Patent US5889573A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5889573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thin film transistor substrate, manufacturing method thereof, liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display equipment
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-09-12
•
Granted: 1999-03-30
•
Expires: 2017-09-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention concerns an active-matrix addressed TFT substrate using a thin film transistor, a manufacturing method and an anodic oxidation method thereof, a liquid crystal display panel using the TFT substrate and a liquid crystal display equipment using the liquid crystal display panel and, more in particular, it relates to a structure and a manufacturing method which enables to improve the characteristics thereof. In the present invention, Cr or Ta is used for gate terminals, aluminum or a metal mainly composed of aluminum is used for gate bus-lines extended therefrom, gate electrodes and thin film capacitances (additional capacitance, storage capacitance) and an anodic oxidized film composed of the metal and free from defect is used for at least one of gate insulators, dielectric films of the thin film capacitances and interlayer insulation films for the intersections between the bus-lines. In a more preferred structure, the anodic oxidized film is used for all of the gate insulators, the dielectric films for the thin film capacitances and the interlayer insulation films for the intersections between the bus-lines. The present invention also relates to a method of selectively forming an anodic oxidized film on an aluminum pattern. That is, in a case of forming a selective oxidation mask to a desired region on the aluminum pattern with a positive type photoresist, in the present invention, an angle ( theta ) formed between the selective oxidation mask and the aluminum pattern is made as: theta >/=110-20T (T: film thickness of the positive type photoresist).
Inventors
- 👤 Hideaki Yamamoto
- 👤 Haruo Matsumaru
- 👤 Yasuo Tanaka
- 👤 Ken Tsutsui
- 👤 Toshihisa Tsukada
- 👤 Kazuo Shirahashi
- 👤 Akira Sasano
- 👤 Yuka Matsukawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:19
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/136286; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1345; G02F1/136213; H; H10; H10D; H10D30/00; H10D30/60; H10D30/67; H10D30/6729; H10D30/6737; H10D30/6739
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A liquid crystal display device at least having a plurality of gate terminals disposed over an insulative substrate, a plurality of gate bus-lines electrically connected therewith, a plurality of signal bus-lines disposed in intersection with said plurality of gate bus-lines and a plurality of thin film transistors arranged in a matrix-like form, wherein each of said gate bus-lines is made of one of aluminum and a metal mainly composed of aluminum, wherein said gate terminals are made of a material different from a material of said gate bus-lines, wherein said gate bus-lines are partially covered by a surface oxide layer of an oxide of material of said gate bus-lines, and wherein said gate bus-lines are left uncovered by said surface oxide layer at least in connecting portions between said gate terminals and said gate bus-lines; and a second conductive film in electrical connection with said gate terminals and with said gate bus-lines connected to said gate terminals, wherein said gate bus-lines are covered by said second conductive film at least in the connecting portions where said gate bus-lines are left uncovered by said surface oxide layer, and wherein said second conductive film is simultaneously formed with said signal bus-lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A liquid crystal display device at least having a plurality of gate terminals disposed over an insulative substrate, a plurality of gate bus-lines electrically connected therewith, a plurality of signal bus-lines disposed in intersection with said plurality of gate bus-lines and a plurality of thin film transistors arranged in a matrix-like form, wherein each of said gate bus-lines is made of one of aluminum and a metal mainly composed of aluminum, wherein said gate terminals are made of a material different from a material of said gate bus-lines, wherein said gate bus-lines are partially covered by a surface oxide layer of an oxide of material of said gate bus-lines, and wherein said gate bus-lines are left uncovered by said surface oxide layer at least in connecting portions between said gate terminals and said gate bus-lines; and a second conductive film in electrical connection with said gate terminals and with said gate bus-lines connected to said gate terminals, wherein said gate bus-lines are covered by said second conductive film at least in the connecting portions where said gate bus-lines are left uncovered by said surface oxide layer, and wherein said second conductive film is simultaneously formed with said signal bus-lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein said second conductive film is made of chromium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
225 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a substrate made of an insulator; a plurality of gate bus-lines disposed over said substrate and arrayed in a first direction; a plurality of signal bus-lines disposed over said substrate and arrayed in a second direction; a plurality of thin film transistors and pixel electrodes disposed over said substrate and arranged in a matrix-like form, wherein each of said gate bus-lines is made of one of aluminum and a metal mainly composed of aluminum, wherein a plurality of gate terminals are disposed over said substrate, wherein said gate terminals are made of a material different from a material of said gate bus-lines, wherein said gate bus-lines are covered by a surface oxide layer of an oxide of material of said gate bus-lines, at least in cross over portions with said signal bus-lines, and wherein said gate bus-lines are left uncovered by said surface oxide layer at least in connecting portions between said gate terminals and said gate bus-lines; and a second conductive film in electrical connection with said gate terminals and with said gate bus-lines connected to said gate terminals, said gate bus-lines being covered by said second conductive film at least in the connecting portions where said gate bus-lines are left uncovered by said surface oxide layer, said second conductive film being made of a transparent conductive film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
225 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a substrate made of an insulator; a plurality of gate bus-lines disposed over said substrate and arrayed in a first direction; a plurality of signal bus-lines disposed over said substrate and arrayed in a second direction; a plurality of thin film transistors and pixel electrodes disposed over said substrate and arranged in a matrix-like form, wherein each of said gate bus-lines is made of one of aluminum and a metal mainly composed of aluminum, wherein a plurality of gate terminals are disposed over said substrate, wherein said gate terminals are made of a material different from a material of said gate bus-lines, wherein said gate bus-lines are covered by a surface oxide layer of an oxide of material of said gate bus-lines, at least in cross over portions with said signal bus-lines, and wherein said gate bus-lines are left uncovered by said surface oxide layer at least in connecting portions between said gate terminals and said gate bus-lines; and a second conductive film in electrical connection with said gate terminals and with said gate bus-lines connected to said gate terminals, said gate bus-lines being covered by said second conductive film at least in the connecting portions where said gate bus-lines are left uncovered by said surface oxide layer, said second conductive film being made of a transparent conductive film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A liquid crystal display device according to claim 3, wherein said second conductive film is made of the same material as said pixel electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
Gate terminal structure for a liquid crystal display device, comprising: a first conductive film forming a gate terminal of said liquid crystal display device; a second conductive film, forming gate bus-lines of said liquid crystal display device, electrically connected to said first conductive film at least at a connecting portion; a surface oxide layer, of an oxide of material of said second conductive film, on portions of the second conductive film other than said connecting portion; and a third conductive film at least overlying said connecting portion, the third conductive film being in electrical connection with the first conductive film at the gate terminal, wherein the first and second conductive films are made of different conducting materials.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
Gate terminal structure for a liquid crystal display device, comprising: a first conductive film forming a gate terminal of said liquid crystal display device; a second conductive film, forming gate bus-lines of said liquid crystal display device, electrically connected to said first conductive film at least at a connecting portion; a surface oxide layer, of an oxide of material of said second conductive film, on portions of the second conductive film other than said connecting portion; and a third conductive film at least overlying said connecting portion, the third conductive film being in electrical connection with the first conductive film at the gate terminal, wherein the first and second conductive films are made of different conducting materials.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Gate terminal structure according to claim 5, wherein the first conductive film is made of chromium, and said second conductive film is made of material selected from the group consisting of aluminum and a metal mainly composed of aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Gate terminal structure according to claim 5, further comprising an insulating layer provided between the connecting portion and the third conductive film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
193 words
A liquid crystal display device at least having a plurality of gate terminals disposed over an insulative substrate, a plurality of gate bus-lines in electrical connection therewith, a plurality of signal bus-lines disposed in intersection with said plurality of gate bus-lines, and a plurality of thin film transistors arranged in a matrix-like form, wherein each of said gate bus-lines is made of aluminum or a metal mainly composed of aluminum, wherein said gate terminals are made of a material different from a material of said gate bus-lines, wherein said gate bus-lines are partially covered by a surface oxide layer of an oxide of material of said gate bus-lines, and wherein said gate bus-lines are exposed from said surface oxide layer at least in connecting portions between said gate terminals and said gate bus-lines; and a second conductive film in electrical connection with said gate bus-lines and said gate terminals which correspond to said gate bus-lines, said gate bus-lines being covered by said second conductive film at least in the connecting portions where said gate bus-lines are exposed from said surface oxide layer, said second conductive film being simultaneously formed with said signal bus-lines.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
193 words
A liquid crystal display device at least having a plurality of gate terminals disposed over an insulative substrate, a plurality of gate bus-lines in electrical connection therewith, a plurality of signal bus-lines disposed in intersection with said plurality of gate bus-lines, and a plurality of thin film transistors arranged in a matrix-like form, wherein each of said gate bus-lines is made of aluminum or a metal mainly composed of aluminum, wherein said gate terminals are made of a material different from a material of said gate bus-lines, wherein said gate bus-lines are partially covered by a surface oxide layer of an oxide of material of said gate bus-lines, and wherein said gate bus-lines are exposed from said surface oxide layer at least in connecting portions between said gate terminals and said gate bus-lines; and a second conductive film in electrical connection with said gate bus-lines and said gate terminals which correspond to said gate bus-lines, said gate bus-lines being covered by said second conductive film at least in the connecting portions where said gate bus-lines are exposed from said surface oxide layer, said second conductive film being simultaneously formed with said signal bus-lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A liquid crystal display device according to claim 8, wherein said second conductive film is made of chromium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
217 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a substrate made of an insulator; a plurality of gate bus-lines disposed over said substrate and arrayed in a first direction, wherein each of said gate bus-lines is made of aluminum or a metal mainly composed of aluminum; a plurality of signal bus-lines disposed over said substrate and arrayed in a second direction; a plurality of thin film transistors and pixel electrodes disposed over said substrate and arranged in a matrix-like form; a plurality of gate terminals disposed over said substrate, said gate terminals being made of a material different from a material of said first conductive film; a surface oxide layer of an oxide of material of the gate bus-lines, covering said gate bus-lines at least in cross-over portions of said gate bus-lines with said signal bus-lines, said gate bus-lines being exposed from said surface oxide layer at least in connecting portions between said gate terminals and said gate bus-lines; and a second conductive film in electrical connection with said gate bus-lines and said gate terminals which correspond to said gate bus-lines, said gate bus-lines being covered by said second conductive film at least in the connecting portions where said gate bus-lines are exposed from said surface oxide layer, said second conductive film being made of a transparent conductive film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
217 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a substrate made of an insulator; a plurality of gate bus-lines disposed over said substrate and arrayed in a first direction, wherein each of said gate bus-lines is made of aluminum or a metal mainly composed of aluminum; a plurality of signal bus-lines disposed over said substrate and arrayed in a second direction; a plurality of thin film transistors and pixel electrodes disposed over said substrate and arranged in a matrix-like form; a plurality of gate terminals disposed over said substrate, said gate terminals being made of a material different from a material of said first conductive film; a surface oxide layer of an oxide of material of the gate bus-lines, covering said gate bus-lines at least in cross-over portions of said gate bus-lines with said signal bus-lines, said gate bus-lines being exposed from said surface oxide layer at least in connecting portions between said gate terminals and said gate bus-lines; and a second conductive film in electrical connection with said gate bus-lines and said gate terminals which correspond to said gate bus-lines, said gate bus-lines being covered by said second conductive film at least in the connecting portions where said gate bus-lines are exposed from said surface oxide layer, said second conductive film being made of a transparent conductive film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A liquid crystal display device according to claim 10, wherein said second conductive film is made of a same material as that of said pixel electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5722383A
Cited
JPS5781288A
Cited
US4496981A
Cited
US4543573A
Cited
JPS5888784A
Cited
JPS58125087A
Cited
JPS61133662A
Cited
US4775549A
Cited
US4885232A
Cited
JPS61241975A
Cited
US4907861A
Cited
JPS6235669A
Cited
JPS6243012A
Cited
JPS6265468A
Cited
JPS62115745A
Cited
JPS62150858A
Cited
US5028551A
Cited
US5021320A
Cited
US4821092A
Cited
US4918504A
Cited
US5146301A
Cited
JPH01152425A
Cited
JPH01200665A
Cited
US5034340A
Cited
US5097297A
Cited
US4905066A
Cited
US5155564A
Cited
US5054887A
Cited
US4990460A
Cited
US5142390A
Cited
US5179460A
Cited
US5070379A
Cited
US5062690A
Cited
US5811318A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-29 | 2002-09-28 | 2003-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-29 | 2006-09-28 | 2007-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-29 | 2010-09-28 | 2011-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |