KR20070109719A - Apparatus and method for forming seal pattern of flat panel display device - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for forming a seal pattern of a flat panel display device are provided to form an uniform seal pattern without short circuit by selectively driving first and second gap sensors along a movement direction of a head block to detect a gap between a substrate and a discharge nozzle. A substrate is received on a stage. A plurality of unit display panels having an active area is formed in the substrate. A head block(200) has at least one syringe(400). A discharge nozzle(410) for forming a seal pattern at each display panel of the substrate received on the stage is mounted on the syringe. A moving unit moves the head block. A plurality of gap sensors(500) is mounted on the head block and is selectively driven along a movement direction of the head block to detect a gap between the substrate and the discharge nozzle.

Description

Seal pattern forming apparatus and forming method of flat panel display device {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING SEAL PATTERN OF FLAT PANEL DISPLAY DEVICE}

1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a seal pattern forming apparatus of a flat panel display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view showing a head block according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the head block shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating a seal pattern formed on each unit display panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

5A and 5B show gap detection regions of the first and second gap sensors shown in FIG. 3;

6A to 3J are diagrams illustrating a method of forming a seal pattern of a flat panel display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a perspective view showing a head block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a front view showing a head block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a rear view showing a head block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

10A to 10C are diagrams showing defects of a real pattern detected by the pattern confirming unit shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10 substrate 11 active region

100: base 102: stage

200: head block 210: protrusion

310: Y-axis moving part 320: X-axis moving part

330: Z-axis moving unit 400: syringe

410: discharge nozzle 500, 510: gap sensor

502, 512: light emitting portion 504, 514: light receiving portion

506, 516: gap detection light 520, 530: pattern check unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flat panel display, and more particularly, to a seal pattern forming apparatus and a method for forming a flat panel display apparatus which can maintain a gap between a nozzle and a substrate.

As the information society develops, the demand for display devices is increasing in various forms, and in recent years, liquid crystal display devices (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), electro luminescent displays (ELDs), and vacuum fluorescents (VFDs) have been developed. Various flat panel display devices have been studied, and some are already used as display devices in various equipments.

Among them, the liquid crystal display which replaces the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) is the most widely used for the mobile image display because of the excellent image quality, light weight, thinness and low power consumption. In addition to the use of the present invention has been developed a variety of monitors, such as television and computer for receiving and displaying broadcast signals.

On the other hand, the liquid crystal display of the flat panel display device may be largely divided into a liquid crystal panel for displaying an image and a driver for applying a driving signal to the liquid crystal panel.

The liquid crystal panel is composed of a first and a second substrate bonded with spaces and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates. Here, the first substrate (TFT array substrate) has a plurality of gate lines arranged in one direction at regular intervals, a plurality of data lines arranged at regular intervals in a direction perpendicular to the gate lines, and each gate line and data. A plurality of thin film transistors are formed in each pixel region defined by crossing lines to be switched by a plurality of pixel electrodes formed in a matrix form and a signal of a gate line to transfer a signal of a data line to each pixel electrode.

The second substrate (color filter substrate) is provided with a black matrix layer for blocking light in portions other than the pixel region, an R, G and B color filter layer for expressing color colors, and a common electrode for implementing an image. have. Of course, in the transverse electric field type liquid crystal display, the common electrode is formed on the first substrate.

The first and second substrates are bonded by a seal pattern with a liquid crystal layer formed in a predetermined space by a spacer therebetween. At this time, the method of forming the liquid crystal layer is divided into an injection method and a dropping method.

First, the injection method is to immerse the liquid crystal injection hole provided in the liquid crystal panel in a chamber in which a constant vacuum is set by a seal pattern in a container filled with liquid crystal and then change the degree of vacuum to inject the liquid crystal by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the liquid crystal panel. After this, the liquid crystal injection hole is sealed to form a liquid crystal layer.

In the dropping method, after the seal pattern is formed on the outer side of the liquid crystal panel of the first substrate or the second substrate, the liquid crystal is dropped and dispensed onto the substrate on which the seal pattern is formed, and then the first pattern is separated by the seal pattern. And the liquid crystal layer is uniformly distributed by the pressure for bonding the second substrate.

Meanwhile, in order to bond the first and second substrates, a seal pattern must be formed on the first substrate or the second substrate. The formation of the seal pattern is performed by a seal dispenser, which is one of manufacturing devices of the liquid crystal display.

A typical seal dispenser applies a constant pressure to a syringe filled with a sealant to form a seal pattern at the edge of the substrate.

When forming a seal pattern using a syringe, a technique of constantly controlling a gap between the substrate and the syringe is required.

In other words, when the substrate and the syringe are adjacent to the desired gap, the width of the seal pattern formed on the substrate becomes wider and the height of the seal pattern becomes lower. On the other hand, when the substrate and the syringe are too far apart from the desired gap, the width of the seal pattern formed on the substrate becomes narrow, and disconnection occurs.

In addition, since the general seal dispenser is moved along a set area on the substrate when the substrate is loaded, there is a problem in that the seal pattern may not be inspected.

Accordingly, in order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a seal pattern forming apparatus and a forming method of a flat panel display device to maintain a constant gap between the nozzle and the substrate.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a seal pattern forming apparatus and a method for forming a flat panel display device which can inspect in real time whether a seal pattern applied to a substrate is defective.

In order to achieve the above object, a seal pattern forming apparatus of a flat panel display device includes: a stage on which a substrate on which a plurality of unit display panels having an active area is formed is mounted; A head block having at least one syringe provided with a discharge nozzle for forming a seal pattern on each display panel of the substrate mounted on the stage; A moving unit for moving the head block; And a plurality of gap sensors installed in the head block and selectively driven according to a moving direction of the head block to detect a gap between the substrate and the discharge nozzle.

The plurality of gap sensors may detect the gap in an outer region of the seal pattern.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of forming a seal pattern of a flat panel display includes: mounting a substrate on which a plurality of unit display panels having an active area is formed, to a stage; Forming a seal pattern by applying the sealant to each display panel of the substrate while moving the head block having at least one syringe having a discharge nozzle for discharging the sealant; And detecting a gap between the substrate and the discharge nozzle by using a plurality of gap sensors selectively driven according to the moving direction of the head block.

The plurality of gap sensors may detect the gap in an outer region of the seal pattern.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

1 is a view schematically illustrating a seal pattern forming apparatus of a flat panel display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a seal pattern forming apparatus of a flat panel display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a base frame 100, a stage 102, a head block 200, and moving parts 310, 320, and 330. It is configured by.

The base frame 100 forms the exterior of the seal pattern forming apparatus.

The stage 102 supports the substrate 10 installed on the base frame 100 and loaded from the outside. Here, the unit display panel including the active region 11 patterned by the manufacturing process of the flat panel display device is formed on the substrate 10.

The head block 200 forms a seal pattern by applying a sealant to the seal pattern region of the substrate 10 seated on the stage 102. In this case, the sealant is preferably UV-curable, UV-curable sealant may be used by mixing a polymer in which the acrylic group is bonded with the initiator, or a polymer in which the acrylic group and the epoxy group are combined with the initiator. In addition, the seal pattern region includes a portion surrounding each of the plurality of active regions 11 patterned on the substrate 10.

The head block 200 is configured in plural and moved along the real pattern area by the moving units 310, 320, and 330.

The moving parts 310, 320, and 330 are Y-axis moving parts 310 for horizontally moving the head block 200 in the Y-axis direction, and X-axis moving parts 320 for horizontally moving the head block 200 in the X-axis direction. ) And a Z-axis moving part 330 for elevating the head block 200.

The Y-axis moving part 310 includes a first guide 311 installed at both edges of the base 100 with the stage 102 interposed therebetween, a first support block 312 moved along the first guide 311, and It comprises a first motor 313 for moving the first support block 312.

The first guide 311 may be an LM rail of the LM guide. The first guide 311 guides the movement of the first support block 312.

The first support block 312 may be an LM block of the LM guide coupled to the first guide 311. The first support block 312 is moved along the first guide 311 in association with the driving of the first motor 313.

The first motor 313 drives the first support block 312 as a linear motor or actuator such that the first support block 312 is horizontally moved in the Y-axis direction along the first guide 311.

The X-axis moving unit 320 may include a second guide 321 installed between the first motor 313 of the Y-axis moving unit 310, a second support block 322 moved along the second guide 321, and the first guide block 322. The second support block 322 is configured to include a second motor 323 for moving.

The second guide 321 is installed between the first motor 313 of the Y-axis moving part 310 to cross the stage 102 to guide the movement of the second support block 322. The second guide 321 may be an LM rail of the LM guide. Here, the second guide 321 may be installed between the first support block 312 of the Y-axis moving part 310.

The second support block 322 may be an LM block of the LM guide coupled to the plurality of second supporting blocks 322 to have a predetermined interval on the second guide 321. The second support block 322 is moved along the second guide 321 in association with the driving of the second motor 323.

The second motor 323 is a linear motor or actuator installed in each second support block 322 so that the second support block 322 is horizontally moved in the X-axis direction along the second guide 321. 322 is driven.

The Z-axis moving unit 330 is moved along the third guide 331 and the third guide 331 coupled to the second support block 322 of the X-axis moving unit 320, and the head block 200 is installed. The third support block 332 and a third motor (not shown) for moving the third support block 332 are configured.

The third guide 331 is installed on the second support block 322 to be perpendicular to the stage 102 to guide the movement of the third support block 332. Here, the third guide 331 may be an LM rail of the LM guide.

The third support block 332 may be an LM block of the LM guide coupled to the third guide 331. The third support block 332 moves up and down the head block 200 by being moved along the third guide 331 in conjunction with driving of the third motor.

The third motor is a linear motor or actuator installed in the third support block 332 to drive the third support block 332 so that the third support block 332 is elevated along the third guide 331.

2 is a diagram illustrating a head block according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view illustrating the head block according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2.

2 and 3, the head block 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a plate 202 fixed to the third support block 332, and protruding from the bottom of the plate 202 The sealant 400 is fixed to the protrusion 210, perpendicular to the protrusion 210, and filled with the sealant 400 filled with the sealant, and installed at the bottom of the syringe 400 so as to penetrate the center of the protrusion 210. Gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 in the outer region of the seal pattern formed on the back surface of the protrusion 210 and formed on the substrate 10. And first and second gap sensors 500 and 510 for detecting.

Plate 202 is installed to be fixed to the third support block 332 is linked to the lifting of the third support block 332.

The protrusion 210 protrudes parallel to the stage 102 from the bottom of the plate 202. The through hole is formed at the center of the protrusion 210 so that the discharge nozzle 410 can be mounted therethrough.

The syringe 400 is fixed to the side of the plate 202 and is positioned on the protrusion 210, and the sealant is filled therein.

The discharge nozzle 410 is installed to communicate with the bottom end of the syringe 400 and is mounted to pass through the through hole formed in the protrusion 210 to be exposed toward the stage 102. The discharge nozzle 410 applies the sealant discharged from the syringe 400 to the seal pattern region of the substrate 10 by the pressure applied to the inside of the syringe 400.

Each of the first and second gap sensors 500 and 510 is selectively driven under the control of a controller (not shown) according to the moving direction of the head block 200, thereby forming a seal to be formed on the substrate 10 as shown in FIG. 4. The gap, that is, the height, between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 for the upper area TA, the left area LA, the lower area BA, and the right area RA of the pattern SP is detected. Here, the upper area TA, the left area LA, the lower area BA, and the right area RA of the seal pattern SP may be formed on the substrate 10 on which the alignment layer formed in the active area 11 is not formed. The area between the seal pattern SP to be formed and the scribing line SL of the substrate 10 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the first gap sensor 500 is driven when the head block 200 is moved from right to left with respect to the X-axis direction (or horizontal movement in the first long side direction of the substrate 10). The gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 with respect to the upper area TA of the real pattern area SPA is detected. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the first gap sensor 500 moves the head block 200 from the upper left to the lower left with respect to the Y axis direction (or horizontal movement in the first short side direction of the substrate 10). In this case, the gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 for the left area LA of the seal pattern area SPA is detected. In this case, the second gap sensor 510 is not driven under the control of the controller.

To this end, the first gap sensor 500 may include a first light emitting part 502 installed at a first corner portion of one side edge of the rear surface of the protrusion 210, and one side edge of the rear surface of the protrusion 210 to face the first corner portion. It is configured to include a first light receiving unit 504 installed in the second corner portion of.

The first light emitting part 502 emits the first gap measurement light 506 having a predetermined first slope on the substrate 10 corresponding to the upper or left areas TA and LA of the seal pattern area SPA. Investigate. In this case, the first gap measurement light 506 is the first gap measurement light on the substrate 10 adjacent to the first light receiving part 504 in the middle between the first light emitting part 502 and the first light receiving part 504. Investigate (506).

The first light receiver 504 receives the first gap measurement light 506 reflected and incident by the substrate 10, and generates a first gap signal according to the received first gap measurement light 506. Supply to the controller.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the second gap sensor 510 is driven when the head block 200 is moved from left to right with respect to the X axis direction (or horizontal movement in the second long side direction of the substrate 10). The gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 for the lower area BA of the real pattern area SPA is detected. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the second gap sensor 510 moves the head block 200 from the lower right to the upper right with respect to the Y-axis direction (or horizontal movement in the second short side direction of the substrate 10). In this case, the gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 for the right side RA of the real pattern area SPA is detected. In this case, the first gap sensor 500 is not driven under the control of the controller.

To this end, the second gap sensor 510 has a second light emitting part 512 installed at the first corner portion of the other edge of the rear side of the protrusion 210 and the other edge of the rear side of the protrusion 210 so as to face the second corner portion. It is configured to include a second light receiving unit 514 installed at the second corner portion of the.

The second light emitting part 512 emits the second gap measurement light 516 having a predetermined second slope on the substrate 10 corresponding to the lower or right areas BA and RA of the seal pattern area SPA. Investigate. In this case, the second gap measurement light 516 is the second gap measurement light on the substrate 10 adjacent to the second light receiver 514 in the middle between the second light emitter 512 and the second light receiver 514. Investigate (516). Here, the point on the substrate 10 to which the second gap measurement light 516 is irradiated is spaced apart by a predetermined distance D from the point on the substrate 10 to which the first gap measurement light 506 is irradiated.

The second light receiver 514 receives the second gap measurement light 516 reflected and incident by the substrate 10, and generates a second gap signal according to the received second gap measurement light 516. Supply to the controller.

The controller (not shown) controls driving of the moving parts 310, 320, and 330 according to the second gap signal from the first gap sensor 500 or the second gap sensor 510 and discharges the sealant. The syringe 400 is controlled. In addition, the controller selectively drives each of the first and second gap sensors 500 and 510 according to the moving direction of the head block 200.

6A through 6J are diagrams illustrating a method of forming a seal pattern using a seal pattern forming apparatus of a flat panel display including a head block according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6A to 6J will be described step by step the method of forming a seal pattern of a flat panel display device according to an embodiment of the present invention as follows.

First, after loading the substrate 10 to be coated with the seal pattern on the stage 102, the discharge nozzle 410 of the head block 200 is positioned on one side of the substrate 10. Here, it is assumed that the position of the discharge nozzle 410 at which the application of the sealant starts is the left middle portion of the circumference of each active region 11. Meanwhile, the position of the discharge nozzle 410 at which the application of the sealant is started may be a corner portion of the circumference of each active region 11.

The head block 200 positioned on one side of the substrate is moved and aligned by the X-axis moving unit 320 and the Y-axis moving unit 310 to the seal pattern area SPA on one side of the substrate by the control unit. At this time, when the head block 200 is moved to an area adjacent to the seal pattern area SPA on the left side of the circumference of the active area 11, as shown in FIG. 6A, the head block 200 is moved from the discharge nozzle 410 to the seal pattern area SPA. Sealant is applied. That is, the controller controls the scribing line SL and the seal pattern area to the head block 200 during the initial injection of the sealant in order to prevent the sealant discharged from the discharge nozzle 410 from sticking to the seal pattern area SPA. To move in a curved line between (SPA).

Subsequently, the head block 200 moves from the upper left side to the lower side of the substrate 10 along the first guide 311 by the driving of the first motor 313, as shown in FIG. 6B. The sealant is applied to the seal pattern region SPA in the left region of the circumference to form the seal pattern SP.

At the same time, the controller drives only the first gap sensor 500 of the first and second gap sensors 500 and 510 installed in the protrusion of the head block 200 to discharge the substrate 10 and the left side of the substrate 10. The gap between the nozzles 410 is detected. That is, the first light emitting part 502 of the first gap sensor 500 may have a seal pattern area SPA on the left side of the periphery of the substrate 10 and a scribe of the substrate 10 as the head block 200 moves. The first gap sensing light 506 having the first slope is irradiated to the left area LA between the ice lines SL. In addition, the first light receiver 504 of the first gap sensor 500 receives the first gap sensing light 506 reflected from the substrate 10 on the left area LA and receives the first gap sensing light 506. The first gap signal is generated according to the gap detection light 506 and supplied to the controller. The controller drives the third motor such that the gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 is constant according to the first gap signal.

Subsequently, when the sealant is applied to the seal pattern area SPA on the left side of the periphery of the substrate 10, the controller stops driving of the first motor 313 and drives the second motor 323 to drive the head block 200. ) Is moved from left to right with respect to the X-axis direction along the second guide 321.

Accordingly, the head block 200 moves from the lower left side to the lower right side of the substrate 10 along the second guide 321 by driving the second motor 323 as shown in FIG. 6C. Sealant is apply | coated to the seal pattern area SPA of the lower part among the peripheries of 10), and the seal pattern SP is formed.

At the same time, the control unit drives only the second gap sensor 510 of the first and second gap sensors 500 and 510 installed in the protrusion of the head block 200, and the substrate 10 with respect to the lower side of the substrate 10. The gap between the discharge nozzles 410 is detected. That is, the second light emitting part 512 of the second gap sensor 510 may have a seal pattern area SPA on the lower side of the periphery of the substrate 10 and a scribe of the substrate 10 as the head block 200 moves. The second gap sensing light 516 having the second slope is irradiated to the lower area BA between the ice lines SL. The second light receiver 514 of the second gap sensor 510 receives the second gap sensing light 516 reflected and incident on the substrate 10 on the lower area BA, and receives the received second light. The second gap signal is generated according to the gap detection light 516 and supplied to the controller. The controller drives the third motor such that the gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 is constant according to the second gap signal.

Subsequently, when the sealant is applied to the seal pattern area SPA in the lower portion of the periphery of the substrate 10, the controller stops driving of the second motor 323 and at the same time the first motor 313 as shown in FIG. 6D. ) To move the head block 200 from the lower right side to the upper side with respect to the Y-axis direction along the first guide 311.

Accordingly, the head block 200 moves from the lower left side to the upper side of the substrate 10 along the first guide 311 by the driving of the first motor 313 as shown in FIG. 6E. The sealant is applied to the seal pattern area SPA on the right side of the periphery to form the seal pattern SP.

At the same time, the controller continuously drives the second gap sensor 510 provided at the protrusion of the head block 200 to detect a gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 on the right side of the substrate 10. That is, as the second light emitting part 512 of the second gap sensor 510 moves along the head block 200, the seal pattern area SPA on the right side of the periphery of the substrate 10 and the screen of the substrate 10 are removed. The second gap sensing light 516 having the second slope is irradiated to the right area RA between the ice lines SL. The second light receiver 514 of the second gap sensor 510 receives the second gap sensing light 516 reflected and incident on the substrate 10 on the lower area BA, and receives the received second light. The second gap signal is generated according to the gap detection light 516 and supplied to the controller. The controller drives the third motor such that the gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 is constant according to the second gap signal.

Subsequently, when the sealant is applied to the seal pattern area SPA on the right side of the periphery of the substrate 10, the controller stops driving of the first motor 313 and at the same time the second motor 323 as shown in FIG. 6F. ) To move the head block 200 from the upper right side to the left side with respect to the X-axis direction along the second guide 321.

Accordingly, the head block 200 moves from the upper left side to the right side of the substrate 10 along the second guide 321 by the driving of the second motor 323, as shown in FIG. 6G. The sealant is applied to the seal pattern region SPA in the upper portion of the periphery to form the seal pattern SP.

At the same time, the control unit drives only the first gap sensor 500 among the first and second gap sensors 500 and 510 installed in the protrusion of the head block 200, thereby providing the substrate 10 with respect to the upper region of the substrate 10. And the gap between the discharge nozzle 410 is detected. That is, the first light emitting part 502 of the first gap sensor 500 may have the seal pattern area SPA on the upper side of the periphery of the substrate 10 and the scribe of the substrate 10 as the head block 200 moves. The first gap sensing light 506 having the first slope is irradiated to the upper area TA between the ice lines SL. In addition, the first light receiver 504 of the first gap sensor 500 receives the first gap sensing light 506 reflected and incident from the substrate 10 on the upper area TA, and receives the first received light. The first gap signal is generated according to the gap detection light 506 and supplied to the controller. The controller drives the third motor such that the gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 is constant according to the first gap signal.

Subsequently, when the sealant is applied to the seal pattern area SPA in the upper portion of the periphery of the substrate 10, the controller stops driving of the second motor 323 and at the same time the first motor 313 as shown in FIG. 6H. ) To move the head block 200 from the upper left to the lower side with respect to the Y-axis direction along the first guide 311.

Accordingly, the head block 200 moves from the lower left side of the substrate 10 to the middle portion along the first guide 311 by the driving of the first motor 313 as shown in FIG. 6I. The sealant is applied to the seal pattern area SPA on the left side of the perimeter to form the seal pattern SP.

At the same time, the controller continuously drives the first gap sensor 500 installed in the protrusion of the head block 200 to detect a gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 on the left side of the substrate 10. That is, the first light emitting part 502 of the first gap sensor 500 may have a seal pattern area SPA on the left side of the periphery of the substrate 10 and a scribe of the substrate 10 as the head block 200 moves. The first gap sensing light 506 having the first slope is irradiated to the left area LA between the ice lines SL. In addition, the first light receiver 504 of the first gap sensor 500 receives the first gap sensing light 506 reflected from the substrate 10 on the left area LA and receives the first gap sensing light 506. The first gap signal is generated according to the gap detection light 506 and supplied to the controller. The controller drives the third motor such that the gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 is constant according to the first gap signal.

Then, when the head block 200 is moved to the initial position, the control unit simultaneously drives the first and second motors 312 and 323 to scribe the head block 200 as shown in FIG. 6J. It is moved to move in a curved form between the line SL and the seal pattern region SPA.

Subsequently, the head block 200 is located in the middle of one side of the substrate and stands by.

Meanwhile, in the seal pattern forming apparatus and the forming method of the flat panel display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the seal pattern may be formed on the substrate 10 by moving the head block 200 in a direction opposite to that described above. .

As described above, in the seal pattern forming apparatus and the forming method of the flat panel display device, the first and second gap sensors 500 and 510 are selectively driven according to the moving direction of the head block 200 to seal the seal. By detecting a gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 in the region between the pattern and the scribing line, the seal pattern SP formed on the substrate 10 may be uniformly formed without disconnection.

Meanwhile, in the seal pattern forming apparatus of the flat panel display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, two syringes 401 and 402 may be paired with each other in each head block 200. . In this case, the first and second gap sensors 500 and 510 may be installed at the corners of the protrusion 210 or correspond to the respective syringes 401 and 402 as described above.

The head block 200, which is configured such that two syringes 401 and 402 are paired, applies two lines of sealant at a time. Of course, although not shown, the syringes may be provided so that three or more pairs may be paired with each other as necessary, and each of the syringes 401 and 402 may be adjusted for a separation distance between each other (with respect to an application interval of each sealant). Can be configured to be adjustable.

At this time, the syringe 401 located inside of each of the syringes 401 and 402 is for forming a main seal pattern for bonding two substrates, and the syringes located outside of each of the syringes 401 and 402. 402 is for forming an auxiliary seal pattern that protects the main seal pattern. In addition, the auxiliary seal pattern may be removed in the scribing process.

The reason why the syringes 401 and 402 are paired in two or more numbers is to prevent the seal pattern from being deformed by external pressure when the two substrates are bonded together. For example, in the liquid crystal display device, since the liquid crystal dropping method does not have a liquid crystal injection hole, a problem arises in that the seal pattern is deformed when external pressure is applied during the bonding process. The additional auxiliary seal pattern is formed to minimize deformation of the main seal pattern even when external pressure is applied during the bonding process.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the head block 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may check whether the seal pattern formed on the substrate 10 is defective in real time according to the moving direction of the head block 200. It further comprises a first and second pattern check unit (520, 530) to check.

Each of the first and second pattern checking units 520 and 530 is installed at the rear surface of the protrusion 210 to be close to the discharge nozzle 410 so as to match the movement path of the head block 200.

The first pattern checking unit 520 is installed on the rear surface of the protrusion 210 to be close to one side of the discharge nozzle 410. The first pattern checking unit 520 may be disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 10 when the head block 200 is horizontally moved from right to left (or horizontally corresponding to the first long side direction of the substrate 10). CCD (Charged) is used to check the state of at least one of a broken wire pattern (shown in FIG. 10A), a line width (shown in FIG. 10B) that exceeds or falls below a reference value, and a bubble inflow (shown in FIG. 10C). Coupled Device) It consists of a camera.

The second pattern checker 530 is installed on the rear surface of the protrusion 210 to approach the other side of the discharge nozzle 410 to face the first pattern checker 520. The second pattern checker 530 moves the head block 200 horizontally from the upper left side to the lower side (or horizontal movement corresponding to the first short side direction of the substrate 10), and horizontally moves from the left side to the right side ( Alternatively, the first pattern checking unit (or the horizontal movement corresponding to the second long side direction of the substrate 10) and the horizontal movement from the lower right side to the upper side (or the horizontal movement corresponding to the second short side direction of the substrate 10). In the same manner as in 530, the CCD camera is configured to check whether the seal pattern formed on the upper surface of the substrate 10 is disconnected, a line width exceeding or exceeding a reference value, and a state of bubble inflow.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first and second pattern checking units 520 and 530 are configured as two, but may be configured as four. That is, when the pattern check unit is composed of two, each of the pattern check units is positioned on a path that is moved along the seal pattern region on the long side or the seal pattern region on the short side of the active region 11, and the movement direction of the head block among the two pattern check units Through the pattern check unit installed on the opposite side is controlled to check whether the seal pattern is defective.

If the pattern check unit is composed of four, each pattern check unit is positioned on a path that is moved along the long side and the short side of the active area 11 of the moving path of the head block 200, respectively. Of the two pattern checkers located in the moving direction, the pattern checker is installed on the side opposite to the moving direction of the head block.

On the other hand, the method of confirming the actual pattern by the first and second pattern check unit (520, 530) can be a variety of methods, in the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is photographed by each pattern check unit (520, 530) It is set to automatically confirm each of the above-described details according to the pre-programmed contents on the basis of the image of the application state of the yarn pattern.

Of course, the image of the yarn pattern photographed by the pattern checking units 520 and 530 may be displayed on a display unit (not shown) so that an operator may directly check whether the yarn pattern is defective while looking at the display unit.

As described above, the seal pattern forming apparatus and the forming method of the flat panel display device including the first and second pattern checking units 520 and 530 may be formed according to the moving direction of the head block 200. And selectively driving the second gap sensors 500 and 510 to detect the gap between the substrate 10 and the discharge nozzle 410 in the region between the seal pattern and the scribing line and to confirm the first and second patterns. By selectively driving the units 520 and 530 to photograph and confirm whether the yarn pattern formed on the substrate 10 is defective, the yarn pattern SP formed on the substrate 10 may be uniformly formed without disconnection. Defects such as disconnection, line width and bubble inflow can be checked in real time.

On the other hand, the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, it is possible that various substitutions, modifications and changes within the scope without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention It will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As described above, the seal pattern forming apparatus and the forming method of the flat panel display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention selectively drive the first and second gap sensors according to the moving direction of the head block to seal the yarn pattern and scribing. By detecting the gap between the substrate and the discharge nozzle in the region between the lines, the seal pattern formed on the substrate can be formed uniformly without disconnection.

In addition, the seal pattern forming apparatus and the forming method of the other flat panel display according to the embodiment of the present invention by selectively driving the first and second gap sensor according to the moving direction of the head block between the seal pattern and the scribing line By detecting the gap between the substrate and the discharge nozzle in the region, and selectively driving the first and second pattern checking units to check whether the yarn pattern formed on the substrate is defective, the yarn pattern formed on the substrate can be uniformly formed without disconnection. In addition, defects such as disconnection, line width, and bubble inflow can be confirmed in real time.

Claims (20)

A stage on which a substrate on which a plurality of unit display panels having an active region is formed is seated; A head block having at least one syringe provided with a discharge nozzle for forming a seal pattern on each display panel of the substrate mounted on the stage; A moving unit for moving the head block; And And a plurality of gap sensors installed in the head block and selectively driven according to a moving direction of the head block to detect a gap between the substrate and the discharge nozzle. Pattern forming apparatus. The method of claim 1, And the plurality of gap sensors detect the gap in an outer region of the seal pattern. The method of claim 1, The plurality of gap sensors, A first gap sensor installed side by side on a rear surface of the head block to detect the gap according to a first moving direction of the head block; And And a second gap sensor disposed side by side on the other rear side of the head block to detect the gap in the second moving direction of the head block. The method of claim 3, wherein The first gap sensor, A first light emitting unit irradiating the first gap sensing light having a first slope to the substrate; And And a first light receiver configured to receive the first gap sensing light reflected by the substrate to detect the gap. The method of claim 3, wherein The second gap sensor, A second light emitting unit irradiating the second gap sensing light having a second slope to the substrate; And And a second light receiver configured to receive the second gap detection light reflected by the substrate to detect the gap. The method of claim 3, wherein The first movement direction is a horizontal movement corresponding to the first long side direction of the substrate or a horizontal movement corresponding to the first short side direction of the substrate, The second moving direction may be a horizontal movement corresponding to a second long side direction of the substrate opposite to the first long side direction or a horizontal movement corresponding to a second short side direction of the substrate opposite to the first short side. Seal pattern forming apparatus of a flat panel display device. The method of claim 1, The moving unit, A Y-axis moving unit for horizontally moving the head block in the Y-axis direction; An X-axis moving unit connected to the Y-axis moving unit and horizontally moving the head block in the X-axis direction; And And a Z-axis moving unit for elevating the head block in accordance with the gap detected by being connected to the X-axis moving unit. The method of claim 1, And a plurality of pattern checking units installed in the head block and selectively driven according to a moving direction of the head block to check in real time whether the seal pattern formed on the substrate is defective. Seal pattern forming device of the device. The method of claim 8, The plurality of pattern checking unit, A first pattern checking unit installed on a rear surface of the head block to check whether the seal pattern is defective in the first moving direction of the head block; And And a second pattern checker disposed on a rear surface of the head block to check whether the seal pattern is defective or not along the second moving direction of the head block. The method of claim 9, And the first and second pattern checking units are provided at both sides of the discharge nozzle so as to be positioned on the movement path of the head block. The method of claim 9, The first movement direction is a horizontal movement from right to left, And the second movement direction is a horizontal movement corresponding to a short side direction of the substrate or a horizontal movement from left to right. The method of claim 9, The failure pattern of the seal pattern may be at least one of disconnection of the seal pattern, line width, and bubble presence. Mounting a substrate on which a plurality of unit display panels having an active region are formed on a stage; Forming a seal pattern by applying the sealant to each display panel of the substrate while moving the head block having at least one syringe having a discharge nozzle for discharging the sealant; And And detecting a gap between the substrate and the discharge nozzle by using a plurality of gap sensors selectively driven according to the moving direction of the head block. The method of claim 13, And the plurality of gap sensors detect the gap in an outer region of the seal pattern. The method of claim 13, Detecting the gap, Irradiating a first gap sensing light having a first slope to the substrate according to a first moving direction of the head block, and receiving the first gap sensing light reflected by the substrate to detect the gap ; And Irradiating a second gap sensing light having a second slope to the substrate according to a second moving direction of the head block, and receiving the second gap sensing light reflected by the substrate to detect the gap Seal pattern forming method of a flat panel display comprising a. The method of claim 15, The first movement direction is a horizontal movement corresponding to the first long side direction of the substrate or a horizontal movement corresponding to the first short side direction of the substrate, The second moving direction may be a horizontal movement corresponding to a second long side direction of the substrate opposite to the first long side direction or a horizontal movement corresponding to a second short side direction of the substrate opposite to the first short side. A seal pattern forming method of a flat panel display device. The method of claim 13, Selectively driving the plurality of pattern checking units installed on the rear surface of the head block to face each other with the discharge nozzles interposed therebetween to determine whether the seal pattern formed on the substrate is defective in real time; Seal pattern forming method of a flat panel display device further comprising. The method of claim 17, The step of checking whether the seal pattern is defective, Determining whether the seal pattern is defective by driving a first pattern checking unit installed at one side of the discharge nozzle according to the first moving direction of the head block; And And driving the second pattern checking unit installed on the other side of the discharge nozzle in accordance with the second moving direction of the head block to check whether the seal pattern is defective or not. The method of claim 18, The first movement direction is a horizontal movement from right to left, And the second movement direction is a horizontal movement corresponding to a short side direction of the substrate or a horizontal movement from left to right. The method of claim 17, The failure pattern of the seal pattern is a seal pattern forming method of the flat panel display device, characterized in that at least one of the disconnection of the seal pattern, line width and the presence of bubbles.

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