JP3358522B2 - Aging method and apparatus for plasma display panel - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an aging apparatus for a plasma display panel which performs display by plasma discharge. 2. Description of the Related Art A plasma display panel (hereinafter, referred to as a PDP) has attracted attention as a display device replacing a cathode ray tube, and is expected to be used for large displays such as high-definition televisions.

In such a PDP, there is a demand for obtaining a display having a high display quality which maintains stable discharge characteristics for a long period of time with good mass productivity.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an AC type PDP having a three-electrode structure is:
A display electrode that defines a discharge cell for display is covered with a dielectric layer such as a low-melting glass.
By selectively accumulating wall charges in discharge cells for addresses to emit light (light up) by a write address method or an erase address method, a discharge sustaining voltage (sustain pulse) is alternately applied to a pair of display electrodes. , Causing a periodic discharge.

In a PDP, aging for continuously lighting all discharge cells in a display surface is performed for a predetermined time after a discharge gas is filled and panel assembly is completed. By performing aging, the surface layer portion of the dielectric layer is physically and chemically cleaned, the firing voltage is lowered, driving is facilitated, and the discharge is stabilized.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing an aging state in the PDP. The PDP 21 alternately derives the electrode terminals of a plurality of display electrodes X and Y to the left and right ends on one substrate, and derives the electrode terminals of a plurality of address electrodes A orthogonal to these to the upper and lower ends on the other substrate. Aging is performed by applying a predetermined voltage from the AC power supply 23 in a state where the electrode terminals of the plurality of display electrodes X and Y and the address electrode A are commonly connected by dedicated short bars 22X, 22Y and 22A. Is carried out.

That is, the AC power supply 23 contains a DC power supply and a switching element,
And the short bar 22Y are applied with a pulse-like voltage whose polarity is alternately changed.
A is connected to the positive potential of the DC power supply. Therefore, each time the polarity of the relative voltage between the display electrodes X and Y is switched, a counter discharge is generated between one of the display electrodes having the negative potential and the address electrode A.

The address electrodes A are connected to the short bars 22A on both the upper and lower ends, respectively, to enable aging even when the address electrodes A are disconnected. The broken part can be repaired by repairing it after aging. FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining a conventional aging method and apparatus. Conventionally, when aging, the connection between each electrode and the short bar is
As shown in FIG. 8, this is performed by mounting a clipping member such as a clip 24. The short bar 22X is
The flexible member having a prismatic shape is covered with metal fibers, and the display electrode X (see FIG. 7) is connected in common by pressing the flexible member against the PDP 21 with the clip 24. On the other hand, the short bar 22Y on the opposite side commonly connects the display electrodes Y.

In FIG. 8, since the short bar 22A is located on the back surface side, it is not visible. However, similarly to the short bars 22X and 22Y, the clip 24 is used.
The address electrodes A are commonly connected by being pressed by the PDP 21. The PDP 21 to which the short bar is connected by the clip 24 in this manner is mounted on a panel mounting table 25 in an aging chamber (not shown). An AC power supply 23 (see FIG. 7) is provided near the panel mounting table 25, and the AC power supply and each short bar are connected as described with reference to FIG. The connection between the AC power supply and each short bar is performed using, for example, a connection cable.

As described above, aging is performed by supplying a desired voltage to each short bar in a state where the PDP 21 is mounted on the panel mounting table 25 in the aging chamber.

[0010]

According to the above-mentioned conventional aging method and apparatus, the clip 24 for connecting each electrode to the short bar is mounted by an operator using a jig which can open and close the clip. It takes time and effort. In particular, since the number of clips to be used is increased in order to reliably connect the short bar to all the electrodes, the labor is enormous.

Further, a PDP 21 to which a short bar is connected
Is also required to place the data on the mounting table 25. Also,
Even if the number of clips is increased, since the clip is attached by the operator, there is a possibility that the contact shortage may occur due to the displacement of the short bar, and the clip may be damaged because the clip is directly attached to the PDP. Sometimes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an aging device that can be implemented efficiently and reliably without requiring any human intervention.

[0013]

An aging apparatus for a plasma display panel according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems has at least a short bar for commonly connecting an electrode group of the panel and a connection terminal for an aging voltage source. An aging chamber having at least a tray, a shelf for accommodating the tray, an aging voltage source, and a connection terminal connected to the aging voltage source and connectable to a connection terminal on the tray; and And a carrier for carrying the two connection terminals to each other.

According to the present invention as described above, a plasma display panel can be mounted on a tray capable of easily performing a short circuit between electrodes, and can be individually and automatically conveyed to an aging state. The aging can be performed efficiently and reliably without requiring any manpower.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 are views showing an embodiment of the aging device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view, FIG. 2 is a top view, and FIG. 3 is a front view. The aging device 1 of the present embodiment, as apparent from FIGS.
An aging chamber 2 having a plurality of mounting shelves 3 (omitted in FIG. 3), a panel mounting unit 5 for mounting the panel 10 on the tray 11, and a panel mounting machine 6 for mounting the panel 10 on the tray 11 in the panel mounting unit 5 (FIG. 2, omitted), tray 11
, A tray transporter 7 for carrying in or out of the aging chamber 2, a panel detaching unit 8 for removing the panel 10 after aging from the tray 11, a panel detaching machine (not shown), and carrying in and carrying out the panel 10. It is composed of a path 4 and a carry-out path 9.

A series of aging steps in the aging apparatus 1 having such a configuration will be described. First, the panel 10 is carried in by the carry-in path 4. This panel 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a plasma display panel in which a pair of glass substrates on each of which an electrode, a dielectric layer and the like are formed, and a discharge space between the substrates is filled with a predetermined discharge gas, and an electrode terminal is led out at an end. Have been.

When the panel 10 is carried into a predetermined position, the panel mounting machine 6 above the panel 10 holds the panel 10. The panel mounting machine 6 is provided with slidable holding claws 6a for holding the panel 10, and as seen from the front view of FIG. 3, the panel 10 is held by the holding claws 6a. In this state, the panel mounting machine 6 operates as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, and mounts the panel 10 on the tray 11 placed on the panel mounting section 5. This panel mounting will be described later with reference to a detailed view of the tray 11.

The panel mounting section 5 is provided with a power supply, and a voltage is supplied to the panel 10 mounted on the tray 11, so that the panel 10 is turned on entirely. Here, by confirming the lighting state, it is possible to take measures such as excluding defective products in advance. Next, the tray 11 on which the panel 10 is mounted is moved by the tray transporter 7 to the aging chamber 2.
It is conveyed through the conveyance port 2a (see FIG. 3). The tray transporter 7 is movable from the side of the panel mounting portion 5 into the aging chamber 2 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 2, and has an arm 7a extending to both sides to hold the tray 11 on the upper surface thereof. I have. In addition, a vertical moving unit 7b for moving the tray 11 in the vertical direction is provided.

The tray 11 is conveyed to a predetermined mounting shelf 3 by the tray conveyer 7 performing the above operation. Individual information is given to the panel 10 by a bar code or the like, and the bar code is read when the panel 10 is carried into the aging device 1 (for example, before being sandwiched by the panel mounting machine 6).
The processing method in the aging device 1 has been determined.

That is, when it is necessary to vary the aging time and applied voltage for each panel, the aging conditions may adversely affect the interference between the panels. The position of shelf 3 must be considered. Therefore, by transmitting the information to the apparatus in advance as described above, the problem caused by the interference is avoided.

That is, the tray transporter 7 receiving the tray 11 by the arm 7a recognizes the position of the mounting shelf 3 on which the tray 11 is to be mounted, and moves to a predetermined position in the aging chamber 2 The tray 11 is placed on a desired placing shelf 3 by the operation of the vertical moving part 7b and the arm 7a. Even after being placed on the loading shelf 3, the plurality of trays 11 are centrally monitored by the computer.

Although not shown, the mounting shelf 3 is provided with a contact portion connected to an AC power supply.
Since the corresponding contact portions are also provided, by placing the tray 11 on the mounting shelf 3, the contact portions come into contact with each other and a predetermined voltage is supplied to the panel 10. I have. By repeating the above operation, the plurality of panels 10 mounted on the tray 11 are brought into an aging state in the aging chamber 2.

During aging, the panel 10 emits a considerable amount of heat. Therefore, in order to prevent the temperature inside the aging chamber 2 from rising, although not shown, a cool air is blown in and exhausted by a fan. . According to the individual information, the panel 10 that has been subjected to the predetermined aging is carried out of the aging chamber 2 by the tray transporter 7 with the tray mounted, and is placed on the panel detaching section 8 by the operation of the arm 7a of the tray transporter 7.

The panel detaching section 8 is also provided with a power supply, like the panel mounting section 5, so that a lighting test after aging is completed can be performed. This is for detecting a lighting failure due to aging. After performing the lighting test in this manner, the panel 10 is removed from the tray 11 by a panel detacher (not shown).

The panel detaching machine for detaching the panel 10 from the tray 11 is not shown, but is similar to the panel attaching machine 7, provided that it can be moved between the panel attaching section 5 and the panel detaching section 8. It is also possible to use a single unit.
The panel 10 removed from the tray 11 is sent to the next step by the carry-out path 9.

In the top view of FIG.
However, this can be interposed between the panel mounting section 5 and the panel detaching section 8, and in the lighting test on the panel mounting section 5, a defective product detected is carried out of the aging device. , A manual process can be performed. The tray cart 12 is also provided with a power supply.
A voltage is supplied to 0, and it is possible to make the lighting state.

Next, the configuration of the tray 11 according to the present embodiment,
The mounting of the panel 10 on the tray 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the tray 11 of the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is a side view showing a process of mounting the panel 10, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the tray 11. As shown in FIG.
A metal movable plate 13 having short bars 14 is provided on four sides, and a panel board 17, a circuit board 18 on which a control circuit for generating an aging control signal and the like are mounted in an area surrounded by the movable plate 13, A protective cover 16 for covering the circuit board is provided. Then, the movable plate 13 and the circuit board 1
8 is electrically connected by a connection cable 15.

Although not shown, the tray 11 is provided with a cooling fan to cope with heat generated by the circuit board 18. When mounting the panel 10 on such a tray 11, the panel mounting machine 7 described above is used.
After the panel 10 is mounted on the panel mounting table 17 of the tray 11 (see FIG. 1), the short bar 1
4 is brought into contact with the electrodes of panel 10 to connect (short) the respective electrode groups in common.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the movable plate 13 is
The pair of slide plates 13a and 13b are integrated so as to be slidable, and are inclined to open outward when the panel 10 is not mounted. Although the pair of slide plates 13a and 13b are not shown in the drawing, they are held together by a spring or the like, and when no force is applied, they are kept apart as shown in FIG. I do.

A fitting claw 13c is provided on one slide plate 13a, and a fitting groove 13d is provided on the other slide plate 13b. As shown in FIG. 5A, after the panel 10 is mounted on the panel mounting table 17, the movable plate 13 that is inclined is raised so as to be vertical, and one of the slide plates 13 is moved.
Slide a downward. The operation of each part of the movable plate 13 is indicated by an arrow in FIG.

By such an operation, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the movable plate 13 becomes vertical and the fitting claw 13c and the fitting groove 13d are fitted to each other.
3a and 13b sandwich the end face of panel 10. Therefore, the short bar 14 comes into contact with the electrode terminal led out to the end face of the panel 10. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the short bar 14 is brought into contact with the exposed portion facing downward.
The short bar 14 is provided on the slide plate 13b located on the lower side.

Although the operation of the movable plate 13 may be performed manually, it is desirable to increase the working efficiency by automatically performing the operation using a robot arm or the like. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the movable plate 13, and illustrates a connection structure between an electrode terminal on a panel and a short bar. FIG. 6 (a)
As shown in (1), one slide plate 13a has an upper portion bent, and a buffer member 13e such as rubber is attached to the upper surface thereof. A short bar 14 is provided on the other slide plate 13b so as to face the buffer member 13e.
Is attached. The short bar 14 has a structure in which the surface of a flexible member 14a on a cylinder is covered with a metal fiber 14b.

Such a pair of slide plates 13a, 13
By sandwiching the panel end between the buffer member 13e and the short bar 14b, the short bar 14 is brought into contact with a plurality of electrode terminals led out to the panel end, and a plurality of electrodes are commonly connected. Short bar 14 as described above
Is made of the flexible member 14a, so that it is deformed when the panel is sandwiched, thereby ensuring the contact between the metal fibers 14b to be coated and the electrode terminals. In addition, short bar 1
The opposing portion of 4 is a buffer member 13e, and therefore does not damage the panel.

Further, since the electrode terminals on the panel 10 are sandwiched between the pair of slide plates 13a and 13b having the short bar 14, it is possible to cope with the warpage of the panel 10 and to surely short-circuit ( (Common connection of the electrode group). FIG. 6 (b)
The short bar 14 is attached to the upper slide plate 13a, and the buffer member 13e is attached to the lower slide plate 13b. The short bar 14 short-circuits the electrode terminal that is led upward to the panel. .

[0035]

According to the aging apparatus for a plasma display panel of the present invention, the panels are mounted on a tray capable of easily performing a short circuit of the electrode group, and individually and automatically conveyed to the aging state. Therefore, aging can be performed efficiently and reliably without requiring any manpower.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an aging device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the aging device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the aging device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of mounting a panel on a tray.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a movable plate in the tray.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing an aging state of the PDP.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional aging method and apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Aging apparatus 2 Aging room 3 Mounting shelf 4 Loading path 5 Panel mounting part 6 Panel mounting machine 7 Tray transporter 8 Panel detaching part 9 Loading path 10 Panel 11 Tray 13 Movable plate 14 Short bar

────────────────────────────────────────────────── (5) References JP-A-7-226162 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01J 9/44 H01J 11/02 H01J 17 / 49

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An aging device for a plasma display panel for supplying a voltage to an electrode group in a panel to turn on all discharge cells for a predetermined time, wherein the aging device is used to connect the electrode groups of the panel in common. A tray having at least a connection terminal for a bar and an aging voltage source, a shelf accommodating the tray, an aging voltage source, and a connection terminal connected to the aging voltage source and connectable to the connection terminal on the tray; An aging apparatus for a plasma display panel, comprising: an aging chamber having the aging chamber; and a carrier for carrying the tray into a shelf of the aging chamber and connecting the connection terminals of the two. 2. An aging apparatus for a plasma display panel, comprising: an aging chamber having a plurality of mounting shelves to which a power supply is connected; a panel mounting machine which sandwiches the plasma display panel and enables movement in that state; A control circuit for generating a control signal for aging, a tray provided with a short bar connected to the control circuit, a panel mounting unit for mounting a plasma display panel moved by the panel mounting machine on the tray, A tray with the plasma display panel mounted thereon is installed, a panel detaching unit for detaching the plasma display panel from the tray, a moving mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism, and the panel mounting unit and the panel detaching unit, and a mounting shelf in an aging chamber. Equipped with a telescopic arm for delivering and receiving trays, and mounted on a panel From the mounting tray transport to shelf, placing the aging device of a plasma display panel, wherein a tray transporting machine for tray transport, to become comprises a from shelf to the panel-separating part. 3. The aging of the plasma display panel according to claim 1, wherein the short bar provided on the tray is provided on a rotatable movable plate including a pair of slide plates. apparatus. 4. The aging method for a plasma display panel according to claim 2, wherein the panel mounting section has a power supply, and has a configuration capable of inspecting and lighting the mounted plasma display panel. 5. The aging apparatus for a plasma display panel according to claim 2, wherein the panel detachment unit includes a power supply, and is configured to inspect and light the plasma display panel to be detached.