JP2002258253A - Manufacturing method of liquid crystal unit, liquid crystal unit and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal unit which can surely work a panel shape to the desired one as well as prevent a panel structure from any damage due to a board cracking, etc., in shaping process of the liquid crystal panel. SOLUTION: The liquid crystal panel 10 is formed by affixing a pair of boards 11 and 12 each other with a sealant 13. The sealant 13 is provided with a liquid crystal injection port 13a for injecting a liquid crystal 14, a liquid crystal enclosing section 13b enclosing the liquid crystal 14, and an external fastening section 13c projecting out from a part of the liquid crystal enclosing section 13b. An external area 10S located outside the sealant 13 in this liquid crystal panel 10 is ground to be cleared with a grinding tool 17 within the range shown by a dotted line in the Fig. (a).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device, a liquid crystal device, and an electronic apparatus, and more particularly to a technique suitable for forming a liquid crystal device having a panel shape other than a flat rectangular shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a liquid crystal device has a panel structure in which a pair of substrates are bonded together with a sealing material, and liquid crystal is sealed inside the sealing material. Particularly, in the case of a small liquid crystal device having a display area of 10 inches or less, a multi-cavity manufacturing method in which a plurality of liquid crystal panels are formed by dividing a large-sized substrate made of glass or the like is often used. Usually, the planar shape of the panel structure is square or rectangular.

In recent years, when a liquid crystal device is used in various portable devices such as a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, a portable timepiece, etc., a liquid crystal panel is driven in order to achieve both a large display area and a small device. There is an increasing demand for a so-called narrower frame, which reduces the width of a peripheral region existing around the region.

In order to respond to such demands, various measures have been taken to improve the layout of wiring in the liquid crystal panel. However, the number of pixels has been increased with recent high definition and color display. Therefore, it is becoming difficult to narrow the frame. As a method for solving this, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 80142 and the like, proposals have been made to achieve a narrower frame by forming a panel structure in which corners of a square or rectangular planar shape of the liquid crystal panel are removed. I have.

[0005] However, in the method described in the above publication, a large-sized substrate is formed in a large-sized substrate at the same time that the large-sized substrate is divided into a two-dimensional shape in which a square or rectangular corner is removed. This is wasteful, and the use efficiency of the panel substrate is reduced, resulting in a problem that manufacturing efficiency and manufacturing cost are increased. Therefore, for example, after forming a normal square or rectangular planar liquid crystal panel,
A method of removing a corner of the liquid crystal panel has been implemented.

[0006]

When the corners of the liquid crystal panel are removed as described above, if the glass substrate is to be broken by the scribe-break method similar to the usual substrate division, the scribe grooves are not formed. Since the length is short and it is necessary to form four places for each panel, scribe processing is troublesome, and the breaking direction is oblique to the outer edge of the substrate, and the breaking from the outer edge of the substrate near the end of the scribe groove is performed. In some cases, it is impossible to break the substrate itself because the distance between the parts is small, and there is a problem in that even if the substrate is forcibly broken, a break failure easily occurs.

On the other hand, a method of grinding a corner of a liquid crystal panel using a grinding tool such as a grinder is considered.
In this method, one or both of the pair of substrates at the panel end often break during the grinding process, and there is also a problem that the panel structure of the liquid crystal panel may be destroyed by the crack of the substrate.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a liquid crystal panel having a shape which can be reliably processed into a desired shape at the time of forming the shape of the liquid crystal panel, and that the panel structure is not damaged due to cracks in the substrate. It is to provide a method that can be prevented.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to the present invention comprises bonding a pair of substrates via a sealing material and sealing liquid crystal inside the sealing material. In the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device, there is provided an outer shape processing step of removing an outer portion of the sealing material in the pair of substrates bonded to each other, and the outer shape processing step includes fixing the pair of substrates to each other at the outer portion. It is characterized in that it is performed in a state.

According to the present invention, the pair of substrates are fixed to each other at the outer portion of the sealing material, so that the pair of substrates are supported by each other. The stress and vibration applied to the substrate are reduced, and the occurrence of a substrate crack or the like can be suppressed when the outer portion is removed. In particular, when the outer portion is removed by grinding, occurrence of substrate cracks due to processing stress or vibration during grinding and damage to the panel structure due to the substrate cracks can be reduced.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the pair of substrates is fixed to each other by the sealant at the outer portion. By sticking a pair of substrates together and fixing the outer part with a seal material for enclosing the liquid crystal, it is only necessary to change the arrangement pattern of the seal material without using a separate material or providing a separate process. Can respond.

In the present invention, of the sealing material, a liquid crystal sealing portion for sealing the liquid crystal and an outer fixing portion for fixing the pair of substrates to each other at the outer portion are integrally formed. Is preferred. By integrally forming the liquid crystal enclosing portion and the outer fixing portion, the sealing material is disposed even at the boundary between the remaining panel structure portion and the outer portion, and the pair of substrates is fixed, so that during the outer shape processing The influence of the processing stress and vibration on the panel structure can be reduced, and the adhesion and sealing of the liquid crystal enclosure can be maintained. This method is particularly effective when the outer portion is removed by grinding.

In the present invention, the liquid crystal sealing portion for sealing the liquid crystal and the outer fixing portion for fixing the pair of substrates to each other at the outer portion may be formed separately. is there. In this case, since the sealing material can be configured not to be present at the boundary between the remaining panel structure portion and the outer portion, even if the sealing material is present at the broken portion, such as a scribe-break method, the outer portion may be obstructed. Can be removed.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the outer fixing portions are provided on both the inner and outer sides of a boundary between the remaining panel structure portion and the outer portion. A pair of substrates are fixed to each other at the outer portion by an outer fixing portion provided outside the boundary between the remaining panel structure portion and the outer portion, and the inner side of the boundary between the remaining panel structure portion and the outer portion. The effect of processing stress and vibration at the time of external processing on the panel structure portion is reduced by the outer fixing portion provided on the panel, and the adhesion and sealing of the liquid crystal sealing portion can be maintained. Here, it is desirable to form the portions of the outer fixing portions provided inside and outside the boundary line, which oppose each other across the boundary line, so as to extend along the boundary line.
In this case, since the outer fixing portions provided on both sides of the boundary line are formed so as to extend along the boundary line,
The pair of substrates can be more securely fixed at the outer portion, and the influence of processing stress and vibration on the panel structure during external processing can be further reduced.

The more specific arrangement, size, and planar shape of the outer fixing portion are similar to the outer portion, and the outer portion is formed in almost all of the overlapping region of the two substrates in the outer portion. If it is provided on both sides beyond the boundary line, if it is formed along the boundary line outside the boundary line and avoids the boundary line, it is formed along the boundary line on the inside and outside both sides avoiding the boundary line In some cases, a plurality of such devices are provided in a dispersed manner.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the outer shape processing step removes the outer portion by grinding. The outer portion can be easily removed by using the grinding process. However, as a method of the outer shape processing, a cutting process or a breaking process can be used in addition to the grinding process.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the outer portion is a corner of the pair of substrates. By removing the corners of the substrate, the outer shape of the panel can be efficiently reduced, so that the liquid crystal device can be easily housed in the device, and the degree of freedom regarding the outer design of the device can be improved. . For example, a liquid crystal device having a large display surface can be easily incorporated in a watch case of a wristwatch.

Next, in a liquid crystal device according to the present invention, in a liquid crystal device in which a pair of substrates are bonded via a sealing material and liquid crystal is sealed inside the sealing material, the sealing material in the pair of substrates is used. The sealing member is arranged so that an end face of the sealing material faces an outer end portion of the panel from which an outer portion on the outside is removed.

According to the present invention, the outer portion is removed by arranging the panel so that the end face of the seal material faces the outer end portion of the panel formed by removing the outer portion outside the seal material. At this time, the pair of substrates is fixed to each other and supported by the sealant disposed inside the pair of substrates, so that the effects of processing stress and vibration on the panel structure can be reduced.

Further, in the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, in a liquid crystal device in which a pair of substrates are bonded via a sealing material and liquid crystal is sealed inside the sealing material, the sealing material is provided at an outer end of the panel. It is characterized by having an outer fixing portion projecting toward the outside.

According to the present invention, since the outer fixing portion formed by projecting the sealing material toward the outer end of the panel is provided, when the outer portion further outside the outer end of the panel is removed, the inner fixing portion is removed. The pair of substrates are fixed to each other and supported by the outer fixing portions arranged in the above, so that the influence of processing stress and vibration on the panel structure can be reduced.

Further, in the liquid crystal device of the present invention, in a liquid crystal device in which a pair of substrates are bonded via a sealing material and liquid crystal is sealed inside the sealing material, the sealing material seals the liquid crystal. It is characterized by having a liquid crystal enclosing portion and an outer fixing portion provided on the outer end side of the panel with respect to the liquid crystal enclosing portion.

According to the present invention, since the sealing material has the outer fixing portion provided on the outer end side of the panel with respect to the liquid crystal enclosing portion, when the outer portion further outside the outer end portion of the panel is removed, the outer fixing portion is removed. Since the pair of substrates are fixed to each other and supported by the outer fixing portion disposed inside, the influence of processing stress and vibration on the panel structure can be reduced.

In the present invention, it is preferable to have a panel shape obtained by removing corners of a plane quadrilateral. According to this means, since the panel shape is formed by removing the corners of the plane quadrilateral, the outer shape of the panel can be efficiently reduced, and it is easy to accommodate the device, so that the display of the liquid crystal panel is easy. It is possible to increase the area and to improve the degree of freedom of the external design of the device, and it is possible to achieve both a large display surface and a small device.

In particular, it is desirable to have a panel shape formed into a plane octagon by removing all four corners of the plane quadrilateral. In this case, since the outer shape of the panel can be further reduced, the space efficiency when the liquid crystal device is housed in the device can be further increased.

Next, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, and control means for controlling the liquid crystal device. In particular,
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is very effective in achieving both a large display surface and a small electronic device when the device is a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, and a wristwatch. .

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device, a liquid crystal device and an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are process explanatory views showing a planar shape of a liquid crystal panel 10 constituting a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 1A, a liquid crystal panel 10 includes substrates 11 and 12 made of glass, plastic, or the like.
And a liquid crystal 14 inside the sealing material 13.
Is included in the panel structure. The sealing material 13 is made of a thermosetting resin or the like, and is cured by a heat treatment or the like. A well-known spacer is mixed with the sealing material 13 to regulate a bonding interval between the substrates 11 and 12 to obtain a predetermined cell gap. The sealing material 13 is formed in the illustrated pattern shape by printing such as screen printing or by application using a precision dispenser or the like.

The substrate 11 has a substrate overhang portion 11T which extends outside the outer shape of the substrate 12. Substrate 11,
A predetermined electrode pattern (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of each of the electrodes 12 by a transparent conductor such as ITO (indium tin oxide), and a wiring pattern 11c conductively connected to these electrode patterns is formed on the substrate overhang. It is formed so as to be drawn out on the surface of the portion 11T.

The liquid crystal panel 10 is formed, for example, by dividing a strip-shaped panel body in which a plurality of portions corresponding to liquid crystal panels are arranged in a vertical direction in FIG. The strip panel body may be formed by dividing a large-sized panel body including a plurality of the strip panel bodies. As described above, when a plurality of liquid crystal panels 10 are manufactured by dividing a larger panel body, the liquid crystal panel 10 generally has a rectangular shape (or a square shape) as shown in the drawing.

In the case of the present embodiment, the sealing material 13
A liquid crystal injection port 13a for injecting the liquid crystal 14;
4 is provided, and an outer fixing portion 13c extending outward from a part of the liquid crystal sealing portion 13b. The panel structure is such that after the substrates 11 and 12 are bonded together via the uncured sealing material 13, the sealing material 13 is cured, and the liquid crystal 14 is injected from the liquid crystal injection port 13a. By sealing the liquid crystal injection port 13a with the material 15, the liquid crystal
It becomes the state enclosed by b. This liquid crystal injection / sealing step is usually performed in the state of the strip panel body.

Next, the sealing material 1 in the liquid crystal panel 10
As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the outer portion 10S outside the portion 3 is ground and removed by a grinding tool 17 such as a grinder within a range shown by a dotted line in the figure. The outer portion 10S is a portion corresponding to a corner of a rectangular planar shape in the liquid crystal panel 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2B, since the outer edges of the substrates 11 and 12 in the outer portion 10S are fixed to each other by the outer fixing portions 13c, the outer edges of the pair of substrates 11 and 12 are Since they are supported by each other, they are ground and removed by the grinding tool 17 in a state where they are integrated together, and the flat pentagonal liquid crystal panel 10 ′ whose corners are removed as shown in FIG. Is formed.

According to the present embodiment, since the pair of substrates 11 and 12 are fixed to each other at the outer portion 10S by the outer fixing portions 13c, the substrates 11, 12 and the outer fixing portions 13c support each other. In addition, it is possible to prevent a local and temporary processing stress from being applied to the individual substrates 11 and 12 during the grinding process, so that the substrate portion inside the boundary line is not broken. That is, by grinding off the pair of substrates 11 and 12 and the sealing material that fixes them to each other by grinding, the outer portion 1 is removed.
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of substrate cracking that occurs near the boundary between OS and the remaining panel structure.

In the above embodiment, the outer fixing portion 13
c protrudes only at the center of the outer part 10S, but as shown by the broken line in FIG.
The fixing area of the outer fixing portion may be increased so as to be formed over almost the entire area of the OS.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 3A shows the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial plan view showing a structure in which an outer fixing portion 13d is provided in an outer portion 10S in a liquid crystal display panel basically configured in the same manner as the embodiment. This outer fixing portion 13d
Is different from the liquid crystal sealing portion 13b for sealing the liquid crystal 14 in that the outer fixing portion 13c of the first embodiment is different from the liquid crystal sealing portion 13b.
Is different from The plurality of outer fixing portions 13d are arranged outside the boundary (dotted line in the drawing) between the remaining panel structure portion and the outer portion 10S.

In this embodiment, in addition to the effects shown in the first embodiment, the outer fixing portion 13d is formed so as to be separated from the liquid crystal sealing portion 13b of the sealing material.
Since the processing stress at the time of the grinding process is not directly applied to the liquid crystal sealing portion 13b of the sealing material, the direct influence of the panel structure portion left after the removal of the outer portion 10S, for example, the sealing material There is an advantage that sealing failure (mixing of air bubbles) due to deformation can be reduced.

Further, since a plurality of outer fixing portions 13d are provided, even if one outer fixing portion 13d is removed by grinding, both substrates are still fixed to each other by another outer fixing portion 13d. Because
It is possible to enhance the integrity of the outer portion during the outer shape processing, and to more reliably and safely remove the outer portion (that is, avoid the occurrence of substrate cracking).

Here, the outer fixing portion 13d provided separately from the liquid crystal enclosing portion 13b as described above is provided outside the boundary line, but the same outer fixing portion is indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure. As shown in the figure, a part may be formed so as to cross the boundary line and enter the inside. In this way, the deformation of the panel outer end caused by the processing stress or vibration generated when removing the outer portion 10S is reduced by the outer fixing portion 13d.
Can be suppressed by the portion formed inside the boundary line in the above, and the influence of the outer shape processing applied to the liquid crystal sealing portion 13b of the sealing material indirectly can be reduced.

In this case, the outer fixing portion 13d
May be formed so as to fix the substrates 11 and 12 over substantially the entire outer portion 10S as shown by a broken line in FIG. This makes it possible to further increase the fixing force of the substrate and to secure the integrity of the outer edge portion from the beginning to the end during the grinding process, thereby removing the outer portion more reliably and safely. can do.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 3B shows a third embodiment of the present invention in which an outer fixing portion 13d is provided outside the boundary and an outer fixing portion 13e is provided inside the boundary. It is shown. According to this embodiment, when the outer portion 10S outside the boundary line is removed by grinding, the outer fixing portions 13d and 13e are formed on the inner and outer sides of the boundary line, respectively. In this case, the pair of substrates and the outer fixing portion 13d therebetween are integrated, and the outer fixing portion 13e also fixes the pair of substrates to each other at the outer end of the panel structure to be left. The processing stress and vibration applied to the panel structure from the outer end of the panel can be reduced by the mutual support between the substrates by the outer fixing portion 13e. Further, in this case, since there is no processing stress and vibration directly applied to the sealing material as in the second embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the influence of the processing stress on the panel structure as a whole.

In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown by the dashed line in (b), the fixing area may be increased so that the outer fixing portion 13d is formed over substantially the entire outer portion 10S, and the outer fixing portion 13e may be formed to substantially the entire length of the boundary line. The fixing area may be increased so as to extend inwardly over the area. By doing so, the above-described effect can be further enhanced.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a liquid crystal device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4A, the liquid crystal panel 20 of this embodiment is formed by bonding a pair of substrates 21 and 22 to each other with a seal member 23 interposed therebetween. The substrate 21 is formed to be slightly larger than the substrate 22, and the substrate overhangs 21 </ b> T are provided on three sides of a planar rectangular shape. Wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the surfaces of the substrate overhangs 21T so as to be drawn out of the liquid crystal sealed region.

The sealing material 23 has a liquid crystal enclosing portion 23b formed in accordance with the outer shape of the substrate 22, and a liquid crystal filling port 23.
The liquid crystal 24 introduced from a is sealed by sealing the liquid crystal injection port 23a with a sealing material 25. Further, the seal member 23 is provided with an outer fixing portion 23c which protrudes outward from each of the four corners of the liquid crystal sealing portion 23b in a tongue shape.

With respect to the liquid crystal panel 20, FIG.
A liquid crystal panel having a planar octagonal panel structure shown in FIG. 4B by removing and removing the four outer portions 20S provided outside the dotted line shown in FIG. 20 'is formed.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a liquid crystal device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the liquid crystal panel 30 of the present embodiment, a pair of substrates 31 and 32
3 are attached to each other. Substrate 3
1 is formed to be one size larger than the substrate 32, and a substrate overhang portion 31T is provided on each of two adjacent sides of a flat rectangular shape. Wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the surfaces of the substrate overhangs 31T so as to be drawn out of the liquid crystal sealed area.

The sealing material 33 has a liquid crystal enclosing portion 33 b formed in accordance with the outer shape of the substrate 32.
The liquid crystal 34 introduced from a is sealed by sealing the liquid crystal injection port 33a with a sealing material 35. In addition, the seal member 33 is provided with outer fixing portions 33c that protrude outward from the four corners of the liquid crystal enclosing portion 33b in a tongue shape, and protrudes inward from the four corners of the liquid crystal enclosing portion 33b. An inner reinforcing portion 33d is provided.

With respect to the liquid crystal panel 30, FIG.
As shown in the above-described embodiment, the four outer portions 30S provided outside the dotted line shown in FIG. 7 are cut off by grinding and removed to form a flat octagonal panel structure.

In this embodiment, the outer fixing portion 33
c is formed in a substantially similar shape (triangular shape in the illustrated example) to the overlapping region of the pair of substrates 31 and 32 in the outer portion 30S, and the outer fixing portion 33c removes most of the overlapping portion of the two substrates in the outer portion 30S. Since the outer portion 30S is occupied, the pair of substrates can be more integrally cut off when the outer portion 30S is removed by grinding.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal sealing portion 33b is formed inside the liquid crystal sealing portion 33b.
When the outer portion 30S is scraped off, the sealing material 3
Processing stress and vibration directly applied to 3 or outer part 3
The strength of the panel structure portion against processing stress and vibration applied indirectly to the seal material 33 via the pair of substrates of 0S (for example, strength for deformation of the seal material 33 and for maintaining the close contact state between the seal material and the substrate) (E.g., adhesion strength) can be increased, so that damage to the panel structure due to external processing can be reduced.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a liquid crystal device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, in the liquid crystal panel 40 of the present embodiment, the pair of substrates 41 and 42
3 are attached to each other. Substrate 4
Reference numeral 1 denotes a substrate overhang portion 41T which overhangs the outer shape of the substrate 42.
, And the substrate 42 includes a substrate overhang portion 42 </ b> T that extends beyond the outer shape of the substrate 41. These substrate overhangs 41
Wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the surfaces of T and 42T so as to be drawn out of the liquid crystal sealed region.

The sealing material 43 is formed of a liquid crystal enclosing portion 43b formed according to the outer shape of the overlapping portion of the substrate 41 and the substrate 42.
And the liquid crystal 44 introduced from the liquid crystal injection port 43a is sealed by sealing the liquid crystal injection port 43a with a sealing material 45. In addition, the sealing material 43 includes a liquid crystal enclosing portion 4.
Outside the four corners of 3b, there is provided an outer fixing portion 43c formed to be separated from the liquid crystal sealing portion 43b. Further, an outer fixing portion 43d that protrudes outward from four corners of the liquid crystal sealing portion 43b is also provided.

With respect to the liquid crystal panel 40, FIG.
As shown in the above-described embodiment, the four outer portions 40S provided outside the dotted line shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the outer fixing portion 43
c is formed in a shape (triangular shape in the illustrated example) substantially similar to the overlapping region of the pair of substrates 41 and 42 in the outer portion 40S, and the outer fixing portion 43c removes most of the overlapping portion of the two substrates in the outer portion 40S. Since the outer portion 40S is occupied, the pair of substrates can be more integrally cut off when the outer portion 40S is removed by grinding.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal sealing portion 43b is formed outside the liquid crystal sealing portion 43b.
When the outer portion 40S is scraped off, the sealing material 4
3 (for example, a sealing material) against processing stress and vibration directly applied to (the liquid crystal enclosing portion 43b) or processing stress and vibration indirectly applied to the sealing material 43 through the pair of substrates of the outer portion 40S. 43, and the adhesion strength for maintaining the adhesion state between the sealant and the substrate) can be increased, so that damage to the panel structure caused by processing can be reduced.

[Method of Removing Outer Part] In each of the above-described embodiments, the processing method (outer shape processing method) for removing the outer part includes, in addition to the above-described grinding using a grinding tool such as a grinder, It is possible to use a cutting process using a dicing saw or the like, or a break process such as a scribe-break method or a laser cutting method. In this case, grinding, cutting, and breaking can be used in all of the above embodiments, but the grinding and cutting are performed as shown in the first, fourth, and fifth embodiments. It is preferable to use the method for forming at least a part of an outer fixing portion such as a sealing material on a boundary line. On the other hand, the breaking is performed in the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the sixth embodiment.
As shown in the embodiment, it is preferable to use a method in which an outer fixed portion such as a sealing material is not formed on a boundary line.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the state of the grinding process. The liquid crystal panel of each of the above embodiments, for example, the liquid crystal panel 10 is housed and fixed in the panel housing jig 50 in a state where a plurality of the liquid crystal panels overlap each other. An opening 50a is formed in the panel housing jig 50, and a corner (the outer portion 10S described above) of the liquid crystal panel 10 projects from the opening 50a.

The grinding tool 57 is configured to be driven to rotate about a rotating shaft 57a. The grinding tool 57 can move the rotating shaft 57a toward and away from the panel housing jig 50, and can also move the panel housing jig. It is configured to be able to relatively move along the opening surface of the opening 50a with respect to the opening 50. Grinding surface 5 of grinding tool 57
7b has a width equal to or greater than the width of the panel housing jig 50, in which an abrasive component such as diamond abrasive is embedded.

The grinding surface 57b of the grinding tool 57 is brought into contact with the outer portion 10S of the liquid crystal panel 10 projecting from the opening 50a of the panel housing jig 50, and the grinding surface 57b is
When the liquid crystal panel 10 is moved along the opening surface of the opening 50a while being rotated around "a", the outer portions 10S of the plurality of liquid crystal panels 10 can be cut off at once.

[Electronic Apparatus] Next, an embodiment in which a liquid crystal device including the above liquid crystal panel is used as a display device of an electronic apparatus will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the present embodiment. The electronic device shown here includes a display information output source 210, a display processing circuit 211, a power supply circuit 212, a timing generator 213, and the above-described liquid crystal panel 20 '. Further, a driving circuit 160 composed of an IC chip or the like is connected to the liquid crystal panel 20 '.

The display information output source 210 has a ROM (Read O
a timing generator 2 comprising a memory such as an nly memory or a random access memory (RAM), a storage unit such as a magnetic recording disk or an optical recording disk, and a tuning circuit for synchronizing and outputting a digital image signal.
The display information is supplied to the display information processing circuit 211 in the form of an image signal of a predetermined format or the like based on various clock signals generated by the control unit 13.

The display information processing circuit 211 includes various known circuits such as a serial-parallel conversion circuit, an amplification / inversion circuit, a rotation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, and a clamp circuit, and executes processing of input display information. The image information is supplied to the drive circuit 160 together with the clock signal CLK. The driving circuit 160 includes a scanning line driving circuit, a signal line driving circuit, and an inspection circuit. The power supply circuit 212 supplies a predetermined voltage to each of the above-described components.

FIG. 8 shows a wristwatch (portable watch) as an embodiment of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention. This mobile watch 10
0 comprises a watch main body 110 and a watch band 120. A circuit board (not shown) is arranged inside the watch main body 110, and the liquid crystal panel 20 'is mounted on the circuit board. Operation buttons 111, 112, and 113 are provided on the front and side surfaces of the watch main body 110.

The display area of the liquid crystal panel 10 installed in the watch main body 110 is configured to be visible through a display window 110 a provided on the front of the watch main body 110. In a wristwatch, it is required that the liquid crystal panel 20 'be accommodated in the watch main body 110, and that the display area of the liquid crystal panel 20' that is visually recognized through the display window 110a be enlarged. For this purpose, the liquid crystal panel 20 'is formed by removing all four corners of the liquid crystal panel 20 as described above, so that the liquid crystal panel 20 can be housed in the watch main body 110 without reducing the display area. It is extremely effective. In addition, this makes it possible to more freely design the external design of the watch main body 110.

It should be noted that the liquid crystal device and the electronic apparatus of the present invention are not limited to the above-described illustrated examples, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, although the liquid crystal panel of each of the above embodiments is configured to connect a flexible wiring substrate or a TAB substrate, it is a liquid crystal panel having a so-called COG type structure and directly mounting an IC chip. It does not matter.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, only the removal of the corners of the panel outer shape of the liquid crystal panel has been described. Outer portions of various locations and shapes can be removed to obtain a profile.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the basic configuration of the liquid crystal panel is completed, and the external processing is performed in a state where the liquid crystal is sealed inside the sealing material. However, the outer shape processing may be performed before liquid crystal injection.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The stress and vibration applied to each substrate at the time of outer shape processing are reduced, and the occurrence of substrate cracking or the like can be suppressed when the outer portion is removed. In particular, when the outer portion is removed by grinding, occurrence of substrate cracks and damage to the panel structure caused by the substrate cracks can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a structure of a liquid crystal panel before external processing in a first embodiment of a liquid crystal device according to the present invention (a).
FIG. 4B is a schematic plan view (b) showing the structure of the liquid crystal panel after external processing.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are an enlarged plan view (a) of an externally processed portion and a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state cut along the line BB in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged plan view (a) showing a structure of a liquid crystal panel before external processing in a second embodiment of the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, and a schematic view showing a structure of the liquid crystal panel before external processing in a third embodiment; It is an enlarged plan view (b).

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a structure of a liquid crystal panel before external processing in a liquid crystal device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4B is a schematic plan view (b) showing the structure of the liquid crystal panel after external processing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a structure of a liquid crystal panel before external processing in a fifth embodiment of the liquid crystal device according to the present invention;
It is a schematic plan view (b) showing the structure of the liquid crystal panel before external processing in a 6th embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a method of processing an outer shape of a liquid crystal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a display system of an electronic device including the liquid crystal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic external view of a wristwatch which is an electronic apparatus according to the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30, 40 Liquid crystal panel before external processing 10 ', 20' Liquid crystal panel after external processing 11, 12, 21, 22, 31, 32, 41, 42 Substrate 13, 23, 33, 43 Sealing material 13b , 23b, 33b, 43b Liquid crystal enclosures 13c, 13d, 13e, 23c, 33c, 43c, 4
3d outer fixing part 33d inner reinforcing part 50 panel holding jig 50a opening 17,57 grinding tool 100 wristwatch

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device, comprising: bonding a pair of substrates via a sealing material; and sealing a liquid crystal inside the sealing material, wherein an outside portion of the sealing material in the pair of substrates bonded to each other. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device, comprising: an outer shape processing step of removing the outer shape processing step, wherein the outer shape processing step is performed with the pair of substrates fixed to each other at the outer portion. 2. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of substrates are fixed to each other at the outer portion by the sealing material. 3. A liquid crystal sealing portion for sealing the liquid crystal and an outer fixing portion for fixing the pair of substrates to each other at the outer portion of the sealing material. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 2. 4. A liquid crystal sealing portion for sealing the liquid crystal out of the sealing material, and an outer fixing portion for fixing the pair of substrates to each other at the outer portion are formed separately. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 2. 5. The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 4, wherein the outer fixing portions are provided on both inner and outer sides of a boundary between the remaining panel structure portion and the outer portion. 6. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the outer shape processing step removes the outer portion by grinding. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outer portion is a corner of the pair of substrates. 8. In a liquid crystal device in which a pair of substrates are bonded together with a seal material interposed therebetween and a liquid crystal is sealed inside the seal material, an outer portion of the pair of substrates outside the seal material is removed. A liquid crystal device, wherein the liquid crystal device is arranged so that an end surface of the sealing material faces an outer end portion of the panel. 9. A liquid crystal device in which a pair of substrates are bonded together via a sealing material, and a liquid crystal is sealed inside the sealing material, wherein the sealing material projects toward an outer end of the panel. A liquid crystal device comprising: 10. A liquid crystal device in which a pair of substrates are bonded via a sealing material and liquid crystal is sealed inside the sealing material, wherein the sealing material includes a liquid crystal sealing portion for sealing the liquid crystal and the liquid crystal. A liquid crystal device having an outer fixing portion provided closer to an outer end portion of the panel than the sealing portion. 11. The liquid crystal device according to claim 8, wherein the liquid crystal device has a panel shape obtained by removing corners of a plane quadrangle. 12. The liquid crystal device according to claim 11, wherein the liquid crystal device has a panel shape formed into a plane octagon by removing all four corners of the plane quadrilateral. 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein:
An electronic apparatus, comprising: the liquid crystal device according to claim 1; and control means for controlling the liquid crystal device.