DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME
A display apparatus comprises first and second substrates facing each other, a sensing electrode disposed on the first substrate, and a spacer disposed on the second substrate. The spacer is connected to the sensing electrode as external force is applied thereto, and has a concave-convex section formed on a surface of the spacer facing the sensing electrode. Alternatively, the spacer has a conductor, which contacts the sensing electrode as external force is applied thereto, and a groove receiving the conductor.
1 . A display apparatus, comprising:
a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other;
a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate;
a sensing electrode disposed on the first substrate and spaced apart from the pixel electrode; and
a first spacer disposed on the second substrate and comprising a concave-convex section on a surface of the first spacer facing the sensing electrode, wherein the first spacer is connected to the sensing electrode in response to an external force.
2 . The display apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second spacer disposed on the second substrate and spaced apart from the first spacer, wherein the second spacer maintains an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate.
3 . The display apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a common electrode disposed between the second substrate and the second spacer and covering the first spacer.
4 . The display apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, covering the first spacer, and exposing the second spacer.
5 . The display apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
6 . A display apparatus, comprising:
a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other;
a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate;
a sensing electrode disposed on the first substrate and spaced apart from the pixel electrode; and
a first spacer disposed on the second substrate and comprising a conductive polymer, wherein the first spacer is connected to the sensing electrode in response to an external force.
7 . The display apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first spacer comprises a concave-convex section on a surface of the first spacer facing the sensing electrode.
8 . The display apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the conductive polymer comprises polyethylene dioxythiophene-polystyrene sulfonate.
9 . The display apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a second spacer disposed on the second substrate and spaced apart from the first spacer, wherein the second spacer maintains an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate.
10 . The display apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a common electrode disposed between the second substrate and the first spacer.
11 . The display apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
12 . A display apparatus, comprising:
a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other;
a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate;
a sensing electrode disposed on the first substrate and spaced apart from the pixel electrode; and
a first spacer disposed on the second substrate and comprising a first groove and a conductor disposed in the first groove, wherein the conductor is connected to the sensing electrode in response to an external force.
13 . The display apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a second spacer disposed on the second substrate and spaced apart from the first spacer, wherein the second spacer maintains an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate.
14 . The display apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first spacer and the second spacer have the same height.
15 . The display apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the second spacer comprises a second groove on an upper surface thereof.
16 . The display apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the thickness of the conductor is at least half the depth of the first groove.
17 . The display apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a common electrode disposed on the second substrate and exposing the first spacer and the second spacer.
18 . The display apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the common electrode and the conductor comprise the same material as each other.
19 . The display apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
20 . A method of fabricating a display apparatus, comprising:
forming a pixel electrode and a sensing electrode spaced apart from each other on a first substrate;
forming a first insulating layer on a second substrate;
patterning the first insulating layer to form a first spacer comprising a concave-convex section on an upper surface thereof;
forming a common electrode on the second substrate and covering the upper surface of the first spacer; and
coupling the first substrate and the second substrate together, the first spacer facing and being spaced apart from an upper surface of the sensing electrode.
21 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
forming a second insulating layer on the common electrode; and
patterning the second insulating layer to form a second spacer, wherein the second spacer is spaced apart from the first spacer and maintains an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein patterning the first insulating layer further comprises forming a second spacer spaced apart from the first spacer, wherein the second spacer maintains an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate, and
wherein forming the common electrode comprises:
forming a conductive layer on the first spacer and the second spacer to cover the second substrate; and
patterning the conductive layer such that the conductive layer on the second spacer is removed.
23 . A method of fabricating a display apparatus, comprising:
forming a pixel electrode and a sensing electrode spaced apart from each other on a first substrate;
forming an insulating layer on a second substrate;
patterning the insulating layer to form a first spacer comprising a first groove and a second spacer spaced apart from the first spacer;
forming a conductive layer on the first spacer and the second spacer to cover the second substrate;
patterning the conductive layer to form a common electrode and a conductor, the common electrode exposing the second spacer and the conductor being received in the first groove; and
coupling the first substrate and the second substrate together, the first spacer facing and being spaced apart from an upper surface of the sensing electrode.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein patterning the insulating layer further comprises forming a second groove on an upper surface of the second spacer.