KR101920224B1 - test apparatus for liquid crystal panel and test method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel inspection equipment, and a liquid crystal panel inspection equipment of the present invention includes first and second probe blocks capable of adjusting the distance between the two; Each of the first and second probe blocks includes a plurality of brackets coupled to the first and second probe blocks and including n (n is a natural number) fastening holes corresponding to the second probe block.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel, and more particularly,

More particularly, the present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for visually inspecting a test image implemented from a liquid crystal panel through an electrical signal by a probe contact, and a method of inspecting a liquid crystal panel using the same. .

In recent years, as the society has become a full-fledged information age, a display field for processing and displaying a large amount of information has rapidly developed, and various flat panel display devices have been developed in response to this.

Specific examples of such flat panel display devices include a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a field emission display (FED) And electroluminescence display device (ELD). These flat panel display devices are excellent in performance of thinning, light weight, and low power consumption, and are rapidly replacing existing cathode ray tubes (CRTs).

In particular, a liquid crystal display device is characterized in that it has a large contrast ratio, is suitable for moving picture display, and has low power consumption, and is utilized in various fields such as a notebook computer, a monitor, and a TV. And the liquid crystal has an optical anisotropy in which the molecular structure is thin and long and has a direction in the arrangement and a polarizing property in which the direction of the molecular arrangement is changed according to the size when the liquid crystal is placed in the electric field.

Generally, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal layer is interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, and electrodes are formed on the inner surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate, and an electric field Thereby changing the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules and causing a difference in transmittance.

The difference in transmittance of the liquid crystal panel is reflected by the color combination of the light supplied from the backlight placed on the backside of the liquid crystal panel and displayed in the form of a color image.

A general LCD manufacturing process is divided into a substrate manufacturing process for forming the first and second substrates, a cell process for completing the liquid crystal panel, and a module process for integrating the liquid crystal panel and the backlight. .

In the dual-substrate manufacturing process, an array layer and a color filter layer are formed on each substrate by repeating processes such as thin film deposition, photo-lithography, and etching several times. In the cell process, Or a second substrate, a seal pattern is formed on the first substrate and the second substrate to form a seal pattern, and then the two substrates are bonded to each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween to complete the liquid crystal panel. A driving circuit and the like are attached and integrated with the backlight to form a liquid crystal display device.

At this time, as a final step of the cell process, an electrical signal by contact through a probe block called an auto probe is applied to the liquid crystal panel to attach a test image before attaching the driving circuit , And a liquid crystal panel inspection step of judging whether or not a defect is caused through a visual test in which the operator visually confirms the defect.

However, the number, spacing, and arrangement of the connection pads formed on the liquid crystal panel vary depending on the model of the liquid crystal panel to be inspected or the type of the driver circuit mounted on the liquid crystal panel.

Therefore, the inspection must be performed by replacing the probe with an auto-probe having an appropriate probe block mounted thereon depending on the object to be inspected. This causes inconveniences in the process due to the replacement, which increases the process time and increases the cost.

In addition, as the size of the liquid crystal panel increases, the number of probe blocks increases and the internal structure of the apparatus becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a probe card that can be used in various models of liquid crystal panels in a simpler and more convenient manner, It is intended to provide inspection equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, the liquid crystal panel inspection equipment of the present invention comprises: first and second probe blocks capable of adjusting the distance between two; Each of the first and second probe blocks includes a plurality of brackets coupled to the first and second probe blocks and including n (n is a natural number) fastening holes corresponding to the second probe block.

The first probe block is fixed to the bracket, and the second probe block is positionable on the bracket.

The number of the fastening holes is three or more, and the second probe block is fastened to two of the fastening holes.

Here, the number of the fastening holes may be four.

The liquid crystal panel inspection equipment of the present invention is characterized in that each of the first and second probe blocks includes a first portion including a probe and a second portion fastened to the bracket, The second portion is placed in a straight line, and the first portion and the second portion of the second probe block do not lie on a straight line.

The distance between the first portion of the first probe block and the first portion of the second probe block is wider than the distance between the second portion of the first probe block and the second portion of the second probe block.

The liquid crystal panel inspection equipment of the present invention includes a controller for controlling the first and second probe blocks; And a first and a second fastening cables for connection between the first and second probe blocks and the control unit, wherein the second fastening cable has a minimum distance between the first and second probe blocks, .

As described above, in the inspection apparatus according to the present invention, two probe blocks capable of adjusting the distance can be fastened to one bracket and the bracket can be moved, so that the kind of the liquid crystal panel or the driving circuit mounted on the liquid crystal panel The inspection process can be performed on various types of liquid crystal panels having different numbers, spacing, and arrangements of connection pads according to the types.

Accordingly, the structure of the apparatus is simplified, and the number of motors required for the number of brackets and the movement of the bracket can be reduced, which is advantageous in reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance costs.

In addition, since it is not necessary to replace the probe unit, it is possible to provide a convenient process in the inspecting process and reduce the process time.

FIG. 1 is a process flow chart showing steps of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device.
2 is a schematic view illustrating a liquid crystal panel inspection equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3A to 3C are views showing the structure of a probe block and a bracket of a probe unit according to the present invention.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing the case where the probe unit of the present invention is applied to models of different sizes. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a process flow chart showing steps of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device.

As shown in Fig. 1, the first step (st1) is a step of forming an array substrate including a color filter substrate including red, green and blue color filters and a thin film transistor, In the cleaning step. Here, the array substrate is formed by repeating the process of depositing and patterning the thin film several times, and the color filter of the color filter substrate is formed using a dyeing method, a printing method, a pigment dispersion method, an electrodeposition method, or the like.

The second step (st2) is a step of forming an alignment film on the color filter substrate and the array substrate, respectively, and the orientation film determines the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules.

In the third step st3, a seal pattern is printed so as to prevent leakage of the liquid crystal interposed between the color filter substrate and the array substrate, and the seal pattern is formed to have a constant size It is a step of dispersing the spacer.

The fourth step (st4) is a step of dropping liquid crystal on a selected one of the two substrates, the fifth step (st5) is a step of laminating the color filter substrate and the array substrate, The process proceeds to the sixth step (st6).

The auxiliary inspection process proceeds through a visual observation or a microscopic observation while applying a voltage to a gate and a data line formed in a liquid crystal cell through a test pad formed in a cell outer portion.

Here, the auxiliary inspection process is a visual inspection for observing the dirt appearing on the screen, and it is possible to inspect the dirt that may occur on the screen due to large foreign matter or rubbing failure.

However, there is a limit to the defect factors that can be detected through the auxiliary inspection process. For example, line defects and point defects such as shorting and disconnection can not be detected.

The seventh step (st7) is a step of cutting the substrate in units of cells. Finally, the eighth step (st8) is a main inspection step of the liquid crystal panel. In the sixth step (st6) An auto probe test is performed in which an electric signal is applied.

Auto-probe inspection is a process for detecting line defects and point defects which are not detected in the auxiliary inspection process. It is a method of applying an electric signal by probe contact to the pad exposed to the outside, The liquid crystal panel is driven simulatively to detect the respective defects.

Therefore, a liquid crystal cell inspection apparatus called a probe unit is used for selecting a liquid crystal cell of good quality through an auto-probe inspection process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a liquid crystal panel inspection equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a liquid crystal panel.

2, the liquid crystal panel 110 includes a first substrate 112, a second substrate 114, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) interposed between the two substrates 112 and 114. The first substrate 112 has a larger area than the second substrate 114 and a plurality of connection pads 118 are formed on the exposed first substrate 112. The connection pad 118 is for inputting an inspection signal and may be formed so as to correspond one-to-one to a drive IC. An active area for displaying an image is defined on the liquid crystal panel 110 as shown by a dotted line.

The probe unit 120 of the present invention used for the auto-probe inspection of the liquid crystal panel 110 includes a plurality of probe blocks 122 and 124, a plurality of brackets 126 and a linear guide 128. Although not shown, the probe unit 120 further includes an alignment portion for position adjustment of each component and a control portion for controlling each component.

Each of the probe blocks 122 and 124 corresponds to the connection pad 118 and a probe (not shown) of the probe blocks 122 and 124 contacts the connection pad 118 to apply an electric signal. At this time, two probe blocks 122 and 124 are connected to one bracket 126, and the bracket 126 can be moved linearly by the linear guide 128.

The structure of the probe block and the bracket of the probe unit according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, in the probe unit according to the present invention, the first and second probe blocks 122 and 124 are fastened to one bracket 126. Here, the first probe block 122 is fixed on the bracket 126, and the second probe block 124 is positionable on the bracket 126.

The bracket 126 includes a plurality of fasteners, for example, first through fourth fasteners 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d at positions corresponding to the second probe block 124. The first to fourth fastening holes 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d are sequentially spaced apart from the area where the first probe block 122 and the bracket 126 are fastened. The second probe block 124 is connected to two adjacent ones of the first through fourth fastening holes 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d.

Here, each of the first and second probe blocks 122 and 124 includes a first portion 122a, 124a including a probe and contacting the connection pad (118 in FIG. 2) of the liquid crystal panel (110 in FIG. 2) And second portions 122b and 124b fastened to the bracket 126. [ The first portion 122a and the second portion 124b of the first probe block 122 lie on a straight line while the first portion 124a and the second portion 124b of the second probe block 124 It is not in a straight line. The distance between the first portion 122a of the first probe block 122 and the first portion 124a of the second probe block 124 is greater than the distance between the second portion 122b of the first probe block 122 and the first portion 122a of the first probe block 122. [ 2 probe block 124, as shown in FIG. This is to avoid interference between the first and second probe blocks 124.

Although not shown, the first probe block 122 and the second probe block 124 are included at the bottom of the second portions 122b and 124b, respectively, for fastening the bracket 126, and the second probe block 124 Have a shape corresponding to the first and second fastening holes 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d.

For inspection of the first liquid crystal panel having a relatively short distance between the connection pads (118 in Fig. 2), as shown in Fig. 3A, the second probe block 124 has a first probe block 122 adjacent to the first probe block 122 And the second fastening holes 126a and 126b. Therefore, the distance between the first probe block 122 and the second probe block 124 is minimized.

3B, the second probe block 124 is connected to the bracket 126 through the second and third fastening holes 126b and 126c and the second fastening holes 126b and 126c to inspect the second liquid crystal panel larger than the first liquid crystal panel. And the distance between the first probe block 122 and the second probe block 124 is wider than in FIG.

The second probe block 124 is fixed to the bracket 126 through the third and fourth fastening holes 126c and 126d as shown in Figure 3C for the inspection of the third liquid crystal panel larger than the second liquid crystal panel. Respectively. Thus, the distance between the first probe block 122 and the second probe block 124 is wider than in Fig. 3B.

Therefore, one probe unit according to the present invention can be applied to at least three different size models.

Although not shown, the probe unit of the present invention includes a control unit for controlling components such as the first and second probe blocks 122 and 124 and the bracket 126, and a control unit for controlling the first and second probe blocks 122, 124 and the control unit. The control unit may be formed of a printed circuit board (PCB), and the first and second fastening cables are formed of a flexible material in the form of a film. At this time, the second fastening cable is designed based on the case where the distance between the first and second probe blocks 122 and 124 is minimum. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the second fastening cable is designed based on the case where the second probe block 124 is fastened to the bracket 126 through the first and second fastening holes 126a and 126b, It is desirable to have flexibility so as not to cause a problem even if the position of the probe block 124 is changed.

As described above, in the present invention, two probe blocks are connected to one bracket to reduce the number of motors required for each bracket. Therefore, it is advantageous to simplify the structure, reduce manufacturing cost, and reduce maintenance cost.

In addition, the distance between the probe blocks in the bracket can be adjusted while moving the bracket, so that it can be applied to various sizes of models with one equipment.

Specifically, FIGS. 4A and 4B show the case where the probe unit of the present invention is applied to models of different sizes. Here, the liquid crystal panel of Fig. 4A is larger than that of the liquid crystal panel of Fig. 4B, and the interval between the connection pads is also wide.

First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the brackets 126 adjacent to the first liquid crystal panel are arranged with a first distance d11, and the first and second probe blocks 122 and 124 are arranged at a second distance d12.

As shown in Fig. 4B, the adjacent brackets 126 are arranged with a third distance d21 narrower than the first distance d11 with respect to the second liquid crystal panel smaller than the first liquid crystal panel, The first and second probe blocks 122 and 124 are disposed with a fourth distance d22 that is narrower than the second distance d12. The first distance d11 and the third distance d21 are defined as the distances between the centers of the adjacent brackets 126 and the second distance d12 and the fourth distance d22 are defined as the distances between the first and second probes, Is defined as the distance between the centers of blocks 122 and 124.

For example, if the first liquid crystal panel of FIG. 4A is a 55 inch model and the second liquid crystal panel of FIG. 4B is a 47 inch model, the first distance d11 is about 169.7 mm and the second distance d12 is about 78.1 mm, the third distance d21 is about 138.4 mm, and the fourth distance d22 is about 59.1 mm. In this case, the distance between the second probe block 124 and the first probe block 122 of the adjacent bracket 126 may be about 84.84 mm in FIG. 4A and about 69.2 mm in FIG. 4B.

As described above, in the present invention, one probe unit can be applied to various models.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

122: first probe block 124: second probe block
122a, 124a: first part 122b, 124b: second part
126: Bracket 128: Linear guide
126a, 126b, 126c, 126d: first to fourth fastening holes

Claims (9)

First and second probe blocks capable of adjusting a distance between the first and second probe blocks along a first direction;
(N is a natural number) fastening holes corresponding to the first and second probe blocks, respectively, and a plurality of brackets
/ RTI >
The plurality of brackets are capable of adjusting a distance between two adjacent ones along the first direction,
Wherein each of the first and second probe blocks includes a first portion including a probe and a second portion coupled to the bracket, wherein a center of the first portion and a center of the second portion of the first probe block are straight The center of the first portion of the second probe block and the center of the second portion are not on a straight line,
The distance between the center of the first portion of the first probe block and the center of the first portion of the second probe block is less than the distance between the center of the second portion of the first probe block and the center of the second portion of the second probe block LCD panel inspection equipment wider than the distance of.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first probe block is fixed to the bracket and the second probe block is positionally changeable on the bracket.
3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the number of the fastening holes is three or more, and the second probe block is fastened to two of the fastening holes.
The method of claim 3,
The fastening hole has four liquid crystal panel inspection equipment.



delete delete The method according to claim 1,
A controller for controlling the first and second probe blocks;
Further comprising first and second fastening cables for connection between the first and second probe blocks and the controller,
And the second fastening cable is designed on the basis of a minimum distance between the first and second probe blocks. The method according to claim 1,
And a linear guide linearly moving the plurality of brackets.
9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein each of the plurality of brackets is moved by a motor.

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