KR20070121183A - Apparatus of testing display apparatus and method of testing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An inspecting apparatus and a method for inspecting a display device using the same are provided to change only alignment positions of a display panel and an inspecting unit when an inspecting method is changed, thereby shortening the inspecting time. An inspecting apparatus comprises a work stage(100) for loading a display panel(500), and an inspecting unit(200) for inspecting driving errors of the display panel by supplying first and second test signals to the display panel. The inspecting unit includes a body(210), a plurality of probes(220) joined to a lower surface of the body, a contact bar(230) disposed below the probes, and a connection portion(240) joined to the contact bar and the body. The probes output the first test signal to supply the first signal to the display panel. The contact bar outputs the second test signal to supply the second test signal to the display panel. The connection portion fixes the contact bar to the body.

Description

Inspection device and display device inspection method using same {APPARATUS OF TESTING DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TESTING THE SAME}

1 is a plan view showing an inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the inspection unit shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement relationship between a plurality of probes and a liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement relationship between a connection unit illustrated in FIG. 1 and a liquid crystal display panel.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 4.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inspecting a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings

100: work stage 200: inspection unit

210: body portion 220: probe

230: contact bar 240: connection portion

300: camera 400: inspection device

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and a display apparatus inspection method using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and a display apparatus inspection method using the same.

In general, when the liquid crystal display panel is completed, defects of the liquid crystal display panel are inspected through external appearance inspection and image quality inspection to determine whether to ship the product.

Specifically, the external inspection inspects the liquid crystal display panel by irradiating light to inspect the external state of the liquid crystal display panel, for example, the alignment state of the polarizing plate, the degree of contamination of the surface of the liquid crystal display panel, the surface crack of the liquid crystal display panel, and the black matrix defect.

In the image quality test, an electrical signal is applied to the liquid crystal display panel to detect pixel defects, for example, an opening of a signal line and a process error, through an image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel.

In order to improve the reliability of the test result, the image quality inspection of the liquid crystal display panel includes two methods, namely, a method of sequentially applying individual signals to each signal line, and a signal signal collectively on all signal lines or a certain number of signal lines. The image quality is inspected using a method of applying.

Here, as the image quality inspection apparatus, a probe inspection apparatus and a contact bar inspection apparatus are widely used. The probe inspection device applies a signal to each signal line of the liquid crystal display panel individually to inspect the image quality of the liquid crystal display panel, and the contact bar inspection device provides a signal to a plurality of signal lines collectively. Check it.

As such, since the image quality inspection is performed using the probe inspection apparatus and the contact bar inspection apparatus, the inspection time is delayed. That is, when the inspection is completed using the probe inspection apparatus, the inspection using the contact bar inspection apparatus is performed after the probe inspection apparatus is released. As a result, the inspection time is delayed, and the inspection cost increases because each uses separate inspection apparatuses.

In addition, since the contact bar inspecting apparatus is located under the probe inspecting apparatus, it is difficult to recognize the contact bar inspecting apparatus in the camera. As a result, it is difficult to accurately adjust the alignment of the liquid crystal display panel and the contact bar inspecting device, and thus it is difficult to apply a stable signal from the contact bar inspecting device.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus that can shorten the inspection time.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for inspecting a display device using the inspection device described above.

An inspection apparatus according to one feature for realizing the above object of the present invention comprises a work stage and an inspection unit.

The display panel is mounted on the upper surface of the work stage, and moves up, down, left, and right to adjust the position of the display panel. The inspection unit provides first and second inspection signals to the display panel to inspect driving errors of the display panel. That is, the inspection unit includes a body portion, a plurality of probes, a contact bar and a connection portion. The plurality of probes are coupled to the lower surface of the body portion and output a first inspection signal to the display panel. The contact bar is provided under the plurality of probes, and outputs a second test signal to the display panel. A connecting part and the contact bar and the body part are coupled to fix the contact bar to the body part.

The display panel includes a plurality of signal lines spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The plurality of probes are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and correspond to the plurality of signal lines, respectively.

The contact bar extends in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the plurality of signal lines, and collectively provides the second test signal to the plurality of signal lines.

In addition, the display device inspection method according to one feature for realizing the above object of the present invention is as follows.

First, a plurality of probes are disposed corresponding to a plurality of signal lines of the display panel. Subsequently, the plurality of probes sequentially apply the first test signal to the plurality of signal lines. Next, the plurality of signal lines are arranged to correspond to the contact bar by changing the position of the display panel. Subsequently, the contact bar collectively applies a second test signal to the plurality of signal lines.

According to such an inspection apparatus and a display apparatus inspection method using the same, a display panel inspection of different methods is performed using one inspection apparatus. Accordingly, the inspection apparatus changes the contact position with the display panel only when the inspection method is changed, thereby reducing the inspection time.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail the present invention.

1 is a plan view illustrating a test apparatus for a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the test unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the inspection apparatus 400 for a display device includes a work stage 100, an inspection unit 200, and a camera 300.

The liquid crystal display panel 500 is mounted on an upper surface of the work stage 100, and the image quality inspection is performed while the liquid crystal display panel 500 is seated on the work stage 100. The work stage 100 moves up / down / left / right to adjust the position of the liquid crystal display panel 500. That is, the work stage 100 moves up / down / left / right to adjust the position of the liquid crystal display panel 500 in order to align the inspection unit 200 and the liquid crystal display panel 500.

The inspection unit 200 applies first and second inspection signals to the liquid crystal display panel 500 to inspect the image quality of the liquid crystal display panel 500.

In detail, the inspection unit 200 includes a body 210, a plurality of probes 220, a contact bar 230, and a connection 240.

The body portion 210 has a rectangular shape, one side is made of an inclined surface.

The plurality of probes 220 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and are coupled to the bottom surface of the body portion 210. The plurality of probes 220 are made of a metal material, and receive the first test signal from an external device and output the first test signal to the liquid crystal display panel 500.

In this embodiment, the plurality of probes 220 have the same structure. Therefore, in the following description of the configuration of the plurality of probes 220, the first probe 221 of the plurality of probes 220 will be described as an example.

The first probe 221 has a base portion 221a, an output portion 221b extending from the first end portion of the base portion 221a, and a second end portion of the base portion 221a facing the first end portion. It includes an input unit 221c extending from.

That is, the base portion 221a has a rod shape formed extending in one direction.

A portion of the output portion 221b protrudes outward from the side surface of the body portion 210 and has a shape in which one end is bent downward. In the external inspection, the output unit 221b is electrically connected to the liquid crystal display panel 500 to provide the first inspection signal received through the input unit 221c to the liquid crystal display panel 500.

The input part 221c protrudes outward from the side surface of the body part 210 and has a shape in which one end is bent upward. The input unit 221c is electrically connected to a driving unit (not shown) that provides the first test signal and receives the first test signal.

Hereinafter, the connection relationship between the liquid crystal display panel 500 and the plurality of probes 220 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship between a plurality of probes and a liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display panel 500 includes a plurality of signal lines 510. The plurality of signal lines 510 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and pad portions receiving electrical signals are formed at one end thereof. Although not shown in the drawing, the plurality of signal lines 510 are electrically connected to a plurality of pixels provided on the liquid crystal display panel 500 to display an image, and the image signal corresponding to the image is transmitted to the plurality of pixels. To provide.

The plurality of signal lines 510 are electrically connected to the plurality of probes 220 to receive the first inspection signal and provide the first inspection signal to the plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels display an image corresponding to the first test signal, and whether each pixel is defective is determined based on the displayed image.

That is, the plurality of probes 220 are positioned to correspond to the plurality of signal lines 510. In the image quality test, the plurality of probes 220 are disposed on the plurality of signal lines 510 and electrically connected to the plurality of signal lines 510. For example, the first probe 211 is disposed on the pad portion 511a of the first signal line 511 among the plurality of signal lines 510, and the pad portion 511a of the first signal line 511 is disposed. ) Is electrically connected to the first probe 211.

Here, the plurality of probes 220 correspond one-to-one with the plurality of signal lines 510, and the first test signal is sequentially applied to the plurality of signal lines 510. That is, the first test signal is not applied to the plurality of probes 220 collectively, but is sequentially applied. Accordingly, the image corresponding to the first inspection signal is not simultaneously displayed on the plurality of pixels, but is displayed in the order in which the first inspection signal is applied.

As such, the plurality of probes 220 are connected to the signal lines individually. Accordingly, if the plurality of probes 220 and the plurality of signal lines 510 are not aligned correctly, the arbitrary signal lines and the corresponding probes may not be correctly aligned. Accordingly, since the signal line and the corresponding probe are not electrically connected, the signal line cannot receive the first test signal.

The misalignment of the plurality of probes 220 and the plurality of signal lines 510 may be mistaken as opening of a signal line in which electrical connection with the probe is lost.

In addition, even when the electrical connection between the arbitrary probe and the driver is disconnected, the first test signal is not applied to the corresponding signal line, and thus may be mistaken as the opening of the corresponding signal line.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the inspection unit 200 re-inspects the liquid crystal display panel 500 using the contact bar 230 to prevent the inspection error.

In detail, the contact bar 230 is positioned below the plurality of probes 220 at a predetermined distance from the plurality of probes 220. The contact bar 230 extends in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the plurality of probes 220 are disposed, and has a rod shape. The contact bar 230 is electrically connected to the liquid crystal display panel 500, receives the second test signal, and provides the second test signal to the liquid crystal display panel 500. The liquid crystal display panel 500 displays an image corresponding to the second inspection signal, and inspects whether each pixel is defective through the displayed image. A connection relationship between the contact bar 230 and the liquid crystal display panel 500 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 5.

The contact bar 230 is fixed to the body portion 210 in combination with the connection portion 240. The connecting portion 240 extends from the first plate 241 facing the lower surface of the body portion 210, the second plate 242 extending from the first plate 241, and the first plate 241. A third plate 243.

That is, the first plate 241 extends in the same direction as the contact bar 230 and has a rod shape. The contact bar 230 is provided on a bottom surface of the first plate 241.

The second plate 242 extends from the first end of the first plate 241 and engages with the side surface of the body portion 210. A portion of the second plate 242 is removed to form a first coupling hole 242a, and a first coupling groove 211 corresponding to the first coupling hole 242a is formed at a side of the body portion 210. Is formed. The second plate 242 is coupled to the body portion 210 by a first screw 250 inserted into the first fastening groove 211 through the first coupling hole 242a.

The third plate 243 extends from the second end of the first plate 241 to face the second plate 242 and engage with the side surface of the body portion 210. A portion of the third plate 243 is removed to form the second coupling hole 243a, and a second coupling groove (not shown) is formed on the side of the body portion 210 corresponding to the second coupling hole 243a. O) is formed. The third plate is coupled to the body portion 210 by a second screw 260 inserted into the second fastening groove through the second coupling hole 243a.

Hereinafter, the connection relationship between the contact bar 230 and the liquid crystal display panel 500 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement relationship between the connection unit illustrated in FIG. 1 and the liquid crystal display panel, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 4 illustrates the body portion 210 and the plurality of probes 220 in order to more clearly show the positional relationship between the connection portion and the liquid crystal display panel.

4 and 5, when the image quality test of the liquid crystal display panel 500 is performed using the second test signal, the first plate 241 of the connection unit 240 is the liquid crystal display panel 500. The contact bar 230 is disposed at an upper portion of the contact bar 230, and is disposed between the connection part 240 and the liquid crystal display panel 500.

That is, the liquid crystal display panel 500 includes the plurality of signal lines 510, the base substrate 520, the insulating layer 530, and the plurality of transparent electrodes 540. The signal lines 510 are formed on the base substrate 520, and the insulating layer 530 is formed on the base substrate 520 on which the signal lines 510 are provided. A portion of the insulating layer 530 is removed to form contact holes. Pad portions of the signal lines are exposed through the contact holes, respectively. The plurality of transparent electrodes 540 are formed on the insulating layer 530 and are electrically connected to the pad units through the contact holes.

The contact bar 230 is disposed on an upper surface of the plurality of transparent electrodes 530 and is electrically connected to the plurality of transparent electrodes 530. Accordingly, the contact bar 230 is electrically connected to the plurality of signal lines 510 to provide the second test signal to the plurality of signal lines 510.

In particular, the contact bar 230 contacts the plurality of signal lines 510 unlike the plurality of probes 220 (see FIG. 2). That is, since one contact bar 230 is connected to at least two signal lines, the plurality of signal lines 510 are simultaneously provided with the second test signal.

As such, the inspection unit 200 inspects the image quality of the liquid crystal display panel 500 in a different manner through the plurality of probes 220 and the contact bar 230. Accordingly, the inspection unit 200 accurately detects inspection errors due to misalignment of the plurality of probes 220 and the plurality of signal lines 510 and poor connection of the plurality of probes 220 and the driving unit. Since it can be done, the reliability of a test result can be improved.

1 and 2, the camera 300 is disposed above the work stage 100. The camera 300 recognizes positions of the plurality of signal lines 510 (see FIG. 3) and the plurality of probes 220 to align the liquid crystal display panel 500 and the plurality of probes 220. . In addition, the camera 300 recognizes positions of the plurality of signal lines 510 and the contact bars 230 to align the liquid crystal display panel 500 and the plurality of probes 220.

As described above, the test unit 200 includes the plurality of probes 220 sequentially applying the first test signal and the contact bar 230 collectively applying the second test signal. The image quality of the liquid crystal display panel 500 is inspected in different ways. Accordingly, since the inspection apparatus 400 may inspect the image quality of different methods using only the inspection unit 200 without having to provide a separate inspection apparatus for each inspection method, manufacturing cost may be reduced.

In particular, the inspection apparatus 400 changes the alignment position of the liquid crystal display panel 500 and the inspection unit 200 by moving the work stage 100 according to the inspection method. That is, since the liquid crystal display panel 500 is electrically connected to any one of the plurality of probes 220 and the contact bar 230 according to an inspection method, the inspection apparatus 400 may determine the liquid crystal according to an inspection method. The contact position with the display panel 500 is changed. This contact position change is made through the position change of the work stage 100. As such, when the inspection method is changed, only the alignment position with the liquid crystal display panel 500 is changed when the inspection method is changed, thereby reducing the inspection time.

In addition, the inspection unit 200 may reduce the distance between the contact bar 230 and the camera 300 because the contact bar 230 is fixed to the lower portion of the body 210. Accordingly, since the contact bar 230 may be provided within a range that the camera 300 can recognize, the contact bar 230 and the plurality of signal lines 510 may be accurately aligned.

Hereinafter, a process of inspecting an image quality of the liquid crystal display panel 500 using the inspection apparatus 400 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inspecting a liquid crystal display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 6, first, a plurality of probes 220 are disposed on the pad portions, and the plurality of signal lines 510 (see FIG. 1) recognized by the camera 300 are disposed. The pads and the plurality of probes 220 are aligned according to the positions of the pads and the plurality of probes 220 (step S110). As a result, the pads and the plurality of probes 220 are electrically connected to each other.

Subsequently, the plurality of probes 220 sequentially apply the first test signal to the plurality of signal lines 510 (step S120). Accordingly, the liquid crystal display panel 500 may display an image corresponding to the first inspection signal and determine whether each pixel is defective based on the displayed image.

When the inspection using the plurality of probes 220 is completed, the work stage 100 is moved to place the liquid crystal display panel 510 under the contact bar 230 and recognized by the camera 300. The pad parts and the contact bar 230 are aligned according to the positions of the pad parts of the plurality of signal lines 510 and the contact bar 230. As a result, each pad part is electrically connected to the contact bar 230.

Subsequently, the contact bar 230 collectively applies the second test signal to the plurality of signal lines 510 (step S130). Accordingly, the liquid crystal display panel 500 may display an image corresponding to the second inspection signal, and determine whether each pixel is defective based on the displayed image.

As described above, since the plurality of probes 220 and the contact bar 230 are integrally provided, the inspection apparatus 400 changes the position of the work stage 100 according to an inspection method, thereby changing the position of the liquid crystal display panel ( 500 and the alignment relationship between the inspection unit 200 is adjusted. Accordingly, the inspection apparatus 400 may omit the process of disassembling and assembling the inspection equipments according to the inspection method, thereby reducing the inspection time.

According to the present invention described above, the inspection apparatus includes a plurality of probes for sequentially providing the first inspection signal to the plurality of signal lines and a contact bar for simultaneously providing the second inspection signal to the plurality of signal lines. The plurality of probes and the contact bars are electrically connected to the liquid crystal display panel according to the inspection method, and the inspection apparatus changes the inspection method by changing the contact position with the liquid crystal display panel. That is, when the inspection method is changed, since only the alignment positions of the display panel and the inspection unit are changed, the disassembly and assembly process of the inspection equipment may be omitted, the inspection time may be shortened, and the manufacturing cost may be reduced.

In addition, like the plurality of probes, since the contact bar is connected to the body part, the distance between the camera and the contact bar can be shortened. Accordingly, since the camera can recognize the position of the contact bar, the alignment error between the contact bar and the liquid crystal display panel can be reduced, and inspection reliability can be improved.

Although described with reference to the embodiments above, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Could be.

Claims (7)

A work stage on which the display panel is mounted; And A test unit which provides first and second test signals to the display panel to check a driving error of the display panel; The inspection unit, Body portion; A plurality of probes coupled to a bottom surface of the body part and outputting a first test signal to the display panel; A contact bar provided below the plurality of probes and outputting a second inspection signal to the display panel; And And a connection part coupled to the contact bar and the body part to fix the contact bar to the body part. The method of claim 1, The display panel includes a plurality of signal lines spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, And the plurality of probes respectively correspond to the plurality of signal lines. 3. The inspection of claim 2, wherein the contact bar extends in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the plurality of signal lines, and provides the second inspection signal to the plurality of signal lines collectively. 4. Device. The inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the work stage moves up / down / left / right to adjust the position of the display panel. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection portion, A first plate facing a lower surface of the body part and spaced apart from the plurality of probes by a predetermined distance; A second plate extending from a first end of the first plate and engaging with a side of the body part; And And a third plate extending from the second end of the body portion to face the second plate and engaging with the side surface of the body portion. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an alignment relationship between the display panel and the plurality of probes and an alignment relationship between the display panel and the contact bar, the position of the display panel and the inspection unit being recognized above the work stage. Inspection device further comprises a camera to adjust. Disposing a plurality of probes corresponding to the plurality of signal lines of the display panel; Sequentially applying a first test signal from the plurality of probes to the plurality of signal lines; Changing the position of the display panel to arrange the plurality of signal lines corresponding to the contact bars; And And collectively applying a second test signal from the contact bar to the plurality of signal lines.

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