JP4319429B2 - Inspection method of liquid crystal display panel - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inspection method for a liquid crystal display panel, and more particularly to an inspection method for determining a lighting state by applying a voltage to an electrode of a liquid crystal display panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, before an external circuit such as an LCD controller or a driver IC is mounted on a liquid crystal display panel, a lighting check inspection is performed to check whether the liquid crystal display panel is normally lit.
[0003]
In the conventional lighting check inspection, a predetermined lighting voltage is applied by directly contacting a probe pin of an inspection device to a wiring routed by an extension portion in which one substrate is made larger than the other substrate, and a liquid crystal is changed depending on the lighting state. The display panel was inspected for the presence or absence of wire breakage or short circuit.
[0004]
In this lighting confirmation inspection, each wiring and probe pin must be accurately aligned. For example, an alignment mark provided on the liquid crystal display panel is imaged by a CCD camera, and the image signal is captured by an image processing unit. The position of the wiring of the liquid crystal display panel was determined by processing, and either a liquid crystal display panel or a probe pin was moved based on the position data, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the wiring and the probe pin was provided ( Patent Document 1).
[0005]
Recently, a COG (Chip On Glass) type liquid crystal display device in which an IC chip is directly mounted on a substrate of a liquid crystal display panel has been manufactured. In the COG type liquid crystal display device, the IC chip is directly mounted on the substrate of the liquid crystal display panel, so that the fine pitch can be achieved, which is advantageous for light weight and thinning, and the IC chip package can be saved. There was an effect.
[0006]
In a liquid crystal display panel for a COG-type liquid crystal display device, an extension of a segment-side electrode wiring formed on one substrate and a control-side electrode wiring formed on the other substrate toward one side of the one substrate There is known a configuration in which the terminal is pulled out and connected to an external circuit (see Patent Document 2).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-43517 (paragraphs 0002-0004)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-321594 (FIG. 1)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, since the conventional inspection method performs the alignment operation between the wiring of the liquid crystal display panel and the probe pin of the inspection apparatus, the positioning mechanism requires a positioning accuracy of about the width of the wiring. In particular, in the case of a COG type liquid crystal display panel, since the wiring is fine pitched at the extended portion of the substrate, precise positioning accuracy is required. For this reason, a simple and quick alignment mechanism having a positioning accuracy of about 0.2 mm cannot be used, and a high-accuracy alignment mechanism has been adopted, which is very time consuming.
[0009]
In addition, since a large number of wires are connected to the probe pins on a one-to-one basis, the probability of poor connection is high, affecting the reliability of inspection.
[0010]
Furthermore, the area of the extension portion has been reduced due to the demand for a narrower frame, and the difficulty of working to connect the wiring of the liquid crystal display panel and the probe pin of the inspection apparatus has increased.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection method for easily and surely performing an inspection in which a terminal of an inspection apparatus is directly connected to a wiring of a liquid crystal display panel, reducing an inspection time, and improving productivity. And
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, a liquid crystal display panel inspection method according to the present invention includes a substrate having a plurality of first electrodes and a substrate having a plurality of second electrodes. The first wiring extending from the first electrode and the second wiring extending from the second electrode are led out toward one side of the one substrate, and the first portion extends along the one side. The wiring and the second wiring are respectively arranged in one or a plurality of sets, and a terminal corresponding to the set of wirings of the liquid crystal display panel is provided on the inspection substrate. A terminal of the substrate and a set of wirings of the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to the terminal are connected, and an inspection signal is applied to the electrode of the liquid crystal display panel.
[0013]
By adopting such a configuration, each terminal of the substrate for inspection and each set of wiring of the liquid crystal display panel are connected together, so there is no need to finely align each wiring, and it is easy and reliable. The liquid crystal display panel can be inspected in a short time. For this reason, the productivity of the liquid crystal display panel can be improved.
[0014]
In the liquid crystal display panel inspection method of the present invention, in the region where the terminal of the substrate for inspection of the extension portion and the wiring set of the liquid crystal display panel are connected, the first wiring set is located next to it. The distance from the second wiring set is 0.3 mm or more.
[0015]
Since the positioning accuracy of the simple and quick alignment mechanism is about 0.2 mm, by adopting such a configuration, the distance to the set of adjacent wirings of different electrodes is 0.3 mm in consideration of the margin. Since they are separated from each other, a simple and quick alignment mechanism can be used, and the inspection can be performed in a shorter time.
[0016]
Further, the liquid crystal display panel inspection method of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid crystal display panel has a terminal for directly mounting an IC chip in the extension portion.
[0017]
Since the liquid crystal display panel having terminals for directly mounting the IC chip in the extension portion has fine wiring, it is suitable for applying the present invention in which the terminals of the inspection substrate are connected to the set of wirings. It is.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic plan views of a liquid crystal display panel 1 and an inspection substrate 2. FIG. 1A shows a state before the two are connected, and FIG. Shown later.
[0020]
The liquid crystal display panel 1 has a first substrate 3 having a plurality of first electrodes and a second substrate 4 having a plurality of second electrodes, and both the substrates 3 and 4 cross each electrode in a matrix. The liquid crystal is sealed between them by being attached to each other with a seal. In FIG. 1, the first substrate 3 is larger in size than the second substrate 4, and the first substrate 3 protrudes to form an extension when the two substrates 3 and 4 are bonded together.
[0021]
In the liquid crystal display panel 1, a display region 5 for driving a liquid crystal by applying a voltage to each electrode is formed in a portion where both the substrates 3 and 4 overlap, and wiring extends from both electrodes in the display region 5. Exist. In FIG. 1, the electrodes are not shown, and the wirings are not shown one by one, but are shown as hatched hatching for each electrode as a set of wirings.
[0022]
Each wiring is drawn out toward one side of one of the substrates, and constitutes a connection terminal with an external circuit in an extension portion existing along one side of the substrate. The wiring may have a configuration in which the electrode is extended as it is or a configuration in which the wiring is connected to another conductive material through a terminal or the like. In addition, the direction in which the wiring is drawn out may be either the long side or the short side, but generally the long side has a larger number of pixels, and therefore the number of wirings is larger. However, it is preferable because the total wiring distance can be shortened and the size of the substrate can be reduced.
[0023]
In the first wiring extending from the first electrode and the second wiring extending from the second electrode, a plurality of wirings are collectively arranged. The number of sets can be set as appropriate depending on, for example, the arrangement of connection terminals with external circuits. Note that if the sets of wirings of the same electrode are arranged adjacent to each other (for example, the sets 6a and 6b in FIG. 1), the terminals of the substrate for inspection can be combined, so that the sets are arranged without being adjacent to each other. This is preferable (the terminals 8 and 9a and 9b in FIG. 1) because the number of terminals on the inspection board can be reduced compared to the case (the sets 7a and 7b in FIG. 1).
[0024]
In FIG. 1, the first wirings are grouped into two sets 6 a and 6 b and led out to the extension part toward the upper side of the first substrate 3. The second wiring extends from the second substrate 4 to the first substrate 3 via a terminal (not shown) for connecting both substrates, and is gathered into two sets 7a and 7b. After extending in the direction, it is pulled out toward the upper side. Although not shown, each wiring forms a connection terminal with an external circuit in an extension near the upper side. Note that when the second wiring set 7a and the set 7b are extended in the horizontal direction, the length of the wiring of the set 7b can be shortened and the resistance of the wiring can be reduced.
[0025]
The inspection substrate 2 is provided with terminals 8 corresponding to the first wiring set 6a, 6b of the liquid crystal display panel and terminals 9a, 9b corresponding to the second wiring set 7a, 7b of the liquid crystal display panel. . When an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) substrate is used as the inspection substrate 2, it is possible to cope with a narrow extension portion of the liquid crystal display panel 1.
[0026]
The terminals 8, 9a, and 9b of the inspection substrate have a width that can be collectively connected to a set of wirings of the liquid crystal display panel, and in particular, the sets of wirings of the same electrode of the liquid crystal display panel are adjacent to each other. In the case where they are arranged, the width may be such that they can be connected together with the entire adjacent set.
[0027]
Terminals 8, 9 a, 9 b of the substrate for inspection are wiring portions of the liquid crystal display panel (may be portions constituting connection terminals with external circuits of the wiring) in the extended portions existing along the upper side of the liquid crystal display panel 1. Connected to the collective. The terminals of the inspection substrate may be directly connected to a set of wirings of the liquid crystal display panel or may be connected by an anisotropic conductive material such as anisotropic conductive rubber.
[0028]
In FIG. 1B, in the connection region 10 (region in which the terminals of the inspection substrate and the wiring set of the liquid crystal display panel are connected), the first wiring set 6a, 6b of the liquid crystal display panel and the inspection substrate. Terminal 8 is connected, second wiring set 7a and inspection board terminal 9a are connected, and set 7b and terminal 9b are connected.
[0029]
This part will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic plan view of a portion X surrounded by a square in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the connection region 10, the first wirings 11a, 11b, and 11c are connected to the terminal 8 of the inspection board, and the second wirings 12a, 12b, and 12c are connected to the terminal 9b of the inspection board. It is connected.
[0030]
Therefore, the positions of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and the inspection substrate 2 are such that the first wiring sets 6a and 6b overlap the inspection board terminals 8 and the second wiring set 7a and the inspection substrate 2 are inspected. Since it is only necessary to match the terminal 9a of the substrate so that the assembly 7b and the terminal 9b overlap each other, it is easy and reliable, and the inspection time can be shortened.
[0031]
In addition, since the positioning accuracy of the inspection apparatus depends on the interval between the first wiring set and the adjacent second wiring set (for example, the interval L between the set 6b and the set 7b in FIG. 2), It is clear that it is considerably easier than the positioning accuracy of the wiring width that has been done.
[0032]
When the terminals 8, 9a, 9b of the inspection substrate 2 and the wiring collections 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b of the liquid crystal display panel 1 are connected in this way, the inspection substrate is connected from an inspection external circuit (not shown). The inspection signal is applied to the electrodes of the liquid crystal display panel 1 through the terminals 2 to inspect the liquid crystal display panel. As a result, the inspection method of the present invention can inspect in about half the time compared to the conventional inspection method.
[0033]
Further, since the simple and quick alignment mechanism has a positioning accuracy of about 0.2 mm, the margin L between the first wiring set and the adjacent second wiring set is set in consideration of a margin or the like. If it is 0.3 mm or more, it can be used for the inspection of the liquid crystal display panel, and the inspection time can be further shortened.
[0034]
In addition, since the wiring of the COG type liquid crystal display panel having terminals for directly mounting the IC chip in the extension portion is fine pitch, the terminals of the substrate for inspection are integrated with the set of wirings of the liquid crystal display panel. It is suitable for applying the present invention that can be connected.
[0035]
Next, a modified example of the wiring of the liquid crystal display panel and the arrangement of the terminals of the inspection substrate are shown in FIGS.
[0036]
In FIG. 3A, the first wiring in which the first electrode of the liquid crystal display panel 21 extends is gathered into two sets 26a and 26b and led out to the extension part toward the upper side of the first substrate. The second wiring extending from the second electrode extends from the second substrate to the first substrate via a terminal connecting both the substrates, and is gathered into a set 27. After extending in the lateral direction once on the first substrate, the second wiring extends to the upper side. Has been pulled out. The inspection substrate 22 for inspection is provided with terminals 28a and 28b corresponding to the first wiring set 26a and 26b of the liquid crystal display panel and a terminal 29 corresponding to the second wiring set 27. The terminals 28a and 28b of the inspection substrate are connected to the two sets 26a and 26b of the first wiring of the liquid crystal display panel, respectively, and the terminal 29 is connected to the set 27 of the second wiring of the liquid crystal display panel.
[0037]
Further, in FIG. 3B, the first wirings on which the first electrodes of the liquid crystal display panel 31 extend are gathered into a set 36 and are drawn out to the extension part toward the upper side of the first substrate. The second wiring extending from the second electrode extends from the second substrate to the first substrate via a terminal connecting both the substrates, and is gathered into a set 37. After extending in the lateral direction once on the first substrate, the second wiring extends to the upper side. Has been pulled out. The inspection substrate 32 for inspection is provided with a terminal 38 corresponding to the first wiring set 36 and a terminal 39 corresponding to the second wiring set 37 of the liquid crystal display panel. The terminals 38 of the inspection substrate are connected to the first wiring set 36 of the liquid crystal display panel, and the terminals 39 are connected to the second wiring set 37 of the liquid crystal display panel.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the method for inspecting a liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention connects each terminal of a substrate for inspection and a set of each wiring of the liquid crystal display panel in a lump, and therefore needs to be finely aligned for each wiring. The liquid crystal display panel can be inspected in a short time. For this reason, the productivity of the liquid crystal display panel can be improved.
[0039]
In addition, if the distance between the first wiring set and the second wiring set located next to the first wiring set is 0.3 mm or more, a simple and quick alignment mechanism can be used for the inspection of the liquid crystal display panel.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are schematic plan views of a liquid crystal display panel and an inspection substrate according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic plan view of a portion X surrounded by a square in FIG. FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic plan views of another liquid crystal display panel of the present invention and an inspection substrate.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid crystal display panel 2 Test | inspection board | substrate 3 1st board | substrate 4 2nd board | substrate 6a, 6b 1st wiring set 7a, 7b 2nd wiring set 8 Terminal 9a, 9b corresponding to 1st wiring set Terminal 10 corresponding to set

Claims (3)

An inspection method for a liquid crystal display panel comprising a substrate having a plurality of first electrodes and a substrate having a plurality of second electrodes,
In one of the substrate of the two substrates, a plurality of second wirings extending from the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second electrodes extending from said plurality of first electrodes on one side of the one substrate Pull out towards the
In the extension part existing along the one side, the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings are respectively arranged in one or a plurality of sets,
A substrate for inspection, the response to the set of the wiring of the liquid crystal display panel, provided with a terminal for have a width that can be collectively connected with said set of lines,
Wherein the extended portion is connected to collectively a set of lines of the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to the terminal and the terminal of the substrate for the inspection,
An inspection method for a liquid crystal display panel, wherein an inspection signal is applied to an electrode of the liquid crystal display panel.   In a region where the terminal of the substrate for inspection of the extension and the set of wirings of the liquid crystal display panel are connected, the interval between the set of the first wirings and the set of the second wirings located adjacent thereto is 0. The liquid crystal display panel inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display panel is separated by 3 mm or more.   The liquid crystal display panel inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display panel has a terminal for directly mounting an IC chip in the extension portion.

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