JP2010014962A - Display panel, its manufacturing method, and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display panel capable of preventing a crack in a brittle substrate from being enlarged and preventing the display panel having a curved surface from being broken. <P>SOLUTION: This display panel 30a is provided with the first substrate 10 being brittle, the second substrate 20 arranged by opposing to the first substrate 10, and a display medium layer 15 provided between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. In the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, the first substrate 10 is curved to face outward, and an inorganic membrane 22a for preventing water from permeating into a crack formed on an end face of the first substrate 10 and preventing the crack from being expanded is provided on the end face of the first substrate 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic device, and more particularly to a curved display panel using a brittle substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic device.

  The liquid crystal display panel includes, for example, a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as “TFT”) array substrate, a color filter substrate disposed facing the TFT array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the two substrates. Yes.

For example, in Patent Document 1, UV resin having moisture-proof, moisture-proof, and insulating characteristics is applied to the substrate end surfaces of the array substrate and the color filter substrate so as to fill a gap between the two substrates, and thereafter A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel in which a resin is cured by UV irradiation to form a protective coating layer is disclosed. According to this, electric field corrosion of the wiring pattern due to intrusion of moisture and impurities from the substrate end surface can be prevented, and reliability when using the liquid crystal display panel can be improved, and static electricity generated from the substrate end surface in the manufacturing process can be improved. It is described that display abnormality of the liquid crystal display panel due to element destruction or insulation film destruction can be reduced.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187054

  By the way, in a display device using a liquid crystal display panel, a novel design in which the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel is curved has been attracting attention in recent years, particularly in mobile applications such as mobile phones.

  The curved liquid crystal display panel with a curved display surface is made thin by etching the glass substrate that constitutes the panel itself, and a bending stress is applied to the thin panel itself. This can be realized by maintaining the curved shape.

  Here, in a curved liquid crystal display panel using a glass substrate, the bending stress generated in the glass substrate is determined by the curvature of the glass substrate and the thickness of the glass substrate when the glass substrate is bent. If the glass substrate is bent with a curvature that generates a large bending stress, the glass substrate may be broken and the liquid crystal display panel may be damaged. In order to suppress the breakage of the liquid crystal display panel, it is conceivable to further reduce the bending stress generated in the glass substrate by further thinning the glass substrate.

  However, even if the glass substrate can be further reduced in thickness by suppressing the damage of the liquid crystal display panel, if the glass substrate having brittleness is held in a curved state for a long time, the glass substrate is broken when the glass substrate is divided. When the minute crack formed on the end face grows, the glass substrate may break, and the liquid crystal display panel may be damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to suppress the growth of cracks in a brittle substrate and to suppress the breakage of a curved display panel.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an inorganic film is provided on an end face of a brittle first substrate.

  Specifically, a display panel according to the present invention includes a brittle first substrate, a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate, and a display provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. A display panel comprising a medium layer, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are curved so that the first substrate faces outward, and the end surface of the first substrate has the first substrate An inorganic film for suppressing the penetration of moisture into the crack formed on the end face of the substrate and suppressing the growth of the crack is provided.

  According to the above configuration, since the first substrate and the second substrate are curved so that the first substrate faces outward, a tensile stress is always applied to the first substrate. Here, on the end face of the brittle first substrate, there are minute cracks formed when, for example, a large mother substrate is divided in order to produce the first substrate. The cracks formed on the end surface of the first substrate may grow from the end surface of the substrate into the substrate surface due to the presence of moisture in the atmosphere with a tensile stress applied to the surrounding substrate itself. However, since the inorganic film is provided on the end surface of the first substrate, contact with moisture in the atmosphere is suppressed, and growth from the substrate end surface into the substrate surface is suppressed. Thereby, since the breakage of the brittle first substrate and the curved display panel including the same is suppressed, the growth of cracks in the brittle substrate can be suppressed, and the breakage of the curved display panel can be suppressed. It becomes possible.

  The inorganic film may be provided on the outer surface of the first substrate.

  According to the above configuration, even when a minute crack is formed on the outer surface of the first substrate when the large mother substrate is divided, the inorganic film is also provided on the outer surface of the first substrate. It is possible to suppress the growth of cracks on the outer surface due to the presence of atmospheric moisture in contact with the outer surface of the first substrate, and to suppress the damage to the curved display panel.

  The second substrate has brittleness, and the end surface of the second substrate suppresses the penetration of moisture into the crack formed on the end surface of the second substrate, thereby suppressing the growth of the crack. An inorganic film may be provided.

  According to said structure, since the 1st board | substrate and the 2nd board | substrate are curving so that a 1st board | substrate may face outward, the tension | tensile_strength currently loaded on the 1st board | substrate is carried out to the inner surface side of a 2nd board | substrate. Although it is weaker than the stress, a slight tensile stress is always applied. Here, on the end face of the second substrate having brittleness, for example, there are minute cracks formed when a large mother substrate is divided in order to produce the second substrate. The crack formed on the end surface of the second substrate may grow from the end surface of the substrate into the substrate surface due to the presence of moisture in the atmosphere in a state where tensile stress is applied to the surrounding substrate itself. However, since the inorganic film is provided on the end surface of the second substrate, contact with moisture in the atmosphere is suppressed, and growth from the substrate end surface into the substrate surface is suppressed. Thereby, the breakage of the first substrate and the second substrate each having brittleness, and the curved display panel including them are suppressed.

  The first substrate and the second substrate may be made of glass, and the display medium layer may be a liquid crystal layer.

  Since the first substrate and the second substrate are made of glass and the display medium layer is a liquid crystal layer, a liquid crystal display panel in which the liquid crystal layer is sealed between a pair of glass substrates is specifically configured.

  Further, the method for manufacturing a display panel according to the present invention includes bonding the first substrate and the second substrate having brittleness so as to enclose the display medium layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, The bonded body manufacturing process for manufacturing the bonded body, and the end surface of the first substrate in the bonded body, the penetration of moisture into the crack formed on the end surface of the first substrate is suppressed, and the growth of the crack is suppressed. An inorganic film forming step for forming an inorganic film for the first substrate, and a deforming step for deforming the bonded body having the inorganic film formed on the end face of the first substrate into a curved shape so that the first substrate faces outward. In the method for manufacturing a display panel, in the inorganic film forming step, at least a part of moisture contained in the first substrate is removed by treating the bonded body in a vacuum atmosphere.

  According to the above method, in the inorganic film forming step, since the bonded body manufactured in the bonded body manufacturing step is processed in a vacuum atmosphere, after at least a part of the moisture contained in the first substrate is removed, the first An inorganic film is formed on the end surface of one substrate, and in the subsequent deformation process, it is suppressed that moisture in the atmosphere contacts the end surface of the first substrate. In the deforming step, the first substrate and the second substrate are curved so that the first substrate faces outward, so that a tensile stress is always applied to the first substrate. Here, on the end face of the brittle first substrate, for example, a minute crack formed when the large-sized mother substrate is divided before or after the bonded body production step in order to produce the first substrate. Is present. The cracks formed on the end surface of the first substrate may grow from the end surface of the substrate into the substrate surface due to the presence of moisture in the atmosphere with a tensile stress applied to the surrounding substrate itself. However, since the inorganic film is formed on the end surface of the first substrate in the inorganic film forming step, contact with moisture in the atmosphere is suppressed, and growth from the substrate end surface into the substrate surface is suppressed. Thereby, since the breakage of the brittle first substrate and the curved display panel including the same is suppressed, the growth of cracks in the brittle substrate is suppressed, and the breakage of the curved display panel can be suppressed. It becomes possible.

  In the inorganic film forming step, the inorganic film may be formed by a sputtering method or a CVD method.

  According to the above method, since the sputtering method or the CVD method is performed in a vacuum atmosphere, at least a part of the moisture contained in the first substrate is specifically removed in the inorganic film forming step.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device including a curved display panel, and the display panel includes a brittle first substrate and a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate. A substrate and a display medium layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are curved so that the first substrate faces outward, The end surface of the first substrate is provided with an inorganic film for suppressing the penetration of moisture into the crack formed on the end surface of the first substrate and suppressing the growth of the crack. To do.

  According to the above configuration, in the display panel, since the first substrate and the second substrate are curved so that the first substrate faces outward, a tensile stress is always applied to the first substrate. Here, on the end face of the brittle first substrate, there are minute cracks formed when, for example, a large mother substrate is divided in order to produce the first substrate. The cracks formed on the end surface of the first substrate may grow from the end surface of the substrate into the substrate surface due to the presence of moisture in the atmosphere with a tensile stress applied to the surrounding substrate itself. However, since the inorganic film is provided on the end surface of the first substrate, contact with moisture in the atmosphere is suppressed, and growth from the substrate end surface into the substrate surface is suppressed. This suppresses breakage of the brittle first substrate and the curved display panel including the first substrate. Therefore, in the electronic device, the growth of the crack in the brittle substrate is suppressed, and the curved display panel is damaged. It becomes possible to suppress.

  According to the present invention, since the inorganic film is provided on the end face of the brittle first substrate, it is possible to suppress the growth of cracks in the brittle substrate and to suppress the breakage of the curved display panel.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
1 to 9 show Embodiment 1 of a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the bending direction of the liquid crystal display panel 30a of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view taken along the bending direction of the liquid crystal display panel 30a, and FIG. 3 is a liquid crystal display panel 30a. It is other sectional drawing along the direction orthogonal to the curve direction of this. 4 is a perspective view of the mobile phone 50 including the liquid crystal display panel 30a, FIG. 5 is a front view of the mobile phone 50, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the mobile phone 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal display panel 30a includes a TFT array substrate 10 provided as a brittle first substrate, and a TFT array substrate 10 that is disposed to face the TFT array substrate 10 and serves as a brittle second substrate. The color filter substrate 20 provided, the liquid crystal layer 15 provided as a display medium layer between the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20, the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 are adhered to each other, and their A sealing material 16 for enclosing the liquid crystal layer 15 is provided between both the substrates 10 and 20, and the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 are curved so that the TFT array substrate 10 faces outward. The size of the liquid crystal display panel 30a is, for example, type 2 (length 40 mm × width 55 mm, thickness 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm × 2), and the radius of curvature is 50 mm to 400 mm.

  The TFT array substrate 10 has a plurality of gate lines (not shown) provided so as to extend in parallel to each other on a brittle substrate such as a glass substrate and so as to extend in parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to each gate line. A plurality of source lines (not shown) provided on each gate, a plurality of TFTs (not shown) provided at each gate line and each intersection of the source lines, and interlayer insulation provided so as to cover each TFT The TFT array layer 11 includes a film (not shown) and a plurality of pixel electrodes (not shown) provided in a matrix on the interlayer insulating film and connected to each TFT. An alignment film (not shown) is provided on the surface of the TFT array layer 11. Here, each pixel electrode constitutes a pixel which is the minimum unit of an image, and constitutes a display area for displaying an image as a whole by arranging in a matrix, that is, a display screen D of FIGS. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the TFT array substrate 10 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals for connecting to the gate lines and the source lines, as shown in FIGS. A region T is provided.

  The color filter substrate 20 is, for example, a color filter layer (not shown) having a red layer (R), a green layer (G) and a blue layer (B) provided on a brittle substrate such as a glass substrate, and black. A matrix and a common electrode (not shown) provided to cover the color filter layer and the black matrix are provided. An alignment film (not shown) is provided on the surface of the common electrode.

  An inorganic film 22a is formed on each end face of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 to suppress the penetration of moisture into the cracks C (see FIG. 7) formed on the end faces, thereby suppressing the growth of the cracks C. Is provided.

  The liquid crystal display panel 30a having the above configuration configures the liquid crystal layer 15 by applying a predetermined voltage to the liquid crystal layer 15 disposed between each pixel electrode on the TFT array substrate 10 and the common electrode on the color filter substrate 20. By changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules, the transmittance of the light transmitted through the panel is adjusted for each pixel to display an image.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the liquid crystal display panel 30 a is attached to a frame-like bezel (not shown) accommodated in the curved first casing 41, thereby forming a curved shape. And the display screen D of the mobile phone 50 is configured. Here, the mobile phone 50 has a first casing 41 having a liquid crystal display panel 30a and a second casing 42 having various operation buttons and the like, as shown in FIG. One housing 41 is configured to be slid and accommodated inside the second housing 42.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 30a will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the manufacturing method of this embodiment is provided with a bonded body production process, a dividing process, an inorganic film formation process, and a deformation process.

<Bonded body production process>
First, for example, a TFT array layer 11 including a gate line, a source line, a TFT, and a pixel electrode is formed on a glass substrate having a thickness of about 0.7 mm by using a well-known method. A TFT array mother substrate (110, see FIG. 7) in which a plurality of display regions having 11 are arranged in a matrix is manufactured. On the TFT array mother substrate (110), a polyimide resin film is formed so as to cover each TFT array layer 11, and then an alignment film is formed by performing a rubbing process. Here, FIG. 7 is sectional drawing of the large-sized bonding body 130 produced at the bonding body production process.

  In addition, for example, a plurality of display regions are arranged in a matrix by forming a black matrix, a color filter layer, a common electrode, and the like on a glass substrate having a thickness of about 0.7 mm using a known method. A color filter mother substrate (120, see FIG. 7) is prepared. On the color filter mother substrate (120), a polyimide resin film is formed so as to cover each common electrode, and then an alignment film is formed by performing a rubbing process.

  Subsequently, for example, using a dispenser, the sealing material 16 is drawn in a frame shape around each display region on the color filter mother substrate (120).

  Thereafter, a liquid crystal material is dropped onto a region (display region) surrounded by the sealing material 16 with respect to the color filter mother substrate (120) on which the sealing material 16 is drawn.

  Further, the color filter mother substrate (120) on which the liquid crystal material is dropped and the TFT array mother substrate (110) are bonded to each other so that the display regions D overlap each other under reduced pressure, and then released to atmospheric pressure. Then, the outer surfaces of the TFT array mother substrate (110) and the color filter mother substrate (120) are pressurized to produce a large bonded body (130, see FIG. 7).

  Subsequently, after each sealing material 16 sandwiched between the bonded bodies (130) is cured, each glass substrate constituting the TFT array mother substrate (110) and the color filter mother substrate (120) is subjected to chemical polishing treatment (chemical Etching process), for example, by reducing the thickness to about 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7, the TFT array mother substrate 110 and the color filter mother substrate 120 are provided, and each display region is provided. A large-sized bonded body 130 in which the liquid crystal layer 15 is sealed with the sealing material 16 is produced.

<Division process>
First, on the outer surface of the TFT array mother substrate 110 of the bonded body 130 manufactured in the bonded body manufacturing process, along the periphery of each display region, for example, while contacting the cutting edge of a disk-shaped cutting blade, By rolling the dividing blade, a linear crack C is formed, and the crack C is grown in the thickness direction, whereby the TFT array mother substrate 110 is divided and the TFT array substrate 10 (see FIG. 7). ). Here, the cutting edge of the cutting blade is made of, for example, cemented carbide such as tungsten carbide, sintered diamond, or the like.

  Subsequently, after reversing the bonded body 130 from which the TFT array mother substrate 110 has been divided, the outer surface of the color filter mother substrate 120 is applied with, for example, the cutting edge of the dividing blade along the periphery of each display region. By rolling the cutting blade while contacting, a linear crack is formed, and the crack C is grown in the thickness direction, whereby the color filter mother substrate 120 is cut and the color filter substrate 20 is cut. (See FIG. 7). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, a planar liquid crystal display panel (bonded body) 30 including the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 and having the liquid crystal layer 15 sealed with the sealing material 16 is manufactured.

<Inorganic film forming process>
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a sputtering apparatus 60 for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 30a.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the sputtering apparatus 60 is provided as an anode inside the processing chamber 61, the processing chamber 61, a stage 62 for mounting the plurality of liquid crystal display panels 30, and the processing chamber 61. A target 63 provided as a cathode, a rotary pump 64 for exhausting the inside of the processing chamber 61, a gas introduction valve 65 for introducing an inert gas into the processing chamber 61, a stage 62 and a target 63 And a DC power supply 66 for applying a voltage therebetween. Here, on the surface of the stage 62, a plurality of grooves for inserting the end portions of the liquid crystal display panels 30 and holding the liquid crystal display panels 30 in an upright state may be formed.

  In order to form the inorganic film 22a by the sputtering apparatus 60 having the above-described configuration, first, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of liquid crystal display panels 30 produced in the dividing step are accommodated in a processing chamber 61, and each liquid crystal is displayed. After the display panel 30 is placed on the stage 62, the interior of the processing chamber 61 is evacuated by the rotary pump 64, whereby moisture contained in each liquid crystal display panel 30, particularly the TFT array substrate 10 and the color. Moisture adhering to each end face of the filter substrate 20 is sufficiently removed, and the inside of the processing chamber 61 is evacuated.

  Subsequently, as an inert gas, for example, argon gas is introduced into the processing chamber 61 through the gas introduction valve 65, and a voltage is applied between the stage 62 and the target 63 through the DC power supply 66. As a result, the argon gas introduced into the processing chamber 61 is ionized, and the sputtered particles S generated by the collision between the ionized argon positive ions and the target 63 are converted into each of the upper side of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20. By depositing on the end face, an inorganic film 22a (for example, a thickness of 1000 to 3000 mm) is formed. Here, the inorganic film 22a is, for example, a metal film such as gold, silver, aluminum, or chromium.

  Thereafter, an inorganic film 22a is formed on the end surfaces of the four sides of each liquid crystal display panel 30 by performing the same process as described above on the other end surfaces of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20.

  In the present embodiment, the sputtering method is exemplified as a method for forming the inorganic film 22a. However, the following (plasma) CVD method may be used.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a plasma CVD apparatus 70 for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 30a.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the plasma CVD apparatus 70 is provided in a processing chamber 71, a susceptor 72 for placing a plurality of liquid crystal display panels 30, and a lower side of the susceptor 72. A heater 73 for heating the susceptor 72 and each liquid crystal display panel 30 mounted thereon, a shower plate 74 provided in the processing chamber 71 for diffusing the source gas, and the interior of the processing chamber 71 For applying high-frequency power between the rotary pump 75 for exhausting the gas, the gas introduction valve 76 for introducing the source gas into the processing chamber 71 via the shower plate 74, and the susceptor 72 and the shower plate 74. High frequency power supply (not shown). Here, on the surface of the susceptor 72, a plurality of grooves for inserting the end portions of the liquid crystal display panels 30 and holding the liquid crystal display panels 30 in an upright state may be formed.

  In order to form the inorganic film 22a by the plasma CVD apparatus 70 having the above configuration, first, as shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of liquid crystal display panels 30 produced in the dividing step are accommodated in the processing chamber 71, After each liquid crystal display panel 30 is placed on the susceptor 72, the inside of the processing chamber 71 is evacuated by the rotary pump 75, whereby moisture contained in the liquid crystal display panel 30, particularly the TFT array substrate 10 and Moisture adhering to the end face of the color filter substrate 20 is sufficiently removed, and the inside of the processing chamber 71 is evacuated.

  Subsequently, the source gas is introduced into the processing chamber 71 via the gas introduction valve 76 and the shower plate 74, and the source gas is converted into plasma by applying high-frequency power between the susceptor 72 and the shower plate 74. The inorganic film 22a (for example, a thickness of 1000 to 3000 mm) is formed by the plasma P of the source gas. Here, the inorganic film 22a is, for example, an oxide film such as a silicon oxide film or a nitride film such as a silicon nitride film.

  Thereafter, an inorganic film 22a is formed on the end surfaces of the four sides of each liquid crystal display panel 30 by performing the same process as described above on the other end surfaces of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20.

<Deformation process>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flat liquid crystal display panel 30 in which the inorganic films 22a are formed on the end surfaces of the four sides in the inorganic film forming step is curved so that the TFT array substrate 10 side faces outward. For example, the curved liquid crystal display panel 30a is manufactured by sticking to a frame-like bezel (not shown) through an adhesive layer such as a double-sided tape. Here, the bezel has, for example, a concave surface in which a cross section in the length direction is formed in an arc shape, and the concave surface is configured to open in a rectangular shape in a portion overlapping the display region of the liquid crystal display panel 30a. Yes.

  As described above, the liquid crystal display panel 30a of this embodiment can be manufactured.

  As described above, according to the liquid crystal display panel 30a and the manufacturing method thereof and the mobile phone 50 of the present embodiment, in the inorganic film forming step, the liquid crystal display panel (bonded body) manufactured in the bonded body manufacturing step and the dividing step. ) 30 is processed in a vacuum atmosphere by sputtering or plasma CVD, so that at least part of the moisture contained in the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 is removed, and then the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 are removed. An inorganic film 22a is formed on each end face of the substrate, and in the subsequent deformation process, it is suppressed that moisture in the atmosphere contacts the end faces of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20. In the deformation process, the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 are curved so that the TFT array substrate 10 faces outward, so that the TFT array substrate 10 is always loaded with tensile stress and the color filter. A slight tensile stress is always applied to the inner surface side of the substrate 20 although it is weaker than the tensile stress applied to the TFT array substrate 10. Here, in order to fabricate the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 on each end face of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 having brittleness, for example, in the large format, There are minute cracks C formed when the TFT array mother substrate 110 and the color filter mother substrate 120 are divided for each display region. The cracks C formed on the respective end faces of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 are affected by the presence of moisture in the atmosphere while tensile stress is applied to the surrounding substrate itself. In the inorganic film forming step, the inorganic film 22a is formed on each end face of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20, so that contact with moisture in the atmosphere is suppressed. Growth from the substrate end surface to the substrate surface is suppressed. Thereby, since it is possible to suppress the damage of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 each having brittleness, and the curved liquid crystal display panel 30a including them, the growth of cracks in the brittle substrate is suppressed, Damage to the curved display panel can be suppressed.

<< Embodiment 2 of the Invention >>
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the bending direction of the liquid crystal display panel 30b of the present embodiment, FIG. 11 is a side view along the bending direction of the liquid crystal display panel 30b, and FIG. 12 is a liquid crystal display panel 30b. It is other sectional drawing along the direction orthogonal to the curve direction of this. In addition, in each following embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same part as FIGS. 1-9, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the liquid crystal display panel 30a of the first embodiment, the inorganic film 22a is provided only on each end face of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20, but in the liquid crystal display panel 30b of the present embodiment, FIGS. As shown, the inorganic film 22b is provided so as to cover the end surfaces of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 and the outer surface of the TFT array substrate 10. Here, the liquid crystal display panel 30b is formed in the processing chamber 61 of the sputtering apparatus 60 after the inorganic film 22b is formed on each end face of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20, for example, in the inorganic film forming step of the first embodiment. Of the TFT array substrate 10 so that the outer surface thereof faces the target 63 or inside the processing chamber 71 of the plasma CVD apparatus 70 so that the outer surface of the TFT array substrate 10 faces the shower plate 74. It can be manufactured by forming the inorganic film 22b. Since the inorganic film 22b is also formed in the display region, it is formed of a colorless and transparent thin film such as a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film.

  According to the liquid crystal display panel 30b of the present embodiment, the inorganic film 22b is provided not only on the end surfaces of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20, but also on the outer surface of the TFT array substrate 10. The growth of cracks on the outer surface of the TFT array substrate 10 due to the presence of moisture in the atmosphere in contact with the outer surface of the TFT is suppressed, and the curved display panel is less damaged than the liquid crystal display panel 30a of the first embodiment. be able to.

<< Embodiment 3 of the Invention >>
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along the bending direction of the liquid crystal display panel 30c of the present embodiment, FIG. 14 is a side view along the bending direction of the liquid crystal display panel 30c, and FIG. 15 is a liquid crystal display panel 30c. It is other sectional drawing along the direction orthogonal to the curve direction of this.

  In the liquid crystal display panel 30a of the first embodiment, the inorganic film 22a is provided on each end face of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20. However, in the liquid crystal display panel 30c of the present embodiment, FIGS. As shown, the inorganic film 22 c is provided only on the end surface of the TFT array substrate 10. Here, when the inorganic film (22a) is formed on each end face of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 in the inorganic film forming step of the first embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 30c is, for example, the color filter substrate 20 It can be manufactured by using a metal mask so that an inorganic film is not formed on the end face.

  According to the liquid crystal display panel 30c of this embodiment, since the inorganic film 22c is provided only on the end surface of the TFT array substrate 10 to which a stronger tensile stress than that of the color filter substrate 20 is applied, the end surface of the TFT array substrate 10 is provided. The growth of cracks from the substrate end surface of the TFT array substrate 10 into the substrate surface due to the presence of moisture in the atmosphere in contact with the substrate can be suppressed, and damage to the curved display panel can be efficiently suppressed.

<< Embodiment 4 of the Invention >>
16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the bending direction of the liquid crystal display panel 30d of the present embodiment, FIG. 17 is a side view taken along the bending direction of the liquid crystal display panel 30d, and FIG. 18 is a liquid crystal display panel 30d. It is other sectional drawing along the direction orthogonal to the curve direction of this.

  In the liquid crystal display panel 30c of the third embodiment, the inorganic film 22c is provided only on the end surface of the TFT array substrate 10. However, in the liquid crystal display panel 30d of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. A film 22d is provided so as to cover the end surface of the TFT array substrate 10 and the outer surface thereof. Here, when the inorganic film (22a) is formed on each end face of the TFT array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 in the inorganic film formation step of the first embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 30d is, for example, the color filter substrate 20 After the inorganic film 22d is formed only on the end surface of the TFT array substrate 10 by using a metal mask so that the inorganic film is not formed on the end surface of the TFT array substrate 10, the TFT array substrate 10 is placed inside the processing chamber 61 of the sputtering apparatus 60. The inorganic film 22d is formed by arranging the TFT array substrate 10 so that the outer surface faces the target 63 or inside the processing chamber 71 of the plasma CVD apparatus 70 so that the outer surface faces the shower plate 74. Can be manufactured. Since the inorganic film 22d is also formed in the display region as in the second embodiment, the inorganic film 22d is formed of a colorless and transparent thin film such as a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film.

  According to the liquid crystal display panel 30d of the present embodiment, since the inorganic film 22d is provided not only on the end surface of the TFT array substrate 10 but also on the outer surface of the TFT array substrate 10, it contacts the outer surface of the TFT array substrate 10. Growth of cracks on the outer surface of the TFT array substrate 10 due to the presence of moisture in the atmosphere is suppressed, and damage to the curved display panel can be suppressed as compared with the liquid crystal display panel 30c of the third embodiment.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where an inorganic film is provided at least on the end surface on the TFT array substrate 10 side and is deformed into a curved shape so that the TFT array substrate 10 side faces outward is described. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the substrate is deformed into a curved shape so as to face outward. When the color filter substrate side is deformed in a curved shape so that it faces outward, a tensile stress is applied to the color filter substrate side. Therefore, by providing an inorganic film at least on the end face of the color filter substrate, a brittle substrate It is possible to suppress the growth of cracks and to prevent the curved display panel from being damaged.

  In each of the above embodiments, the liquid crystal display panels 30a to 30d are exemplified as the display panel. However, the present invention is applied to other display panels such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel having at least an organic light emitting layer as a display medium layer. Can also be applied.

  In each of the above embodiments, the color filter substrate is manufactured using a glass substrate having brittleness, but may be manufactured using a plastic film substrate having no brittleness. That is, in the present invention, it is only necessary that at least the outer substrate on which the tensile stress is applied has brittleness when the display panel is deformed into a curved shape.

  In each said embodiment, although the glass substrate was illustrated as a brittle board | substrate, this invention is applicable also to brittle board | substrates, such as a ceramic substrate and a silicon substrate.

  As described above, the present invention can suppress the breakage of a display panel using a brittle substrate, and thus is useful for a curved display panel using a brittle substrate and a display panel that can be deformed into a curved shape. .

3 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display panel 30a according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view of the liquid crystal display panel 30a. It is other sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display panel 30a. It is a perspective view of the mobile telephone 50 provided with the liquid crystal display panel 30a. 2 is a front view of a mobile phone 50. FIG. 2 is a side view of a mobile phone 50. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the large-sized bonding body 130 produced at the bonding body preparation process for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 30a. It is the schematic of the sputtering device 60 for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 30a. It is the schematic of the plasma CVD apparatus 70 for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 30a. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display panel 30b which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a side view of the liquid crystal display panel 30b. It is other sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display panel 30b. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display panel 30c which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a side view of the liquid crystal display panel 30c. It is another sectional view of liquid crystal display panel 30c. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display panel 30d which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a side view of the liquid crystal display panel 30d. It is another sectional view of liquid crystal display panel 30d.

Explanation of symbols

C crack 10 TFT array substrate (first substrate)
15 Liquid crystal layer (display medium layer)
20 Color filter substrate (second substrate)
22a-22d Inorganic film 30 Liquid crystal display panel (bonding body)
30a-30d Liquid crystal display panel 50 Mobile phone (electronic equipment)

Claims (7)

A brittle first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A display panel comprising a display medium layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate,
The first substrate and the second substrate are curved so that the first substrate faces outward,
The end surface of the first substrate is provided with an inorganic film for suppressing the penetration of moisture into the crack formed on the end surface of the first substrate and suppressing the growth of the crack. Display panel to be used. The display panel according to claim 1,
The display panel, wherein the inorganic film is also provided on an outer surface of the first substrate. The display panel according to claim 1,
The second substrate has brittleness,
The end surface of the second substrate is provided with an inorganic film for suppressing the penetration of moisture into the crack formed on the end surface of the second substrate and suppressing the growth of the crack. Display panel to be used. The display panel according to claim 3,
The first substrate and the second substrate are made of glass,
The display panel, wherein the display medium layer is a liquid crystal layer. A bonded body manufacturing step of manufacturing a bonded body by bonding the brittle first substrate and the second substrate so as to enclose the display medium layer between the first substrate and the second substrate;
An inorganic film forming step of forming an inorganic film on the end face of the first substrate in the bonded body by suppressing the penetration of moisture into the crack formed on the end face of the first substrate and suppressing the growth of the crack. When,
A method of manufacturing a display panel, comprising: a bonding step in which an inorganic film is formed on an end surface of the first substrate; and a deformation step of deforming the bonded body into a curved shape so that the first substrate faces outward.
In the inorganic film forming step, at least a part of moisture contained in the first substrate is removed by treating the bonded body in a vacuum atmosphere. In the manufacturing method of the display panel according to claim 5,
The said inorganic film formation process forms the said inorganic film by sputtering method or CVD method, The manufacturing method of the display panel characterized by the above-mentioned. An electronic device having a curved display panel,
The display panel includes a brittle first substrate, a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate, and a display medium layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate,
The first substrate and the second substrate are curved so that the first substrate faces outward,
The end surface of the first substrate is provided with an inorganic film for suppressing the penetration of moisture into the crack formed on the end surface of the first substrate and suppressing the growth of the crack. Electronic equipment.

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