JP2000292760A - Manufacture of liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device permitting to divide substrates into any form even if plastic substrates are used, and moreover, permitting a partial parting process and an outward form parting process by suppressing deformation by mechanical stress to the substrates, and controlling an influence by scraps produced at the time of processing. SOLUTION: A the time of manufacturing a liquid crystal display element where non-overlapped areas 11a-11c of substrates 2, 3 are formed in the outer peripheral part of a liquid crystal cell formed by aligning the substrates 2, 3 together, opening parts 10a-10c are formed correspondingly to above areas in one substrate before cementing so that the other substrate is exposed after aligning, and after the substrates 2, 3 are cemented together, the substrates 2, 3 are divided so that non-overlapped areas 11a-11c of the substrates 2, 3 are formed in the outer peripheral part of the liquid crystal cell.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for forming a liquid crystal cell by bonding two substrates together, and exposing an extraction electrode from an internal electrode of the liquid crystal cell on the substrate at the outer periphery of the liquid crystal cell. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element in which a driver for driving a liquid crystal is mounted on the exposed lead electrode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid crystal display element has an undercoat, an IT
An area where the substrates do not overlap is formed on the outer periphery of a liquid crystal cell formed by bonding a pair of substrates on which an O electrode and an alignment film are formed and subjected to an alignment process so that the respective electrode surfaces face each other. An extraction electrode connected to an electrode formed inside the liquid crystal cell is exposed in the non-overlapping area, and the extraction electrode is connected to a liquid crystal driving driver in the area. .

As a substrate, a glass substrate is generally used. In recent years, a plastic substrate has been developed in order to make a liquid crystal display element thinner and lighter. For example, a TN liquid crystal display element has been developed. Is 0.1m thick
m to 0.3 mm polyether sulfone (hereinafter referred to as “PE
S ”. ) And polycarbonate (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) have been developed and mass-produced. An acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, or the like is also known as a plastic substrate having better surface flatness than the above-mentioned PES and PC (for example, described in JP-A-10-54980).

In manufacturing a liquid crystal display element, as described above, in order to form a non-overlapping area of the substrate in the outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal cell, a partial dividing process of the substrate and an outer portion of the liquid crystal cell are performed. It is necessary to perform an outer shape dividing process for dividing and forming a liquid crystal panel. In the case of using a glass substrate in such a cutting process, the surface of the substrate is scratched along a cutting line with a diamond cutter or the like, and then the substrate is cut by applying a shock to the cutting line with a breaker. realizable.

[0005]

However, since the plastic substrate has a certain degree of elasticity against bending stress, the plastic substrate cannot be cut as in the glass substrate. To solve such a problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-88136, after two plastic substrates having a thickness of 0.4 mm are bonded together, a cut is made by dicing to leave a thickness of about 50 μm. There has been proposed an outer shape dividing process of a liquid crystal cell in which shavings and the like are removed by blowing in air and the outer shape is cut along a groove formed by the cut.

However, even in this dividing method,
There is a problem that the substrate is deformed by mechanical stress at the time of dicing, or a defective product is generated due to the attachment of shavings generated by dicing to the substrate. In addition, in the dicing process, even when the outer shape dividing process of the liquid crystal cell can be performed, only the cutting in one direction can be performed and the cutting in the perpendicular direction cannot be realized. There is a problem in that a partial cutting process for forming cannot be performed.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can divide a substrate into an arbitrary shape even when a plastic substrate is used, and suppresses the effects of deformation of the substrate due to mechanical stress and debris generated during processing. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device capable of performing a partial cutting process and an outer shape cutting process.

[0008]

The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is characterized in that an opening is formed in the substrate before bonding the substrates. According to the present invention, even if a plastic substrate is used, deformation of the substrate due to mechanical stress can be prevented, and a substrate of an arbitrary shape that cannot be achieved by the conventional dicing process can be realized.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element, comprising: a liquid crystal display element in which areas where the substrates do not overlap each other are formed on the outer periphery of a liquid crystal cell formed by bonding substrates. In manufacturing, an opening is formed in one of the substrates before bonding, corresponding to the area so that the other substrate is exposed when bonded, and after bonding the substrates, the substrates overlap. The liquid crystal cell is divided so that an empty area is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal cell.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display element, wherein an area where the substrates do not overlap with each other is formed in an outer peripheral portion of a liquid crystal cell formed by bonding the substrates. In a portion, an extraction electrode connected to an electrode formed inside the liquid crystal cell is provided so as to be exposed, and when manufacturing a liquid crystal display element in which a driver for driving a liquid crystal and the extraction electrode are connected in the area, they are attached to each other. An opening is formed in the front substrate so as to correspond to the area so that a lead electrode of the other substrate is exposed when the substrates are bonded, and after bonding the substrates, a driver for driving a liquid crystal and the lead electrode are formed. The substrate is divided so that the area for connecting to the liquid crystal cell is formed on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal cell.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display element according to the first or second aspect, wherein a plastic substrate is used as a substrate, and an opening is formed by using a laser on the substrate before bonding. And According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display element.
In any one of the above, the outer shape of the liquid crystal cell after the bonding is divided by a laser.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the laser is used to form an opening in the substrate or to cut the outer shape of the liquid crystal cell before bonding. It is characterized in that dust generated during processing is simultaneously sucked to collect dust. Less than,
The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention will be described based on specific embodiments.

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 to 4 show (Embodiment 1) of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display element of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a liquid crystal cell formed by bonding a substrate 2 and a substrate 3 to each other.
The liquid crystal display device finished as shown in (h) is shown.

In the finished liquid crystal display element, non-overlapping areas 11a to 11c of the substrates 2 and 3 are formed on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal panel as shown in FIG. Substrate 3
Area 11a is provided with the IT formed inside the liquid crystal cell.
An extraction electrode 12a connected to the O electrode 9a is formed. In an area 11b of the substrate 2, an extraction electrode 1 connected to an ITO electrode 9b formed inside the liquid crystal cell is provided.
2b is provided to be exposed. Area 1 of substrate 3
No extraction electrode is formed in 1c.

A liquid crystal driving driver is connected to the extraction electrodes 12a and 12b exposed in the areas 11a and 11b, respectively, to form a liquid crystal display element. As a material for the substrates 2 and 3, a plastic substrate such as an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, PES, or PC is used. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a plastic substrate 2 as a first plastic substrate on which a plurality of ITO electrodes 9a extending along the longitudinal direction of the substrate is formed.
As shown in (f), when the plastic substrates 2 and 3 are bonded to each other to form a liquid crystal cell, a window 10a as an opening is formed so that the extraction electrode 12b formed on the other plastic substrate 3 is exposed. It is formed by hollowing out. Further, a window 10c as an opening is hollowed out so as to expose the area 11c of the plastic substrate 3 where the extraction electrode is not formed.

As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, a plastic substrate 3 as a second plastic substrate
When the liquid crystal cell is formed by bonding the plastic substrates 2 and 3 as shown in (f), a window 10b as an opening is formed so that the extraction electrode 12a formed on the other plastic substrate 2 is exposed. It is formed by hollowing out.

More specifically, the window 1 shown in FIGS.
The formation of Oa to 10c is performed by a laser processing apparatus as shown in FIG. This laser processing device is a laser device 1 disposed above plastic substrates 2 and 3.
And a dust collecting nozzle 5 provided near the laser spot irradiated from the laser device 1 and having a function of collecting dust by suction.

As the laser device 1, a CO ₂ laser (25 W output, laser spot diameter 0.2 mmφ) is used, and the position of the laser spot is digitally controlled.
It is controlled by using a servomotor, and a device configured to irradiate an arbitrary position with a laser is used. The laser processing apparatus thus configured irradiates the laser beam 8 from the laser apparatus 1 and separately cuts out the above-mentioned appropriate portions of the plastic substrate 2 or the plastic substrate 3 while moving the position of the laser spot, thereby forming a window. 10a to 10c are formed in an arbitrary shape.

When such laser processing is performed, the plastic substrates 2 and 3 having a larger mechanical stress than the glass substrate.
Even in this case, deformation or the like does not occur, and division in a perpendicular direction, which cannot be performed by conventional dicing, can be easily performed. Further, by processing the plastic waste 4 while collecting it with the dust collection nozzle 5 during laser processing, it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of defective products due to the adhesion of the waste 4.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The plastic substrates 2 and 3 on which the layers 10 to 10c are formed are scattered with spacers, overlapped so that the respective electrode forming surfaces face each other, and the ITO electrodes 9a and 9b are orthogonal to each other, and bonded together with a sealing material to form a liquid crystal cell. Then, liquid crystal is filled in the liquid crystal cell. Next, as shown in FIG. 1 (f), the outer portion of the liquid crystal cell is cut by laser processing along the lines aa ', bb', cc ', and dd'. Perform outer shape cutting processing.

The above aa 'line, bb' line, cc 'line
The outer shape cutting process along the cutting line of the line and the line dd ′ is performed by using the laser processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 used in the above-described partial cutting process. FIG. 4 shows details of the outer shape dividing process.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel is irradiated with the laser beam 8 while being positioned at the dividing position. Then, by moving the position of the laser spot, the bonded plastic substrates 2 and 3 are separated from each other. At the same time, the dust 4 generated from the plastic substrates 2 and 3 is removed by suction dust collection by the dust collection nozzle 5. In this way, the liquid crystal panel 6 is obtained by sequentially performing the outer shape dividing process with the dividing lines 13a and 13b.

More specifically, the plastic substrates 2 and 3 bonded to each other have the windows 10a to 10a as described above.
1c, and furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 (g), a portion 10a-b where the end of the window 10a and the end of the window 10b overlap, and the end of the window 10b and the window 10b. 10
Since the portion 10b-c is formed so as to overlap with the end of c, when the dividing process is performed along the four dividing lines, the obtained liquid crystal panel 6 has the structure shown in FIG. Then, a liquid crystal panel 6 having a target outer shape in which non-overlapping areas 11a to 11c of the plastic substrates 2 and 3 are formed on the outer peripheral portion is obtained.

Finally, by connecting the extraction electrodes 12a and 12b to a driver for driving a liquid crystal in these areas 11a and 11b, a liquid crystal display element is formed. Since the liquid crystal display element manufactured in this way has been subjected to partial cutting processing and external cutting processing by laser processing, a good liquid crystal display element having no deformation due to mechanical stress even when the plastic substrates 2 and 3 are used. Is obtained.

Further, by performing a partial cutting process by laser processing, the plastic substrates 2 and 3 before the bonding are performed.
In addition, since the windows 10a to 10c having an arbitrary shape, which cannot be formed conventionally, can be formed, the efficiency of the outer shape dividing work can be improved, and the thickness can be reduced compared to the conventional liquid crystal display device using a glass substrate. The weight can be reduced. further,
By performing dust collection at the same time as laser processing, adhesion of the debris 4 generated at the time of laser processing can be eliminated, and generation of defective products can be suppressed.

In the above-described embodiment, windows 10a to 10c, each of which is partially cut out by a laser beam, are formed in the plastic substrates 2 and 3 before bonding, and the plastic substrates are formed on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal cell. Although a few non-overlapping areas 11a to 11c were formed, the shape of the opening is not limited to this, and when the two substrates were bonded together to form a liquid crystal cell, the outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal cell was formed. Areas 11a to 11c where plastic substrates 2 and 3 do not overlap
May be formed with a notch as an opening in which is formed.

In laser processing, a laser processing apparatus in which a dust collecting nozzle 5 is arranged near a laser spot is used. However, a function of collecting dust by suction may not be provided. Debris generated by spraying may be removed. However, in order to suppress the influence of the generated debris and shorten the time for the cutting process, it is preferable to perform the suction and dust collection simultaneously with the laser processing as in the above embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cutting process after bonding the two substrates is performed by laser processing.
The present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary to be able to divide the plastic substrate. For example, dicing may be performed in the same manner as in the related art to perform the outer shape dividing process. However, since the substrate is likely to be deformed by mechanical stress in the dicing process, the above-described laser processing is preferable.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the lead electrodes 12a and 12b are formed on two sides of the liquid crystal panel 6 with the plastic substrates 2 and 3 bonded together and only the substrate is exposed on one side will be described as an example. And plastic substrates 2 and 3
Although the windows 10a to 10c as openings are formed in the liquid crystal panel 6, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the extraction electrodes 12a are provided on two sides of the liquid crystal panel 6 with the plastic substrates 2 and 3 bonded together. , 12b can be similarly implemented.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 shows (Embodiment 2) of the present invention. In the above embodiments, the ITO electrode 9
a lead electrode 12a connected to the plastic substrate 2
And an extraction electrode 12b connected to the ITO electrode 9b
Is provided on the plastic substrate 3, but this (Embodiment 2) shows an example in which the extraction electrode 12c finally connected to the ITO electrode 9a is formed on the plastic substrate 3 side.

More specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an extraction electrode 12c is provided in an area 11a corresponding to the electrode, and
As shown in (b), a new window 10d is provided corresponding to the window 10a as an opening and the extraction electrode 12a provided on the plastic substrate 3, and when the plastic substrates 2 and 3 are bonded together, the ITO electrode 9a And extraction electrode 12c
In order to electrically connect the plastic substrates 2 and 3 to each other by applying a conductive sealant 13 including a gold-plated spacer or the like (see FIG. The present invention is also applicable to the case where the extraction electrodes 12a and 12b are formed thereon.

As described above, even when the extraction electrode is exposed in at least one of the non-overlapping areas of the plastic substrates 2 and 3, the opening formed in the plastic substrates 2 and 3 is not reduced when the outer shape dividing process is performed. Are overlapped, 10a-b are formed in the above embodiment, so that the outer shape dividing process can be easily performed even by using the plastic substrate as described above.

In each of the above embodiments, the extraction electrode 1
2a to 12c and windows or notches as openings have been described above, but the extraction electrodes 12a to 12c have not been described.
In the case where the portion c is finished in a finished shape by another method, as shown in the portion of the window 10c as the opening described in the first embodiment, the extraction electrode 12a of the liquid crystal panel 6 is used. The present invention is also effective in a case where only the outer shape division of a side to which 12c is not related.

[0033]

As described above, according to the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display element of the present invention, an opening corresponding to the above-mentioned area is formed on one substrate before bonding so that the other substrate is exposed when bonded. After forming a portion and bonding the substrates, the substrate is divided so that an area where the substrates do not overlap is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal cell. Therefore, even when a plastic substrate is used as the substrate, A good liquid crystal display element with less occurrence is obtained.

In particular, by using a plastic substrate as a substrate and forming an opening in the substrate before bonding using a laser, processing of the plastic substrate into an arbitrary shape becomes easy, and a conventional glass substrate is used. A thinner and lighter liquid crystal display element than a liquid crystal display element can be obtained. In addition, since the liquid crystal cell after bonding is separated by a laser, the influence of mechanical stress can be suppressed and the liquid crystal cell can be divided into liquid crystal panels of any shape. Can be obtained.

Further, when forming the opening of the substrate before bonding or cutting the outer shape of the liquid crystal cell by laser, simultaneously, the dust generated by the laser processing is sucked and collected, whereby the substrate of the shaving waste is collected. It is possible to prevent adhesion to the toner and to suppress the occurrence of defective products.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal display element in Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display element in Embodiment 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a partial cutting process of a liquid crystal display element in Embodiment 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outer shape dividing process of a liquid crystal display element in Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal display element in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser apparatus 2, 3 Plastic substrate 4 Debris 5 Dust collection nozzle 8 Laser beam 9a, 9b ITO electrode 10a, 10b Window part

Claims (5)

[Claims] When manufacturing a liquid crystal display element in which an area where the substrates do not overlap each other is formed on the outer peripheral portion of a liquid crystal cell formed by bonding the substrates, the liquid crystal display element is bonded to one of the substrates before bonding. An opening is formed corresponding to the area so that the other substrate is exposed when the substrate is bonded, and after bonding the substrates, an area where the substrates do not overlap is formed on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal cell. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element to be divided. 2. An area where the substrates do not overlap each other is formed on an outer peripheral portion of a liquid crystal cell formed by bonding substrates, and a portion of the non-overlapping area is formed inside the liquid crystal cell. In manufacturing a liquid crystal display element in which a liquid crystal driving driver and the extraction electrode are connected in the area, the extraction electrode connected to the connected electrode is provided to be exposed, and the substrate is bonded to one substrate before bonding. An opening is formed corresponding to the area so that the extraction electrode of the other substrate is sometimes exposed, and after bonding the substrates, the area for connecting the driver for driving a liquid crystal and the extraction electrode is the liquid crystal cell. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, which divides a substrate so as to be formed on an outer peripheral portion of a liquid crystal display device. 3. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a plastic substrate is used as the substrate, and the substrate before bonding is formed with an opening by using a laser. 4. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the outer shape of the liquid crystal cell after the bonding is divided by a laser. 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein, when forming the opening of the substrate before bonding or cutting the outer shape of the liquid crystal cell by using a laser, dust generated during the laser processing is simultaneously sucked to collect dust. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to claim 4.