JP2004271268A - Lighting inspection apparatus of display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve productivity in the lighting inspection of a display panel by reducing work time required for switching the kind of the display panel. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting inspection apparatus of the display panel 1 having a plurality of extraction electrodes comprises a panel retaining stand 17, where the display panel 1 is placed; a lighting signal generation means 19; a signal transmission means 7 for supplying a signal from the lighting signal generation means 19 to the display panel 1 in contact with the extraction electrode of the display panel 1; a panel lighting inspection unit 11 having a connection unit 23 for retaining the signal transmission means 7 and the extraction electrode of the display panel 1 while they are in contact each other; and a panel lighting inspection stand 13, where the panel lighting inspection unit 11 is detachably arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lighting inspection apparatus for a display panel that inputs and displays a lighting signal on a display panel before assembling a driving circuit to a display panel such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display, and performs a lighting inspection.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display is commercialized with a driving circuit mounted on the panel. In the manufacturing process, in order to prevent a defective panel from leaking to the mounting process, a lighting signal is input before a driving circuit is mounted, and a lighting test is performed.
[0003]
As a lighting inspection device for a display panel of this type, a device using an inspection probe pin is known (for example, see Patent Document 1), but instead of this inspection probe pin, a flexible printed wiring board (FPC) is used. It has been considered that the formed electrode is used as a probe for lighting inspection.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 2953039
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, a display panel has a plurality of electrodes in a display area, and an electrode terminal having a plurality of extraction electrodes at an end outside the display area by extending the electrodes and reducing the interval. Multiple blocks are arranged. The pitch of the extraction electrodes in the electrode terminal block of this display panel is, for example, about 300 μm in the case of an extraction electrode formed by extending the address electrode of a 42-inch plasma display panel.
[0006]
In the inspection method using the FPC as a lighting inspection probe, an extraction electrode of a lighting inspection probe made of an FPC is brought into contact with such an extraction electrode of the display panel, and electricity is supplied to the display panel through the probe. Lighting inspection is performed by turning on the lamp.
[0007]
However, in the inspection method using such an FPC, when the type of the display panel to be inspected is switched, that is, when the display panel of a different type is to be inspected as the display panel, the pitch of the extraction electrodes and Since the number of electrodes is different from that of the previous display panel, it is necessary to change the pitch of the extraction electrodes of the FPC probe and the number of electrodes in accordance with the extraction electrodes.
[0008]
At this time, it is necessary to adjust the mechanism for positioning dozens of probes with high accuracy and to make the lighting inspection probe composed of the FPC contact the electrodes of the display panel. About 3 to 4 hours are required, and when the frequency of the type change is increased, the operation rate of the lighting inspection device is reduced, and the problem that the productivity is deteriorated occurs.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has as its object to reduce the work time required for changing the type of display panel and improve the productivity in lighting inspection of the display panel.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a display panel lighting inspection device having a plurality of extraction electrodes, wherein a panel holding base on which the display panel is mounted, a lighting signal generation unit, and an extraction electrode of the display panel. A panel having signal transmission means for supplying a signal from the lighting signal generation means to the display panel by making contact with the display panel, and a connection unit for holding the signal transmission means and an extraction electrode of the display panel in contact with each other. It has a lighting inspection unit and a panel lighting inspection table on which the panel lighting inspection unit is detachably disposed.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
That is, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention relates to a lighting inspection apparatus for a display panel having a plurality of extraction electrodes, wherein a panel holding base on which the display panel is mounted, a lighting signal generating unit, and an extension of the display panel. A signal transmission unit that supplies a signal from the lighting signal generation unit to the display panel by contacting an electrode, and a connection unit that holds the signal transmission unit and an extraction electrode of the display panel in contact with each other. A panel lighting inspection unit, and a panel lighting inspection base on which the panel lighting inspection unit is detachably disposed.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a panel position adjustment unit for adjusting a position of the display panel mounted on the panel holding table is provided in the panel lighting inspection unit. .
[0013]
Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the panel lighting inspection unit is provided with a position recognition unit for recognizing a position of the display panel mounted on the panel holding table.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lighting inspection device for a display panel having a plurality of extraction electrodes, a panel holding base on which the display panel is mounted, a lighting signal generation unit, and an extraction electrode of the display panel. A panel having signal transmission means for supplying a signal from the lighting signal generation means to the display panel by making contact with the display panel, and a connection unit for holding the signal transmission means and an extraction electrode of the display panel in contact with each other. A position having a lighting inspection unit, for adjusting the position of a display panel mounted on the panel lighting inspection unit, and a position for mounting the panel lighting inspection unit on a panel lighting inspection table and performing a lighting inspection of the display panel. Are provided separately.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, a panel position adjusting means for adjusting a position of the display panel mounted on the panel holding table is provided in the panel lighting inspection unit. .
[0016]
Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the panel lighting inspection unit is provided with position recognition means for recognizing the position of the display panel mounted on the panel holding table.
[0017]
Hereinafter, a display panel lighting inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an end portion of a display panel when a lighting signal is supplied in a lighting test of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. As the display panel 1, for example, in a plasma display panel, a plurality of electrodes 4 are formed on the respective opposing surfaces of a pair of substrates 2 and 3 arranged opposite to each other in a direction orthogonal to each other. A plurality of electrode terminal blocks 6 each having a plurality of extraction electrodes 5 formed by extending the electrodes 4 are arranged at the peripheral end of each of the substrates 2 and 3. The signal transmission means 7 for supplying is kept in contact. The signal transmitting means 7 is constituted by a flexible printed wiring board (FPC) in which a conductive pattern 9 such as a copper foil is formed between the insulating films 8, and the tip of the conductive pattern 9 is exposed from the insulating film 8. Thus, an extraction electrode 10 for electrically contacting each of the extraction electrodes 5 formed at the ends of the substrates 2 and 3 is provided.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows a display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the panel lighting inspection unit 11 used for the lighting inspection of the display panel is surrounded by a broken line, and the state where the display panel 1 is arranged is shown. The panel lighting inspection unit 11 is fixed and held on the panel lighting inspection table 13 so that it can be detached and attached by the unit fixing means 12. The panel lighting inspection table 13 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow 15 by the inspection table attitude control means 14.
[0020]
In the panel lighting inspection unit 11, a panel holding base 17 for holding the display panel 1 is provided on a lighting inspection unit base 16, and the display panel held on the front side of the panel holding base 17 by the panel position adjusting means 18. 1 can be performed. A lighting signal generating means 19 for lighting and displaying the display panel 1 is mounted on the back side of the panel holding base 17, and a signal generated by the lighting signal generating means 19 is transmitted to the display panel 1 via the signal transmitting means 7. Supplied. The place where the lighting signal generating means 19 is attached is not limited to the rear side of the panel holding base 17, but may be any place where it can be connected to the signal transmitting means 7. Further, a slide base 21 movable in the direction of arrow 20 is provided on the lighting inspection unit base 16, and the extraction electrode 10 of the signal transmission means 7 and the extraction electrode 5 of the display panel 1 are provided on the slide base 21. Holding means 22 for holding the signal transmission means 7 at a predetermined height so as to be able to make contact therewith, and a connection for keeping the extraction electrode 10 of the signal transmission means 7 and the extraction electrode 5 of the display panel 1 in contact with each other. A unit 23 is provided. Then, a connection control block is configured by the slide base 21, the holding means 22, and the connection unit 23. The connection unit 23 includes a holding unit 23a and a receiving unit 23b that are pivotally supported so that the ends can be freely opened and closed, and a driving unit (not shown) for rotating them. By pressing the signal transmitting means 7 against the display panel 1 by the receiving unit 23a and the receiving unit 23b, the state in which the extraction electrode 10 of the signal transmitting means 7 is in contact with the extraction electrode 5 of the display panel 1 is maintained.
[0021]
When the position of the display panel 1 is adjusted, a position recognizing unit (not shown) is used to recognize the position of the display panel 1. This position recognizing unit may be provided on the panel lighting inspection table 13. Alternatively, it may be provided in the panel lighting inspection unit 11.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the panel lighting inspection unit 11. As shown in FIG. 3, a panel holding base 17 is disposed at a central portion on the lighting inspection unit base 16, and a connection control block 24 is provided at a position corresponding to a side of the panel holding base 17. The connection control block 24 includes the slide base 21, the holding means 22, and the connection unit 23 as described above, and each connection control block 24 is movable in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the connection control blocks 24 are arranged at positions corresponding to the two sides of the panel holding table 17. This is because the electrode terminal block 6 of the display panel 1 to be inspected is located on any side. The connection control block 24 may be appropriately changed depending on whether or not it is provided, and the connection control block 24 may be arranged corresponding to the side where the electrode terminal block 6 is provided. Regarding the connection control blocks 24 arranged on each side, the holding means 22 and the connection unit 23 are mounted on one slide base 21 so as to correspond to each of the electrode terminal blocks 6 of the display panel 1. The number of the electrode terminal blocks 6 may be equal to the number of the electrode terminal blocks 6, and the slide base 21, the holding means 22, and the connection units 23 may be arranged by the number of the electrode terminal blocks 6 so as to correspond to the respective electrode terminal blocks 6. Can be changed as appropriate.
[0023]
Next, the operation of the lighting inspection device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
First, the panel lighting inspection unit 11 is fixed to the panel lighting inspection table 13 and kept in a horizontal state. Next, the display panel 1 to be inspected is placed on the panel holding base 17, but before that, the connection control block 24 is separated from the panel holding base 17 to avoid interference between the connection control block 24 and the display panel 1. , And the holding unit 23a and the receiving unit 23b are opened. In this state, after the display panel 1 is placed on the panel holding table 17, the inspection table attitude control means 14 is driven to raise the panel lighting inspection table 13 from a horizontal state and hold the panel lighting inspection table 13 at a predetermined inclination angle. Subsequently, after the position is adjusted by the panel position adjusting means 18 so that the display panel 1 is arranged at a predetermined position on the lighting inspection unit base 16, the connection control block 24 is moved in a direction approaching the display panel 1. By rotating at least one of the holding unit 23a and the receiving unit 23b, the end of the display panel 1 and the end of the signal transmission unit 7 are sandwiched between the holding unit 23a and the receiving unit 23b. As a result, the extraction electrode 5 of the display panel 1 and the extraction electrode 10 of the signal transmission means 7 are held in a state of being in electrical contact.
[0025]
After the above operation, a lighting signal is supplied from the lighting signal generating means 19 to the display panel 1 via the signal transmitting means 7, and a lighting test is performed by lighting. When the lighting inspection is completed, the state in which the end of the display panel 1 and the end of the signal transmission means 7 are sandwiched between the holding unit 23a and the receiving unit 23b is released, and interference between the connection control block 24 and the display panel 1 is reduced. To avoid this, the connection control block 24 is moved in a direction away from the panel holder 17. Subsequently, the inspection table attitude control means 14 is driven to level the panel lighting inspection table 13, and the display panel 1 is removed from the panel holding table 17. Thereafter, the display panel 1 to be inspected next is mounted on the panel holder 17 by the same operation as described above, and the lighting inspection is repeated.
[0026]
When the type of the display panel 1 to be inspected is switched, for example, the pitch and the number of electrodes of the electrode terminal blocks 6 are different between display panels 1 of different types. The pitch of the extraction electrodes 10 in the transmission means 7 and the number of electrodes must be changed. Therefore, when the type is changed, the signal transmission means 7 is attached and replaced in accordance with the electrode terminal block 6 of the display panel 1 to be inspected, and the extraction electrode 10 of the signal transmission means 7 is connected to the extraction electrode of the display panel 1. It is necessary to adjust the mechanism for bringing the member into contact.
[0027]
In the lighting inspection apparatus of the present invention, a panel lighting inspection unit 11 is prepared according to the number of electrodes of the electrode terminal block 6, the electrode pitch, the size of the display panel 1, and the like so as to correspond to each type of display panel 1. are doing. That is, the panel lighting inspection unit 11 includes the signal transmission unit 7, the lighting signal generation unit 19, the connection control block 24, and the like according to the specifications of the display panel 1 of each type. 16 is arranged at a predetermined position on the lighting inspection unit base 16 so that the extraction electrode 5 of the display panel 1 and the extraction electrode 10 of the signal transmission unit 7 can contact with high accuracy. I am adjusting. For this reason, at the time of product type switching, the panel lighting inspection unit 11 itself manufactured for each product type may be replaced and fixed on the panel lighting inspection table 13. Therefore, it is possible to greatly reduce the work time required for the type change and the adjustment work associated therewith.
[0028]
Next, a lighting inspection apparatus for a display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, a series of operations of mounting the display panel 1 on the panel lighting inspection unit 11, performing alignment, and subsequently performing lighting inspection are continuously performed on the panel lighting inspection table 13 to which the panel lighting inspection unit 11 is fixed. In the second embodiment, the alignment and the lighting inspection of the display panel 1 are performed at different positions.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a line configuration in a display panel lighting inspection device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 25 denotes a panel supply conveyor for supplying a display panel before lighting inspection, and reference numeral 26 denotes a panel carry-out conveyor for carrying out a display panel after lighting inspection. Between the panel supply conveyor 25 and the panel carry-out conveyor 26, a lighting inspection line 27 for performing a lighting inspection of the display panel is provided. A method for performing a lighting test on the display panel 1 in this line configuration will be described below.
[0030]
First, the display panel 1 conveyed on the panel supply conveyor 25 in the direction of arrow 40 is mounted on the panel lighting inspection unit 11 at the panel load position 28. The panel lighting inspection unit 11 is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, and the display panel 1 is placed on the panel holding table 17 of the panel lighting inspection unit 11 at the panel load position 28.
[0031]
The panel lighting inspection unit 11 on which the display panel 1 is mounted is moved to the panel alignment position 29, where the display panel 1 is aligned using the position recognition means 30.
[0032]
Next, at the panel lighting inspection position 31, the panel lighting inspection unit 11 is placed and fixed on the panel lighting inspection table 13 in a horizontal state. Then, the panel lighting inspection table 13 is raised by an inspection table attitude control means 14 (see FIG. 2) not shown in FIG. 4, and is controlled to have a predetermined inclination angle. Subsequently, a lighting signal is supplied to the display panel 1 on the panel lighting inspection unit 11 to turn on the panel, and a lighting inspection is performed visually or automatically.
[0033]
When the lighting inspection of the display panel 1 is completed, the inspection table attitude control means 14 is driven to level the panel lighting inspection table 13, and the panel lighting inspection unit 11 is moved to the panel unload position 32. The display panel 1 removed from the panel lighting inspection unit 11 at the panel unload position 32 and transferred in the direction of arrow 41 is conveyed in the direction of arrow 42 by the panel unloading conveyor 26. Further, the panel lighting inspection unit 11 from which the display panel 1 has been removed at the panel unload position 32 is returned to the panel load position 28 as indicated by an arrow 43 and the next display panel 1 to be inspected is placed thereon. The operation is repeated.
[0034]
In the second embodiment, since the panel alignment position 29 and the panel lighting inspection position 31 are separately provided, alignment of one display panel and lighting inspection of another display panel can be performed simultaneously. For this reason, the time required for work at one position can be reduced, and the tact time per display panel can be reduced. The panel alignment position 29 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. It should just be done.
[0035]
In the second embodiment, the position recognition means 30 is provided at the panel alignment position 29. However, by incorporating the position recognition means 30 in the panel lighting inspection unit 11, alignment accuracy can be improved. By incorporating the position recognition means 30 in the panel lighting inspection unit 11, the position recognition means 30, the display panel 1, the signal transmission means 7, and the holding means 22 are installed on the same panel lighting inspection unit 11, This is because the mutual positional relationship is constant, so that accurate positioning can be performed.
[0036]
In the second embodiment, when the type of the display panel 1 to be inspected is switched, the panel lighting inspection unit 11 itself manufactured according to the specifications of the display panel 1 of each type may be replaced. As a result, it is possible to easily and easily switch types.
[0037]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the display panel 1 is held by the panel holding table 17 from the center to the vicinity of the periphery thereof. May be held. When the panel lighting inspection unit 11 is fixed on the panel lighting inspection table 13, four corners of the lighting inspection unit base 16 may be regulated and supported, or each side of the lighting inspection unit base 16 may be regulated and supported. Good. Further, in the FPC used as the signal transmission means 7, a rigid printed board is connected to a part of the extraction electrode 10 which comes into contact with the extraction electrode 5 of the display panel 1, and this printed board is brought into contact with the extraction electrode 5 of the display panel 1. It is good also as composition which makes it do.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the work time required for switching the type of display panel, and to improve the productivity in lighting inspection of the display panel.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an end portion of a display panel during a lighting inspection of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a display panel lighting inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a panel lighting inspection unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a line configuration diagram of a display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
Reference Signs List 1 display panel 5 extraction electrode 7 signal transmission means 11 panel lighting inspection unit 13 panel lighting inspection table 17 panel holding table 18 panel position adjusting means 19 lighting signal generating means 22 holding means 23 connection unit 24 connection control block 28 panel load position 29 panel Alignment position 30 Position recognition means 31 Panel lighting inspection position 32 Panel unload position

Claims (6)

In a lighting inspection device for a display panel having a plurality of extraction electrodes, a panel holder on which the display panel is mounted, a lighting signal generation unit, and a signal from the lighting signal generation unit by contacting the extraction electrode of the display panel. A panel lighting inspection unit having a signal transmission means for supplying the signal to the display panel, and a connection unit for holding the signal transmission means and an extraction electrode of the display panel in contact with each other. A lighting inspection apparatus for a display panel, comprising: a panel lighting inspection table operably provided. The display panel lighting inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a panel position adjustment unit for adjusting a position of the display panel mounted on the panel holding table is provided in the panel lighting inspection unit. The display panel lighting inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a position recognition unit for recognizing a position of the display panel mounted on the panel holding base is provided in the panel lighting inspection unit. In a lighting inspection device for a display panel having a plurality of extraction electrodes, a panel holder on which the display panel is mounted, a lighting signal generation unit, and a signal from the lighting signal generation unit by contacting the extraction electrode of the display panel. And a panel lighting inspection unit having a connection unit for holding the signal transmission means and an extraction electrode of the display panel in contact with each other, and the panel lighting inspection unit A display panel provided with a position for adjusting the position of the display panel mounted on the panel and a position for mounting the panel lighting inspection unit on a panel lighting inspection table and performing a lighting inspection on the display panel. Lighting inspection equipment. 5. The display panel lighting inspection device according to claim 4, wherein a panel position adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the display panel mounted on the panel holding base is provided in the panel lighting inspection unit. 5. The display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a position recognition unit for recognizing a position of the display panel mounted on the panel holder is provided in the panel lighting inspection unit.

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