KR20050021836A - End Seal Process of Liquid Crystal Display Panel using for Liquid Crystal Display Device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for end-sealing an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) panel and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell are provided to control the quantity of end-sealing material, thereby preventing the end-sealing material from flowing down along the lateral surfaces of the LCD panel and effectively preventing manufacturing defective and display quality lowering due to stains of the end-sealing material in advance. CONSTITUTION: An LCD panel(120) and an end-sealing instrument(124) are prepared, respectively. The LCD panel comprises the first and the second substrates opposed each other, a seal pattern formed on the edges of the first and the second substrates and having a liquid crystal injection inlet(114), and a liquid crystal layer at the inside region of the seal pattern between the first and the second substrates. The end-sealing instrument has a seal pin(122), wherein the injection pin has a concave part(128) corresponding to the liquid crystal injection inlet. The concave part is filled with end-sealing materials, and then, the liquid crystal injection inlet is sealed off with the end-sealing materials using the end-sealing instrument.

Description

End Seal Process of Liquid Crystal Display Panel using for Liquid Crystal Display Device

The present invention relates to a sealing step of a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a sealing device for a sealing step.

The liquid crystal display is a technology-intensive product having low power consumption and good portability, and has been spotlighted as a next generation advanced display device having high added value.

In general, the liquid crystal display device is a liquid crystal that is a non-light emitting device that injects a liquid crystal between an array substrate including a thin film transistor (TFT) and a color filter substrate and obtains an image effect using the characteristics thereof. It means the display device.

Such a liquid crystal display device is largely manufactured through a two-step manufacturing process.

The first step is an array process and a color filter process.

In this array step, an array substrate is formed that includes a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode serving as one electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal.

In this color filter process, the red, green, and blue color filters that filter only light in a specific wavelength band, the color separation of the color filter, and black that blocks light on an area where the liquid crystal is not driven, are blocked. A color filter substrate including a matrix and a common electrode serving as another electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal is formed.

In this case, the array process and the color filter process are performed in units of cells to form one liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device, and one or a plurality of cells are formed on the array substrate and the color filter substrate.

The second step is a liquid crystal cell manufacturing process using the array substrate and the color filter substrate, wherein the liquid crystal cell process has almost no repeated processes compared to the array process and the color filter process. It can be divided into cell gap forming process, cell cutting process, liquid crystal injection process and liquid crystal injection hole encapsulation process.

Hereinafter, a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal cell for a general liquid crystal display device will be described in more detail.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal cell for a general liquid crystal display step by step.

st1 is a step of initial cleaning the first and second substrates, respectively.

For example, the first substrate may correspond to an array substrate, and the second substrate may correspond to a color filter substrate.

This step is a process for removing foreign matter that may exist on the substrate before applying the alignment layer.

st2 is a step of forming alignment films on the first and second substrates which have undergone initial cleaning.

This step is to form an alignment film on each of the electrode portions in contact with the liquid crystals of the first and second substrates, and includes coating and curing of the alignment film and a rubbing treatment process.

The rubbing treatment step is a step of rubbing the surface of the cured alignment film in a predetermined direction using a rubbing cloth so that grooves in a predetermined direction are formed on the surface of the alignment film.

st3 is a step of forming a seal pattern and dispersing a spacer on the substrate which has undergone the st2 step, and the two processes are performed on the first and second substrates without overlapping each process, or Alternatively, both processes may be performed on one substrate.

The seal pattern forms a gap for injecting the liquid crystal, and serves to prevent leakage of the injected liquid crystal.

The seal pattern is a process of forming a thermosetting resin mixed with glass fibers in a desired pattern. Screen printing is mainstream, and includes an opening for liquid crystal injection for a liquid crystal injection process on one side. Each cell is formed around a cell display area.

st4 is a step of bonding and thermocompressing the first and second substrates having passed through the st3, and the degree of alignment during bonding is determined by the margin given during the design of the two substrates, and is usually several micrometers (μm). Accuracy is required.

This is because the light leaks out of the margin given by the alignment of the two substrates, and thus does not have the desired characteristics during driving.

st5 is a process of cutting the liquid crystal cell produced by the said st1-st4 step into a unit cell.

In general, a liquid crystal cell is subjected to a process of forming a plurality of cells on a large area glass substrate, and then separating them into one cell, which is a cell cutting process.

The cell cutting process consists of a scribe process of forming a cutting line on the surface of a glass substrate with a diamond pen having a hardness higher than that of glass, and a break process of applying force to cut.

st6 is a step of injecting the liquid crystal in units of cells after the cutting process.

The unit cell has a gap of several μm in an area of several hundred cm 2. As a method of effectively injecting a liquid crystal into a cell of such a structure, a vacuum injection method using a pressure difference inside and outside the cell is widely used.

After completion of the liquid crystal injection process, st7 is followed by an encapsulation step of preventing liquid crystals from flowing out of the injection hole of the liquid crystal cell. In the encapsulation process, after applying the ultraviolet curable resin using a dispenser, the injection hole is blocked by irradiating ultraviolet rays.

After completing the liquid crystal injection and encapsulation process, the liquid crystal cell is completed as a liquid crystal display device after the polarizing plate is attached and then undergoes an inspection process and a module process.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a liquid crystal cell that has undergone a cutting process will be referred to as a liquid crystal panel, and a sealing process of a conventional liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2, 3A, and 3B are process drawings for the encapsulation process of a conventional liquid crystal panel, and Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Figs. 3A and 3B are side views showing steps of encapsulation.

In FIG. 2, the first and second substrates 10 and 12 are disposed to face each other, and the seal pattern 16 having the liquid crystal injection hole 14 on one side at an edge portion of the first and second substrates 10 and 12. Is formed, and the liquid crystal layer 18 is interposed between the first and second substrates 10 and 12 in the region of the seal pattern 16 and the liquid crystal inlet described above using the syringe type sealing mechanism 20. The sealing agent 22 is apply | coated to 14, and the process of sealing the liquid crystal injection hole 14 is related.

The first and second substrates 10 and 12, the seal pattern 16 having the liquid crystal injection hole 14, and the liquid crystal layer 18 form a liquid crystal panel 24.

Substantially, the application process of the encapsulant 22 is performed by keeping the encapsulant 22 buried in the application pin 26 positioned at the end of the encapsulation mechanism 20 in contact with the liquid crystal panel 24 for a predetermined time. By the method.

3A and 3B, the conventional encapsulation process principle will be described in more detail. The conventional encapsulation process includes the encapsulant 22 buried in the coating pin 26 as shown in FIG. 3A. As the encapsulation process proceeds in contact with the liquid crystal injection hole 14, the encapsulation mechanism 20 itself does not have a function capable of controlling the amount of the encapsulant 22 as shown in the drawing. As in 3b, the encapsulant 22 was highly likely to flow down the side of the liquid crystal panel 24.

In more detail, the stain of the encapsulant 22 flowing down the side of the liquid crystal panel 24 acts as a cause of increasing the panel defect rate during the appearance inspection after the polarizing plate (not shown) attachment process, and the stain removal process The process hassle that has to be added.

However, after the curing process of the sealing agent 22, the process of selectively removing only the sealing agent 22 stains flowing down to the side of the liquid crystal panel 24 is not easy, and the sealing agent 22 stains after the polarizing plate attachment process. Has a problem of acting as a deterioration of the image quality of the liquid crystal display device to act as an internal foreign matter.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an encapsulation mechanism capable of controlling the application range of the encapsulant and an encapsulation process of a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device using the same.

To this end, the present invention intends to modify the shape of the coating pin positioned at the end of the sealing mechanism and substantially in contact with the sealing agent into a shape capable of controlling the application range of the sealing agent.

In order to achieve the above object, in the first aspect of the present invention, a seal pattern having first and second substrates disposed to face each other, an edge portion of the first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal injection hole at one side thereof; Providing a liquid crystal panel comprising a liquid crystal layer positioned inside the seal pattern between the first and second substrates; Providing a sealing mechanism having a concave-shaped coating pin at a position corresponding to the liquid crystal inlet; A method of encapsulating a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device, the method comprising: filling an encapsulant in a recess of the encapsulation mechanism, and then applying an encapsulant to a liquid crystal inlet using an encapsulation mechanism including the encapsulant.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising: forming a seal pattern positioned on an edge of a first substrate and having a liquid crystal injection hole at one side thereof; Bonding the first substrate and another second substrate to each other using the seal pattern; Filling a liquid crystal layer in a region inside the seal pattern between the first and second substrates by a vacuum injection method through the liquid crystal injection hole; Provided is a liquid crystal cell process of a liquid crystal display device comprising applying a sealing agent to the liquid crystal inlet by using an encapsulation mechanism having a concave coating pin filled with an encapsulant.

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

First Embodiment

4, 5A, and 5B are process diagrams illustrating a process of encapsulating a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views.

In FIG. 4, a seal pattern having a liquid crystal injection hole 114 located at an edge portion of the first and second substrates 110 and 112 and the first and second substrates 110 and 112 disposed to face each other ( The liquid crystal panel 120 including the liquid crystal layer 118 interposed in the seal pattern 116 is formed.

In addition, a sealing mechanism 124 having an application pin 122 is provided at an end thereof, and the sealing agent 126 is applied to the liquid crystal injection hole 114 using the application pin 122 of the sealing mechanism 124. Proceed with the encapsulation process.

Although not shown in detail in the drawings, in the encapsulation process, a seal jig may be configured to induce movement of the liquid crystal panel.

On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5A, the application pin 122 of the sealing mechanism 124 according to the present embodiment has a recessed portion 128 at the portion in contact with the liquid crystal inlet 114, the recessed portion 128 Since the encapsulant 126 is applied to the liquid crystal inlet 114 in the state in which the encapsulant 126 is filled, the amount of the encapsulant 126 can be controlled by adjusting the size of the recess 128. Therefore, only the amount of the encapsulant 126 located in the recess 128 is uniformly applied to the liquid crystal inlet 114.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the encapsulant 126 may be selectively applied only to the liquid crystal injection hole 114 without overflowing the encapsulant 126. Thereby, process defect and image quality defect by the sealing agent stain can be prevented.

The size of the concave portion of the application pin of the sealing device according to the present invention is the maximum size is determined based on the side width of the liquid crystal panel, it is preferably determined according to the optimum sealing conditions.

Although not shown in detail in the drawings, in a practical encapsulation process, a plurality of liquid crystal panels are set as one set, and a coating pin block is formed to connect a sealing mechanism including a plurality of coating pins so that the coating pins are correspondingly positioned on each liquid crystal panel. May be Alternatively, the encapsulation mechanism may mean an application pin block for connecting a plurality of application pins.

For example, the first substrate may correspond to an array substrate, and the second substrate may correspond to a color filter substrate.

Second Embodiment

6 is a flowchart illustrating a liquid crystal cell process step by step of the liquid crystal display according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

ST1 is a step of initial cleaning the first and second substrates respectively, ST2 is a step of forming the alignment films on the first and second substrates, respectively, which have undergone the initial cleaning, and ST3 is a seal pattern on the substrate that has undergone the ST2 step. pattern forming and dispersing spacers.

The seal pattern has a liquid crystal inlet on one side.

ST4 is a step of bonding and thermocompressing the first and second substrates having passed through ST3, and ST5 is a step of cutting the liquid crystal cells produced in the steps ST1 to ST4 into unit cells.

ST6 is a step of injecting liquid crystals in a cell unit after the cutting process, and the liquid crystal injection step according to the present invention is characterized by a vacuum injection method using a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cell.

After completion of the liquid crystal injection process, st7 is followed by an encapsulation step of preventing liquid crystals from flowing out of the injection hole of the liquid crystal cell.

The encapsulation process according to the present invention is performed by using an encapsulation mechanism having an application pin with a recess formed in a portion in contact with the liquid crystal injection hole, and the encapsulation mechanism application pin is applied in such a manner that an encapsulant filled in the recess is applied to the liquid crystal injection hole. It is characterized by the sealing step.

The size of the recess is determined according to the width of the liquid crystal panel, and it is easy to adjust the size of the recess according to an optimal sealing condition.

After the application of the encapsulant, a step of irradiating ultraviolet light to cure the encapsulant is followed.

After completing the liquid crystal injection and encapsulation process, the liquid crystal cell is completed as a liquid crystal display device after the polarizing plate is attached and then undergoes an inspection process and a module process.

However, the liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the shape of the injection hole dam may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As described above, according to the encapsulation process of the encapsulation mechanism and the liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device using the same, as the encapsulant is applied using an application pin having a concave portion shape of the encapsulation mechanism, the size of the concave portion is adjusted. Since the amount of encapsulating agent can be controlled, the encapsulant can be prevented from flowing down to the side of the liquid crystal panel, thereby effectively preventing process defects and poor image quality due to encapsulant staining, and minimizing the repair process occurrence rate of the encapsulation process. Characterized in that the yield can be improved.

1 is a flowchart showing step by step a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal cell for a general liquid crystal display device;

2, 3A and 3B are process diagrams for the encapsulation process of a conventional liquid crystal panel, and Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Figs. 3A and 3B are side views showing steps of encapsulation.

4, 5A and 5B are process drawings for the encapsulation process of the liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view and FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views.

FIG. 6 is a process flowchart showing step by step a liquid crystal cell process of a liquid crystal display according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

<Description of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

114: liquid crystal injection hole 120: liquid crystal panel

122: application pin 124: sealing mechanism

126: sealing agent 128: recess

Claims (5)

A first and second substrates disposed to face each other, a seal pattern positioned at an edge portion of the first and second substrates, and having a liquid crystal injection hole at one side thereof, and a liquid crystal layer positioned inside the seal pattern between the first and second substrates. Providing a liquid crystal panel; Providing a sealing mechanism having a concave-shaped coating pin at a position corresponding to the liquid crystal inlet; Filling the encapsulant into the recess of the encapsulation mechanism, and then applying the encapsulant to the liquid crystal inlet by using the encapsulation mechanism including the encapsulant; Encapsulation process of a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The step of encapsulating the liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device, the size of the recess is determined according to the side width of the liquid crystal panel. The method of claim 1, After the coating step, the sealing step of the liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device further comprising the step of curing the sealing agent using ultraviolet light. The method of claim 1, In the step of applying the encapsulant, the sealing step of the liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal display device comprising the step of contacting the concave portion of the sealing mechanism filled with the encapsulant and the liquid crystal inlet and then fixed for a predetermined time. Forming a seal pattern positioned on an edge of the first substrate and having a liquid crystal injection hole at one side thereof; Bonding the first substrate and another second substrate to each other using the seal pattern; Filling a liquid crystal layer in a region inside the seal pattern between the first and second substrates by a vacuum injection method through the liquid crystal injection hole; Applying an encapsulant to the liquid crystal inlet by using an encapsulation mechanism having a concave-shaped application pin filled with an encapsulant; Liquid crystal cell process of the liquid crystal display comprising a.