JP2001059972A - Device for lighting and inspecting liquid crystal display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable stable contact of a contact probe even when a substrate of liquid crystal display panel to be inspected lacks in strength. SOLUTION: An attaching member 9 on which the contact probe 3 and a patch plate 4 are fixed is connected to the same direct-acting guide 5 and is guided so as to vertically move with respect to the surface on which a lead electrode 1a of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is formed. The attaching member 9 is connected respectively to nuts 6a, 6b which are fitted into respective screw parts which are subjected to cutting in different directions in a lateral feed screw 6. By rotating the lateral feed screw 6 by means of an AC servomotor 7 which is one driving source, the contact probe 3 and the patch plate 4 connected to the nuts 6a, 6b are moved so as to get near or leave apart each other and the clamping contact is achieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting lighting of a liquid crystal display panel, and more particularly, to an apparatus for lighting a liquid crystal display panel and inspecting electrical characteristics of the liquid crystal display panel and quality of a display pattern. Apparatus for contacting a probe for inputting a drive signal to a lead electrode of a liquid crystal display panel to be inspected, and is applicable to a mechanism and a method for contacting a probe with an electrode terminal of an object to be measured in an inspection process of various display devices. Devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a known technique relating to the present invention, there is, for example, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-227061 ("Inspection Unit for Liquid Crystal Panel"). In this publication, a fixed contact unit for contacting an X-axis direction signal input terminal row on one surface side of a liquid crystal panel such as STN (Super Twisted Nematic) is fixed to a frame.
A movable contact unit for making contact with the Y-axis direction signal input terminal row on the other surface side is provided so as to be drivable by a motor attached to the frame, whereby a liquid crystal panel is contacted from one side and a liquid crystal panel is contacted from both sides. The structure allows only the above-mentioned frame to be mounted on the mounting frame of the inspection device. Therefore, the frame of the TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal panel inspection unit that makes single-sided contact on the same mounting frame. Can be attached, the inspection apparatus can be shared, the inspection unit replacement and adjustment work for each type of liquid crystal panel in the inspection process can be simplified, and the inspection work cost can be reduced.

[0003]

However, the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-227061 discloses a frame displaced in a direction approaching or separating from one surface of a liquid crystal panel to be inspected.
A fixed contact unit having a contact probe corresponding to the extraction electrode on that surface is fixed, and is contacted with the extraction electrode of the liquid crystal panel to be inspected by the displacement of the frame. A movable contact unit having a contact probe corresponding to the extraction electrode on the surface is fixed, and the movable unit is moved by a drive unit fixed to the frame to make contact with the extraction electrode.

[0004] Therefore, in this method, the surface opposite to the lead electrode on one of the surfaces is not supported, so that a panel using a soft substrate or a large-sized panel in which the substrate is warped is generated. Then I couldn't make a firm contact. Further, a contact force from one side is received by a contact probe for contacting the opposite surface, which may cause one-side contact or damage to the probe. Further, since the probes that make contact in both directions are moved by different moving mechanisms, the mechanism itself becomes large, and at the same time, it is difficult to adjust the contact force in both directions.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection apparatus capable of making stable contact of a contact probe even when a substrate of a liquid crystal panel to be inspected has no strength. It was done for the purpose of doing.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a contact probe is brought into contact with a lead electrode of a liquid crystal display panel, a drive signal is applied to the liquid crystal display panel, and the liquid crystal display panel is turned on. In a liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection device that determines the electrical characteristics of the panel and the quality of the display pattern, a contact probe and a contact probe are provided on the back surface of the extraction electrode portion of the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected and the surface provided with the extraction electrode portion. Guide means for guiding the movement of the contact probe and the contact plate in a direction perpendicular to the surface on which the electrode portion is provided to contact the contact plate, and driving means for moving the contact probe and the contact plate; A liquid crystal display panel to be inspected by sandwiching the contact probe and the contact plate from the lead electrode portion and the back surface thereof. It is obtained by comprising contacting the.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the movement of the contact probe and the backing plate is guided by a single guiding means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, the driving means generates a rotational motion to perform a pinching operation of the contact probe and the backing plate with respect to the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected. It is characterized in that it has a conversion means for converting the rotational movement into two linear movements of the contact probe and the backing plate facing each other.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the conversion means includes right and left screws having a right-hand thread at one end and a left-hand thread at the other end. Each is screwed into each of the threaded portions and performs linear motion in two opposite directions by the rotational motion of the left and right screws.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the conversion means includes an endless belt having two linear portions arranged in parallel, and each of the contact probe and the contact plate is provided with a corresponding one of the respective ones. The endless belt is connected to a linear portion and performs linear motion in two opposite directions by the rotational motion of the endless belt.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part of a liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid crystal display panel; Is an inspection stage, 3 is a contact probe, 4 is a contact plate, 5 is a linear motion guide, 6 is a right and left screw, 6a and 6b are nuts, 7 is an AC servomotor, 8 is a manual Z stage,
9 is a mounting member.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display panel 1 is mounted on the inspection stage 2 with the extraction electrode la protruding from the inspection stage 2 and fixed by vacuum suction or the like. On the other hand, when the contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 sandwich the extraction electrode la from above and below, the contact probe 3 comes into contact with the extraction electrode 1a and is driven by a drive signal generated by a signal generator (not shown). Then, the liquid crystal display panel is turned on to perform a predetermined inspection. The positional relationship between the contact probe 3 and the extraction electrode la is determined in advance by moving the contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 by a translation stage (not shown) and a θ stage (not shown). .

The mounting member 9 to which the contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 are fixed is connected to the same linear guide 5, and the lead electrode 1 a of the liquid crystal display panel 1.
Is guided so as to move vertically with respect to the surface provided with. One mounting member 9 is provided for each of the nuts 6a and 6b fitted in each of the left and right screws (one end is right-handed and the other end is left-handed) and cut in different directions. It is connected by each. By rotating the left and right screws 6 by one drive source, the contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 move in a direction of approaching or moving away from each other, and the contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 are moved.
And the pinching contact is performed.

The left and right screws 6 are driven by an AC servomotor 7. The AC servo motor 7 has a speed (rotation speed)
And torque can be controlled independently of each other. A
By specifying the speed of the C servo motor 7, the moving speed can be controlled and the time required for the pinching operation can be adjusted. In addition, by limiting the torque to a predetermined value, the predetermined torque can be maintained after the contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 sandwich the extraction electrode la. As a result, the contact force can be adjusted.

Further, by moving the entire driving mechanism up and down by the manual Z stage 8 to adjust the position,
The center position of the contact (between the contact probe 3 and the contact plate 4) can be adjusted to the position of the liquid crystal display panel 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Are located on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display panel 1. The contact probe 3 and the contact plate 4 can be attached to the upper and lower attachment members 9, and when the lead electrode 1a is on the lower surface of the liquid crystal display panel 1, the contact probe 3 and the contact plate 4 are exchanged vertically. By doing so, the contact probe 3 can be brought into contact with the extraction electrode 1a provided on the lower surface of the liquid crystal display panel 1.

When the lead electrodes 1a are provided on a plurality of sides of the liquid crystal display panel 1, a frame (not shown) is fixed to the upper and lower mounting members 9, and the frame corresponding to the side having the lead electrodes 1a is provided. By fixing the contact probe 3 or the contact plate 4 at the position, the contact probe 3 can be contacted with the lead electrodes 1a provided on a plurality of sides.

As described above, by adopting the contact method in which the lead electrode of the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected is sandwiched between the contact probe and the contact plate, the lead electrode on either side of the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected can be used. By exchanging the contact probe and the backing plate, the contact probe can be brought into contact with the extraction electrode. In addition, by pressing the opposite surface of the lead-out electrode with the backing plate, no force is applied to only one side of the LCD panel to be inspected, so that the substrate of the LCD panel to be inspected has no strength or is warped. Stable contact is possible even when there is distortion.

When the sandwiching operation of the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected is performed by different driving sources, the contact mechanism becomes large, and at the same time, if the pushing force between the contact probe and the backing plate is not balanced, the contact force is increased due to the difference in the pushing force. Becomes unstable. As described above, by driving the contact probe and the backing plate by one drive source, the pushing force between the contact probe and the backing plate can be easily equalized.

Further, as described above, the contact probe is fixed to one of the two nuts connected to the left and right screws having screw portions cut in different directions, and the contact plate is fixed to the other, and the drive source is used. By transmitting the obtained rotational motion to the left and right screws, the contact probe and the contact plate can be caused to linearly move in two directions (opposite directions) relative to each other by a one-way rotational motion. The sandwiching operation with respect to the display panel can be performed.

Further, since the position of the entire driving means can be adjusted with respect to the moving direction of the contact probe and the contact plate, even if there is a dimensional error of the probe head or the contact plate, the contact probe and the contact plate can be adjusted. By adjusting the position in the moving direction with respect to the plate, the center position of the sandwiching can be adjusted to the position of the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected.

FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment of a liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to the present invention.
2 (A) is a side view, and FIG. 2 (B) is BB in FIG. 2 (A).
In the drawing, 10 is a pulley, 11 is a timing belt, and other parts having the same operation as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. is there.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display panel 1 (not shown) and the inspection stage 2 (not shown) are arranged in the same state as the embodiment shown in FIG. Is omitted.

The contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 are connected to the same linear guide 5, and the liquid crystal display panel 1
Is guided so as to move vertically with respect to the surface on which the extraction electrode 1a is provided. The contact probe 3 and the contact plate 4 are fixed to an endless timing belt 11. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the contact probe 3 is fixed to one side of a parallel linear portion of the timing belt 11 with the pulley 10 interposed therebetween.
The backing plate 4 is fixed to the other side. Thereby, AC
When the servo motor 7 drives the timing belt 11 via the pulley 10, the contact probe 3 and the contact plate 4
Move toward and away from each other, and the pinching contact between the contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 is performed.

The AC servomotor 7 can independently control the speed (number of revolutions) and the torque. By designating the speed of the AC servomotor 7, it controls the moving speed and adjusts the time required for the pinching operation. can do. In addition, by limiting the torque by a predetermined value, the predetermined torque can be maintained after the contact probe 3 and the backing plate 4 sandwich the extraction electrode la, whereby the contact of the liquid crystal display panel 1 can be maintained. The power can be adjusted.

As described above, the timing belt is driven via the pulley by the rotation obtained from the driving source, and the contact probe is fixed to one side of the parallel linear portion of the timing belt sandwiching the pulley, and the other end is fixed. By fixing the contact plate on the side, the contact probe and the contact plate can be caused to linearly move in two directions (opposite directions) with respect to each other by one-directional rotational movement, whereby the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected. Can be pinched.

Further, as described above, when the liquid crystal panel to be inspected is sandwiched between the contact probe and the backing plate, the driving source having the speed control means and the torque control means is used, and the required moving speed and the sandwiching force are reduced. By setting the corresponding rotation speed and torque, it is possible to make contact with a predetermined moving speed and a predetermined force.

That is, since the pinching force can be adjusted by the torque control means, it is possible to finely control the contact force between the contact probe and the extraction electrode, and it is easy to give an optimal contact force for each model. Further, the time required for the contact can be adjusted by the speed control.

Further, by connecting the contact probe and the backing plate to the same linear guide fixed in the same direction as the moving direction thereof, the rigidity of the mechanism is increased and the relative directions of the moving directions are increased. Deviation can be reduced.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are main part configuration diagrams for explaining the floating mechanism of the backing plate in the liquid crystal display panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 4a denotes a base member, 4b denotes an abutting member, 4c denotes a spring, Reference numeral 4d denotes a rotating shaft, and the other portions having the same functions as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

The abutment member 4b of the abutment plate 4 includes a spring 4c.
And the base member 4a via a rotating shaft 4d. The abutment member 4b is rotatable about a rotation shaft 4d, and is regulated by a spring 4c. When the contact probe 3 and the contact plate 4 sandwich the liquid crystal display panel 1, the butting member 4 b rotates about the rotation axis 4 d and follows the inclination of the contact probe 3, so that the liquid crystal display can be performed without generating a contact. The panel 1 can be firmly sandwiched.

By using the above-described floating mechanism at the tip of the backing plate, even if there is an error in the moving angle between the contact probe and the backing plate or an error in the shape of the contact probe or the backing plate, the inspection can be performed. When sandwiching the LCD panel, the tip of the backing plate follows the angle of the tip of the contact probe or the angle of the LCD panel to be inspected.
The contact pressure can be equally applied, and the contact probe can be prevented from hitting against the backing plate.

[0031]

(1) Effects corresponding to the first aspect of the invention Since the extraction electrode portion of the liquid crystal display panel is sandwiched between the contact probe and the backing plate, the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected has the extraction electrodes on either the front or back surface. On the other hand, contact of the contact probe to the extraction electrode is possible. In addition, on both sides of the lead-out electrode portion of the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected, the contact probe, which is guided by the guide and moves, sandwiches the panel, so that the liquid crystal display panel using a substrate made of a soft material such as a polymer can be used. In addition, the contact probe can be reliably brought into contact with the extraction electrode by suppressing the warpage and distortion of the liquid crystal display panel.

(2) Effects corresponding to the second aspect of the present invention By connecting the contact probe and the backing plate to the same linear guide mechanism, the displacement of the contact probe and the backing plate in the moving direction is reduced. For this reason, there is no contact between the probe and the backing plate at the time of contact, the contact pressure can be applied equally to all the electrodes, and the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected can be reliably turned on. Also, when the contact probe is in contact with a liquid crystal display panel using a soft material such as a polymer as the substrate,
The required contact pressure can be applied without damaging the substrate.

(3) Advantages Corresponding to the Invention of Claim 3 Since the contact probe and the caul plate are moved by one driving source, it is easy to equalize the pushing forces of the contact probe and the caul plate. , And the center of pinching becomes stable. Further, the contact force can be adjusted only by adjusting the drive source.

(4) Effects corresponding to the fourth aspect of the present invention By using the right and left screws, the rotational motion generated by the drive source is converted into two opposite linear motions, and the contact probe and the contact plate are sandwiched. Can be performed. Further, the accuracy of the moving distance between the contact probe and the contact plate and the rigidity of the pinching can be ensured.

(5) Effects corresponding to the fifth aspect of the present invention By using the timing belt, the rotational motion generated by the drive source is converted into two linear motions in opposite directions to sandwich the contact probe and the contact plate. Can be performed. Further, the weight of the mechanism can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of a liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment of a liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining a floating mechanism of a backing plate in the liquid crystal display panel inspection device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display panel, 1a ... Lead-out electrode, 2 ... Inspection stage, 3 ... Contact probe, 4 ... Patch plate, 4a ...
Base member, 4b abutment member, 4c ... spring, 4d ...
Rotary shaft, 5: linear motion guide, 6: left and right screws, 6a, 6b ...
Nut, 7: AC servo motor, 8: Manual Z stage,
9 mounting member, 10 pulley, 11 timing belt.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A driving signal is applied to a liquid crystal display panel by bringing a contact probe into contact with a lead-out electrode of the liquid crystal display panel, and the liquid crystal display panel is turned on so that electrical characteristics of the liquid crystal display panel and quality of a display pattern are obtained. In the liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection device performing the determination of the above, the electrode portion of the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected, in order to contact the contact probe and the backing plate to the back surface of the surface provided with the extraction electrode portion, Guide means for guiding the movement of the contact probe and the contact plate in a direction perpendicular to the surface provided, and driving means for moving the contact probe and the contact plate; and A liquid crystal that is sandwiched between the lead-out electrode portion and the back surface thereof and is brought into contact with the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected. Display panel lighting inspection device. 2. A lighting inspection apparatus for a liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the movement of said contact probe and said backing plate is guided by a single said guiding means. . 3. The liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving means generates a rotational motion to perform a sandwiching operation of the contact probe and the backing plate with respect to the liquid crystal display panel to be inspected. And a conversion means for converting the rotational movement into linear movements of the contact probe and the backing plate in two opposite directions. 4. The liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection device according to claim 3, wherein the conversion means includes a left and right screw having a right-hand thread at one end and a left-hand thread at the other end. The lighting inspection device for a liquid crystal display panel, wherein each of the plates is screwed into each of the screw portions and performs linear motion in two opposite directions by the rotational motion of the left and right screws. 5. The liquid crystal display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said conversion means is arranged in parallel with each other.
A liquid crystal comprising: an endless belt having two linear portions, wherein each of the contact probe and the contact plate is connected to each of the linear portions and performs linear motion in two opposite directions by the rotational motion of the endless belt. Display panel lighting inspection device.