KR101595446B1 - Apparatus for inspecting back light unit and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inspecting a backlight unit that can increase inspection efficiency of a backlight unit using at least one light source reflector and simplify the structure and inspection method of the inspection apparatus, A loading shuttle that is loaded; A shuttle driver for moving the loading shuttle in a predetermined direction; At least one external light for illuminating the front surface of the backlight unit moved by the loading shuttle; At least one light source reflector for converting the traveling path of light reflected from the backlight unit and disposed obliquely to the backlight unit; At least one light amount detector for detecting the brightness of light whose path is changed by the at least one light source reflector; And an auxiliary frame for fixing the at least one external illumination, the light source reflector, and the light amount detection unit.

Backlight unit, non-lighting test, defective viewing angle, light source reflector,

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for inspecting a backlight unit,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a backlight unit inspecting apparatus, and more particularly, to a backlight unit inspecting apparatus which can increase inspection efficiency of a backlight unit using at least one light source reflector and simplify the structure and inspection method of the inspection apparatus. Apparatus and method.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the rapid development of the information society, there is a need for a flat panel display having excellent characteristics such as thinning, light weight, and low power consumption. And is being actively applied to a notebook or desktop monitor.

The liquid crystal display device is arranged to face the substrates on which the electric field generating electrodes are formed and to move the liquid crystal molecules by an electric field generated between the substrates, thereby displaying an image by the transmittance of the light. Since such a liquid crystal display device is not a self-luminous display device, a separate light generating unit such as a backlight unit is required.

The backlight unit is divided into a direct type and an edge type according to the position of a light source. In the direct type type, a plurality of light sources are disposed directly below the liquid crystal panel, So that the liquid crystal panel is irradiated with the light.

These backlight units are judged to be defective through a lighting test and a non-lighting test before entering a module assembling process to be assembled with a liquid crystal panel. Here, the non-lighting test is a method of determining whether the backlight unit is defective by irradiating light from the external illuminator to the front surface of the backlight unit, detecting the brightness of light reflected from the backlight unit and the optical sheet or the like It is one.

However, since the conventional non-illuminating test apparatus for performing the non-illuminating test detects the brightness of the light reflected from the front after irradiating the light from the front surface of the back light unit, it is possible to detect defects There are some tough problems. In other words, in order to detect a visual field defect observed on the side other than the front side, a troublesome process of rearranging the light irradiation direction and the detection direction with a predetermined angle (e.g., 40 to 50 degrees) is required. In addition, in order to detect light in various directions or multiple angles as described above, it is necessary to further include a light detecting camera or illumination, and the detection process is also complicated, resulting in deterioration of inspection efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and it is an object of the present invention to provide a backlight unit which can improve inspection efficiency of a backlight unit using at least one light source reflector, And an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for inspecting a backlight unit, including: a loading shuttle for loading a backlight unit; A shuttle driver for moving the loading shuttle in a predetermined direction; At least one external light for illuminating the front surface of the backlight unit moved by the loading shuttle; At least one light source reflector for converting a traveling path of light reflected from the backlight unit; At least one light amount detector for detecting the brightness of light whose path is changed by the at least one light source reflector; And an auxiliary frame for fixing the at least one external illumination, the light source reflector 54, and the light amount detection unit.

Wherein each of the at least one light source reflectors reflects a path of light reflected from at least one of an outer side and an inner side of the backlight unit at an angle of 40 to 60 degrees to a direction of the light amount detection unit facing the backlight unit in a vertical direction Thereby converting the image data.

Each of the at least one light source reflectors is located at one side or the other side of each of the external lights and is disposed in a different direction previously set by the user, In a direction in which the light source is located.

A main frame provided with guide means for allowing the loading shuttle and the shuttle driving unit to be mounted and for allowing the loading shuttle to move, and a control unit for controlling the shuttle driving unit and controlling the main frame and the shuttle driving unit in accordance with the brightness of the light detected by the light amount detecting unit. And an inspection control unit for discriminating and displaying whether or not a defect has occurred.

Further comprising a front light interceptor disposed on a front surface of the light amount detector and intercepting light directly reflected from the back light unit without being reflected through the at least one light source reflector, Or may be installed on or removed from the front surface of the light amount detecting unit, or may be installed or removed from the opening area of the sub frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of inspecting a backlight unit using at least one light source reflector, Adjusting a direction and a reflection angle of the reflection portion; Horizontally moving the loading shuttle loaded with the backlight unit in a predetermined direction; Irradiating light to a front surface of the moving backlight unit using at least one external light; A step of reflecting and converting a traveling path of light reflected from the backlight unit using each of the light source reflectors; And detecting the brightness of the light whose path is converted through at least one light amount detecting unit.

Wherein the step of reflecting and converting the traveling path of the light includes a step of reflecting a path of light reflected at least at an angle of 40 to 60 degrees from the outside and the inside of the backlight unit in the direction of the light amount detecting unit Thereby performing reflection conversion.

Each of the at least one light source reflectors is located at one side or the other side of each of the external lights and is disposed in a different direction previously set by the user, In a direction in which the light source is located.

The light amount detection unit may be installed on or removed from the front surface of the light amount detection unit or may be reflected by the at least one light source reflection unit using a front light blocking unit installed or removed in the opening area of the auxiliary frame And blocking light reflected directly from the backlight unit.

The backlight unit inspection apparatus and method according to the present invention having the above-described features can detect a side visual field defect without changing the position of a light amount detecting unit, that is, a light detecting camera, using at least one light source reflecting unit. Therefore, the structure and inspection method of the backlight unit inspection apparatus can be simplified, and the inspection efficiency of the backlight unit can be increased, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for inspecting a backlight unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exploded cross-sectional view schematically showing a liquid crystal display provided with a backlight unit.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display device includes a backlight unit 10; A panel guide (17); And includes a liquid crystal panel 20 and a case 31.

The backlight unit 10 includes a plurality of lamps 12, a cover 13 for accommodating the plurality of lamps 12, a diffusion plate 13 disposed on the front surface of the cover 13 so as to face the plurality of lamps 12, (15) and at least one optical sheet (16) disposed on the diffuser plate (15).

Each of the lamps 12 is detachably mounted on the unillustrated sockets and faces the liquid crystal panel 20. Each of the lamps 12 may be a cylindrical lamp such as a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), a Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL), or an External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL) And is illuminated by the lamp driving voltage supplied from the sockets of each of the plurality of lamps 12 to irradiate the liquid crystal panel 20 with light.

The cover 13 has a bottom surface opposed to the plurality of lamps 12, an inclined surface inclined at a constant inclination from the top and bottom of the bottom surface so as to correspond to the longitudinal direction of the lamp 12, And is made to include a seat portion. A reflective sheet 14 for reflecting the light from each lamp 12 toward the liquid crystal panel 20 is formed on the bottom surface and the inclined surface of the cover 13.

The diffusion plate 15 is stacked on the front opening of the cover 13. That is, the diffusion plate 15 is stacked on the upper surface of the seat portion of the cover 13. The diffuser plate 15 diffuses the light emitted from the plurality of lamps 12 to the entire area of the liquid crystal panel 20.

The plurality of optical sheets 16 allow light diffused by the diffuser plate 15 to be irradiated perpendicularly to the liquid crystal panel 20. [ To this end, the plurality of optical sheets 16 may be at least one prism sheet for condensing the light diffused by the diffuser plate 15. [

Here, although not shown in the drawing, the backlight unit 10 further includes a plurality of inverters for generating lamp driving voltages, a plurality of wires for supplying the lamp driving voltages from the respective inverters to the respective sockets, and the like.

The panel guide 17 is attached to the seating portion of the cover 13 so as to cover the edges and sides of the diffuser plate 16 and the plurality of optical sheets 17 and to cover the side surface of the cover 13. The panel guide 17 includes a panel supporting portion for supporting the liquid crystal panel 20. The panel supporting portion is formed so as to support the rear surface non-display region and the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 20.

The liquid crystal panel 20 is stacked on the panel support portion of the panel guide 17 and displays an image by reflecting the light incident on the front surface or adjusting the transmittance of light incident from the backlight unit 10. [

The liquid crystal panel 20 shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the front surfaces of the lower and upper substrates 23 and 24 and the upper substrate 24 so that the light incident from the front surface or the lower and upper substrates 23, And a lower polarizing sheet 21 provided on the back surface of the lower substrate 23 for polarizing the light from the backlight unit 10. The lower polarizing sheet 21 is provided on the lower surface of the lower substrate 23 to polarize light incident thereon.

The case 31 is bent so as to cover the front non-display area of the liquid crystal panel 20 and the side surface of the cover 13. At this time, the case 31 is fastened and fixed to the panel guide 17 which encloses the side surface of the cover 13.

As described above, the direct-type backlight unit 10 as shown in Fig. 1 can be configured in the liquid crystal display device. In addition to the direct-type backlight unit 10 described above, the edge-type backlight unit 10 is configured It is possible. Although not shown in the drawing, the edge type backlight unit is provided with a light source at one side edge of the backlight unit 10 and irradiates the light incident from the light source to the liquid crystal panel through the light guide plate and the plurality of optical sheets .

The backlight unit 10 determines whether the backlight unit 10 is defective by performing a lighting test and a non-lighting test before entering the module assembly process to be assembled with the liquid crystal panel 20. Here, the non-illuminance test is performed by irradiating the light from the external illuminator to the front surface of the back light unit, detecting the brightness of the light reflected from the inside of the back light unit 10 and the optical sheet 16, ) Is a method of determining whether or not a defect has occurred.

2 is a side view showing a backlight unit testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, the inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is an inspection apparatus for performing the non-illuminated inspection of the backlight unit 10, and includes a loading shuttle 42 to which the backlight unit 10 is loaded; A shuttle driver 44 for moving the loading shuttle 42 in a predetermined direction; At least one external light (52) for illuminating the front surface of the backlight unit (10) moved by the loading shuttle (42); At least one light source reflector (54) for converting a traveling path of light reflected from the backlight unit (10); At least one light amount detecting unit (48) for detecting the brightness of light whose path is changed by at least one light source reflecting unit (54); And an auxiliary frame 50 for fixing at least one external light 52, the light source reflector 54, and the light amount detecting unit 48.

The backlight unit testing apparatus of the present invention includes a main frame 40 having a loading shuttle 42 and a shuttle driving unit 44 mounted thereon and a guide unit for moving the loading shuttle 42, And an inspection control unit 56 for controlling the backlight unit 44 and determining whether the backlight unit 10 is defective or not according to the brightness of the light detected by the light intensity detection unit 48.

The loading shuttle 42 is provided with a seating surface and a fixing means, and the backlight unit 10 is loaded by an external carrying robot or the like. The loading shuttle 42 moves in a predetermined horizontal direction along guide rails provided on the upper surface of the main frame 40 by driving the shuttle driving unit 44, for example.

The shuttle drive unit 44 is provided on one side of the main frame 40 or on a lower surface or a portion of the loading shuttle 42 and is driven under the control of the inspection control unit 56. The shuttle drive unit 44 includes power generation means such as a servo motor and moves the loading shuttle 42 in a predetermined direction through power transmission means such as a plurality of conveyors, chains, and rollers.

The main frame 40 is formed with a mounting frame 46 protruding from the main frame 46. The mounting frame 46 includes at least one external light source 52 and a light source reflecting unit 54, The auxiliary frame 50 provided with the light amount detecting unit 48 is fixed. The auxiliary frame 50 is fixed to the main frame 40 at a predetermined distance from the guide rail. The backlight unit 10 on the loading shuttle 42 moving along the guide rails is positioned at a position corresponding to the lower surface of the auxiliary frame 50, that is, at a position corresponding to the external light 52, the light source reflector 54, And passes through the position corresponding to the detection unit 48. [

The auxiliary frame 50 is formed such that a part of the frame at the lower side thereof is aligned with the guide rail of the main frame 40. At least a part of the lower side of the auxiliary frame 50 is provided with at least one external light 52, (Not shown). The upper side frame corresponding to the opening area of the lower side frame is provided with a light amount detecting part 48 for detecting the brightness of light incident through the light source reflecting part 54.

The light amount detecting unit 48 includes a light detecting camera such as a photo sensor or a line CCD camera or the like. The light amount detecting unit 48 detects light directly reflected from the back light unit 10 or at least one light source reflector 54 , Converts the brightness of the detected light into a digital signal, and supplies the digital signal to the inspection control unit 56. [

The inspection control unit 56 detects and displays the failure of the backlight unit 10 by comparing and analyzing the digital signal input from the light amount detector 48, that is, the optical detection signal, with the data set by the user.

As described above, in the backlight unit testing apparatus of the present invention, the backlight unit 10 for performing the non-illuminating test is mounted on the loading shuttle 42 in at least one outside When the light 52 is moved to the lower portion of the light source reflecting portion 54, the non-lighting test is performed. At this time, the non-lighting check is performed by reflecting the light irradiated from at least one external light 52 in a state in which the backlight unit 10 is not illuminated, i.e., off, and detecting the brightness of the reflected light. Here, the case of directly detecting the light reflected from the backlight unit 10 is a case of detecting a defect recognized at the front view angle. However, in the case of a viewing angle defect that can be recognized at the side viewing angle, since the light reflected at the side must be detected, the light reflected by the side surface, that is, the angle of reflection of light is converted using at least one light source reflector 54 . At this time, since the position of the light amount detecting unit 48 including the photo sensor, the photo detecting camera, and the like does not need to be changed, it is fixed to the auxiliary frame 50 described above.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the side light detection process of the at least one illumination device, the light source reflector, and the light amount detection unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the reflection path conversion method of light shown in FIG.

The backlight unit 10 is moved to the lower portion of the light source reflector 54 and at least one illumination device 52 fixed to the auxiliary frame 50 in an unlit state as shown in FIG. , At least one illuminating device 52 generates light and irradiates the surface of the backlight unit 10.

The light emitted from each of the lighting devices 52 is reflected on the front surface and the side surface of the backlight unit 10 because the light is reflected on the surface of the backlight unit 10 and the inside thereof as shown in Figs. In other words, the light emitted from the at least one illuminator 52 may be reflected at the surface of the backlight unit 10 as shown by the arrow A, and the backlight unit 10 As shown in FIG.

At this time, the light source reflector 54 made of a reflector such as a reflector reflects a path of light reflected at an angle of about 45 degrees from the backlight unit 10, for example, a path of light shown by the arrows A and A ' And is again converted into the direction of the detection unit 48.

More specifically, the at least one light source reflector 54 provided in the inspection apparatus of the present invention guides the path of light reflected at an angle of about 45 degrees from the backlight unit 10 in the direction in which the light amount detector 48 is located Respectively. The at least one light source reflector 54 detects the brightness of the light reflected by the light amount detector 48 facing the backlight unit 10 in the vertical direction at an angle of 45 degrees from the backlight unit 10 .

3 and 4, at least one light source reflector 54 reflects the light reflected from the surface of the backlight unit 10 and the inside thereof at 45 degrees to the light amount detection unit 48 located in the vertical direction of the backlight unit 10 Reflection was explained. However, as shown by the arrow Q in FIG. 4, the light source reflector 54 can convert the path of the side light reflected at about 40 to 60 degrees to the direction in which the light amount detector 48 is located by adjusting the inclination.

5 is a plan view showing another configuration of at least one light source reflector shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the at least one light source reflectors 54 is located at one side or the other side of each of the external lights 52, and is disposed in different directions previously set by the user, And converts the path of the light incident from the different directions into the direction in which the light amount detecting unit 48 is located.

Specifically, each of the at least one light source reflectors 54 may be arranged to convert the path of light incident from at least one of the 1 o'clock direction to the 12 o'clock direction (A1 to A8) into the direction in which the light amount detecting portion 48 is located have. Accordingly, since the light amount detecting section 48 can detect the brightness of light incident in a plurality of different directions, the light detection efficiency, that is, the defect detection efficiency of the backlight unit 10 can be further increased.

When the light reflected from the backlight unit 10 at an angle of about 40 to 60 degrees is detected, an angle close to the front side, for example, 70 To 85 [deg.] May be directly incident on the light amount detecting unit 48. [0050] That is, the light reflected directly from the backlight unit 10, not the light reflected through the light source reflector 54, may be incident on the light amount detector 48 together with the light reflected through the light source reflector 54 have. In this case, since the defect detection efficiency may be lowered, the inspection apparatus of the present invention is provided with a front light interception portion 60 (see FIG. 1) which is located on the front face of the light amount detection portion 48 and blocks light directly reflected by the back light unit 10 ). The front light blocking part 60 may be installed on or removed from the front of the light amount detecting part 48 in a form integrated with the light amount detecting part 48 or may be installed or removed in the opening area of the auxiliary frame 50.

In the process of detecting the side light, the front light intercepting unit 60 may be disposed on the front surface of the light amount detecting unit 48 and may reflect light directly reflected from the back light unit 10 without being reflected through the light source reflecting unit 54. [ Lt; / RTI > However, in the process of detecting the front light, the front light blocking portion 60 is removed, and the reflective surface of the light source reflecting portions 54 is adjusted in the vertical direction with respect to the back light unit 10, Thereby minimizing the influence of the reflection.

As described above, in the backlight unit inspection method of the present invention, it is necessary to adjust the light reflection angle of the light source reflector 54 prior to the inspection of the backlight unit 10.

Specifically, in order to inspect the visual field defect during the non-visualization inspection process, the light reflection direction of each light source reflection unit 54 is set before the backlight unit 10 is placed on the loading shuttle 42, The angle of light reflection of the portions 54 should be adjusted in advance.

Thereafter, the presence or absence of the front light shielding portion 60 is determined, and then the backlight unit 10 is placed on the loading shuttle 42. When the backlight unit 10 is placed on the loading shuttle 42 as described above, each of the external lights 52 is turned on and the backlight unit 10 is turned on so that the external lights 52 and the light source reflectors 54 The light is reflected through the backlight unit 10 and the light source reflector 54, and the brightness of the incident light is detected.

As described above, the apparatus and method for testing a backlight unit of the present invention can detect a visual field defect without converting the position of the light amount detector 48 using at least one light source reflector 54. Therefore, the present invention can simplify the structure and the inspection method of the backlight unit inspection apparatus, increase the inspection efficiency of the backlight unit, and reduce the manufacturing cost.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be determined by the claims.

1 is an exploded sectional view schematically showing a liquid crystal display device provided with a backlight unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a backlight unit inspection apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of at least one illumination device shown in FIG. 2 and a side light detection process of the light source reflector and the light amount detection unit.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a reflection path conversion method of light shown in FIG. 3; FIG.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing another configuration of at least one light-source reflector shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.

10: backlight unit 20: liquid crystal panel

40: main frame 42: loading shuttle

44: Shuttle drive unit 46: Mounting frame

48: light quantity detection unit 50: auxiliary frame

52: illumination device 54: light source reflection part

56:

Claims (9)

A loading shuttle in which the backlight unit is loaded; A shuttle driver for moving the loading shuttle in a predetermined direction; At least two external lights for irradiating light to the front surface of the backlight unit moved by the loading shuttle; Two or more light source reflectors which are arranged to be inclined with respect to the backlight unit to change a travel path of light reflected from the backlight unit; At least one light amount detector for detecting the brightness of light whose path is changed by the two or more light source reflectors; And And an auxiliary frame for fixing the two or more external lights, the light source reflector and the light amount detecting unit, Each of the two or more light source reflectors And each of the light sources is disposed on one side or the other side of each of the external lights and arranged in different directions previously set by a user so that the light path that is incident in different directions is reflected and converted in the direction in which the light amount detecting unit is located Backlight unit inspection apparatus. The method according to claim 1, Each of the two or more light source reflectors Wherein the backlight unit includes a backlight unit and a backlight unit, the backlight unit comprising: a backlight unit; a backlight unit; Inspection device. delete The method according to claim 1, A main frame provided with guiding means for allowing the loading shuttle and the shuttle driving unit to be mounted and for allowing the loading shuttle to move, Further comprising an inspection controller for controlling the shuttle driver and for determining and displaying the failure of the backlight unit according to the brightness of the light detected by the light detector. 5. The method of claim 4, And a front light intercepting unit disposed on a front surface of the light amount detecting unit and blocking light reflected directly from the backlight unit without being reflected through the two or more light source reflectors, Wherein the front light blocking part is integrated with the light amount detecting part and may be installed on or removed from the front surface of the light amount detecting part and may be installed or removed in an opening area of the auxiliary frame. Adjusting a direction and a reflection angle of each light source reflector so that a traveling path of light reflected from the backlight unit can be reflected and converted using two or more light source reflectors arranged obliquely to the backlight unit; Horizontally moving the loading shuttle loaded with the backlight unit in a predetermined direction; Irradiating light to a front surface of the moving backlight unit using two or more external lights; Transforming a traveling path of light reflected from the backlight unit using each of the light source reflectors; And Detecting the brightness of the converted path of the light through the at least one light amount detecting unit, Each of the two or more light source reflectors And each of the light sources is disposed on one side or the other side of each of the external lights and arranged in different directions previously set by the user so that the light path that is incident from different directions is reflected and converted in the direction in which the light amount detecting unit is located The backlight unit inspection method. The method according to claim 6, The step of reflecting and converting the traveling path of the light Wherein the backlight unit includes a backlight unit and a backlight unit, the backlight unit including a backlight unit and a backlight unit, method of inspection. delete 8. The method of claim 7, Blocking the light directly reflected by the backlight unit without being reflected through the two or more light source reflectors using a front light blocking unit, The front light interception part may be installed on or removed from the front of the light amount detection part in a form integrated with the light amount detection part or may be installed or removed in the opening area of the sub frame for fixing the external light, Wherein the backlight unit inspection method comprises the steps of:

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