during the process of forming the lens hole 150 using a drill bit, the array substrate 110 is ground by the drill bit. The array substrate 110 may be made of glass. There may be a space between the array substrate 110 and the color filter substrate 120. As the array substrate 110 receives pressure from the drilling process, an undesirable physical impact may be applied to the array substrate 110. As a result, the array substrate 110 may bend unexpectedly and cracks or other deformations may occur. In addition, when the array substrate 110 is ground by the drill bit, small pieces of glass or debris may be scattered around the lens hole 150.

[0074] The lens hole guide 155 surrounds the lens hole 150 to minimize or suppress bending of the array substrate 110 when a physical impact is applied to the array substrate 110, thereby reducing cracks in the array substrate 110. That is, the lens hole guide 155 can effectively absorb at least some of the impact, pressure or force applied to the array substrate 110 during the process of forming the lens hole 150.

[0075] In addition, since the lens hole guide 155 surrounds the lens hole 150, it can block the scattering of glass fragments. Therefore, the glass fragments or debris are confined within the lens hole 150, so that these fragments or debris in the lens hole 150 can be more conveniently removed by using a tool such as a suction device for removing glass fragments or debris.

[0076] Reference Figure 4 , the inner diameter L4 of the lens hole guide 155 may be greater than the diameter L1 of the lens hole 150. With the above configuration, the lens hole guide 155 may be effectively prevented from contacting the drill bit during the process of forming the lens hole 150 with the drill bit. Therefore, damage to the lens hole guide 155 may be minimized.

[0077] Although the inner side of the lens hole guide 155 is consistent with the lens hole 150, the outer side of the lens hole guide 155 may not be consistent with the lens hole, but may have a different shape. For example, the periphery of the lens hole guide 155 may be a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, a streamlined shape, etc.

[0078] Although the inner side of the lens hole guide 155 is consistent with the lens hole 150, the outer side of the lens hole guide 155 may or may not be consistent therewith, and thus may have different shapes. For example, the periphery of the lens hole guide 155 may be circular, rectangular, polygonal, streamlined, etc.

[0079] The lens hole guide 155 and the measurement pattern 175 may overlap each other. With the above configuration, the measurement pattern 175 may cover the lens hole guide 155. Therefore, during the process of measuring the thickness of the array substrate 110 (having the measurement pattern 175) using the confocal sensor, the measurement error may be reduced by the lens hole guide 155.

[0080] Specifically, the lens hole guide 155 may have a refractive index different from that of the array substrate 110 and may be optically transparent. This may cause a measurement error. It should be noted that in the LCD device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the lens hole guide 155 and the measurement pattern 175 may not overlap but may be spaced apart from each other.

[0081] The black matrix 130 covers at least a portion of the color filter substrate 120 in the peripheral area PA. The black matrix 130 is disposed between the color filter substrate 120 and the lens hole guide 155. For example, the black matrix 130 may cover at least a portion of the measurement pattern 175. With the above configuration, the measurement pattern 175 may be covered by the black matrix 130. In addition, the black matrix 130 may cover the peripheral area PA. With the above configuration, light from the light source via the peripheral area PA may be effectively shielded, and the measurement pattern 175 disposed around the lens hole 150 may be hidden by the black matrix 130 so that external light is not unexpectedly reflected from the measurement pattern 175.

[0082] In the black matrix 130 on the color filter substrate 120 in the peripheral area PA, a small hole 160 corresponding to the camera module 140 is formed.

[0083] The pinhole 160 may be formed by patterning the black matrix 130. The diameter L5 of the pinhole 160 may be determined based on the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140. For example, there may be a specific distance between the lens portion 140a and the pinhole 160. The distance is also associated with the thickness of the overcoat 135. That is, the pinhole 160 may be constructed in such a way that it does not hide or block the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140. If the pinhole 160 hides or blocks the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140, the camera module 140 may not properly perform image capture due to the covered portion. However, it should be noted that the pinhole 160 may also be constructed in such a way that it hides a portion of the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140.

[0084] The diameter L5 of the small hole 160 may be smaller than the diameter L1 of the lens hole 150. The center of the small hole 160 may be adjacent to or aligned with the center of the lens hole 150. With the above configuration, the small hole 160 may hide the rest of the camera module 140 without hiding the viewing angle θ. Therefore, the unnecessary part of the camera module 140 is hidden by the small hole 160, so that the aesthetic design can be improved. It should be noted that the LCD device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0085] The overcoat layer 135 on the color filter substrate 120 in the peripheral area PA covers the black matrix 130 and the pinhole 160. The overcoat layer 135 can reduce the step difference (or layer unevenness) between the black matrix 130 and the pinhole 160 or can provide a flat surface. Moreover, the overcoat layer 135 can transmit light of a visible wavelength band.

[0086] The overcoat 135 may reduce the step difference between the black matrix 130 and the pinhole 160 or may have a gentle (or gradual) slope. However, light may be refracted by the gentle slope, and thus the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140 may not overlap the inclined surface.

[0087] Alternatively, the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140 may overlap the inclined surface, and a compensation value for compensating for such deformation may be stored in a memory. It should be noted that the LCD device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the inclined surface of the overcoat 135, and if the deformation of the inclined surface is negligible, the deformation of the inclined surface may be ignored. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the overcoat 135 may have a relatively flat surface.

[0088] The second polarizing plate 125 covers the small holes 160 on the color filter substrate 120. The transparent portion 165 of the second polarizing plate 125 may correspond to or be aligned with the small holes 160 on the color filter substrate 120.

[0089] The transparent portion 165 may be formed by bleaching or treating the second polarizing plate 125. Therefore, the transparent portion 165 has no polarizing property. That is, the transparent portion 165 passes or transmits visible wavelengths regardless of the polarization axis of the polarized light source. Therefore, the transmittance of visible light is higher in the transparent portion 165 of the second polarizing plate 125 than in the rest of the second polarizing plate 125. It should be noted that the LCD device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0090] The diameter L6 of the transparent portion 165 may be determined based on the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140. The diameter L6 of the transparent portion 165 may be greater than the diameter L5 of the small hole 160.

[0091] With the above configuration, the camera module 140 may effectively capture an image through the transparent portion 165 of the second polarizing plate 125 .

[0092] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second polarizing plate 125 may not cover the small hole 160 .

[0093] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transparent portion 165 may be formed by patterning the second polarizing plate 125. That is, instead of performing bleaching or the like, the transparent portion may be formed by physically removing a portion of the second polarizing plate.

[0094] According to the LCD device 100 of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the lens hole 150 is formed in the array substrate 110 and the camera module 140 is inserted into the lens hole 150, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the display device. In addition, by forming the measurement pattern 175, there is an advantage in that defects that may occur during the process of forming the lens hole 150 in the array substrate 110 can be effectively suppressed. In addition, by forming the lens hole guide 155, there is an effect that defects that may occur during the process of forming the lens hole 150 in the array substrate 110 can be suppressed. In addition, by forming the small hole 160 in the black matrix 130, the aesthetic design can be improved without affecting the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140. In addition, by forming the transparent portion 165 in the second polarizing plate 125, the aesthetic design can be improved without affecting the viewing angle θ of the camera module 140.

[0095] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C A method for forming a lens hole 550 of an LCD device 500 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0096] The LCD device 500 is different from the LCD device 100 in that the measurement pattern has a different configuration.

[0097] Reference Figure 5A , by using the measurement pattern 575 provided on the array substrate 110 , the thickness T1 of the array substrate 110 is measured using the confocal sensor 555 (step S510 ).

[0098] The thickness T1 of the array substrate 110 can be measured using the confocal sensor 555. To measure the thickness, the confocal sensor 555 focuses on a measurement pattern 575 provided at a position where the lens hole 550 is to be formed. In this way, the thickness T1 of the array substrate 110 can be measured more accurately than in the case where there is no such measurement pattern 575. For example, the thickness T1 of the array substrate 110 may be 250 μm.

[0099] Reference Figure 5BBased on the thickness T1 of the array substrate 110 measured by the confocal sensor 555 , a groove 550 a is formed to a specific depth at a position where the lens hole 550 is to be formed by using a drill 560 (step S520 ).

[0100] In order to form the lens hole 550, the groove 550a is formed to be thinner than the thickness T1 by the drill bit 560. If the thickness T1 of the array substrate 110 is equal to 250 μm, the depth of the groove 550a drilled by the drill bit 560 may be less than 250 μm. Specifically, the groove 550a may be formed to have a depth of 95% to 99% of the thickness T1 of the array substrate 110. For example, the depth of the groove 550a may be 244 μm, and the thickness T2 of the remaining portion of the array substrate may be 6 μm. Referring to Figure 5C , an adhesive force is applied to the region where the groove 550a is formed using the tape device 570 (or other elements having adhesive properties) to attach the region to the glass core 580, and then the glass core 580 is separated from the array substrate 110 using the tape device 570 to form the lens hole 550 (S530). That is, the tape 585 is pressed against the top surface of the groove 550a formed using the drill bit 560 (i.e., the glass core 580) by the adhesive tape device 570, so that the tape 585 is attached to the glass core 580. Subsequently, when the tape device 570 pulls down the tape 585 attached to the glass core 580 formed with the groove 550a, since the thickness T2 is very thin, the glass core 580 can be removed from the array substrate. As a result, the lens hole 550 can be formed. Subsequently, the camera module 140 is inserted into the array substrate 110 via the lens hole 550.

[0101] According to the above method of forming the lens hole 550 , it is not necessary to use a drill to penetrate the array substrate 110 . Therefore, it is possible to greatly suppress glass fragments generated by the drill 560 from being introduced between the array substrate 110 and the color filter substrate 120 .

[0102] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be described as follows:

[0103] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes: an array substrate on which sub-pixels are arranged; a color filter substrate on which color filters corresponding to each of the sub-pixels are arranged; and a liquid crystal layer located between the array substrate and the color filter substrate. The array substrate includes a lens hole, the color filter substrate includes a lens hole guide, and the diameter of the lens hole is smaller than the inner diameter of the lens hole guide.

[0104] The center of the lens hole and the center of the lens hole guide may be configured to be adjacent to or aligned with each other. An inner edge of the lens hole guide may be spaced apart from an edge of the lens hole.

[0105] The lens hole guide may be configured to surround the lens hole. The lens hole guide may absorb at least some of the pressure applied to the array substrate during a process of forming the lens hole.

[0106] The color filter substrate may further include a black matrix, which may be disposed between the color filter substrate and the lens hole guide and may include a small hole smaller than a diameter of the lens hole, and the center of the small hole and the center of the lens hole may be configured to be adjacent to or aligned with each other.

[0107] The color filter substrate may further include an overcoat layer disposed above the lens hole guide. The overcoat layer may transmit a visible wavelength band, cover the black matrix and the pinhole, and reduce a step difference between the black matrix and the pinhole.

[0108] The LCD device may further include: a camera module, which is located in other areas of the array substrate except for the area where the sub-pixels are provided, and the camera module may include a sensor part and a lens part, the lens part may be inserted into the lens hole and the lens hole guide, and the camera module may capture an image through the small hole.

[0109] The LCD device may further include: a first polarizing plate under the array substrate; and a second polarizing plate on the color filter substrate. The second polarizing plate may cover the small hole and include a transparent portion corresponding to the small hole.

[0110] The transmittance of visible light may be higher in the transparent portion of the second polarizing plate than in the remaining portion of the second polarizing plate.

[0111] The array substrate may further include a measurement pattern concentric with the lens hole.

[0112] The measurement pattern may be made of a material of the gate line and / or a material of the data line of the array substrate.

[0113] The measurement pattern may have a shape corresponding to the lens hole.

[0114] An inner diameter of the measurement pattern may be greater than a diameter of the lens hole.

[0115] The measurement pattern may be removed during a process of forming the lens hole.

[0116] The measurement pattern may be hidden by the black matrix.

[0117] The measurement pattern may have a donut shape or a circle shape.

[0118] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided. The method includes the following steps: measuring the thickness of the array substrate using a confocal sensor by using a measurement pattern on the array substrate; forming a groove of a determined depth at a position where a lens hole is to be formed based on the thickness of the array substrate measured by the confocal sensor; attaching a glass core to a region where the groove is formed by applying an adhesive using a tape device, and then separating the glass core from the array substrate using the tape device to thereby form the lens hole; and inserting a camera module into the array substrate through the lens hole.

[0119] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made in the camera module integrated liquid crystal display device and its manufacturing method disclosed in the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications and changes to the present invention that fall within the scope of the attached claims and / or their equivalents.

[0120] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0121] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0187173 filed on Dec. 28, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A first layer, wherein the first layer has an opening and is an array substrate; a second layer, the second layer being opposite to the first layer, the second layer being a color filter substrate; a peripheral portion of the opening between the first layer and the second layer, the peripheral portion of the opening being a lens aperture guide; a camera module, the camera module being inserted into the opening of the first layer; as well as a black matrix between the second layer and the peripheral portion of the opening, wherein the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the peripheral portion of the opening, and The black matrix includes a small hole, a diameter of the small hole is smaller than a diameter of the opening, and the small hole and the opening correspond to each other.

2. The display device according to claim 1, in, The center of the opening and the center of the peripheral portion of the opening are configured to be adjacent to or aligned with each other, and Wherein, an inner edge of the peripheral portion of the opening is spaced apart from an outer edge of the opening.

3. The display device according to claim 1, in, The peripheral portion of the opening is configured to surround the opening.

4. The display device according to claim 1, in, The camera module includes a sensor part and a lens part. The lens portion is accommodated by the opening and the peripheral portion of the opening, and The camera module is configured to capture an image.

5. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: A polarizing plate on the second layer, Wherein, the polarizing plate has a transparent portion corresponding to the small hole.

6. The display device according to claim 5, in, The small hole and the transparent portion are configured to be concentric with the opening.

7. The display device according to claim 5, in, The transmittance of visible light is higher in the transparent portion than in the remaining portion of the polarizing plate.

8. The display device according to claim 7, in, The black matrix includes the small hole having a diameter smaller than that of the opening, and the center of the small hole and the center of the opening are configured to be adjacent to or aligned with each other.

9. The display device according to claim 8, in, The second layer also includes a third layer disposed over the peripheral portion of the opening.

10. The display device according to claim 9, in, The third layer is configured to pass light of a visible wavelength band and cover the black matrix and the small holes.

11. A display device, comprising: A first layer, the first layer having a pixel area and a peripheral area, and the first layer is an array substrate; a second layer, the second layer facing the first layer and including a transparent portion, the second layer being a color filter substrate; as well as a camera module, the camera module corresponding to the transparent portion, a black matrix between the second layer and the lens guide in the peripheral region, wherein the black matrix includes small holes, The camera module includes a sensor part and a lens part, and Wherein, the diameter of the lens portion is smaller than the diameter of the transparent portion, Wherein, the diameter of the transparent part is larger than the diameter of the small hole.

12. The display device according to claim 11, in, The transparent portion is configured to be concentric with the lens portion.

13. The display device according to claim 11, in, The transmittance of visible light is higher in the transparent portion than in the remaining portion of the second layer.

14. The display device according to claim 11, in, The metal material is removed from the first layer in an area corresponding to the transparent portion.

15. The display device according to claim 11, in, The camera module is disposed below the first layer.

16. The display device according to claim 11, in, The transparent portion is formed by bleaching.

17. The display device according to claim 11, in, The transparent portion passes or transmits visible wavelengths.

18. The display device according to claim 11, in, The transmittance of visible light is higher in the transparent portion than in the remaining portion.

19. The display device according to claim 11, in, A diameter of the transparent portion is determined based on a viewing angle of the camera module.

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