KR20070117181A - Apparatus for inspection of display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

An inspecting apparatus of a display panel is provided to maintain a ZIF(Zero Insertion Force) connector mounted in the display panel in a locking state by operating a wiper before a probe needle of a probe unit is contacted with a connection pad of the display panel, thereby preventing the probe needle from being damaged by a locking unit of the ZIF connector protruded to an upper area. An inspecting apparatus of a display panel comprises a working table(300), a wiper(330) and a probe unit(400). The working table has a mount area where a display panel to be tested is placed. The wiper is disposed in the outline of the mount area and moves from one side to the side along a surface of the display panel. The probe unit applies an inspection signal by being contacted with a connection pad of the display panel.

Description

Inspection device of display panel {APPARATUS FOR INSPECTION OF DISPLAY PANEL}

1 is a plan view illustrating a general liquid crystal display panel.

2 is a perspective view showing a general ZIF connector.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a general ZIF connector.

4 is a block diagram showing an inspection apparatus of a liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a plan view showing a work table of the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing a wiper provided on a work table of the inspection apparatus for a liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an operation diagram for explaining the operation of the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a plan view showing a work table of the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

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

100,700 liquid crystal display panel 200: printed circuit board

210,710: ZIF connector 211: housing

212: terminal 213: locking portion

230: flexible printed circuit 300: worktable

310: seating area 320: light receiving area

330: wiper 331: wiper body

332: brush 333 motor

400: probe unit 500: frame

600: signal part

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for a display panel, and more particularly, to an inspection apparatus for a display panel used for visual inspection of a display panel.

Liquid crystal display panel (Liquid Crystal Display Panel) is one of the display panel is a display element that realizes the image by adjusting the amount of light incident from the light source by using the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules and the polarization characteristics of the polarizing plate. As a result, large screens can be realized and power consumption is small.

The liquid crystal display panel includes a thin film transistor process of forming a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor on a transparent substrate, a color filter process of forming a black matrix, a color filter, and a common electrode on another transparent substrate, and bonding the two substrates therebetween. It is produced through a cell process of forming a liquid crystal layer.

When the liquid crystal display panel is manufactured, the inspection device is used to visually inspect whether the liquid crystal display panel is defective under the same conditions as the finished product. In this case, a probe unit of the inspection apparatus is brought into contact with a connection pad provided in an outer region of the liquid crystal display panel, and a test signal is applied to the liquid crystal display panel through the probe unit to visually determine whether there is any defect.

A liquid crystal display panel used in a portable device or a printed circuit board connected thereto may be equipped with a ZIF connector for connecting an external circuit, for example, a communication module or a radio module. In general, the ZIF connector and the external circuit are electrically connected to each other through a flexible printed circuit that is free to bend, and the locking portion provided in the ZIF connector serves to fix the flexible printed circuit (FPC) inserted in the ZIF connector so as not to be separated. Do it.

However, since the locking part of the ZIF connector can be freely opened and closed in a state where the flexible printed circuit is not inserted, there is a problem of obstructing the movement of the probe unit during visual inspection. That is, when the locking part of the ZIF connector is opened, it protrudes to an upper region by a predetermined height, and damage to the locking part intermittently occurs while the probe unit moves to a predetermined contact point. Therefore, since the damaged probe unit needs to be replaced and the test is performed again, a separate replacement cost is required and the test time is delayed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new method which can prevent the probe unit from being damaged by the locking portion of the protruding ZIF connector by operating the wiper to keep the ZIF connector locked and then moving the probe unit to the contact point. Its purpose is to provide an inspection apparatus for a display panel of a structure.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for inspecting a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. And a probe unit configured to contact the connection pad of the display panel to apply a test signal to the wiper running from one side to the other side.

The display panel may include at least one ZIF connector mounted for connection with an external circuit.

It is preferable that the inspection apparatus of the said display panel further includes a conveyance part for carrying in and out of a display panel.

The inspection apparatus of the display panel may further include a signal unit which supplies an inspection signal to the display panel.

It is preferable that the inspection apparatus of the display panel further includes a camera disposed above the work table.

The inspection apparatus of the display panel may further include a frame disposed above the work table and supporting the probe unit.

The probe unit may include a plurality of probe needles in contact with a connection pad of a liquid crystal display panel to be inspected, a probe block to which the plurality of probe needles are focused, and a probe support unit supporting the probe block.

It is effective to use a flexible pogo pin as the probe needle.

The wiper may include a long rod-shaped wiper body, a brush attached to a lower portion of the wiper body, and a driving means coupled to one end of the wiper body. Here, the drive means preferably includes a motor capable of rotating movement.

An apparatus for inspecting a display panel according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes at least one wiper disposed at the center and having a predetermined rotation range, and a display panel disposed around the wiper and performing an inspection. And a probe unit configured to contact the connection pads of the display panel to apply a test signal.

The inspection apparatus of the display panel may further include a frame disposed above the work table and supporting the probe unit.

The wiper may include a long rod-shaped wiper body, a brush attached to a lower portion of the wiper body, and a driving means coupled to one end of the wiper body.

The probe unit may include a plurality of probe needles contacting the connection pads of the display panel to be inspected, a probe block to which the plurality of probe needles are focused, and a probe support unit supporting the probe blocks.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described embodiments of the present invention;

However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various forms, and only the embodiments are intended to complete the disclosure of the present invention, and to those skilled in the art the scope of the invention. It is provided for complete information. Like reference numerals in the drawings refer to like elements.

First, in the inspection apparatus according to the present invention, an inspection object in which an inspection pad in contact with the probe unit is formed and a ZIF connector is mounted will be described. Although the object under test may be configured in various ways, one of them includes a connection pad for receiving a driving signal from the outside, and illustrates a liquid crystal display panel equipped with a ZIF connector.

1 is a plan view illustrating a general liquid crystal display panel.

Referring to FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display panel 100 includes a display unit 110 for outputting an image and a mounting unit 120 in which a signal application circuit is formed. The display unit 110 has a unit pixel for forming an image in a matrix form, and the mounting unit 120 has a connection pad and a printed circuit board (PCB) on which a driving chip is mounted to control the unit pixel. Is connected to the connection pad is formed.

The liquid crystal display panel 100 is connected to the printed circuit board 200 through the flexible printed circuit 220. The printed circuit board 200 may include driving signals, that is, RGB (Read, Green, Blue) signals, Shift Start Clock (SSC) signals, latch pulse (LP) signals, gamma analog ground signals, digital ground signals, digital power supplies, and analog signals. The power source common voltage, the accumulated voltage, and the like are generated and transmitted to the liquid crystal display panel 100.

On the other hand, the printed circuit board 200 is equipped with a ZIF connector 210 for connecting to an external circuit, for example, a communication module, a radio module in the case of a portable terminal.

2 is a perspective view showing a general ZIF connector. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a general ZIF connector and illustrates a process in which a flexible printed circuit is connected to the ZIF connector.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ZIF connector 210 includes a housing 210 formed by injecting plastic, a plurality of terminals 212 disposed in the housing 210, and a lock for opening and closing an area in which the terminal is accommodated. Section 213. In this case, a portion of the terminal 212 protrudes outward of the housing 210 to form a bonding portion 212a soldered to the printed circuit board 200.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the other end of the flexible printed circuit 230 having one end connected to an external circuit is inserted into the housing 211 of the ZIF connector 210. At this time, a connection pad (not shown) formed at the other end of the flexible printed circuit 230 contacts each terminal 212 of the connector.

Referring to FIG. 3B, when the locking part 213 of the ZIF connector 210 is pressed, downward pressing force is generated on the upper side of the flexible printed circuit 230 fitted to the housing 211, and by this pressing force. The connection pad of the flexible printed circuit 230 is stably contacted with the terminal 212 of the connector, thereby preventing the separation of the flexible printed circuit 230 due to flow.

<First Embodiment>

4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a test apparatus for a liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a work table of the test apparatus for a liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a wiper provided on a work table of an inspection apparatus for a liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel may include a work table 300 provided with a seating area 310 in which a liquid crystal display panel to be inspected is located, and an outer portion of the seating area 300. A frame supporting the probe unit 400 and the probe unit 400 that apply a test signal by contacting the wiper 330 traveling from one side to the other side along the surface of the liquid crystal display panel and the connection pad of the liquid crystal display panel. 500.

Referring to FIG. 5, the work table 300 includes a body having a rectangular table shape and a seating area 310 provided at an upper portion of the body, and a light receiving area in which light is incident from the lower side of the seating area 310. 320 is provided, and a backlight (not shown) is disposed below the light incident region 320.

The light incident region 320 may be formed in a shape of a receiving groove or a through hole formed by removing a portion of the body, and may be manufactured in a shape corresponding to a liquid crystal display panel seated on an upper portion thereof. Of course, the upper portion of the light incident region 320 may be covered with a light-transmissive material, for example, glass. Since the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel according to the present exemplary embodiment inspects liquid crystal display panels having various sizes, the size of the light incident region 320 is the same as the size of the maximum liquid crystal display panel which can be visually inspected by the inspection apparatus. It is preferable to make it. Of course, you can make it bigger.

The backlight (not shown) is provided below the light incident region 320 formed in the shape of a receiving groove or a through hole. The backlight may include at least a light source, and may further include a light guide plate coupled to the light source, a reflecting plate installed under the light guide plate, and a plurality of optical sheets provided on the light guide plate. Light generated in the backlight is emitted through the light incident region 320 and irradiated to the upper liquid crystal display panel.

Referring to FIG. 6, the wiper 320 is coupled to one end of the wiper body 331 and a brush attached to the lower portion of the wiper body 331 having a long rod shape and the wiper body 331. And means 333. As the driving means 333, it is effective to use a motor that is easy to rotate. The wiper 330 located in the predetermined starting point region reaches the predetermined end point region by the forward rotation driving of the motor 333, and returns to the initial starting point region by the reverse rotation driving of the motor 333. In the forward rotation driving process, the brush 332 of the wiper 330 rotates while contacting the surface of the liquid crystal display panel disposed in the seating area 310, so that the locking part of the opened ZIF connector is locked by the brush 332.

The probe unit 400 includes a plurality of probe needles in contact with a connection pad of a liquid crystal display panel to be inspected, a probe block to which the plurality of probe needles are focused, and a probe support unit supporting the probe block. The probe needle is effective to use a freely pogo pin (Pogo Pin). Pogo pins consist of a pair of probes coupled to both ends of an elastic member, such as a spring. In this case, one probe contacts the connection pad of the liquid crystal display panel, and the other probe is connected to the signal unit 600 to be described later.

The signal unit 600 generates various electrical signals for inspection of the liquid crystal display panel and transmits them to the liquid crystal display panel through the probe unit 400.

In addition, the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, although not shown, may further include a transport unit for carrying in and out of the liquid crystal display panel, the camera disposed on the work table 300 It may further include.

The conveying unit takes out the liquid crystal display panels loaded on one cassette one by one and brings them into the worktable 300, and removes the inspected liquid crystal display panels from the worktable 300 and loads one by one into the other cassette.

The camera photographs the inside of the work table 300 where the liquid crystal display panel is inspected, and provides the captured image to the screen. The inspector may adjust the position of the probe unit while looking at the screen, and detect the fine defect generated in the liquid crystal display panel.

Next, operation | movement of the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel which has the said structure is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.

7 is an operation diagram for explaining the operation of the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 7A, the transfer unit takes out one of a plurality of liquid crystal display panels loaded in a cassette, and arranges it on the seating area 310 of the work table 300. In this case, it is preferable to raise the frame 500 on which the probe unit 400 is installed so that the liquid crystal display panel 700 is not disturbed.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 7B, the wiper 330 is driven to lock the locking portion of the ZIF connector mounted on the liquid crystal display panel 700. At this time, the wiper 330 starting from the point of time passes through the seating area 310 and then moves to the end point and waits.

Next, the probe unit 400 is moved to finely adjust the probe needle to correspond to the connection pads of the liquid crystal display panel 700 facing each other. After the fine adjustment, the frame 500 on which the probe unit 400 is installed is lowered such that the probe needle and the test pad of the liquid crystal display panel 700 come into contact with each other.

Thereafter, the backlight under the seating area 310 is driven to irradiate light to the liquid crystal display panel 700, and a test signal is applied to the connection pad of the liquid crystal display panel 700 through the probe unit 400 to display the liquid crystal display. Examine the operation of the panel 700. In this case, the inspector examines various defects such as disconnection, spots, and pixel defects while viewing the screen shot by the camera.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 7C, after the inspection is completed, the wiper 330 is returned to the initial position, and the liquid crystal display panel 700 is taken out of the work table 300 by the transport unit and loaded in the cassette. Thereafter, the new liquid crystal display panel is carried into the work table 300 and the above test is repeatedly performed.

Meanwhile, the inspection apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment may perform various inspections by applying inspection signals to terminals of the ZIF connector 700 mounted thereon as well as the connection pads of the liquid crystal display panel 700. That is, in the above description of the operation, the process in which the probe unit 400 contacts the connection pad of the liquid crystal display panel 700 is illustrated. However, if a signal is applied to the ZIF connector 710 through the probe unit 400, Fine adjustment is performed so that the probe unit 400 corresponds to a terminal (see 212a in FIG. 2) of the ZIF connector 710, and a test signal is applied to the terminal of the ZIF connector 710 to provide a liquid crystal display panel 700. Will check the behavior of.

On the other hand, since the camera is provided on the upper side of the work table 300 to move back and forth, left and right and up and down, the inspection process can be visually confirmed.

Since the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment maintains the connector mounted on the liquid crystal display panel by operating the wiper, it contacts the probe needle of the probe unit and the connection pad of the liquid crystal display panel. The locking portion of the probe needle can be prevented from being damaged.

Second Embodiment

8 is a plan view illustrating a work table of an inspection apparatus for a liquid crystal display panel according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel, a wiper 330 is disposed at a center thereof, and a plurality of work tables A, B, C, and D are disposed around the wiper 330. Also, a probe unit (not shown) in contact with the liquid crystal display panel to apply a test signal and a frame (not shown) supporting the probe unit are included.

The wiper 330 is a rotation range is adjusted to pass through all the seating area provided on a plurality of work tables (A, B, C, D), it may be configured in plurality. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when one wiper 330 is disposed at the center, it is preferable to have a rotation range of 360 degrees, and although not shown, two wipers having an angle of 180 degrees are disposed at the center. It is preferable that each wiper has a rotation range of 180 degrees.

The probe unit and the frame may be provided separately from a plurality of working tables (A, B, C, D), but may be integrated into one.

Since the inspection apparatus of the liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment can inspect a plurality of liquid crystal display panels at the same time, the inspection time can be shortened, and the inspection can be performed while comparing the plurality of liquid crystal display panels. Can be improved. In addition, since the wiper is installed in the center, the space utilization can be increased and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case of installing each wiper for a plurality of work benches.

As described above, the above embodiments are disclosed for purposes of illustration, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, improvements, substitutions, and additions may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

The present invention maintains the ZIF connector mounted on the display panel in a locked state by operating the wiper before contacting the probe needle of the probe unit with the connection pad of the display panel. This can prevent the probe needle from being damaged. In addition, since the wiper removes foreign matters attached to the display panel while passing through the surface of the display panel, the wiper may effectively prevent a defect of the display panel caused by the foreign matters.

Claims (14)

A worktable provided with a seating area in which a display panel to be inspected is located; A wiper disposed outside the seating area and traveling from one side to the other side along a surface of the display panel; And a probe unit contacting the connection pad of the display panel to apply a test signal. The method according to claim 1, And the display panel includes at least one ZIF connector mounted for connection with an external circuit. The method according to claim 1, And a conveying unit for carrying in and taking out of the display panel. The method according to claim 1, And a signal unit for supplying a test signal to the display panel. The method according to claim 1, And a camera disposed above the workbench. The method according to claim 1, And a frame disposed above the work table and supporting the probe unit. The method according to claim 1, The probe unit, A plurality of probe needles in contact with the connection pads of the display panel to be inspected; A probe block into which a plurality of probe needles are focused; And a probe support part supporting the probe block. The method according to claim 7, And the probe needle is a pogo pin. The method according to claim 1, The wiper is, Long rod-shaped wiper body, A brush attached to the lower portion of the wiper body and And a driving means coupled to one end of the wiper body. The method according to claim 9, And the driving means comprises a motor capable of rotating movement. At least one wiper disposed in the center and having a predetermined rotation range, A plurality of work tables disposed around the wiper and provided with a seating area in which a display panel to be inspected is located; And a probe unit contacting the connection pad of the display panel to apply a test signal. The method according to claim 11, And a frame disposed above the work table and supporting the probe unit. The method according to claim 11, The wiper is, Long rod-shaped wiper body, A brush attached to the lower portion of the wiper body and And a driving means coupled to one end of the wiper body. The method according to claim 11, The probe unit, A plurality of probe needles in contact with the connection pads of the display panel to be inspected; A probe block into which a plurality of probe needles are focused; And a probe support part supporting the probe block.

Images