JPH09251169A - Display device, active matrix type display device and manufacturing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent short circuit between electrodes removing, separating a short-circuit ring or rubbing during the handling of a display device, the contact of a metallic wire such as a tape carrier with a separated connecting conductor and the damage of elements in a display area due to the blind shot of light in separating the connecting conductor by an energy ray such as a laser beam. SOLUTION: In the manufacturing process of a display device having an optical modulating layer such as liquid crystal in a display area 12, when a connecting conductor 25 for short circuit ring provided for protecting wires and an electrode in the display area from static electricity is separated from a connecting electrode 24 with an external circuit, a protection film 27 of an insulating layer is formed in advance on the connecting electrode and the connecting conductor. When the connecting electrode 24 is separated from the connecting conductor 25 by radiating an energy ray such as a laser beam, the irradiating angle of light is inclined to the normal of the peripheral part 22 of an array substrate and oriented outward from the side of the display area.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, an electroluminescent display device, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A flat-panel display device represented by a liquid crystal display device is characterized by being thin, lightweight, and low in power consumption.
It is widely used as a display device for OA equipments, TVs and the like, and also as a projection display device. In particular, an active matrix display device in which a switching element is arranged for each pixel electrode produces a good display image without crosstalk between adjacent pixels. Utilization is expanding because it can be realized.

A display device has a structure in which two substrates having electrodes are opposed to each other and a light modulation layer is sandwiched between them. One substrate is extended from a display area to serve as a peripheral portion, and a display is performed here. A connection electrode is formed to connect to an external circuit for transmitting a signal to the electrode in the region.

In the display area, signal lines, scanning lines, switching elements, pixel electrodes, etc. are arranged. Due to the generation of undesired static electricity during the manufacturing process, discharge is generated between wirings and switching elements. May damage the
For this reason, a connection conductor called a short ring for electrically connecting the connection electrodes to each other is provided to prevent damage caused in the assembly process, and this connection conductor is connected at the final inspection stage of the device. The function is confirmed by disconnecting from the connection electrode.

Further, aluminum (Al) or its alloy is used for the electrodes, the connecting electrodes, and the connecting conductors from the viewpoint of ease of manufacture and good conductivity.

[0006]

As a method of separating the connection conductor from the connection electrode, FIG. 7 (a) (before chamfering), (b)
As shown in (after chamfering), there is a method of removing the connecting conductor 103, which short-circuits the connecting electrode 102 provided in the peripheral portion of the array substrate 101, by the chamfering 105 which is shaved obliquely by the grindstone 104 rotating with the substrate end. But,
When the display device becomes large, it is difficult to perform chamfering 105 uniformly, and since the connecting conductor is made of soft Al or the like, Al of the connecting electrode is rubbed and dragged during the chamfering and short-circuited with the adjacent connecting electrode 103. The problem occurs. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a short circuit 106 between adjacent connection electrodes due to dragging of a probing needle in an inspection process or the like,
In a substrate manufacturing process and an assembly process for finishing as a display device, for example, when an array substrate is housed and is put in and out of a cassette carrier for facilitating transportation, an edge of the substrate is rubbed and Al 107 is dragged, There is also a problem that adjacent connection electrodes 102 are short-circuited.

On the other hand, there is a method of separating the connecting conductor with an energy ray such as a laser beam without using a grindstone.
As shown in FIG. 5, a flexible wiring board (FPC, Flexible Printed Circuit) for connecting to an external circuit at a cut portion 108 of the connection electrode 102 and the connection conductor 103, or a tape carrier package (TCP having a drive element arranged on the flexible wiring board). , Tape Career Package) 109 overlaps with each other, there is a problem that the cut portion is short-circuited again due to the metal wiring.

Furthermore, when the connection conductor formed at the end of the peripheral portion of the substrate is scraped and removed by the rotating grindstone, shavings adhere to the substrate and the like, and the work for removing this is required. To increase. On the other hand, a method of irradiating an energy ray such as laser light to separate and remove the connection conductor is effective, but as shown in FIG. 10, the laser light 111 diffusely reflects inside the substrate 101 and the wiring inside the display area 112 This may cause disconnection or destruction of internal elements such as switching elements.

[0009]

In the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of substrates sandwiching a light modulation layer disposed in a display region and a peripheral region outside the display region are disposed along the periphery of the substrate. In a display device having a plurality of connection electrodes and a connection conductor commonly connected at the outermost edge portion of the substrate, and finally separated from the connection electrodes, a part of each of the connection electrodes A display device obtained by covering the connection conductor with an insulating layer.

Further, a display region including an insulating substrate, a plurality of signal lines and scanning lines wired on the insulating substrate, and a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the signal lines and the scanning lines via switching elements. An array substrate including and
A plurality of connection electrodes arranged around the array substrate and connected to an external circuit for supplying a signal to the plurality of signal lines and scanning lines, and the connection electrodes arranged around the array substrate are electrically connected to each other. An active matrix type display device comprising: a connection conductor that electrically connects with each other; a counter substrate including a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode; and a light modulation layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate,
An active matrix type display device comprising: a protective film covering the connection electrodes and the connection conductors so that a part of the connection electrodes is exposed on the array substrate.

Further, in the above description, it is desirable that the connection electrode and the connection conductor are connected by a conductor having a width narrower than that of the connection electrode at the separated portion.

Further, the above is also applied to a device in which a circuit such as an IC drive circuit is formed between the signal line and the scanning line on the peripheral portion of the array substrate and the connection electrode.

Secondly, the present invention comprises a pair of substrates sandwiching a light modulation layer arranged in the display region, and a plurality of connection electrodes arranged along the peripheral edge of the substrate in a peripheral region outside the display region. In the method for manufacturing a display device having, a connection conductor commonly connecting the connection electrodes is formed at an outermost edge portion of the substrate, and a part of each connection electrode and the connection conductor are covered with an insulating layer, and the connection conductor is formed. Is separated from the connection electrode or is removed from the substrate to obtain a method for manufacturing a display device.

Further, a display region composed of an insulating substrate, a plurality of signal lines and scanning lines wired on the insulating substrate, and a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the signal lines and the scanning lines via switching elements. An array substrate including and
A plurality of connection electrodes arranged on the periphery of the array substrate and connected to an external circuit for supplying signals to the plurality of signal lines and scanning lines; and a counter substrate including a counter electrode facing the pixel electrodes, In a method of manufacturing an active matrix display device comprising a light modulation layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate, a connection for electrically connecting the connection electrodes to each other in a peripheral portion of the array substrate. A conductor is provided, a protective film is formed to cover the connection electrode region and the connection conductor so that a part of the connection electrode is exposed, and the connection conductor is separated from the connection electrode or removed from the array substrate. A method for manufacturing an active matrix type display device, characterized in that insulation is maintained between the connection electrodes.

Further, the above is effective when the connection electrode is separated from the connection conductor or the connection conductor is removed from the protective film by a rotary grindstone.

Further, the above is effective when the laser light is irradiated from the array substrate side to separate the connection electrode from the connection conductor or to remove the connection conductor.

The formation of the protective film prevents the Al film from being dragged, eliminates the short circuit between the connection electrodes, and does not cause a short circuit due to the protective film even when the metal wiring such as FPC or TCP overlaps the separated portion. .

Thirdly, the present invention relates to an insulating substrate, a plurality of signal lines and scanning lines arranged on the insulating substrate, and a plurality of pixels connected to the signal lines and the scanning lines via switching elements. An array substrate including a display region made of electrodes, a plurality of connection electrodes arranged in a peripheral portion of the array substrate and connected to an external circuit for supplying a signal to the plurality of signal lines and scanning lines, and the pixel An opposing substrate including an opposing electrode facing the electrode, and an optical modulation layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the opposing substrate are provided, and the connection electrodes are electrically connected to each other in a peripheral portion of the array substrate. In the method of manufacturing an active matrix type display device, which comprises providing a connection conductor for connection and finally separating the connection conductor from the connection electrode or removing it from the array substrate, Irradiating an energy ray from a direction inclined to the display area side with respect to the normal line of the array substrate to a disconnection point between the connection electrode and the connection conductor, disconnecting the connection conductor from the connection electrode or from the array substrate. A method for manufacturing an active matrix type display device is characterized in that the connection electrodes are removed and insulation is maintained between the connection electrodes.

By irradiating the cutting position of the connecting conductor with an energy ray such as a laser beam from the position on the display area side at an angle inclined from the back surface of the array substrate with respect to the substrate normal line, the inside of the transparent array substrate is irradiated. Light diffusely reflected can be emitted to the outside, and the wiring, elements, etc. in the display area are not destroyed.

[0020]

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

The array substrate 11 is for a light transmission type active matrix type liquid crystal display device having a display area 12 of 12.1 inches diagonal, and the array substrate 11 and the counter substrate 1 are arranged.
3, a light modulation layer 14 made of a liquid crystal composition is sandwiched between the light modulation layers 14 and 3 via alignment films 14a and 14b. Array substrate 11
Is a thin film transistor TFT, such as poly-Si, in which a glass substrate, a plurality of signal lines 15 and a plurality of scanning lines 16 are arranged in a matrix on the substrate, and which is arranged as a switching element in the vicinity of each intersection.
r) 17 through indium tin oxide ITO (Indium
A transparent pixel electrode 18 made of Tin Oxide) is provided. Further, an insulating film is interposed between the auxiliary capacitance line and the pixel electrode so that an auxiliary capacitance line (Cs) (not shown) which is substantially parallel to the scanning line is formed on the glass substrate.

The counter substrate 13 is a glass substrate on which the TFT 1 is provided.
7 and a matrix-shaped light-shielding film BM (Black Matrix) 19 for shielding the periphery of the pixel electrode 18 and a color filter 20 including light-transmissive regions of three colors of red R, green G, and blue B are arranged thereon. A counter electrode 21 made of ITO is arranged via an insulating film.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the signal lines 15 and the scanning lines 16 of the array substrate 11 respectively correspond to the peripheral portion 22 of the array substrate 11 and copper Cu on a flexible substrate such as polyimide. The plurality of connection electrodes 24 for electrically connecting to the external drive circuit 23a via the FPC (TCP) 23 provided with metal wiring such as
The connection conductor 25 is formed of an Al material of 0 to 5000 A, and further, on the outer peripheral edge side of the connection electrode 24, the connection conductor 25, which is a short ring for preventing element destruction of the pixel TFT due to static electricity, and the like, each connection electrode. It is formed of an Al material at the same time as the connection electrode 24 so as to be commonly connected to each other via 26. A thin line portion 26 formed of a conductor having a width narrower than that of the connection electrode main body serves as a separation portion 26a between these electrodes.

Further, the connection electrode 24 and the connection conductor 25 and the surrounding substrate are covered with a protective film 27 made of an insulating layer. The protective film 27 is formed by thermal CVD or plasma C
By the VD method, a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film is formed to have a thickness of about 300 to 1000 A in a single layer or a multilayer. The protective film 27 can be formed at the same time when forming an element such as a TFT in the display area.

At least a part 28 of the connecting electrode 24 is T
It must be exposed for connection with the CP metal wiring. Therefore, a part of the protective film 27 is removed by the CDE (Chemical Dry Etching) method to expose a part of the connection electrode 24.

A counter substrate 13 having a counter electrode 21 is attached to the array substrate 11. A sealing agent 29 is applied to the peripheral portions of both substrates 11 and 13 to form a bonded display area 12, and the peripheral portion 2 of the array substrate 11 is formed from the sealed portion.
Overhang 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4A, the display area 12
The grindstone 3 that rotates the end portion 30 of the peripheral portion 22 of the array substrate 11 through the steps of injecting liquid crystal into the inside, sealing, and pasting the polarizing plate.
1 and is chamfered diagonally to remove the connecting conductor.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, the substrate 11
Irradiate YAG laser light 32 from the back surface of the connection conductor 2
45 The connection electrodes 24 are cut off.

This enables connection with the external circuit 23a. Even if the edge of the substrate is rubbed by the grindstone 31, the insulating film 2
As it is protected by 7, it is a direct soft material, Al
It will not come into contact with. Therefore, Al is not dragged to short-circuit the connection electrodes 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, even if the connection electrode 24 and the cut portion 26a of the connection conductor 25 left at the time of grindstone grinding or laser cutting are overlapped so as to bridge the metal wiring 33 of the FPC or TCP, the connection electrode 24 and The top of the connecting conductor 25 is protected by the insulating film 27, so that no short circuit occurs.
Reference numeral 34 represents an anisotropic conductive adhesive that electrically connects the metal wiring 33 and the connection electrode 24.

Further, as a modification of this embodiment, a structure in which a driving circuit is arranged between a signal line, a scanning line, and a connection electrode, for example, an integrated circuit of a poly-SiTFT manufactured at the same time as a switching TFT in a display region is applied. Is something that can be done.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of irradiating energy rays such as YAG laser light.

As shown in FIG. 2, the array substrate 11 and the counter substrate 13 are combined to form a cell, and the liquid crystal display device which has undergone the liquid crystal injection, sealing, and polarizing plate pasting steps can be adjusted in the XYZ directions. The counter substrate 13 side is faced down on such a table, and the back surface of the display device, that is, the array substrate back surface 11a is placed as the front surface and arranged horizontally. Next, the table is adjusted so as to be aimed by using the He / Ne laser light whose optical axis is adjusted in advance so that the energy ray, for example, the YAG laser light 32 is radiated from the back surface of the array substrate 11, and the predetermined aim is achieved. By the way, the YAG laser light 32 is irradiated to separate the connection electrode 24 and the connection conductor 25. At this time, in order to prevent the laser light 32 from being diffusely reflected in the substrate and being largely transmitted to the display region side so that the internal wiring patterns, elements, etc. are not destroyed, as shown in FIG. The laser beam starting side is tilted toward the display area side with respect to the line 11b, and the light is emitted toward the outside of the display area at an angle θ.

Continuously, the laser light or the table is moved so that the laser light 32 is irradiated along the connection conductor 25 provided around the liquid crystal display device, and the connection conductor 2 is connected.
By disconnecting 5 from the connection electrode 24, the connection electrode 2
It is possible to easily and surely electrically separate 4 and the connection conductor 25.

The laser light 32 may be emitted not from the back surface 11a of the array substrate but from the front surface of the substrate in the direction opposite to that shown in FIG. Also in this case, in order to minimize the light transmission to the display area side due to diffused reflection, the light is tilted toward the outside of the display area in a direction inclined with respect to the array substrate surface normal 11b.

After the connection conductor 25 is cut, in order to prevent the glass array substrate 11 from being chipped, cracked, or broken,
As shown in FIG. 6, the edge portion of the substrate is lightly thread-chamfered 34, and after the inspection process, electronic components, circuit components, etc. are incorporated into the completed liquid crystal display device.

Note that such inclined laser light irradiation can be applied to a display device in which a protective film is not formed.

[0037]

According to the present invention, even if a grinding stone is rubbed to mechanically remove the connecting conductor of the short ring, the protective film prevents the grinding stone from directly contacting the connecting electrode and the connecting conductor. Even if is formed of a soft material such as Al, Al is not dragged by rubbing and the electrodes do not short-circuit. Further, the connection electrode is protected even if rubbing occurs during handling of the display device. Furthermore, when a part of the connecting conductor remains, or when the electrodes and conductors are cut off by fusing with laser light, even if the metal wiring of FPC or TCP overlaps the cut portion, insulation by the protective film Therefore, the connection electrode and the connection conductor are not short-circuited.

Furthermore, by irradiating the cut portion toward the outside of the display area while inclining an energy ray such as a laser beam with respect to the normal line of the array substrate, it is easy to destroy the elements and wiring formed on the array substrate. In addition, the connection electrode and the connection conductor can be reliably cut off.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display area in an enlarged scale for explaining an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the display area of FIG.

3A and 3B are enlarged views showing the peripheral portion of the array substrate of FIG. 1, where FIG. 3A is a partial plan view, and FIG. 3B is a partial sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

4A and 4B are cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 shows a TC on the periphery of an array substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A partial cross-sectional view showing a structure in which P is connected,

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 illustrates a conventional manufacturing method.
(B) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section and a plane,

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of an array substrate peripheral portion by a conventional manufacturing method;

FIG. 9 shows a TC on the periphery of the array substrate manufactured by the conventional manufacturing method.
A partial cross-sectional view showing a structure in which P is connected,

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating another conventional manufacturing method.

[Explanation of Codes] 11: Array Substrate 12: Display Area 13: Counter Substrate 14: Light Modulation Layer 15: Signal Line 16: Scan Line 17: Thin Film Transistor (TFT) 18: Pixel Electrode 21: Counter Electrode 23: TPC 24: Connection Electrode 25: Connection conductor 26a: Separation point 27: Insulating layer (protective film) 31: Grinding stone 32: Energy ray (laser light)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A pair of substrates sandwiching a light modulation layer arranged in a display region, a plurality of connection electrodes arranged along the periphery of the substrate in a peripheral region outside the display region, and these connection electrodes. In a display device having a connection conductor commonly connected at the outermost edge portion of the substrate and finally separated from these connection electrodes, a part of each connection electrode and the connection conductor are covered with an insulating layer. Display device. 2. A display region comprising an insulating substrate, a plurality of signal lines and scanning lines wired on the insulating substrate, and a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the signal lines and the scanning lines via switching elements. An array substrate including a plurality of connection electrodes, a plurality of connection electrodes arranged in a peripheral portion of the array substrate and connected to an external circuit for supplying signals to the plurality of signal lines and scanning lines, and arranged around the array substrate. A connection conductor that electrically connects the connection electrodes to each other, a counter substrate including a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode, and a light modulation layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate. In an active matrix display device, an activator comprising: a protective film covering the connection electrodes and the connection conductors so that a part of the connection electrodes is exposed on the array substrate. Bus matrix type display device. 3. The active matrix type display device according to claim 1, wherein the connection electrode and the connection conductor are connected by a conductor having a width narrower than that of the connection electrode at a separation portion thereof. 4. The active matrix display device according to claim 1, wherein a drive circuit is formed between the signal line and the scanning line on the peripheral portion of the array substrate and the connection electrode. 5. A display device having a pair of substrates sandwiching a light modulation layer arranged in a display region, and a plurality of connection electrodes arranged along a peripheral edge of the substrate in a peripheral region outside the display region. In the method, a connection conductor commonly connecting the connection electrodes is formed at the outermost edge portion of the substrate, and a part of each connection electrode and the connection conductor are covered with an insulating layer,
A method of manufacturing a display device, wherein the connection conductor is separated from the connection electrode or removed from the substrate. 6. A display region including an insulating substrate, a plurality of signal lines and scanning lines wired on the insulating substrate, and a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the signal lines and the scanning lines via switching elements. An array substrate including a plurality of connection electrodes, a plurality of connection electrodes arranged in a peripheral portion of the array substrate and connected to an external circuit for supplying a signal to the plurality of signal lines and scanning lines, and a counter surface facing the pixel electrode. A method of manufacturing an active matrix display device, comprising: a counter substrate including electrodes; and a light modulation layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate, wherein the connection electrodes are provided in a peripheral portion of the array substrate. A connection conductor electrically connected to the connection electrode, a protective film covering the connection electrode and the connection conductor is formed so that a part of the connection electrode is exposed, and the connection conductor is connected to the connection conductor. A method of manufacturing an active matrix type display device, characterized in that the connection electrodes are separated from each other or removed from the array substrate to maintain insulation between the connection electrodes. 7. The method of manufacturing an active matrix display device according to claim 6, wherein the connection electrode is separated from the connection conductor or the connection conductor is removed from the protective film by a rotary grindstone. 8. The method for manufacturing an active matrix type display device according to claim 6, wherein the array substrate side is irradiated with laser light to separate the connection electrode from the connection conductor or to remove the connection conductor. 9. A display region comprising an insulating substrate, a plurality of signal lines and scanning lines wired on the insulating substrate, and a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the signal lines and the scanning lines via switching elements. An array substrate including a plurality of connection electrodes, a plurality of connection electrodes arranged in a peripheral portion of the array substrate and connected to an external circuit for supplying a signal to the plurality of signal lines and scanning lines, and a counter surface facing the pixel electrode. A counter substrate including an electrode; and a light modulation layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate, and a connection conductor electrically connecting the connection electrodes to each other in a peripheral portion of the array substrate. In the method for manufacturing an active matrix display device, which is provided and finally the connection conductor is separated from the connection electrode or removed from the array substrate, By irradiating an energy ray from the direction inclined to the display area side with respect to the normal to the disconnection point between the connection electrode and the connection conductor, the connection conductor is disconnected from the connection electrode or removed from the array substrate. A method for manufacturing an active matrix type display device, characterized in that the connection electrodes are insulated from each other.