JP3264809B2 - Display panel inspection socket - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display panel inspection socket which can be suitably used for inspection of display quality of an electroluminescence panel, a plasma display panel, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal display panel or the like, a display panel or the like before connection of peripheral circuits such as a driving IC tab is inspected for a display quality for detecting a display defect portion. Therefore, in this type of test,
2. Description of the Related Art A display panel inspection apparatus provided with a contact member for making contact with electrodes arranged and formed on a substrate of a display panel is used. For example, as shown in JP-A-6- 3 08034, JP-base as a contact member for contact with the electrodes of the display panel, having conventionally, a needle-like or wire-like probe, a flexible and insulating properties A flexible wiring board formed by forming a conductor pattern for contact on a film is known, but with the densification and fine pitch of the electrodes, reliability of contact with the electrodes, ease of handling,
Flexible wiring boards tend to be adopted from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost and the like.

Japanese Patent Application No. 7-64731 filed by the present applicant discloses a socket for display panel inspection using a flexible wiring board. In this display panel inspection socket, an elastic support made of an elastic material such as rubber extending in the direction in which the electrodes on the display panel substrate are arranged is provided on the socket body, and the back surface is supported by the elastic support. Since the flexible wiring board is provided so as to be position-adjustable with respect to the socket body, after positioning the display panel board with respect to the socket body, by adjusting the position of the flexible wiring board, the display panel board is adjusted. The upper electrode and the conductor pattern on the flexible wiring board can be aligned. Then, by pressing the back surface of the substrate of the display panel with the panel pressing member, the electrodes on the substrate of the display panel and the conductor patterns on the flexible wiring board can be brought into contact with a required contact pressure.

[0004]

Since the above-mentioned elastic support has a flat film pressing surface extending along the direction in which the electrodes of the display panel are arranged, a flexible wiring whose back surface is supported by this elastic support is provided. The conductor pattern of the board and the electrodes of the display panel can be brought into contact with a substantially uniform pressing force, but the elastic support adheres to the back of the flexible wiring board when adjusting the alignment of the flexible wiring board. There is a risk that movement will be hindered. In particular,
The elastic support, whose surface is finished smoothly, easily adheres to the back of the flexible wiring board when pressing force is applied to the back of the substrate of the display panel. Since it may be kept in the sucked state, there is a problem in setting the next display panel in the socket and adjusting the position of the flexible wiring board.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to facilitate and surely align a conductor pattern on a flexible wiring board whose back surface is supported by an elastic support with an electrode on a substrate of a display panel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display panel inspection socket capable of contacting both with substantially equal contact pressure.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display panel inspection socket for inspecting a display panel having a plurality of electrodes arranged on a substrate. A socket body, and a flexible wiring board which is attached to the socket body so as to be position-adjustable along an arrangement direction of the electrodes of the display panel and has a conductor pattern formed on a surface thereof for contacting the electrodes of the display panel, A panel pressing member for pressing an electrode of the display panel and a conductor pattern of the flexible wiring board at a required contact pressure by pressing a rear surface of the substrate of the display panel, and extending along an arrangement direction of the electrodes of the display panel. And the flexible wiring board on the socket body.
And an elastic support you support the back, said resilient support is secured to the back of the flexible wiring board socket
And is slidable on the main body .

In the display panel inspection socket having the above-described structure, the back surface of the flexible wiring board is supported by an elastic support extending along the direction in which the electrodes of the display panel are arranged when the back surface of the display panel is pressed by the panel pressing member. Therefore, the electrodes of the display panel can be brought into contact with the conductor patterns of the flexible wiring board at a required uniform contact pressure. Moreover, since the elastic support is fixed to the back surface of the flexible wiring board, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from being interposed between the elastic support and the flexible wiring board. Further, even when a plurality of elastic supports are joined and arranged along the direction in which the electrodes of the display panel are arranged, when the elastic supports are fixed to the back surface of the flexible wiring board, Since the position of the seam can be determined between the conductor patterns of the flexible wiring board, when the position of the flexible wiring board is adjusted, the position of the seam of the elastic support is adjusted between the conductor pattern of the flexible wiring board and the electrode of the display panel. The possibility of being arranged behind the contact part can be reliably avoided. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the conductive pattern of the flexible wiring board may be poorly pressed against the electrode of the display panel at the joint of the elastic support. Further, when adjusting the position of the flexible wiring board, the elastic support is slid with respect to the socket body to move the elastic support together with the flexible wiring board. In general, suction is likely to occur on the contact surface of the flexible wiring board, whereas suction is unlikely to occur on the contact surface between the socket body having the required surface roughness and the elastic support. Compared with the case where the socket is attached to the socket body, the position of the flexible wiring board can be adjusted more smoothly in the socket having the above configuration according to the present invention.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the display panel inspection socket according to the first aspect, the elastic support has a flat surface fixed to the flexible wiring board over its entire length.

According to the above construction, even if the flexible wiring board itself has undulation or the like, its flatness can be easily secured by fixing the elastic support.
The contact pressure between the conductor pattern of the flexible wiring board and the electrode of the display panel can be further equalized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the display panel inspection socket according to the first aspect, the contact portion of the elastic support with respect to the socket body has a large number of fine irregularities or an arrangement direction of the electrodes of the display panel. It is characterized in that a plurality of protruding portions extending along are formed.

According to the above structure, even when the contact portion of the socket body with the elastic support is a flat surface, when the display panel is not pressed by the panel pressing member, the elastic support is provided on the elastic support. Alternatively, the contact can be made to come into contact with the socket body via the tops of the projections extending along the arrangement direction of the electrodes of the display panel, so that the contact resistance between the elastic support and the socket body can be reduced. Also,
Even if the microscopic unevenness or convex portion of the elastic support is crushed when the display panel is pressed by the panel pressing member and the contact area with the socket body increases, the fine unevenness is released when the pressing force by the panel pressing member is released. Alternatively, it is possible to easily prevent the elastic support and the socket body from being attracted by the elastic restoring force of the projection, and to easily return the elastic support and the socket body to the small contact resistance state. Therefore,
The position adjustment of the flexible wiring board can be performed more smoothly.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the display panel inspection socket according to the first aspect, wherein a contact portion of the socket body with the elastic support member has a large number of fine irregularities or an arrangement direction of display panel electrodes. A plurality of protruding portions extending therefrom.

According to the above construction, even when the contact portion of the elastic support with the socket body is a flat surface, the elastic support is provided on the socket body when the panel pressing member does not press the display panel. Since the socket can be brought into contact with the socket body via the tops of the projections extending along the direction in which the electrodes of the panel are arranged, the contact resistance between the elastic support and the socket body can be reduced. Also,
Even when minute unevenness or projections of the socket body bite into the contact surface of the elastic support when the display panel is pressed by the panel pressing member and the contact area between the elastic support and the socket body increases, the pressing force of the panel pressing member is increased. When the pressure is released, the elastic restoring force of the elastic support can easily prevent the elastic support and the socket body from being attracted to each other, and the elastic support and the socket body can be easily returned to the small contact resistance state. . Therefore, the position adjustment of the flexible wiring board can be performed more smoothly.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the display panel inspection socket according to the first aspect, one of the elastic support and the socket body is interposed at a contact portion between the elastic support and the socket body. Characterized in that a sheet made of a lubricating material is fixed.

According to the above construction, even when the contact portion of the elastic support with the socket body or the contact portion of the socket body with the elastic support is a flat surface, the elastic member or the lubricating material fixed to the socket body has a flat surface. With such a sheet, the lubricity between the elastic support and the socket body can be maintained.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the display panel inspection socket according to the first aspect, a coating film made of a lubricating material is formed on a contact portion of the socket body with the elastic support. .

According to the above configuration, even when the contact portion of the elastic support with the socket body is a flat surface, the elastic support and the socket body are formed by the sheet made of the slippery material formed on the contact portion of the socket body. The lubrication between the two can be maintained.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the display panel inspection socket according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the lubricating material is polytetrafluoroethylene or polyethylene terephthalate.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily ensure both the adhesiveness of the slip sheet or the coating film to one of the elastic support and the socket body and the slip property of the slip sheet or the coating film to the other. it can.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 8 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal display panel inspection socket. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a mode of supplying signals to electrodes on a substrate of a liquid crystal display panel, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a state in the middle of assembling a socket, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part showing a state in which a source-side flexible wiring board is disposed on a film mounting plate incorporated in the socket body of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view in which a panel pressing member and a shutter of the socket are retracted. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3 showing a state in which the shutter is advanced. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. Figure,
FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the panel pressing member of the socket advances and presses on the substrate of the display panel via the shutter.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of the elastic support when not pressed.

First, referring to FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display panel 1 is formed by forming a rectangular liquid crystal display section 3 on a rectangular insulating substrate 2 made of, for example, glass and extending along a side of the liquid crystal display section 3. A plurality of electrodes 4 and 5 are arranged on the insulating substrate 2 in parallel with each other. In the example of the illustrated liquid crystal display panel, the source-side electrodes 4 are arranged and formed on the insulating substrate 2 along one long side of the liquid crystal display unit 3, and the insulating substrate is disposed along one short side of the liquid crystal display unit 3. The gate-side electrodes 5 are arranged and formed on the insulating substrate 2. The source-side electrodes are arranged and formed on the insulating substrate along both long sides, or the gate-side electrodes are formed on the insulating substrate along both short sides. An array may be formed. Further, a source-side electrode 4 and a gate-side electrode 5 of the illustrated liquid crystal display panel 1 are a liquid crystal driving integrated circuit (not shown).
The common electrodes 6 are formed on the insulating substrate 2 and located outside the both ends of each block of the source-side electrode 4 on the insulating substrate 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, a socket 10 for inspecting a liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises:
It has a socket body 11 made of metal or hard plastic and having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. As means for positioning the liquid crystal display panel 1 with respect to the socket main body 1, the socket main body 11 includes a reference engagement piece 11 a that engages with a corner portion of the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1, Substrate pressing means 12 for pressing the substrate 2 toward the reference engagement piece 11a is provided. This substrate pressing means 12
Is a movable engagement piece 12a that engages with a corner of the insulating substrate 2.
And a spring (not shown) for urging the movable engagement piece 12a in the direction of the reference engagement piece 11a.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 on which the electrodes 4 and 5 are formed.
In the upper surface of the socket main body 11, a concave groove 11b extending parallel to the side of the insulating substrate 2, that is, parallel to the arrangement direction of the electrodes 4 and 6 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is formed. A material having substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the insulating substrate 2, for example, a film mounting plate 13 made of the same material as the insulating substrate 2 is accommodated in each groove 11b so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction thereof. A plurality of contact films, that is, flexible wiring boards 14 are fixed to the upper surface of each film mounting plate 13 with, for example, an adhesive. Each flexible wiring board 14 is formed by forming a conductor pattern described later on a surface of a flexible and insulating base film. Although the base film of the flexible wiring board 14 can be formed of various resins, when the socket for inspection is used for inspection such as aging of the liquid crystal display panel 1, the base film of the flexible wiring board 14 is
It is preferably formed of a resin such as polyimide that can withstand an environmental temperature of 100 ° C. to 100 ° C.

FIG. 4 shows a flexible wiring board 14 used to make contact with the source-side electrode 4. On the upper surface of the flexible wiring board 14, there are provided a conductor pattern 15 and a conductive pattern 15 which are in contact with the source-side electrode 4 of the liquid crystal display panel 1. A conductor pattern 16 that is in contact with the common electrode 6 is formed. These conductor patterns 15 and 16 are connected to the lead pattern 1 respectively.
7 and 18 are connected to the conductor patterns 20 and 21 of the flexible wiring board 19. Although the conductor pattern 15 is formed so as to obliquely intersect the electrode 4 of the liquid crystal display panel 1, this is merely an example, and may be formed, for example, so as to be orthogonal to the electrode 4. The flexible wiring board 14 used for contact with the gate-side electrode 5 and the flexible wiring board 14 used for contact with the source-side electrode 4 differ only in the wiring pattern of the conductor pattern. The mounting structure that can be aligned with the electrode 5 and the structure in which the lower surface (back surface) of the distal end portion is pressed by the elastic support 24 made of an elastic body are the same. And the flexible wiring board 14 on the gate side.
A detailed description of this will be omitted.

At one end of each groove 11b, there is provided a mounting plate position adjusting means 22 for positioning one end of the film mounting plate 13 on the same reference plane as one end of the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1. Is provided. The mounting plate position adjusting means 22 is a contact piece 2 that is in contact with one end of the film mounting plate 13.
2a and an adjusting screw 2 for adjusting the position of the contact piece
2b. A coil spring 23 is provided at the other end of the concave groove 11b to abut against the other end of the film mounting plate 13 and press the film mounting plate 13 against the contact piece 22a of the mounting plate position adjusting means 22. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 8,
Behind the conductor patterns 15 and 16 of the flexible wiring board 14, an elastic support 24, which is a feature of the present invention, is provided on the lower surface, that is, the back surface of the flexible wiring board 14 with an adhesive 32.
Is fixed. The elastic support 24 extends in the direction in which the electrodes 4 and 6 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 are arranged.
It is interposed between the flexible wiring board 14 and the support surface 11c of the socket body 11 facing the back surface. The elastic support 24 can be formed of various rubbers or rubber-like elastic materials. However, when the test socket is used for testing the liquid crystal display panel 1 for aging or the like, the elastic support 24 is 80 to 100.
It is preferable to use, for example, silicon rubber that can withstand an environmental temperature of ° C. When the elastic support 24 is made of silicon rubber and the base film of the flexible wiring board 14 is made of polyimide, the adhesive 32 for bonding the elastic support 24 and the flexible wiring board 14 is, for example, a silicon-based adhesive. Urethane-based adhesives and the like are preferable because they have excellent heat resistance.

Further, the socket 10 is connected to the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 mounted on the flexible wiring board 14.
When moving to the upper surface of the substrate, the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1
And a panel pressing member 25 slidably provided on the socket body 11 so as to press the liquid crystal display panel 1 against the flexible wiring board 14.
And a flexible shutter 26 interposed between the panel pressing member 25 and the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 when pressing the insulating substrate 2. A spring 27 (see FIG. 2) for urging the rear end of the shutter 26 forward is attached to the socket body 11. The front end 26 a of the shutter 26 is moved by the urging force of the spring 27 so that the liquid crystal display panel mounting area is moved. The leading end 26a can be moved from the retreat position to be opened (see FIGS. 3 and 5) to a covering position (see FIGS. 6 and 7) that covers the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1. A support plate 28 covering the flexible wiring board 14 and extending along the side of the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is fixed to the socket body 11 with screws 29, and the shutter 26 is a support plate. 28 is slidably supported.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the panel pressing member 25 of this embodiment has a spring property mounted on the socket body 11 so as to sandwich the socket body 11 and the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 up and down. A metal clamper 30 having a horizontal U-shaped cross section, and a plastic slide that is screwed, for example, to the lower surface of the upper portion 30a over substantially the entire length of the upper portion 30a of the clamper 30 and slidably contacts the upper surface of the shutter 26. A moving piece 31 is provided. As a plastic material used for the sliding piece 31, a material having a good sliding property such as polytetrafluoroethylene is preferable. The sliding piece 31 has a protruding part 31 a that forms a tip pressing part of the panel pressing member 25. The sliding piece 31 is retracted from the pressing position (see FIG. 7) where the protrusion 31a presses the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 to the opening position (see FIG. 6) where the liquid crystal display panel mounting area is opened. An engagement portion 31b that engages with the engagement portion 26b of the shutter 26 when moved is provided.
When the panel pressing member 25 further moves backward from the open position, the shutter 26 is moved from the covering position to the retracted position (see FIG. 5) by the engagement portion 31b against the urging force of the spring 27.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, on the upper surface of the support plate 28, when the panel pressing member 25 moves between the open position and the retracted position, it comes into contact with the lower surface of the front end portion of the panel pressing member 25. A guide portion 28a for projecting the panel pressing member 25 away from the upper surface of the flexible wiring board 14 is provided in a protruding manner. In addition, a plurality of bosses 28 b for projecting screws 29 are provided on the upper surface of the support plate 28. The guide portion 28a and the boss portion 28b of the support plate 28 are slidably engaged with long holes 26c and 26d formed in the shutter 26. The shutter 26 can move forward to the covering position by the rear end of the long hole 26d abutting on the boss 28b of the support plate 28.

Further, the upper surface of the support plate 28 is shown in FIG.
As can be seen from FIG. 5, the upper end 28c of the liquid crystal display panel 1 mounted on the flexible wiring board 14 near the side of the insulating substrate 2 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the side of the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1. The support plate 28 has the same height, and the upper surface of the support plate 28
It gradually falls down toward c.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an upwardly projecting portion 30c is formed at the tip of the lower piece 30b of the clamper 30 so as to be bent. When the panel pressing member 25 is in the pressing position (FIG. 7) and the retreating position (FIG. 5), the depressions 1 elastically engage with the protrusions 30 c of the clamper 30, respectively.
1d and 11e are formed. Therefore, the panel pressing member 25 can be stably locked at the pressing position and the retreat position. Note that the sliding operation of the clamper 30 is preferably performed using a jig (not shown).

In the display panel inspection socket of the first embodiment having the above-described structure, when the back surface of the substrate 2 of the display panel 1 is pressed by the panel pressing member 25, the flexible wiring board is provided behind the conductor patterns 15 and 16. 14 can be supported by the elastic support 24 extending along the direction in which the electrodes 4 and 6 of the display panel 1 are arranged.
The electrodes 4, 6 of the display panel 1 and the conductor patterns 15, 16 of the flexible wiring board 14 can be brought into contact with a required uniform contact pressure. Moreover, since the elastic support 24 is fixed to the back surface of the flexible wiring board 14, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from being interposed between the elastic support 24 and the flexible wiring board 14. Further, even when the plurality of elastic supports 24 are joined and arranged along the arrangement direction of the electrodes 4 and 6 of the display panel 1, the elastic supports 24 are fixed to the back surface of the flexible wiring board 14. At that time,
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the seam 24a of the elastic support 24
Can be set at a position between the two conductor patterns 16 on the flexible wiring board 14. Therefore, when the position of the flexible wiring board 14 is adjusted on the socket body 11, the position of the joint 24 a of the elastic support 24 is changed to the conductor patterns 15, 16 of the flexible wiring board 14.
Of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and the electrodes 4 and 6 can be reliably avoided. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that a failure in pressing the conductor patterns 15 and 16 of the flexible wiring board 14 against the electrodes 4 and 6 of the display panel 1 at the joint 24a of the elastic support 24.

When adjusting the position of the flexible wiring board 14, the elastic support 24 is slid with respect to the support surface 11c of the socket body 11 to move the elastic support 24 together with the flexible wiring board 14. In other words, suction is generally likely to occur at the contact surface between the flexible wiring board 14 and the elastic support 24, whereas suction is likely to occur at the contact surface between the socket body 11 having the required surface roughness and the elastic support 24. Less likely. Therefore, the flexible wiring board 1
The elastic support 24 for supporting the back surface of the socket body 11
In the socket having the above configuration, the position adjustment of the flexible wiring board 14 can be performed more smoothly as compared with the case of mounting on the socket.

Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 8, the elastic support 24 in the first embodiment has a flat surface for fixing the flexible wiring board 14 over its entire length. Even if there is a undulation or the like in the 14 itself, the flatness of the flexible wiring board 14 can be easily secured by fixing the elastic support 24 to the back surface.

FIGS. 9A and 9B, FIGS.
(B), FIGS. 11 (a), (b) and FIG. 11 show the main parts of the second to eighth embodiments of the present invention, respectively. In these drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Configurations not shown in the second to eighth embodiments are the same as those in the first embodiment, and reference is made to FIGS.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG.
A plurality of (for example, two) convex portions 24b extending along the direction in which the electrodes 4 and 6 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 are arranged are formed at a contact portion of the elastic support 24 with the socket body 11.
Preferably, as shown in the figure, the convex portion 24b has a cross-sectional shape such as a triangular shape or a substantially semicircular shape such that the top portion thereof is substantially in line contact with the support surface 11c of the socket body 11. Further, in the third embodiment shown in FIG.
A large number of fine irregularities 24c are formed, for example, in a satin-like shape or a hairline shape in a contact portion of the elastic support body 24 with respect to 1.

Therefore, according to the constructions of the second and third embodiments, the contact portion of the socket body 11 with respect to the elastic support 24 fixed to the rear surface of the flexible wiring board 14, that is, the support surface 11c is a flat surface. Also, when the liquid crystal display panel 1 is not pressed by the panel pressing member 25, the elastic support 24 can be brought into contact with the socket body 11 via the top of the convex portion 24b or the fine irregularities 24c, so that the elastic support 24 and the socket The contact resistance with the main body 11 can be reduced. Also, when the liquid crystal display panel 1 is pressed by the panel pressing member 25, the projections 24 b of the elastic support 24 are
Or, even if the unevenness 24c is crushed and the contact area with the socket body 11 increases, when the pressing force by the panel pressing member 25 is released, the elastic support 24 is formed by the elastic restoring force of the convex portion 24b or the unevenness 24c. Adsorption to the socket main body 11 can be easily prevented, and the elastic support 24 and the socket main body 11 can be easily returned to the small contact resistance state. Therefore, the position adjustment of the flexible wiring board 14 can be performed smoothly.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, the contact portions of the socket body 11 with the elastic support 24, that is, the support surface 11c,
A plurality of projections 11f extending along the arrangement direction of the six are formed. In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, a large number of fine irregularities 11g are formed on the contact portion of the socket body 11 with the elastic support 24, that is, on the support surface 11c.

Therefore, according to the constructions of the fourth and fifth embodiments, the elastic support 24 with respect to the socket body 11 is provided.
When the liquid crystal display panel 1 is not pressed by the panel pressing member 25, the elastic support 24 is provided on the socket main body 11 via the top of the convex portion 11f provided on the socket main body 11 or the fine unevenness 11g even when the contact portion of the socket main body is not pressed. 11, the contact resistance between the elastic support 24 and the socket body 11 can be reduced. When the liquid crystal display panel 1 is pressed by the panel pressing member 25, the socket body 1 is pressed.
Even when the convex portion 11f or the unevenness 11g bites into the contact surface of the elastic support 24 and the contact area between the elastic support 24 and the socket body 11 increases, when the pressing force by the panel pressing member 25 is released. The elastic restoring force of the elastic support 24 can easily prevent the elastic support 24 and the socket body 11 from being attracted to each other.
Can be easily returned to the small contact resistance state.
Therefore, the position adjustment of the flexible wiring board 14 can be performed smoothly.

In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, a lubricating sheet 33 interposed at a contact portion between the elastic support 24 and the socket body 11 is attached to the elastic support 24.
4 is fixed. In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 11B, the elastic support 24
Slippery sheet 3 interposed in the contact portion between the socket and the socket body 11
3 is fixed with an adhesive 35. Preferably, the slip sheet 33 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like.

Therefore, according to the configurations of the sixth and seventh embodiments, the elastic support 24
Socket body 11 for contact portion or elastic support 24
Even if the contact portion is a flat surface, the lubricity between the elastic support 24 and the socket main body 11 can be maintained by the slippery sheet 33 fixed to the elastic support 24 or the socket main body 11.

Further, in the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a coating film 36 of a lubricating material is formed on the support surface 11c of the socket body 11 which comes into contact with the elastic support 24. The coating film 36 is made of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene or polyethylene terephthalate. Therefore, according to the configuration of the eighth embodiment, the lubricity between the elastic support 24 and the socket main body 11 is maintained by the coating film 36 of the lubricating material formed on the support surface 11c of the socket main body 11. Can be.

Although the illustrated embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited only to the above embodiment.
Various changes can be made to the form, number, and the like of each component within the scope of the invention described in the claims. For example, the panel pressing member may be configured to be pivotally attached to the socket body 11 so as to be openable and closable. Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-64731, the shutter 26 is separated from the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 by an upward curling and moves out of the liquid crystal display panel mounting area. May be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 1 is mounted on the upper surface of the flexible wiring board 14 from above. However, the conductor pattern of the flexible wiring board 14 is directed downward, and the insulating substrate 2 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is mounted. May be arranged to contact the flexible wiring board 14 from under the socket body 11.

Further, the present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel,
The present invention can be similarly applied to an inspection socket for an electroluminescence panel, a plasma display panel, or the like.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is easy to align the conductive pattern on the flexible wiring board whose back surface is supported by the elastic support with the electrode on the display panel substrate. In addition, it is possible to provide a display panel inspection socket that can perform the operation reliably and can contact both with a uniform contact pressure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a signal supply mode to electrodes on a substrate of a liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a display panel inspection socket used for inspecting the liquid crystal display panel of FIG. 1 during the assembly of the socket.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a main part of the socket shown in FIG. 2;

4 is a main part plan view showing a state in which a source-side flexible wiring board is disposed on a film mounting plate of the socket shown in FIG. 2;

5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, showing a state in which a panel pressing member and a shutter of the socket shown in FIG. 2 are retracted.

6 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing a state in which a shutter has advanced onto a substrate of a display panel prior to a panel pressing member of the socket shown in FIG. 2;

7 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing a state in which a panel pressing member of the socket shown in FIG. 2 advances and presses on a substrate of a display panel via a shutter.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the function of an elastic support used in the socket shown in FIG. 2;

9 (a) is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 (b) is a sectional view showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 (a) shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 (a) shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid crystal display panel (display panel) 2 Insulating substrate (substrate) 4, 5, 6 electrode 10 Socket for display panel inspection 11 Socket main body 11a Reference engaging piece (panel positioning means) 11c Support surface 11f Convex part 11g Fine irregularities 12 Substrate pressing means (panel positioning means) 13 Film mounting plate 14 Flexible wiring board 15, 16 Conductive pattern 24 Elastic support 24a Seam 24b Convex part 24c Fine irregularities 25 Panel pressing member 26 Shutter 28 Support plate 30 Clamper 32 Adhesive 33 Smooth Sheet made of conductive material 34,35 Adhesive 36 Coating film

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display panel inspection socket for inspecting a display panel having a plurality of electrodes arranged on a substrate, comprising: a socket body; and the socket body along an arrangement direction of the electrodes of the display panel. A flexible wiring board which is attached so as to be position-adjustable and has a conductor pattern formed on the surface thereof for contacting the electrodes of the display panel,
A panel pressing member for pressing an electrode of the display panel and a conductor pattern of the flexible wiring board at a required contact pressure by pressing a rear surface of the substrate of the display panel, and extending along an arrangement direction of the electrodes of the display panel. And said
An elastic support for supporting the back surface of the flexible wiring board on the body of the socket , wherein the elastic support is fixed to the back surface of the flexible wiring board and slides on the socket body.
A display panel inspection socket characterized by being movable . 2. The display panel inspection socket according to claim 1, wherein the elastic support body has a flat surface fixed to the flexible wiring board over its entire length. 3. A contact portion of the elastic support member with respect to the socket body, wherein a plurality of fine irregularities or a plurality of convex portions or grooves extending along an arrangement direction of the electrodes of the display panel are formed. Item 2. A display panel inspection socket according to Item 1. 4. A contact portion of the socket body with respect to the elastic support, wherein a plurality of fine irregularities or a plurality of convex portions extending along an arrangement direction of electrodes of a display panel are formed. Display panel inspection socket. 5. A sheet made of a lubricating material interposed at a contact portion between the elastic support and the socket main body is fixed to one of the elastic support and the socket main body. Display panel inspection socket as described. 6. The display panel inspection socket according to claim 1, wherein a coating film made of a lubricating material is formed on a contact portion of the socket body with the elastic support. 7. The display panel inspection socket according to claim 5, wherein the lubricating material is polytetrafluoroethylene or polyethylene terephthalate.