JPH11283505A - Electrode panel withstand voltage testing method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply, accurately test an electrode panel by arranging a testing electrode to form a gap between a dielectric layer and the testing electrode through a discharging gas atmosphere formed on the dielectric layer surface of the electrode panel and applying a voltage between a discharge electrode of the electrode panel and the testing electrode. SOLUTION: The tip of a gas passing through-hole 55 along the both sides of a testing electrode 80 from a gas chamber 54 is communicated with a gas- holding space 56. The gas-holding space 56 is wider than the gas passing through-hole 55, discharging gas is filled in the gas holding space 56, then passed through a gap between the lower end of a testing arm 50 and an electrode panel 20, and exhausted from the both sides of the testing arm 50. Since the fixed range of the lower end periphery of the testing electrode 80 is covered with a testing gas atmosphere, the testing electrode 80 and a discharge electrode 24 of the electrode panel 20 are kept in the discharge atmosphere which is similar to that of a cell space at the using of a PDP. Thereby, since withstand voltage test is conducted in the environment similar to the using conditions, quality of the electrode panel 20 is determined accurately and simply.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing an electrode panel, and more particularly, to a method for testing the withstand voltage performance of an electrode panel used in a PDP (plasma display panel), and such a test method. To an apparatus for implementing the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A PDP is an image display device used for a wall-mounted TV or the like. Plasma discharge is generated in small cells arranged in a matrix to cause the phosphors arranged in the cells to emit light, and an image is formed as a set of light spots in each cell. A color image can be formed by combining cells provided with phosphors having different colors.

In order to apply a voltage for causing a plasma discharge to each cell, a large number of linear electrodes intersecting with each other are arranged on both sides of the cell, so that a specific intersection of the linear electrodes on both sides is provided. A voltage is applied to the arranged cells. PDP
Is a method of manufacturing a cell and a base panel provided with one electrode and a transparent front panel provided with the other electrode, and then joining both panels integrally. In this case, when the base panel and the front panel are manufactured, the quality performance of each is inspected, and only a non-defective product is used for assembling the PDP, and a defective product is repaired, thereby improving productivity. Alternatively, the quality performance can be improved, and the product yield can be increased.

One of the quality inspection tests for the front panel is a pressure resistance test. The front panel covers electrodes formed on the surface with a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is formed by applying a material liquid. This dielectric layer must be of sufficient thickness and free of defects such as fine holes. If the dielectric layer cannot withstand the applied voltage when a voltage is applied to the cell, discharge breakdown occurs.

Therefore, it is required to check in advance whether the dielectric layer of the front panel has a required withstand voltage characteristic.

[0006]

In order to inspect the above breakdown voltage characteristics, the thickness of the dielectric layer, the presence or absence of holes, the film characteristics, etc. can be directly measured. Performing the above measurement on the body layer is very troublesome. Also, for example, the thickness of the dielectric layer and the PDP
Since it is not directly related to the function when used as a PDP, it is difficult to accurately determine whether or not it is suitable for use as a PDP using only the above test.

An object of the present invention is to easily and accurately perform a pressure test on the front panel of the PDP.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for testing an electrode panel, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of discharge electrodes on a surface of a substrate and a dielectric layer covering the discharge electrodes; A method for testing the withstand voltage performance of a dielectric layer, including the following steps. (a) forming a discharge gas atmosphere on the surface of the dielectric layer of the electrode panel;

(B) a step of disposing a test electrode with a gap between the dielectric layer and the dielectric layer via a discharge gas atmosphere; (c) applying a voltage between the test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel. Each component requirement will be specifically described. [Electrode Panel] PDP is an abbreviation for plasma panel display, and the basic structure of the PDP in the present invention may be the same as that of a normal PDP. The structure of the PDP includes an AC type and a DC type, and the present invention is preferably applied to an AC type PDP.

As a specific structure of the PDP, a base panel having a cell for accommodating a phosphor and a plurality of linear electrodes arranged in parallel on the back side of the cell,
A front panel having a plurality of linear electrodes parallel to each other in a direction crossing the electrodes of the base panel. The front panel is a transparent substrate made of glass or the like, and is disposed on the surface of the substrate, which is also a transparent discharge electrode, and a transparent dielectric covering the whole of at least the portion of the discharge electrode disposed in the cell. And a body layer. Therefore,
The front panel is substantially transparent substantially entirely, and the light emission in the cell passes through the front panel and appears as an image to the outside.

In the discharge electrode, a large number of linear or band-shaped electrodes are arranged in parallel at positions corresponding to the cells on the surface of the front panel substrate. The electrodes in this parallel portion must be reliably covered with a dielectric layer. A portion outside the cell is provided with a connection portion for connecting the discharge electrode to an external voltage application circuit, and this connection portion may be exposed from the dielectric layer. As long as the connection portion is electrically connected to the parallel linear portion corresponding to the cell, the arrangement shape can be freely set.

The withstand voltage test of the electrode panel is performed on a portion of the discharge electrode covered with a dielectric layer corresponding to the cell, and this region is a test region. [Discharge gas] P
The same gas as the discharge gas filled in the cell when used as DP is used. Specifically, Ne, He, N
₂ or the like can be used alone or as a mixture.

The discharge gas atmosphere is one of the electrode panels
It must be formed in a range including a portion where a withstand voltage test is performed or a portion where a voltage is applied in the withstand voltage test. The discharge gas atmosphere may be formed uniformly over the entire electrode panel, or the discharge gas atmosphere may be formed only in necessary places as the test proceeds. When a discharge gas is blown out from a gas supply source of a gas cylinder storing a discharge gas to a predetermined region via a pipe, a discharge gas atmosphere is formed in that region. [Test electrode] The test electrode is arranged so as to face the discharge electrode with a gap between the test electrode and the dielectric layer via the discharge gas atmosphere.

As a material of the test electrode, a commonly used discharge electrode material such as stainless steel can be used. The distance between the test electrode and the dielectric layer can be set to be substantially equal to the distance between the electrode of the base panel and the dielectric layer of the front panel in the PDP. [Application of Voltage] To apply a voltage between the test electrode and the discharge electrode, each electrode is connected to a power supply.

The applied voltage is set according to the purpose of the test, such as the voltage applied when the PDP is used or the voltage that the dielectric layer of the panel needs to withstand. Specifically, it can be set within a range of several hundred volts to several thousand volts. [Test Arm] The test arm is arranged across the electrode panel with a gap between the test arm and the electrode panel, and translates along the surface of the electrode panel. A test electrode and discharge gas blowing means are provided along the axial direction of the test arm.

A discharge gas atmosphere is formed in a band-shaped region along the axial direction of the test arm, and a voltage is applied between the test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel in the discharge gas atmosphere,
A withstand voltage test of the dielectric layer at that portion can be performed. If the test arm is moved in parallel with respect to the electrode panel, a pressure resistance test can be sequentially performed on the entire electrode panel. If a gas outlet for blowing discharge gas in a band shape is provided on the lower surface of the test arm or the like as a gas blowing means, a discharge gas atmosphere can be formed in the band region. When the test arm moves in parallel, a band-like discharge gas atmosphere is sequentially formed on the entire electrode panel.

The electrode panel is held at a fixed position by the panel holding means with respect to the test arm that moves in parallel. Specifically, means for holding a plate material in an ordinary test apparatus, such as a mechanical clamping mechanism or a vacuum suction mechanism, can be employed. If the test arm as described above is used, the discharge gas atmosphere need not be formed on the entire surface of the electrode panel, but the discharge gas atmosphere may be formed only in a relatively narrow band-like region. It is sufficient to apply a voltage only to the electrodes. As a result, the amount of discharge gas used can be reduced, and power consumption required for discharge can be reduced.

In particular, it is possible to prevent a problem that an excessive current flows to a defective portion to cause a discharge breakdown. This is because when a voltage is applied to a defective portion of the dielectric layer of the electrode panel, the current flowing between the entire test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel up to that point concentrates only on the defective portion. Flow, and this concentrated current causes discharge breakdown. The larger the facing area between the test electrode and the discharge electrode, the larger the current needs to flow,
The value of the current intensively flowing to the defective portion also increases, and the possibility that discharge breakdown occurs in an electrode panel such as a discharge electrode increases. However, if the linear or band-like test electrode described above, the area involved in the discharge is small,
A small amount of current is required to flow during the test, and the current value concentrated at the defective portion is also small, so that discharge breakdown due to excessive current is unlikely to occur.

By scanning the entire electrode panel with the test arm,
The test time can be shortened because all the defective portions existing on the entire surface of the electrode panel can be found. [Voltage Applying Means] The following voltage applying means can be employed to apply a voltage to the discharge electrodes of the electrode panel held by the panel holding means.

A contact piece which is in contact with a connection portion of the discharge electrode of the electrode panel and to which a voltage is applied, an advancing / retracting mechanism for supporting the contact piece and moving the contact piece from outside the electrode panel to a position above the connection portion; And a pressure contact mechanism for pressing the contact piece against the connection portion. The contact piece is made of a conductive material such as copper or stainless steel, and has an arrangement shape corresponding to the arrangement shape of the connection portion.
It is preferable that the material can be deformed to some extent when pressed to make good electrical contact with the connecting portion.

As for the contact pieces, separate contact pieces may be brought into contact with the individual connection portions with respect to a large number of connection portions arranged for each of a large number of discharge electrodes, or the same contact piece may be contacted with a plurality of connection portions. Can be applied to apply voltage at the same time. A voltage can be applied by simultaneously bringing the contact pieces into contact with all the connection portions of the electrode panel. As the forward / backward mechanism, forward / backward operation means in a normal mechanical device such as an electromagnetic cylinder, a cam mechanism, and a rack gear mechanism is applied.

As for the pressure contact mechanism, if various operation mechanisms such as cams and gears can be combined and the contact piece can be pressed against the connection portion, a specific pressure contact mechanism of an electrode in an ordinary electric device can be used. If the contact piece is pressed against the connecting portion with an elastic material such as rubber, it can be reliably pressed at an appropriate pressure. [Panel mounting table] A test can be performed by mounting the electrode panel on a panel mounting table provided with planar test electrodes.

On the panel mounting table, planar test electrodes are arranged over the entire area where the electrode panel is mounted. The electrode panel is mounted so that the surface having the dielectric layer faces the planar test electrode with a gap therebetween. A discharge gas atmosphere is formed between the electrode panel and the planar test electrode. An outlet for discharging gas can be provided on the surface of the panel mounting table.

A gap forming frame is used to form a gap between the electrode panel and the test electrode. The gap forming frame is
It is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and is arranged at a position where it contacts along the outer periphery of the electrode panel to fill a gap between the electrode panel and the test electrode. The gap forming frame can be made of an insulating tape. If the gap forming frame exists, the gap between the electrode panel and the test electrode can be maintained constant, and the discharge gas can be reliably stored inside the gap forming frame.

A voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the test electrode of the panel mounting table and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel mounted on the panel mounting table is provided. In order to perform a pressure resistance test using the panel mounting table as described above, a discharge gas is supplied between the electrode panel mounted on the panel mounting table and the test electrode, and then the discharge electrode of the electrode panel and the test electrode are connected. A predetermined test voltage may be applied during that time.

If there is a defective portion in the dielectric layer of the electrode panel, intensive discharge occurs at the defective portion to emit light, so that the presence of the defective portion can be recognized. According to this method, a pressure test can be easily performed simply by using a panel mounting table having a relatively simple structure. However, according to the above method, even when there are defects at a plurality of locations, since concentrated discharge and light emission occur only at the defective locations where discharge is most likely to occur, it is difficult to find other defective locations.

Therefore, a method using an insulating piece described below can be applied. [Insulating Piece] The insulating piece is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin film and has an area and a shape enough to cover one defect generated in the dielectric layer of the electrode panel. Usually, the size may be about several mm square. If an adhesive layer is formed on one surface of the insulating piece, the work of sticking to the electrode panel can be easily performed.

When a withstand voltage test is performed by applying a voltage between the electrode panel and the test electrode using a planar test electrode facing the entire electrode panel, a defective portion of the dielectric layer is found. Then, after attaching an insulating piece to the defective part,
The step of applying the voltage again is repeated. If an insulating piece is attached to a defective portion, discharge breakdown or concentrated discharge does not occur at that portion. If a voltage is applied again in this state, concentrated discharge and light emission occur at a defective portion located at another position. If the insulating pieces are sequentially attached to the found defective portions and the application of the voltage is repeated, the positions of the defective portions existing in the entire electrode panel can be detected.

The portion where the insulating piece is adhered to the electrode panel is a defective portion, and the insulating piece at the defective portion can be peeled off to perform repair work.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Structure of PDP] A schematic structure of a PDP including an electrode panel to be tested will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the PDP has a front panel 20 and a base panel 10.

The base panel 10 has a large number of linear electrodes 13 arranged on the surface of a substrate 12 in parallel at intervals. In FIG. 6, each electrode 13 extends in a direction penetrating the paper surface. The electrode 13 is covered with a dielectric layer 14, on which a partition 16 provided with a number of cell spaces 17 is arranged. A phosphor layer 18 is formed in each cell space 17 divided by the partition 16.

The front panel 20 is disposed on the partition 16 of the base panel 10. A discharge electrode 24 is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 22, and the discharge electrode 24 is covered with a dielectric layer 26. The dielectric layer 26 covers the cell space 1 of the base panel 10.
Faces 7. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the discharge electrodes 24 of the front panel 20 include a large number of linear discharge electrodes 24 arranged in parallel at intervals. The direction in which the discharge electrode 24 extends is as follows when the PDP is assembled.
The direction is set so as to intersect with the direction in which the electrodes 13 of the base panel 10 extend. The parallel portion of the discharge electrode 24 is completely covered with the dielectric layer 26. Discharge electrode 24
Of the substrate 22 extend outside the dielectric layer 26.
Is connected to a strip-shaped connection portion 25 arranged along the outer periphery of the box.

The connecting portions 25 are provided for the respective discharge electrodes 24, and the discharge electrodes 24 arranged in parallel are connected to the connecting portions 25 alternately arranged on the left and right outer sides. The wiring structure for connecting the discharge electrodes 24 to the connection portions 25 is not parallel but is inclined at different angles.
The connecting portions 25 arranged on the outer periphery on both sides of the substrate 22 are alternately connected to the central discharge electrodes 24. A plurality of connecting portions 25 are provided around each of the outer periphery of the substrate 22.
Are grouped and arranged adjacently, and a group of such connecting portions 25, that is, blocks are arranged at regular intervals.

A withstand voltage test is performed on the front panel, ie, the electrode panel 20 provided with the substrate 22, the discharge electrodes 24, and the dielectric layer 26 described above. [First Embodiment] The test apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a test arm. The whole structural tester main body 30 has a rectangular support base 32 on which the electrode panel 20 having a screen size of 40 inches is mounted. A scale 34 on which a length scale is displayed is arranged along a long side on the back side of the support 32. The test arm 50 is arranged above the support table 32.

One end of the test arm 50 is supported by a lifting column 62 on the side of the longitudinal side of the support table 32, and moves the test arm 50 up and down. The elevating column 62 is supported by a sliding portion 64 arranged along the side of the support 32, and moves horizontally along the side of the support 32. As a result, the test arm 50 moves with respect to the surface of the electrode panel 20 supported by the support table 32.
The size of the gap can be adjusted by moving in the vertical direction perpendicular to the plane. The electrode panel 20 is translated along the surface while traversing upward. The test arm 50 is arranged in a direction crossing each discharge electrode 24 with respect to a parallel portion of the discharge electrode 24 arranged on the electrode panel 20.
Will move in the same direction as the direction in which. The translation speed of the test arm 50 can be adjusted in a range of about 5 mm / sec to 50 mm / sec.

A voltage application section 40 is provided outside the short side of the support base 32. The voltage can be applied to the discharge electrode 24 by the voltage application unit 40 contacting the connection unit 25 connected to the discharge electrode 24 of the electrode panel 20. The tester main body 30 includes a control panel 70 having a monitor screen, and controls the operation of the tester including the operation of the test arm 50 and the voltage application unit 40 and monitors the operation status.

Test Arm As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the test arm 50 is entirely made of a transparent acrylic resin. A test electrode 80 made of a stainless steel plate and having a thickness of about 1 mm
Is arranged.

A gas chamber 54 is arranged at the center of the test arm 50 with the test electrode 80 interposed therebetween. At both axial ends of the test arm 50, the gas chamber 54 is closed by the outer wall of the test arm 50. A gas supply hole 52 is provided in the wall surface of the test arm 50 on the support side of the test arm 50 to the lifting column 62, and a discharge gas is supplied to the gas chamber 54 from an external gas tank or gas pipe (not shown). He and Ne are used as the discharge gas.
And a gas supply amount of 2-3 liters /
Minutes. Test electrode 8 traversing the center of gas chamber 54
A gas passage hole 82 is formed through the hole 0 so that the discharge gas flows through the gas chambers 54 on both sides.

A narrow gas passage groove 55 is provided from the gas chamber 54 along both sides of the test electrode 80, and the tip of the gas passage groove 55 is connected to a gas holding space 56 disposed at the lower end of the test arm 50.
Is in communication with The gas holding space 56 is provided on both sides of the test electrode 80 with a width wider than the gas passage groove 55.
A gas holding space 56 from a gas chamber 54 through a gas passage groove 55
After the gas supplied to the test arm 50 fills the gas holding space 56, the gas passes through a gap between the lower end of the test arm 50 and the surface of the dielectric layer 26 of the electrode panel 20, and is discharged from both sides of the test arm 50. Is released to the outside.

As a result, the lower end of the test electrode 80 and a certain range around the lower end of the test electrode 80 are covered with the discharge gas atmosphere, and the test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 2 of the electrode panel 20 are covered.
4 can be maintained in the same discharge atmosphere as the cell space in the PDP. The test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24 are connected to a power supply 84 by wiring. Test electrode 80
Is connected to a power supply 84 provided in the tester main body 30 via a test arm 50 and a lifting column 62 by wiring. The power supply 84 applies a voltage in a range of about 0 to 24 kV AC.

As shown in the voltage applying unit 3, the connecting portion 25 connected to the discharge electrode 24 of the electrode panel 20, the power supply 84 via the voltage applying unit 40 disposed on the side of the support 32 Connected. The voltage applying unit 40 has a contact piece 42 made of a conductive material such as copper, which is in contact with the upper surface of the connection unit 25 and bent in a substantially √ shape. The contact piece 42 is connected to the power source 84 via a wiring (not shown).
It is connected to the.

The contact piece 42 is supported by a seesaw plate 44 via a pressure rubber 41 having a circular cross section. Seesaw board 4
Reference numeral 4 indicates that the front and rear ends of the center support shaft 43 rotate in opposite directions. An operating member 49 of an actuator 45 that moves in a horizontal direction is in contact with the lower surface of the rear end of the seesaw plate 44. The operating member 49 includes a freely rotating roller. When the operating member 49 moves forward, the seesaw plate 4
4 is pushed upward and turned. When the seesaw plate 44 turns, the pressure rubber 41 and the contact piece 42 move downward, so that the contact piece 42 is pressed against the connection portion 25 of the electrode panel 20. As a result, the contact piece 42 and the connecting portion 2
Good electrical connection with 5 is achieved.

Actuator 45 and seesaw plate 44
Is mounted on an actuator 47 fixed to the tester main body 30 so as to be able to advance and retreat. When the actuator 47 is operated to move the slide base 46 forward and backward, the contact piece 42 is connected to the connecting portion 2 of the electrode panel 20.
5 or the contact piece 42 can be retracted to the outside of the electrode panel 20. Electrode panel 20
The slide table 46 is arranged at a retracted position away from the electrode panel 20 when attaching and detaching the. The slide table 46 is brought close to the electrode panel 20 when applying a voltage to the electrode panel 20.

In the plan view of the electrode panel 20 shown in FIG. 7, the contact pieces 42 may be configured such that separate contact pieces 42 are in contact with each connection portion 25, or are arranged adjacent to each other. The connecting portions 25 of each group may be brought into contact with one contact piece 42 at a time. The contact pieces 42 of the voltage application unit 40 disposed on the respective sides come into contact with the left and right connection units 25, 25.

Test Operation First, the electrode panel 20 is placed on the support 32 of the tester main body 30. Placing the test arm 50 above the electrode panel 20;
The contact piece 42 of the voltage application section 40 is brought into contact with the connection section 25 of the electrode panel 20. As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the test electrode 80 is disposed slightly above the dielectric layer 26 of the electrode panel 20, the discharge gas is blown into the gas holding space 56 of the test arm 50. The gap between the test electrode 80 and the dielectric layer 26 is about 1 mm. In this state, a predetermined test voltage is applied between the test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24.

Although a certain weak discharge is generated between the test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24, if the dielectric layer 26 has a hole or becomes thin, the test electrode 80 and the substrate discharge electrode 24 may be connected at that portion. During this period, concentrated discharge occurs. A local light-emitting phenomenon occurs due to the concentrated discharge between the test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24. Light emission can be visually observed from above through the test arm 50, which is entirely transparent. Further, when the concentrated discharge occurs, the voltage value and the current value in the power supply circuit fluctuate. By detecting the fluctuation of the voltage and the current, it is possible to know the occurrence of a defect in the dielectric layer 26.

If the above-described voltage is applied while the test arm 50 is moved in parallel so as to scan the entire surface of the electrode panel 20, the withstand voltage test of the dielectric layer 26 can be performed on the entire electrode panel 20. it can. If the position where the failure of the dielectric layer 26 is detected due to the occurrence of the discharge is electronically stored or recorded, repair work such as repair coating of the dielectric may be performed on the defective position after the test. it can.

The recording of the defective position can also be carried out by manually marking the position where the light emission occurs visually as described above. This marking can be performed mechanically or automatically. The scale of the scale 34 arranged along the longitudinal side of the electrode panel 20 can be read and recorded. If the above-described local fluctuations of the voltage and current and the moving position of the test arm 50 at that time are stored in a control computer of the tester main body 30 or the like, along the longitudinal side of the electrode panel 20. The position of the defect in the direction can be obtained as electronic data and used in the repair process.

Further, a voltage is applied to each of the discharge electrodes 24 arranged in parallel along the short side of the electrode panel 20 from one end side to the other end side. If the position data of the discharge electrode 24 to which the voltage is applied and the position data of the test arm 50 at that time are combined, the coordinate position along both the long side and the short side of the electrode panel 20 is obtained, It is also possible to specify the coordinates of the defective position.

An insulating piece 120 used in an embodiment to be described later can be attached to a defective position to make a mark. Second Embodiment FIGS. 4 and 5 show a test apparatus using a planar test electrode. A test electrode 102 made of a Cr metal layer is arranged on the entire surface of the panel mounting table 100 having a rectangular device structure . The test electrode 102 is connected to a power supply 84.

On the test electrode 102, the panel mounting table 1
Along the outer periphery of 00, a band-shaped gap forming frame 116 made of an insulating material such as a vinyl tape is arranged. A gas outlet 115 is disposed on the surface of the panel mounting table 100 inside the gap forming frame 116, and the gas outlet 115 is connected to a discharge gas supply source via a gas pipe 114.

On the side of the long side of the panel mounting table 100,
Positioning pieces 118, 118 protruding upward are provided upright. The electrode panel 20 is mounted on the panel mounting table 100. Position one side of electrode panel 20 with positioning piece 11
If the electrode panel 20 is superimposed on the panel mounting table 100 in a state where the electrode panel 20 is brought into contact with 8, 118, the outer periphery of the electrode panel 20 is positioned just above the gap forming frame 116.

As shown in FIG. 5, there is a gap of about 1 mm between the dielectric layer 26 of the electrode panel 20 and the test electrode 102 of the panel mounting table 100. A space is created between the electrode panel 20 and the panel mounting table 100, the outer periphery of which is surrounded by the gap forming frame 116. The discharge gas is blown from the gas outlet 115 into this space to fill it. In order to increase the airtightness between the electrode panel 20 and the gap forming frame 116, a mechanism for sandwiching the two or pressing them together can be provided.

In FIG. 5, the portion where the discharge electrode 24 and the dielectric layer 26 on the right side in the figure are sandwiched and the portion where the discharge electrode 24 and the dielectric layer 26 on the left side in FIG.
The thickness of the gap forming frame 116 is greatly different. this is,
This is an expression for clearly displaying the structure of each part. In an actual test apparatus, the thickness of the discharge electrode 24 and the dielectric layer 26 is extremely thin compared to the thickness of the gap forming frame 116, and the material of the gap forming frame 116 is May have the same thickness throughout the frame. Normally, the elastic deformation of the material of the gap forming frame 116 can absorb the difference in thickness due to the presence or absence of the discharge electrode 24 and the dielectric layer 26.

In the state shown in FIG. 5, the discharge electrodes 24 arranged in the space between the electrode panel 20 and the gap forming frame 116 are arranged.
Alternatively, the wiring path connecting the discharge electrode 24 and the connection portion 25 is
The entire surface is covered with the dielectric layer 26. The electrode structure does not have to be covered with the dielectric layer 26 at the portion closed by the gap forming frame 116 or at the portion outside the gap forming frame 116.

The connection portion 25 connected to the discharge electrode 24 of the electrode panel 20 has a detachable clip-shaped connection terminal 1.
08 is connected. The connection terminals 108 are simultaneously connected to all the discharge electrodes 24 arranged on the electrode panel 20. The electrode terminal 108 is connected to the power supply 84 via a wiring. A ground terminal 104 is provided on the side of the electrode panel 20 opposite to the side on which the connection terminal 108 is mounted.
Is provided. A ground wire 106 is connected to the ground terminal 104, and the ground wire 106 is grounded.

The electrode panel 20 is mounted on the test operation panel mounting table 100,
While the gap between the two is filled with the discharge gas, the power supply 84
Then, a predetermined test voltage is applied between the test electrode 102 and the substrate discharge electrode 24. The test voltage is set in a range of about ± 1000V.

In the space filled with the discharge gas, the discharge electrode 2
If there is a hole x or a thin portion in the dielectric layer 26 covering the layer 4, concentrated discharge occurs between the substrate discharge electrode 24 and the test electrode 102, and the portion emits light. Transparent electrode panel 20
When viewed from above, the light emission position, that is, the position where a defect occurs can be specified. At the defective portion, the electrode panel 20 is lifted from the panel mounting table 100, and a small insulating piece 120 of about 4 mm × 4 mm made of an insulating material such as a polyimide tape is formed on the surface of the dielectric layer 26 serving as the lower surface of the electrode panel 20. Stick it.

Electrode panel 20 to which insulating piece 120 is adhered
Is mounted on the panel mounting table 100 again in the same manner as described above,
After supplying the discharge gas, a predetermined test voltage is applied. If a defective portion appears again, the same insulating piece 120 as described above is attached. Such a process is repeated until no defective portion is generated. As a result, all defective portions of the electrode panel 20 can be found. This is because the defective portion that emits light when the first voltage is applied is the portion with the lowest withstand voltage. If this defective portion is closed with the insulating piece 120, the next with the next voltage application, the portion with the next lowest withstand voltage is used. Emits light. By repeating such an operation, defective portions having low withstand voltage are sequentially found.

After the test, the electrode panel 20 is placed on the insulating strip 1.
If the repair work is performed by removing the insulating piece 120 and applying a dielectric material to the place where the 20 is adhered, all the defective places are repaired, and the electrode panel having the required pressure resistance performance is repaired. 20 can be obtained.

[0061]

According to the method and apparatus for testing the withstand voltage of an electrode panel of the present invention, a discharge gas atmosphere is formed on the surface of a dielectric layer covering a discharge electrode of the electrode panel, and a voltage is applied between the test electrode and the discharge electrode. Is applied, the withstand voltage test can be performed in an environment close to the actual use state when the PDP is assembled. As a result, the quality of the electrode panel can be accurately and easily tested.

When a voltage is applied between the test electrode and the discharge electrode while using the above-described test arm or the like while moving the band-shaped region of the discharge gas atmosphere and the test electrode in parallel along the surface of the electrode panel. In addition, the entire electrode panel can be efficiently and reliably tested. Moreover, since current only needs to flow through a part of the electrode panel facing the test electrode, relatively little power is consumed, and no excessive current flows when concentrated discharge occurs at a defective portion. Therefore, discharge breakdown is unlikely to occur in an electrode panel such as a discharge electrode.

If a discharge gas atmosphere is formed over the entire test area of the electrode panel and a voltage is applied with a planar test electrode,
The defective part with the weakest pressure resistance can be found quickly. If the same test is repeated by attaching an insulating piece to the found defective part, defective parts with weak pressure resistance can be found in order. Since complicated operation is not required for test electrodes, etc.,
Testing can be performed easily with a simple device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a test apparatus representing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a detailed structure of a scanning bar.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a mechanism for applying a voltage to an electrode of a substrate.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of a test apparatus showing another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a PDP.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the arrangement of electrodes on a substrate.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a substrate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Electrode panel (front panel) 22 Substrate 24 Discharge electrode 25 Connection part 26 Dielectric layer 30 Tester main body 40 Voltage application part 50 Test arm 54 Gas chamber 55 Gas passage groove 56 Gas holding space 80 Test electrode 84 Power supply

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for testing the withstand voltage performance of a dielectric layer on an electrode panel in which a large number of discharge electrodes are arranged on a surface of a substrate and a dielectric layer is arranged so as to cover the discharge electrodes, (A) forming a discharge gas atmosphere on the surface of the dielectric layer of the electrode panel; and (b) arranging a test electrode with a gap between the dielectric layer and the discharge gas atmosphere. And (c) applying a voltage between the test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel. 2. The step of forming a gas atmosphere for discharge.
(a) forms a discharge gas atmosphere in a band-shaped region crossing the electrode panel, and (b) arranges the test electrode along the band-shaped region of the discharge gas atmosphere. The step (c) of applying the voltage includes moving the band-shaped region of the discharge gas atmosphere and the test electrode in parallel along the surface of the electrode panel, between the test electrode and the discharge electrode. The method for testing a withstand voltage of an electrode panel according to claim 1, wherein a voltage is applied. 3. A step of forming a gas atmosphere for discharge.
(a) forms a discharge gas atmosphere covering the entire test area of the electrode panel, and (b) disposes the test electrode.The step (b) includes forming a planar test electrode facing the entire test area of the electrode panel. Arranging and applying the voltage (c) includes applying a voltage between the planar test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel, and further applying a voltage to the defective portion of the dielectric layer. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) repeating the step (c) of applying the voltage after sticking an insulating piece to the defective portion if found. 4. An apparatus for testing the withstand voltage performance of a dielectric layer on an electrode panel in which a large number of discharge electrodes are arranged on a surface of a substrate and a dielectric layer is arranged so as to cover the discharge electrodes, A panel holding means for holding the electrode panel, a test arm disposed transversely to the electrode panel with a gap between the electrode panel and a translation arm parallel to the surface of the electrode panel, and an axial direction of the test arm. Gas blowing means for blowing discharge gas into a gap with the electrode panel, and a test electrode disposed along the axial direction of the test arm in an atmosphere of discharge gas blown by the gas blowing means. And a voltage applying means for applying a voltage between a discharge electrode of the electrode panel and the test electrode. 5. The discharge electrode has a connection portion exposed along the periphery of the substrate from the dielectric layer, and the voltage applying means contacts the connection portion of the electrode of the electrode panel. A contact piece to which a voltage is applied, an advancing / retracting mechanism for supporting the contact piece, and advancing / retreating the contact piece from the outside of the electrode panel to a position above the connection portion, and pressing the contact piece against the connection portion The pressure test apparatus for an electrode panel according to claim 4, further comprising a pressure contact mechanism. 6. An apparatus for testing the withstand voltage performance of a dielectric layer on an electrode panel in which a large number of electrodes are arranged on a surface of a substrate and a dielectric layer is arranged so as to cover the electrodes. The panel is mounted on the panel mounting table with the surface having the dielectric layer facing the surface thereof. The panel mounting table is disposed on the panel mounting table, and is in contact with the outer periphery of the electrode panel along the outer periphery of the electrode panel. A gap forming frame that maintains a gap between the surface and the surface, a gas outlet that opens to the surface of the panel mounting table inside the gap forming frame and blows out a discharge gas, and faces the surface of the electrode panel. A withstand voltage test apparatus for an electrode panel, comprising: a planar test electrode disposed on the panel mounting table; and a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage between the electrode of the electrode panel and the test electrode.