JPH10142614A - Manufacture of liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new technique by which consumption of liquid crystal is reduced and a production cost can be lowered by preventing the liquid crystal from moving around or spreading in a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device in which a predetermined quantity of liquid crystal is arranged on the outside of an opening part so as to be injected into the inside. SOLUTION: Surface parts 41 provided with a liquid crystal repellent characteristic are formed on transparent substrates 10, 20 spread on both sides of clearance edge parts 22 extending on both sides of an opening part 32. The surface parts 41 are formed on both sides of the opening part 32 with the predetermined width. When liquid crystal is dropped on the outside of the opening part 32, the liquid crystal cannot penetrate the clearance between the both substrates 10, 20 even if it is brought into contact with the surface parts 41.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a manufacturing process for injecting liquid crystal between two substrates to form a liquid crystal layer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal panel having a predetermined gap between two substrates is formed by bonding two substrates with a sealing material therebetween. A liquid crystal sealing region having an opening is formed of a material, and liquid crystal is injected into the liquid crystal sealing region from the opening.

[0003] Injecting liquid crystal into the liquid crystal enclosing area is performed by evacuating the atmosphere around the liquid crystal panel and placing it under reduced pressure.
In general, the liquid crystal is introduced from the opening into the liquid crystal sealing region by a pressure difference between the outside and the liquid crystal sealing region.

As a method of injecting the liquid crystal into the liquid crystal sealed area, a liquid crystal panel is immersed in the liquid crystal under reduced pressure,
The method of injecting by the pressure of the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal is dropped into the opening of the liquid crystal panel under reduced pressure, the opening is closed from the outside by the liquid crystal, and the surroundings are gradually returned to the atmospheric pressure. There is a method of injecting liquid crystal.

After the liquid crystal is injected into the liquid crystal enclosing area, the opening of the liquid crystal enclosing area is molded and closed, and finally, cleaning is performed to remove the liquid crystal adhering to the surface of the liquid crystal panel.

[0006]

Among the above-mentioned conventional liquid crystal injection methods, the method of dropping liquid crystal can reduce the manufacturing cost because the amount of extra liquid crystal used is small, and can reduce the area and amount of liquid crystal to be attached. Since the number is small, there is an advantage that the liquid crystal panel can be easily cleaned. However, when the liquid crystal is dropped near the opening, the liquid crystal enters the gap between the two substrates having a gap of about several μm outside the sealing material due to surface tension. For the minimum amount of liquid crystal required to fill the inside of the area,
There is a problem that several or more times of liquid crystal is required. As is well known, liquid crystals are generally as expensive as precious metals,
The useless amount of the liquid crystal significantly increases the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device in which a predetermined amount of liquid crystal is injected outside the opening to inject the liquid crystal. Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel technique that can reduce the amount of liquid crystal used and the manufacturing cost by preventing the spread of the liquid crystal.

[0008]

Means taken by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems is to provide a liquid crystal sealing area having an opening at an end of a first substrate between the first substrate and the second substrate. A predetermined amount of liquid crystal is arranged in the vicinity of the opening under reduced pressure, and the liquid crystal is filled with the liquid crystal through the opening by increasing the external pressure in a state where the opening is sealed from the outside by the liquid crystal. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, wherein a surface portion having a property of repelling the liquid crystal is provided beforehand around the arrangement portion of the liquid crystal outside the opening. is there.

According to this means, when the liquid crystal is arranged outside the opening, the surface portion having the property of repelling the liquid crystal is provided around the arrangement portion. The liquid crystal is not wasted by the amount of the liquid crystal that spreads around the periphery, so that the amount of liquid crystal used can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, since the area where the liquid crystal adheres can be reduced, the panel can be easily cleaned.

In this case, it is not necessary for the surface portion to completely surround the arrangement portion. Even if the surface portion is partially formed around the arrangement portion, the above-described effects can be obtained to some extent.

As a second means, a liquid crystal filled region having an opening at an end of the first substrate is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a region near the opening is formed under reduced pressure. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device in which a predetermined amount of liquid crystal is arranged, and the liquid crystal is injected into the liquid crystal sealed region through the opening by increasing an external pressure while the opening is closed from the outside by the liquid crystal. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, comprising: providing a surface portion on which a damping layer for damping the liquid crystal is formed in advance around an arrangement portion of the liquid crystal outside an opening.

According to this means, since the surface on which the blocking layer for damping the liquid crystal is formed is provided around the opening, the liquid crystal arranged outside the opening can be suppressed from spreading around. Since the liquid crystal is not wasted as much as the liquid crystal extending around, the amount of liquid crystal used can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, since the area where the liquid crystal adheres can be reduced, the panel can be easily cleaned.

Here, it is preferable that the surface portion is provided on both sides of the opening at an edge of an exposed gap between the first substrate and the second substrate.

According to this means, since the liquid crystal which enters on both sides of the opening is prevented by the surface provided at the edge of the gap between the two substrates, where the liquid crystal is likely to wrap around, it is efficient by the minimum processing. In addition, the spread and adhesion of the liquid crystal can be reduced.

Preferably, the surface portion is provided so as to surround the arrangement portion.

According to this means, since the surface portion is provided so as to surround the arrangement portion of the liquid crystal, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid crystal from spreading around.

Further, it is preferable that the surface portion is provided over an entire periphery at an edge of an exposed gap between the first substrate and the second substrate.

According to this means, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid crystal from entering the gap by providing the entire surface at the edge of the gap between the two substrates.

[0019]

Next, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view of a typical liquid crystal panel for explaining an embodiment. In this liquid crystal panel, a transparent substrate 10 made of glass and a transparent substrate 20 are bonded together with a gap of about several μm by a sealing material 31. This bonding is performed as follows when, for example, a photocurable resin is used as a sealing material. That is, the transparent substrates 10 and 20 are pasted to each other via an uncured sealing material, and the pasted product is set in a jig to set the transparent substrates 10 and 20 together.
The sealing material is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays with the gap of 0 fixed at a uniform predetermined value.

The sealing material 31 is formed so as to surround the liquid crystal sealing area 30 as shown in FIG.
It has. The liquid crystal enclosing area 30 is an area for filling a liquid crystal to form a liquid crystal display area, and is required to have a uniform gap. The opening 32 is formed near the end of the transparent substrate 20, and is formed on the end face 22 of the transparent substrate 20.
And the exposed inner surface 11 of the transparent substrate 10.

On the inner surface of the transparent substrate 20, a liquid crystal sealing region 3 is provided.
An external terminal portion 25 extending from 0 is formed. In the external terminal portion 25, a plurality of external terminals connected to respective pixel electrodes formed on the inner surfaces of the transparent substrate 10 and the transparent substrate 20 are arranged. This external terminal portion 5 is arranged on the surface of the exposed inner surface 21 of the transparent substrate 20.

The exposed inner surface 11 of the transparent substrate 10 is
0 is exposed by cutting so that the end face 22 is formed, and the exposed inner surface 21 of the transparent substrate 20 is exposed by cutting the transparent substrate 10 so that the end face 12 is formed.

A gap between the transparent substrate 10 and the transparent substrate 20 includes an opening 32, a gap edge 33 formed between the exposed inner surface 11 and the end face 22 so as to extend on both sides of the opening 32, A gap edge 34 formed between the end face 12 and the exposed inner surface 21, a gap edge 35 formed on the opposite side of the gap edge 33, and a gap edge formed on the opposite side of the gap edge 34 At 36, each is exposed.

The liquid crystal panel shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic one, and is configured as a liquid crystal panel for forming one liquid crystal display device. Usually, as described later, a large format panel having a plurality of liquid crystal display portions corresponding to a plurality of liquid crystal display devices is formed, and the large format panel is bonded as it is, and liquid crystal injection, washing and other processes are performed.

In this embodiment, a surface portion 41 having the property of repelling liquid crystal is formed on the surfaces of the transparent substrates 10 and 20 extending on both sides of the gap edge portion 33 extending on both sides of the opening portion 32. The surface portion 41 is formed with a predetermined width at the gap edge on both sides of the opening 32.

By subjecting the surface portion 41 to various treatments such as a fluorine resin treatment such as a silicone fluoride treatment or a graphite fluoride treatment, a property of repelling liquid crystal can be imparted. These processes usually form a thin film of a fluorine compound or the like having a property of repelling liquid crystal on the surface portion 41, and can be formed by various methods such as an evaporation method, a plasma treatment, a coating method, and a printing method. The treatment applied to the surface portion 41 only needs to improve the repelling property of the liquid crystal of the surface portion 41 as a result. If not, it is sufficient that the surface of the transparent substrates 10 and 20 is provided with a portion modified by binding a substance that enhances the property of repelling liquid crystal.

In addition to the treatment for repelling the liquid crystal, the surface portion 41 may be provided around the outside of the opening 32 with a blocking layer having a sufficient thickness for blocking the liquid crystal. Good. The blocking layer preferably has a surface having a property of repelling liquid crystal in order to enhance the blocking effect. In this case, it is desirable that the dam layer is formed of a material that can be easily removed by plasma ashing, reactive ion etching, or the like. This is because, although not shown, there is a liquid crystal panel provided with an external terminal around the opening 32, and it is necessary to expose the external terminal when wiring is connected.

It is preferable that the surface formed on the surface portion 41 or the blocking layer does not react with the liquid crystal.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a process of dropping liquid crystal on a large-sized liquid crystal panel processed according to the above embodiment. A plurality of liquid crystal enclosing regions are formed in the liquid crystal panel, and an opening 32 is formed for each of the liquid crystal enclosing regions. This liquid crystal panel is installed in a vacuum chamber,
Nozzle 5 from liquid crystal cylinder (not shown) via supply pipe
The liquid crystal is transported to zero, and a predetermined amount of liquid crystal 51 is dropped in each liquid crystal sealed area. The liquid crystal 51 normally wraps around along the gap edge 33, but in this embodiment, the formation of the surface portion 41 prevents the liquid crystal from entering the gap, and is limited to the outer portion of the opening 32. In this state, the liquid crystal blocks the opening 32.

The liquid crystal is dropped by moving the drop nozzle 50 or stepping the liquid crystal panel, and then sequentially opening the other openings 3.
2 is also performed. Thereafter, the inside of the vacuum chamber is gradually returned to the atmospheric pressure, and the liquid crystal 51 is injected into the liquid crystal sealed region 30 as the degree of vacuum decreases.

In this embodiment, since the liquid crystal 51 can be prevented from spreading around by the surface portion 41,
There is no need to drop an excessive amount of liquid crystal, so that the amount of liquid crystal used can be reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Further, since the liquid crystal does not spread over the periphery and adheres over a wide area, and it is possible to prevent the liquid crystal from entering the gap from the gap edge 33, and further from the gap edges 34, 35, 36. It is also possible to prevent the liquid crystal from penetrating deeply into the inside of the edge portion and attaching thereto. Therefore,
Cleaning performed after liquid crystal injection is facilitated.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the liquid crystal panel processed by embodiment. In this embodiment, the opening 32
Is provided around the outside of the surface portion 42, which is treated in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The surface portion 42 is formed on the exposed inner surface 11 of the transparent substrate 10 so as to surround the outside of the opening 32, and is connected to the first surface portion, and is formed on the end surface 22 of the transparent substrate 20. A pair of second surface portions 42 formed on both sides of the opening portion 32 in FIG.
b.

In the surface portion 42, the processing is applied to an area wider than the same range as in the first embodiment, and the first surface portion 42a is formed so as to surround the opening 32. Therefore, the dropped liquid crystal is
Since it can be reliably prevented from flowing and flowing out on the inner surface of the liquid crystal 0, it is possible to further reduce the amount of liquid crystal used and prevent poor injection of liquid crystal.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the liquid crystal panel processed by embodiment. In this embodiment, the opening 32
A surface portion 43 treated in the same manner as in the first embodiment is provided around the outside of. The surface portion 43 includes a first surface portion 43a formed on the inner surface of the transparent substrate 10 so as to surround the outer periphery of the opening 32,
A second surface portion 43b connected to the front surface portion and provided on both sides of the opening 32 on the end surface 22 of the transparent substrate 20; a second surface portion 43b connected to the second surface portion 43b and provided on the outer surface of the transparent substrate 20; And three surface portions 43c.

In this embodiment, since the front surface portion 43 extends beyond the end surface 22 of the transparent substrate 20 and further on the outer surface of the transparent substrate 20, the liquid crystal dropped on the outside of the opening 32 is covered by the liquid crystal. It can be prevented from entering the surroundings along the upper edge. In this case, as shown at 44 in the figure, the left and right third surface portions 43c may be connected to each other so that the periphery of the opening 32 is completely surrounded by the surface portion.
In this case, the spread of the liquid crystal can be more completely prevented.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the liquid crystal panel processed by embodiment. In this embodiment, the opening 32
The surface portion 45 is provided over the entire periphery of the gap edge portions 33, 34, 35, 36 formed on both sides of the surface portion 45. Therefore, the dropped liquid crystal is removed from these gap edges, and it is possible to completely prevent a situation in which the liquid crystal wraps around the gap due to surface tension, and further, it is possible to prevent other liquids from entering the gap edges. .

In each of the embodiments described above, the above-mentioned surface portion has a property of repelling liquid crystal, or a blocking layer for preventing liquid crystal from entering the surface portion. Here, the process for obtaining the property of repelling the liquid crystal may be any process that provides a certain contact angle corresponding to the surface tension of the liquid crystal. Further, the blocking layer only needs to suppress the spread of liquid crystal by its film thickness and surface characteristics, and the film thickness of the blocking layer may be appropriately set according to the surface characteristics of the liquid crystal. For example, if the surface is a blocking layer having a strong property of repelling liquid crystal, a sufficient blocking effect may be obtained even if the film thickness is relatively small.

In the above embodiment, the case where the liquid crystal is disposed outside the opening by the method of dropping the liquid crystal has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the dropping method, and as a result, the liquid crystal is disposed outside the opening. The method of arranging the liquid crystal by any method as long as the liquid crystal is arranged and the liquid crystal is injected into the liquid crystal sealing region through the opening can be similarly applied.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect, when the liquid crystal is arranged outside the opening, the surface portion having the property of repelling the liquid crystal is provided around the arrangement portion, so that the range in which the liquid crystal spreads is limited. Since the liquid crystal is not wasted as much as the liquid crystal which is limited by the part and spreads around, the amount of liquid crystal used can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, since the area where the liquid crystal adheres can be reduced, the panel can be easily cleaned.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the surface on which the blocking layer for damping the liquid crystal is formed is provided around the opening, the liquid crystal disposed outside the opening can be prevented from spreading around. Since the liquid crystal is not wasted as much as the liquid crystal spreading around, the amount of liquid crystal used can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, since the area where the liquid crystal adheres can be reduced, the panel can be easily cleaned.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal which enters both sides of the opening is prevented by the surface provided at the edge of the gap between the two substrates, in which the liquid crystal is likely to flow. The spread and adhesion of the liquid crystal can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect, since the surface portion is provided so as to surround the arrangement portion of the liquid crystal, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid crystal from spreading around.

According to the fifth aspect, by providing the surface portion over the entire periphery at the edge of the gap between the two substrates, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid crystal from entering the gap.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a liquid crystal panel processed according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which liquid crystal is dropped on a liquid crystal panel processed according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a liquid crystal panel processed according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a liquid crystal panel processed according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a liquid crystal panel processed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20 Transparent substrate 30 Liquid crystal sealing area 31 Sealing material 32 Opening 33, 34, 35, 36 Gap edge 41, 42, 43, 45 Surface

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal enclosing region having an opening at an end of a first substrate is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a predetermined amount of liquid crystal is arranged near the opening under reduced pressure. The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device in which the liquid crystal is injected into the liquid crystal sealing region through the opening by increasing the external pressure while the opening is closed from the outside by the liquid crystal, wherein the liquid crystal outside the opening is A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, comprising: providing a surface portion having the property of repelling the liquid crystal in advance around the arrangement portion of (1). 2. A liquid crystal sealing region having an opening at an end of a first substrate is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a predetermined amount of liquid crystal is disposed near the opening under reduced pressure. In the manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device in which the liquid crystal is injected into the liquid crystal sealing region through the opening by increasing the external pressure while the opening is closed from the outside by the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal outside the opening is A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, further comprising: providing a surface portion on which a damping layer for damping the liquid crystal is formed in advance around the arrangement portion. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the surface portion is provided on both sides of the opening at an edge of an exposed gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. Manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device. 4. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the surface portion is provided so as to surround the arrangement portion. 5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the surface portion is provided over an entire periphery of an edge of an exposed gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device.