JP3083642B2 - Connection structure between the terminal of the display panel to be inspected and the conductor of the inspection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention facilitates electrical connection between a terminal of a display panel to be inspected and a conductor of an inspection apparatus when an electrical inspection of a display panel to be inspected such as a liquid crystal panel is performed. And a connection structure between the terminal and the conductor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When electrically inspecting a liquid crystal panel, it is necessary to divide all terminals of the panel into two or more sets and connect the terminals of each set to separate conductors provided in the inspection apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 6, each terminal of the liquid crystal panel 1 is collectively wired to one panel terminal portion 4 on a TFT (thin film transistor) substrate 2 thereof. When these terminals are electrically connected to the conductor connection portion 3 of the inspection device, a plurality of terminals formed on the conductor connection portion 3 are connected to, for example, a first conductor 5 and a second conductor. 6 are connected separately, and the conductor connecting portion 3 having such a configuration is pressed against the panel terminal portion 4 to electrically connect the terminals.

[0003]

Generally, the interval between the terminals of the panel terminal portion 4 is as small as several hundreds of μm. Therefore, a fine adjustment mechanism is required for positioning the conductor connection portion 3 and correct. A magnifying glass or the like is needed to check if it is connected. For this reason, there is a problem that the entire device becomes large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure between terminals of a display panel to be inspected and conductors of an inspection device which can easily make electrical connection between terminals such as a liquid crystal panel and a conductor such as an inspection device. It is to provide.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a plurality of terminals arranged in parallel with each other on a substrate of a display panel to be inspected and classified into n (n is an integer of 2 or more) groups are provided. In the connection structure with the n conductors of the inspection device arranged and connected corresponding to each set of the terminals, the i-th (i = 1)
To n) the terminals of the set and the i-th conductor are detachably contacted and electrically connected at intersections, and the intersections of the terminals of the i-th set and the conductors other than the i-th conductor. The terminal is characterized in that an island-shaped insulating coating wider than the intersection is provided on the terminal .

Further, according to the present invention, there are provided a plurality of terminals arranged in parallel with each other on a substrate of a display panel to be inspected and classified into n (n is an integer of 2 or more) sets, and the terminals arranged orthogonal to the terminals. In the connection structure with the n conductors of the inspection device connected corresponding to each set of the above, the terminals of the i-th (i = 1 to n) -th set and the i-th conductor are intersected. The ith set of terminals and the ith set of terminals are detachably contacted and electrically connected.
The intersections of the conductors other than th, and having a thinned insulation means the thickness of the end element.

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

According to the invention, arranged orthogonally the terminal and the conductor, which is the terminal and the conductor connecting at intersections, removably contact by pressing against the conductor to the terminal and electrically connected to, those not connected with intersections provided with an insulating material at the intersection of the terminal and the conductor, or to reduce the thickness of the terminal can, or by not forming the terminal, electrically both The terminals can be divided into groups so that they can be easily electrically connected to only necessary conductors. Also, the intersection of the conductor and the terminal arranged orthogonally
Of the areas that are not electrically connected,
Because the island-shaped insulator is formed, the terminal and the conductor
Even if there is a misalignment when connecting, it is fully insulated and
Of the intersections between terminals and conductors
Unnecessary insulating means is formed even in the area where
Misalignment when connecting the terminal and the conductor.
Even if it occurs, sufficient conductivity can be obtained. Further, claim 2 of the present application
According to the above, insulation without the need for a separate process such as film formation
Means can be formed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The connection structure of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments by applying the connection structure between a terminal of a liquid crystal panel and a conductor of an inspection apparatus.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of a liquid crystal panel 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a conductor connection portion 13 before connection. FIG. 2 shows a panel terminal portion 14 and a conductor connection portion 13. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a connection state with the circumstance. As shown in FIG. 1, the panel terminals 14 are integrated at one place on the TFT substrate 12 of the liquid crystal panel 11. The conductor connecting portions 13 are wired such that two terminals, for example, a first conductor 15 and a second conductor 16, are arranged at right angles to the direction of the terminals as shown in FIG. . In the terminal panel portion 14, for example, eleven terminals 14a to 14n arranged in parallel with each other are formed.

In this embodiment, the terminals 14a, 14c, 14
e, 14g, 14k, 14n, and a terminal 14b,
14d, 14f, 14h, and 14m. The first set is the first conductor 15 and the second set is the second conductor 1.
6, respectively. Each terminal of the first set connected to the first conductor 15 is detachably contacted with the conductor at a position 17 where the first conductor 15 is connected, and is electrically connected to the second conductor. At the position 18 where the body is connected, there is an insulator 19 between the terminal and the conductor, and the terminal and the conductor are not electrically connected.

The terminals of the second set are insulated from the terminals of the first set, are insulated from the first conductor 15, and are connected to the second conductor 16. First set of terminals 14
The insulator 19 is provided only at the intersection of the a, 14c, 14e, 14g, 14k, 14n and the second conductor 16. The second set of terminals 14b, 14d, 14f, 14
The insulator 19 is provided only at the intersection of the first conductor 15 and h, 14m.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a panel terminal section 14 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the terminals of the terminal panel section 14 are divided into, for example, a first set of terminals 14a, 14c, 14e and a second set of terminals 14b, 14d, 14f. The first set of terminals is in contact with the first conductor 15 at a location 17 where the terminal and the conductor are in releasable contact, while the second conductor 16
The contact 18 is non-contact because the terminal is formed short and does not exist at the position 18 where the terminal is connected. The second set of terminals 14b, 14d,
The terminals 14b, 14d and 14f are not formed at the position 17 in FIG. 3 but are short at the intersections of the first conductors 15f and 14f, so that they are not contacted and insulated as described above. .

Although the second set of terminals is in contact with the second conductor 16, a recess 20 is formed at a position 17 where the terminal is connected to the first conductor 15, and the thickness of the terminal is reduced. Non-contact. Therefore, the first set of terminals does not contact the second conductor 16, and the second set of terminals does not contact the first set of conductors 15.
Does not contact with First set of terminals 14a, 14c, 14e
Only at the intersections between the second set of terminals 14b, 14d, and 14f, at the position 18, the first set of terminals 14a, 14c, and 14e is connected to the second set of conductors 16a, 14d, and 14f. 16 and is electrically insulated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the second set of terminals 14b, 14d,
Oa may be formed to have a small thickness.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inspection device 30 for a liquid crystal panel 11 using the connection structure of the present invention. Liquid crystal panel inspection device 30
Consists of a main body 21 and a lid 22. The main body 22 includes a left-right positioning plate 23 and an up-down positioning plate 24, by which the liquid crystal panel 11 to be inspected is moved to the main body 2.
Attach correctly to 1.

At the position facing the panel terminal 14 of the liquid crystal panel 11, the lid 22 has a conductor connection portion 13 having a conductor wired so as to be orthogonal to the panel terminal 14.
The lid 22 is connected to the main body 21 by a hinge 25 so as to be openable and closable. Therefore, when the lid 22 is pressed toward the main body 21, the holding clamps 2 provided on the left and right front portions of the main body 21 are provided.
6, the pressing force is adjusted.

The terminal group of the panel terminal section 14 is divided into a first set and a second set according to the structure described in the first or second embodiment. The first set includes the first conductor 15 and the second set. Is the second conductor 1
6 are detachably contacted and connected respectively.

By checking the insulation resistance between the first conductor 15 and the second conductor 16, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a leak between the first set of terminals and the second set of terminals,
One test can be performed.

In practice, the terminal width is about 100 μm, and in the prior art, the liquid crystal panel cannot be inspected unless the terminals and the conductor are aligned with an accuracy of 50 μm or less in the width direction. On the other hand, in the present invention, the distance between the first conductor 15 and the second conductor 16, the dimensions of the insulator 19 covering the terminals,
Although it depends on the length of the concave portion 20 and the like, the positioning may be performed with an accuracy of several mm.

In each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which a plurality of terminals are classified into two sets and individually connected to two conductors. However, the plurality of terminals are classified into n sets, and the n conductors are classified. It can be implemented in the same manner even when individually connected.

The present invention is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, but may be implemented in connection with terminals of a display panel to be inspected such as an EL (electroluminescence) panel.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, electrical connection by detachable contact between a plurality of terminals and a plurality of conductors can be surely performed by simple alignment, thereby achieving Electrical inspection of liquid crystal panels and the like can be easily performed. When inspecting the display panel,
Precise positioning of panel terminals and conductors of inspection equipment
Need to be performed, and when inspecting many display panels
Work efficiency can be significantly improved. Claims of the present application
According to 2, there is no need for a separate process such as film formation.
Improve production efficiency by forming edge means
In addition, many new metal films and insulating films
Consider adverse effects such as defects on the display panel
No need.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a liquid crystal panel 11 and a conductor connecting portion 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a connection state between a panel terminal section 14 of FIG. 1 and a first conductor 15 and a second conductor 16;

FIG. 3 shows a panel terminal 14 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view of.

FIG. 4 is a panel terminal section 14 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view of.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal panel inspection device 30 using the connection structure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a liquid crystal panel 1 and a conductor connection portion 3 according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Liquid crystal panel 12 TFT board 13 Conductor connection part 14 Panel terminal part 14a-14n terminal 15 1st conductor 16 2nd conductor 19 Insulation coating 20 Depression

(72) Inventor Ken Kanamori 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Eiji Marumoto 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sharp Corporation ( 72) Inventor Hiroshi Fujiki 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (56) References JP-A-5-142553 (JP, A) JP-A-4-179926 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of terminals arranged in parallel with each other on a substrate of a display panel to be inspected and classified into n (n is an integer of 2 or more) sets, and each set of the terminals arranged orthogonal to the terminals. In the connection structure with the n conductors of the inspection device connected correspondingly, the terminals of the i-th (i = 1 to n) sets and the i-th conductor can be detached at the intersection. The terminal is provided with an island-shaped insulating coating wider than the intersection at an intersection between the i-th terminal and the conductor other than the i-th conductor. Connection structure between the terminal of the display panel to be inspected and the conductor of the inspection device. 2. A plurality of terminals arranged in parallel with each other on a substrate of a display panel to be inspected and classified into n (n is an integer of 2 or more) sets, and each set of the terminals arranged orthogonal to the terminals. In the connection structure with the n conductors of the inspection device connected correspondingly, the terminals of the i-th (i = 1 to n) sets and the i-th conductor can be detached at the intersection. contact is electrically connected to the intersections of the conductors other than the the i-th first i sets of terminals, inspected characterized by having a thinned insulation means the thickness of said end element Connection structure between display panel terminals and conductors of inspection equipment.