TWI403377B - Method of sealing wide frit using laser - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of sealing wide frit using laser. The method includes emitting a laser beam to frit while moving the laser beam along a direction of application of the frit and reciprocating the laser beam with a width of the frit in a direction which crosses the direction of application of the frit; and disposing a center of the laser beam within the width of the frit while emitting the laser beam to the frit.

Description

Method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste [Related application reference]

The present application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0094882, filed on Sep. 30, 2010, to the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Incorporated herein.

The following is a description of a method for using a laser-sealed wide glass paste, in particular, a method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste to seal an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) using a glass paste suitable for protecting an OLED susceptible to the surrounding environment. Methods.

Recently, portable thin-film display devices have gained more and more attention as display devices. An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device is a self-luminous display device which has a large viewing angle, excellent contrast, and fast response speed, and thus is regarded as a display device of the next generation.

However, when moisture or oxygen enters the OLED, the electrode is oxidized or peeled off due to moisture or oxygen, which will reduce the life of the OLED display device. In addition, exposure to moisture or oxygen will reduce the luminous efficiency, thus changing the color of the light.

Therefore, in order to prevent moisture from entering when manufacturing an OLED display device, a sealing process is usually performed to isolate the OLED from the external environment. As an example of a sealing method, in order to improve the adhesion and sealing between substrates disposed on the top and bottom of the OLED element, glass glue is used as a sealant.

As shown in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, in the method of sealing a glass paste, a glass paste is applied to a peripheral portion of a substrate 10 on which an OLED element 20 is disposed, and then a laser beam L is irradiated onto the glass paste 30 to be melted and cured. The glass glue 30, and thereby seals the interior. In this example, a mask 40 having a through hole corresponding to the glass paste 30 is interposed between the substrate 10 and the laser source to prevent the OLED element 20 from being damaged by the laser beam L.

However, as the area of the OLED device increases due to the demand for larger display devices such as televisions, the thickness and width of the glass glue are also increased, thereby emitting a single laser beam to the glass glue and moving the laser beam in a linear direction. The existing glass seal method for melting and curing glass glue cannot handle wide and thick glass glue.

Since a laser beam having a Gaussian cross-sectional energy distribution generally does not provide energy uniformly over the entire width of the wider glass paste, an ideal sealing performance across the width of the glass paste cannot be achieved.

The following is a description of a method for using a laser-sealed wide glass paste to improve the sealing performance of a wide glass paste by uniformly providing energy over the width of the glass paste while adjusting the manner in which the laser beam is moved and emitted to the glass paste. The number of laser beams, the configuration of the laser beam, or the cross-sectional energy distribution of the laser beam.

In a general aspect, a method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste is provided, the method comprising: emitting a laser beam to a glass paste while moving the laser beam in a direction in which the glass glue is applied, and Retrieving the laser beam within a width of one of the glass pastes in a direction intersecting the direction in which the glass glue is applied; wherein a center of the laser beam is emitted when the laser beam is emitted to the glass paste Located within this width of the glass glue.

The laser beam can be reciprocated in a direction intersecting the direction in which the glass glue is applied by the galvanometer scanner, and the laser beam can be moved in the direction in which the glass glue is applied by the linear moving unit, and the linear moving unit linearly moves the galvanometer The substrate to which the scanner or glass glue is applied.

In another general aspect, a method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste is provided, the method comprising: emitting at least two laser beams to the glass frit, the two laser beams being centered in one direction with the application of the glass glue Separating from each other in one direction of intersection, while moving the laser beam in the direction in which the glass glue is applied; wherein when the laser beam is emitted to the glass paste, the center of the respective laser beam is at the glass One of the widths of the glue.

Four arrangements can be used to form a diamond-shaped fiber at the center, the length of each side of the diamond can fall within the width of the glass glue, and the glass glue can be applied in a curved manner according to the section on which the glass glue is applied linearly or thereon. The section transmits the laser beam to the glass paste through at least two of the four fibers.

In another general aspect, a method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste is provided, the method comprising: using a diffractive optical element (DOE) lens, in a direction intersecting one of the directions in which the glass glue is applied, A laser beam having a flat top cross sectional energy distribution is emitted to the glass glue while the laser beam is moved in the direction in which the glass glue is applied.

The laser beam can have a rectangular cross section.

The laser beam can have a linear cross section.

The glass glue may have a width equal to or greater than 2 mm.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments, drawings and claims.

The following "Implementation" is provided to assist the reader in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices, and/or systems described herein. Thus, various modifications, adaptations, and equivalents of the methods, devices, and/or systems described herein are contemplated by those skilled in the art. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The following description will be described on the assumption that the thickness of the glass paste applied to the substrate is about 2 mm or more. For an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device used in a mobile phone display, the area of the OLED display device is not large, so the width of the glass glue sealing the OLED element is not more than about 0.6 to 0.8 mm. However, for an OLED display device used in a television display, the glass paste width must exceed 2 mm due to its large area to sufficiently seal the OLED element.

2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of a method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste, and FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration example of implementing the method of FIG. 2.

Referring to the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the laser beam L is irradiated to the glass paste 30 by moving the laser beam L in a zigzag manner by using a laser-sealed wide glass paste.

In this example, when the laser beam L is irradiated to the glass paste 30, the laser beam L is reciprocated within the width W of the glass paste 30 in the direction B intersecting the direction A in which the glass paste 30 is applied, and At the same time, the laser beam L is moved in the direction A in which the glass paste 30 is applied to process the glass paste 30. The direction in which the laser beam L reciprocates within the width W of the glass paste 30 may be perpendicular to the direction A in which the glass paste 30 is applied. Here, the treatment of the glass paste 30 is a process in which the laser beam L is irradiated to the glass paste 30 to melt and cure the glass paste 30, and in this manner, the inner region defined by the glass paste 30 is sealed.

Therefore, when the laser beam L linearly moves and reciprocates in a direction intersecting the linear moving direction, the laser beam L moves in a zigzag manner as shown in FIG.

When the laser beam L moves in the zigzag manner along the direction A in which the glass paste 30 is applied, the center LC of the laser beam L may fall within the width W of the glass paste 30. Since the energy of the laser beam L at the center is stronger than the energy at the edge of the laser beam L, the center LC of the laser beam L falls within the width W of the glass glue 30, which is advantageous for the efficiency of melting the glass paste 30.

The laser beam L is moved in a reciprocating manner in a direction B intersecting the direction A in which the glass glue is applied, and can be implemented by the galvanometer scanner 60. The galvanometer scanner 60 can have a mirror coupled to the axis of rotation of the rotating motor such that incident light from the mirror can be emitted in a desired direction by motor rotation. In general, a pair of galvanometer scanners 60 can emit the laser beam L to a desired location on a plane.

In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, since the laser beam L needs to move in a direction B intersecting the direction A of the application of the glass paste 30 in a reciprocating manner in the width W of the glass paste 30, it is used in a reciprocating manner. A galvanometer scanner 60 having low mechanical inertia moves the laser beam L in a reciprocating manner. In particular, since it is necessary to change the direction without the speed variation at both edges of the laser beam L, it is advantageous to use the galvanometer scanner 60 having a low mechanical inertia.

Further, to move the laser beam L in the direction A in which the glass paste 30 is applied, the linear moving unit can directly move the galvanometer scanner 60 or move the substrate 10 to which the glass paste 30 is applied. In order to move the galvanometer scanner 60 mounted in the holder structure or the substrate supporting unit 50 on which the substrate 10 is mounted, a combination of a linear motor, a rotary motor, and a ball screw which are well known to those skilled in the art may be employed, and thus will be omitted Detailed description.

In the above method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste, the laser beam is irradiated in a zigzag manner to cover the lateral width of the glass paste, so that energy can be uniformly supplied over the entire width of the glass paste, thereby improving the width. The sealing performance of glass glue.

Further, according to the above method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste, a galvanometer scanner is used to move the laser beam in a direction intersecting the direction in which the glass glue is applied, while reciprocating the laser beam within the width of the glass paste, so that The direction of the laser beam can be changed without speed fluctuations and without being affected by mechanical inertia. Therefore, the glass glue treatment time can be reduced.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of another example of a method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste, and Figure 5 illustrates a configuration example of implementing the method of Figure 4.

Referring to the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste, at least two laser beams L whose edges are overlapped are irradiated to the glass paste 30. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and FIGS. 2 and 3, elements having the same reference numerals have the same configurations and functions, and thus detailed descriptions will not be repeated.

In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when at least two laser beams L are irradiated to the glass paste 30, the centers LC of the respective laser beams L are separated from each other in a direction B intersecting the direction A in which the glass paste 30 is applied. And the laser beam L is moved in the direction A in which the glass paste 30 is applied to process the glass paste 30. Three or more laser beams separated from each other may be provided and irradiated to the glass paste 30, and in the example shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a pair of laser beams L separated from each other are irradiated to the glass paste 30.

When the laser beam L travels in the direction A in which the glass paste 30 is applied, the center LC of the corresponding laser beam L may fall within the width W of the glass paste 30. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 2, since the energy of the laser beam L at the center LC is stronger than the energy at the edge, positioning the center LC of the laser beam within the width W of the glass glue 30 is advantageous for the efficiency of melting the glass paste 30. .

The pair of laser beams L are moved in the direction A in which the glass glue is applied, while the center LC of the corresponding laser beam L is placed within the width W of the glass paste 30, generally by one of the directions B intersecting the direction A. The fiber 70 is implemented. At this time, the center of each of the optical fibers 70 may fall within the width W of the glass paste 30. The linear moving unit can move the pair of optical fibers 70 mounted on the support structure, or can move the substrate supporting unit 50 on which the substrate is mounted. The linear movement unit can be implemented by a combination of a linear motor, a rotary motor, and a ball screw which are well known to those skilled in the art, and thus detailed description will not be repeated.

As shown in the example shown in FIG. 5, the pair of laser beams 70 having a centrally formed diamond shape can be used to move the pair of laser beams L in the direction A in which the glass paste is applied, while the center LC of the corresponding laser beam L is placed in the glass paste. Width W. In this case, the length of each side of the diamond may be shorter than the width W of the glass paste 30.

The laser beam 70 can be selectively transmitted using the optical fiber 70 in accordance with the shape of the section to which the glass paste 30 is applied.

For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 5(a), for the section in which the glass paste 30 is applied vertically, the laser beam to be irradiated to the glass paste 30 may be transmitted at the center of the fibers 70 of R2 and R3, respectively, and may not be used. A laser beam is transmitted at the center of the remaining fibers 70 of R1 and R4, respectively. In addition, as shown in the example shown in FIG. 5(b), for the section in which the glass paste 30 is applied in a curved manner, the laser beam to be irradiated to the glass paste 30 can be transmitted using the optical fiber 70 whose centers are respectively at R1 and R2, and The laser beam can be transmitted without using the remaining fibers of the center of R3 and R4, respectively. In addition, as shown in the example shown in FIG. 5(c), for the section in which the glass paste 30 is horizontally applied, the laser beam to be irradiated to the glass paste 30 may be transmitted at the center of the fibers 70 of R1 and R4, respectively, and may not be used. The center of the laser beam 70 transmits the laser beam at the remaining fibers 70 of R2 and R3, respectively. Further, a combination of different optical fibers 70 can be used depending on the shape (straight or curved) or direction (vertical or horizontal) of the glass glue 30 applied.

Under consideration of the sealing performance of the glass paste 30, energy (having a flat top energy distribution) can be uniformly applied to the glass paste 30 in a direction B perpendicular to the direction in which the glass paste 30 is applied to melt and cure the glass paste 30. Therefore, when a pair of optical fibers 70 are used to process the glass paste 30, it may be necessary to rotate the optical fibers 70 such that the glass glue 30 is applied vertically, horizontally or in a curved manner, and the dashed line connecting the centers of the two optical fibers 70 can be applied with the glass glue. The direction A of 30 is vertical. However, as shown in FIG. 5, four optical fibers 70 are arranged such that their centers form a diamond shape, so that the optical fiber 70 transmitting the laser beam L can be selected depending on the shape or direction of the application glass paste 30, and the rotating optical fiber 70 is not required. .

As described above, in the method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste, a plurality of mutually separated laser beams are disposed along the width direction of the glass paste to correspond to the lateral width of the glass paste, and the laser beam is emitted to the glass paste. Provides uniform energy to improve the sealing performance of wide glass glue.

In addition, the above method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste selects an optical fiber for transmitting a laser beam from among four optical fibers according to the shape or direction of applying the glass paste, so that it is not necessary to install an additional component to rotate the optical fiber, and thereby simplifying The overall equipment structure.

Figure 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of another example of a method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste, and Figure 7 illustrates a configuration example of implementing the method of Figure 6.

Referring to the examples shown in Figures 6 and 7, a laser beam that homogenizes the energy distribution is emitted to the glass paste using a method of laser sealing a wide glass paste. In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and FIGS. 2 to 5, elements having the same reference numerals have the same configurations and functions, and thus detailed description of these elements will not be repeated.

In the example shown in Figures 6 and 7, the diffractive optical element (DOE) lens 80 treats the glass glue 30 by having a flat top cross-sectional energy distribution in a direction B intersecting the direction A of the application glass glue 30. The laser beam L is emitted to the glass paste 30 while moving the laser beam L in the direction A.

The DOE lens 80 is an optical element that converts a laser beam having a Gaussian energy distribution into a laser beam having a flat top energy distribution or a semi-flat top energy distribution. A device that converts a beam having a Gaussian distribution into a beam having a flat top or semi-flat top energy distribution is referred to as a homogenizer, and the DOE lens 80 is a homogenizer.

The laser beam L from the DOE lens 80 may have a rectangular cross section, as shown in the example shown in Fig. 7(a), or have a linear cross section, as shown in the example shown in Fig. 7(b).

As described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the method of using a laser-sealed wide glass paste, a laser beam having a flat top energy distribution is emitted across the width of the glass paste corresponding to the width of the glass paste, and The way is to provide energy evenly over the entire width of the glass glue. Therefore, the sealing performance of the glass glue can be improved.

Several examples have been described above. However, it should be understood that various modifications can be made. For example, if the techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if the components in the system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in different ways and/or replaced or supplemented with other components or equivalents thereof, Achieve the appropriate results. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

10. . . Substrate

20. . . OLED component

30. . . Glass glue

40. . . Mask

50. . . Support unit

60. . . Galvanometer scanner

70. . . optical fiber

80. . . Diffractive optical element (DOE) lens

A. . . Direction of applying glass glue

B. . . The direction intersecting the direction A in which the glass glue is applied

L. . . Laser beam

LC. . . Laser beam center

W. . . width

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a general method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste.

2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method of sealing a wide glass paste using a laser.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of implementing the method shown in FIG.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of implementing the method shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of implementing the method shown in Fig. 6.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements will be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

30. . . Glass glue

A. . . Direction of applying glass glue

B. . . The direction intersecting the direction A in which the glass glue is applied

L. . . Laser beam

LC. . . Laser beam center

W. . . width

Claims (1)

A method of using a laser to seal a wide glass paste, the method comprising: emitting at least two laser beams to the glass paste, the centers of the two laser beams being separated from one another in a direction intersecting one of the directions in which the glass glue is applied, Simultaneously moving the laser beam in the direction in which the glass glue is applied; wherein when the laser beam is emitted to the glass paste, the center of the respective laser beam is within a width of the glass paste, and wherein Four arrangements are used to form a diamond-shaped fiber at the center, a length of each side of the diamond falling within a width of the glass paste, and a section of the glass glue applied thereto linearly thereon or in a curved manner A section of the glass paste is applied through at least two of the four fibers to emit the laser beam to the glass paste.