TWI494027B - Electrostatic discharge apparatus and method of operating the same - Google Patents

Description

Electrostatic discharge device and method of operating same

The present invention relates to the field of liquid crystal display panels, and more particularly to an electrostatic discharge technology of a liquid crystal display panel having a touch function.

With the rapid development of display technology, various touch technologies have emerged as people bring new visual experiences. Mainly to reduce the thickness of the device and reduce the weight of the device, there are various touch technologies such as resistive and capacitive. The current popular capacitive touch technology is gradually omitting the development of the touch panel, that is, the integrated touch sensor (ITS) of the touch sensor and the display panel.

It is well known that objects are separated from each other and contact, in which one object loses free electrons into positively charged objects, and the other object gets free electrons into negatively charged objects. This static electricity generation process becomes frictional electrification. (Triboelectric Charging). The generation of static electricity is generally based on the following mechanisms: object contact separation, physical destruction, electric field induction, and attachment of charged ions. In the entire process of the touch panel, the conductive layer including the touch electrode layer is mostly floating, and the electrostatic charge generated by the touch panel is continuously accumulated. If not processed in time, the electrostatic charge is accumulated. After a certain degree, a discharge phenomenon occurs, which may cause unpredictable damage to the touch electrode or to the display panel. harm. How to eliminate the static electricity of the liquid crystal display panel with touch function in a timely and convenient manner is a problem to be improved in the production process in the industry.

In view of the above problems, it is necessary to provide an electrostatic discharge device that can quickly remove static electricity from the touch panel.

A first embodiment of the present invention provides an electrostatic discharge device for discharging static electricity of a liquid crystal display panel with a touch function. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor substrate. The color filter substrate has a first surface facing away from the thin film transistor array substrate, and a touch electrode layer is formed on the first surface. The electrostatic discharge device includes an electrostatic discharge body and an electrostatic current guiding circuit. The electrostatic discharge body has an electrostatic contact surface. One end of the electrostatic current guiding circuit is electrically connected to the other surface of the electrostatic discharge body facing away from the electrostatic contact surface, and the other end is electrically connected to a discharge end to form a charge release path. In particular, the electrostatic discharge body is selected from an elastic conductive material.

A first embodiment of the present invention provides an electrostatic discharge device for discharging static electricity of a liquid crystal display panel with a touch function. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor substrate, the color filter substrate has a first surface facing away from the thin film transistor array substrate, and the thin film transistor array substrate has a second surface facing the color filter substrate The second surface includes a peripheral line region, and at least the first touch electrode layer or the second touch electrode layer is formed on the first surface and the second surface. The electrostatic discharge device includes an electrostatic discharge body and an electrostatic current guiding circuit. The electrostatic discharge body includes a static contact surface. A conductive bump is disposed adjacent to or aligned with one side of the electrostatic contact surface, the first height of the conductive bump perpendicular to the electrostatic contact surface, and a first width parallel to the electrostatic contact surface. One end of an electrostatic current guiding circuit is electrically connected to The electrostatic contact surface faces away from the other surface of the electrostatic discharge body, and the other end is electrically connected to a discharge end to form a charge release path. In particular, the electrostatic discharge body is selected from an elastic conductive material.

The present invention provides a method of operating an electrostatic discharge device as in the above first embodiment. In the first step, the electrostatic contact surface of the electrostatic discharge body is aligned with the first surface of the color filter substrate. In the second step, the electrostatic contact surface is closely attached to the touch electrode layer. In the third step, the electrostatic discharge device is detached from the liquid crystal display panel.

The present invention provides a method of operating an electrostatic discharge device as in the second embodiment described above. In the first step, the electrostatic contact surface of the electrostatic discharge body is aligned with the first surface of the color filter substrate, and the conductive bumps are aligned with the peripheral circuit regions of the thin film transistor array substrate. In the second step, the entire surface of the electrostatic contact surface is closely attached to the first touch electrode layer, and the conductive bumps are closely adhered to the peripheral lines. In the third step, the electrostatic discharge device is detached from the liquid crystal display panel.

Compared with the prior art, the electrostatic discharge device can directly contact the touch electrode layer on the liquid crystal display panel to effectively improve the electrostatic discharge area. In addition, a DC bias voltage source can be added to provide a positive or negative voltage to accelerate the release of electrostatic charge and reduce the defect rate.

1, 6‧‧‧ Electrostatic discharge device

2, 3‧‧‧ LCD panel

11, 61‧‧‧ Electrostatic release body

111, 611‧‧‧ electrostatic contact surface

112, 612‧‧‧ contact surface

12, 62‧‧‧Electrostatic diversion circuit

13, 63‧‧‧DC bias voltage source

14, 64‧‧‧ discharge end

20, 80‧‧‧ color filter substrate

30, 90‧‧‧ Thin film transistor array substrate

901‧‧‧ Peripheral area

40, 70a, 70b‧‧‧ touch electrode layer

65‧‧‧Electrical bumps

e‧‧‧Electrostatic charge

H1, H2‧‧‧ height

W1, W2‧‧‧ width

1 is a schematic structural view of an electrostatic discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an operation of discharging a liquid crystal display panel by an electrostatic discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a first embodiment of the present invention; A flow chart of an operation method for discharging a liquid crystal display panel by an electrostatic discharge device; 4 is a schematic structural view of an electrostatic discharge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an operation of electrostatic discharge of a liquid crystal display panel by an electrostatic discharge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of the present invention; A flow chart of the operation of electrostatic discharge of the liquid crystal display panel by the electrostatic discharge device.

The invention will now be further described in detail in conjunction with the drawings.

1 is a schematic view showing the structure of an electrostatic discharge device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The electrostatic discharge device 1 includes an electrostatic discharge body 11, an electrostatic flow guiding circuit 12, and a direct current bias source 13 (Direct Current Bias Supplier). The electrostatic discharge body 11 is used for contacting a static-charged object, and includes an electrostatic contact surface 111. The electrostatic contact surface 111 can be a square shape, but is not limited thereto, and the area thereof can also be determined according to actual needs, such as the size of the substrate to be processed. The size is equivalent, the material can be conductive silicone or conductive rubber or other conductive elastic material. In addition to the electrostatic contact surface 111, the other faces of the electrostatic discharge body 11 may be decoratively packaged with other insulating materials. The electrostatic conducting circuit 12 electrically connects the electrostatic contact surface 111 to a discharge end 14 . The electrostatic flow guiding circuit 12 can be an actual cable or other similar electrically conductive component. The DC bias voltage source 13 can be a power supply that provides a positive or negative voltage for accelerating the release of static electricity. The DC bias voltage source 13 is electrically connected in series between the electrostatic discharge body 11 and the discharge end 14 . That is, one end of the DC bias voltage source 13 is electrically connected to the other surface 112 of the electrostatic discharge body 11 that faces away from the electrostatic contact surface 111 via the electrostatic conduction circuit 12, and the other end is directly electrically connected via the static electricity guiding circuit 12. Connected to the discharge end 14. In this embodiment, the discharge end 14 can be grounded to a zero potential end. According to the actual situation, the DC bias voltage source 13 is selected to provide a positive voltage or a negative voltage to make the static The electrostatic charge of the electric discharge body 11 which is higher or lower than the potential of the discharge end 14 is accelerated to flow toward the discharge end 14 and is completely released.

2 is a schematic view showing the operation of discharging the liquid crystal display panel 2 by the electrostatic discharge device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The liquid crystal display panel 2 includes a color filter (CF) substrate 20 and a Thin Film Transistor Array (TFT Array) substrate 30 disposed opposite to the color filter substrate 20. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is sandwiched between the color filter substrate 20 and the thin film transistor array substrate 30, and is bonded by a sealant 50. The color filter substrate 20 includes a first surface that faces away from the thin film transistor array substrate 20. A touch electrode layer 40 is formed on the first surface of the color filter substrate 20. In one embodiment, the touch electrode layer 40 is made of a transparent conductive metal oxide such as Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO), Indium-Zinc Oxide (IZO), or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the touch electrode layer 40 can also be made of a metal such as copper or the like. In this embodiment, since the color filter substrate 20 is insulated and suspended, the electrostatic charge e accumulated by the touch electrode layer 40 cannot be released in time in the front end process.

3 is a flow chart showing an operation method of discharging the liquid crystal display panel 2 by the electrostatic discharge device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 together, the method includes the following steps:

In step S11, the electrostatic contact surface 111 of the electrostatic discharge body 11 is aligned with the first surface of the color filter substrate 20.

In step S12, the entire surface of the electrostatic contact surface 111 is closely attached to the touch electrode layer 40. At this time, the touch electrode layer 40, the electrostatic discharge body 11, the electrostatic current guiding circuit 12, and the DC bias The voltage source 13 and the discharge terminal 14 form a charge release path until the electrostatic charge e accumulated on the touch electrode layer 40 is completely released. In the present embodiment, since the electrostatic contact surface 111 is made of a conductive elastic material, the entire surface of the electrostatic contact surface 111 is in close contact with the touch electrode layer 40, and electrostatic discharge can be quickly and safely achieved.

In step S13, the electrostatic discharge main body 11 is detached from the liquid crystal display panel 2.

In an alternative embodiment, the DC bias voltage source 13 can be omitted if there is no need to accelerate electrostatic discharge.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the configuration of an electrostatic discharge device 6 of a second embodiment of the present invention. The electrostatic discharge device 6 includes an electrostatic discharge body 61 having a conductive function, a conductive bump 65, an electrostatic flow guiding circuit 62, and a DC bias voltage source 63.

The electrostatic discharge body 61 is for contacting a charged electrostatic object, and includes an electrostatic contact surface 611. The conductive bumps 65 are electrically connected to the electrostatic contact surface 611 and disposed adjacent to or aligned with one side of the electrostatic contact surface 611. The conductive bump 65 has a first height H1 perpendicular to the electrostatic contact surface 611 and a first width W1 parallel to the electrostatic contact surface 611. In this embodiment, the electrostatic contact surface 611 can be a square shape, but is not limited thereto, and the area thereof can also be determined according to actual needs, for example, the size of the substrate to be processed. The electrostatic discharge body 61 can be a conductive silicone or conductive rubber or other electrically conductive elastic material. In addition to the electrostatic contact surface 611, the other faces of the electrostatic discharge body 61 may be decoratively packaged with other insulating materials. In the present embodiment, the conductive bump 65 is made of the same material as the electrostatic discharge body 61.

One end of the DC bias voltage source 63 is electrically connected to the other surface 612 of the electrostatic discharge body 61 that faces away from the electrostatic contact surface 611 via the electrostatic conduction circuit 62 , and the other end is directly electrically connected via the electrostatic conduction circuit 62 . To the discharge end 64. That is, the DC bias The voltage source 63 is electrically connected in series between the electrostatic discharge body 61 and the discharge end 64 via the electrostatic flow guiding circuit 62.

In this embodiment, the discharge end 64 can be grounded to zero potential. According to the actual situation, the DC bias voltage source 13 selectively supplies a positive voltage or a negative voltage so that the electrostatic charge of the electrostatic discharge body 61 is accelerated to flow toward the discharge end 14 and is completely released.

In the present embodiment. The electrostatic flow guiding circuit 62 can be an actual cable or other similar electrically conductive component. The DC bias voltage source 63 is a power supply for accelerating the release of static electricity and providing a positive or negative voltage.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the operation of electrostatic discharge of the liquid crystal display panel 3 by the electrostatic discharge device 6 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The liquid crystal display panel 3 includes a color filter substrate 80 and a thin film transistor array substrate 90 disposed opposite thereto. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is sandwiched between the color filter substrate 80 and the thin film transistor array substrate 90, and is bonded by the sealant 100. The color filter substrate 80 includes a first surface that faces away from the thin film transistor array substrate 90. The first surface is formed with a first touch electrode layer 70a. The thin film transistor array substrate 90 includes a second surface facing the color filter substrate 80. The second surface of the sealant 100 is formed with a second touch electrode layer 70b. The second surface is located outside the sealant 100, that is, from the outside of the sealant 100 to the edge of the thin film transistor array substrate 90 is defined as a peripheral line region 901 on which peripheral traces (not shown) are disposed. The peripheral trace is electrically connected to the second touch electrode layer 70b to electrically lead the second touch electrode layer 70b, thereby facilitating the installation of the later driver chip. In addition, in the embodiment, the peripheral trace is also used to release the static electricity of the second touch electrode layer 70b.

In this embodiment, from the outside of the sealant 100 to the edge of the thin film transistor array substrate 90 The distance has a second width W2. The second width W2 is less than or equal to the first width W1 of the conductive bump 65. The distance between the first touch electrode layer 70a and the second touch electrode layer 70b is defined as a second height H2. The second height H2 is slightly less than or equal to the aforementioned first height H1.

In one embodiment, the first touch electrode layer 70a and the second touch electrode layer 70b are made of a transparent conductive metal oxide such as Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) or Indium-Zinc Oxide (Indium-Zinc Oxide, IZO) and other components. In an alternative embodiment, the first touch electrode layer 70a and the second touch electrode layer 70b are also made of a metal such as copper.

Since the color filter substrate 80 and the thin film transistor array substrate 90 are both insulated and suspended, the electrostatic charge e accumulated by the first touch electrode layer 70a and the second touch electrode layer 70b cannot be released in time in the front end process. . Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of electrostatic discharge of the liquid crystal display panel 3 by the electrostatic discharge device 6 of the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the method includes the following steps:

In step S21, the electrostatic contact surface 611 of the electrostatic discharge body 61 is aligned with the first surface of the color filter substrate 80, and the conductive bumps 65 are aligned with the peripheral wiring region 901 of the thin film transistor array substrate 90.

In step S22, the entire surface of the electrostatic contact surface 511 is closely attached to the first touch electrode layer 70a, and the conductive bumps 65 are closely adhered to the peripheral lines (not shown) to electrically connect to the first through the peripheral traces. Two touch electrode layers 70b. At this time, the first touch electrode layer 70a, the electrostatic discharge body 61, the electrostatic current guiding circuit 62, the DC bias voltage source 63, and the discharge end 64 constitute a first charge release path. The second touch electrode layer 70b, the peripheral line region 901, the conductive bump 65, the electrostatic discharge body 61, the electrostatic current guiding circuit 62, the DC bias voltage source 63, and the discharge terminal 64 constitute a second charge release path until the first touch The electrostatic charge e accumulated on the control electrode layer 70a and the second touch electrode layer 70b is completely released. . In the present embodiment, since the electrostatic contact surface 611 is made of a conductive and elastic material, the electrostatic contact surface is in contact with the entire surface of the electrostatic contact surface 611 and the touch electrode layer 40, so that electrostatic discharge can be quickly and safely achieved.

In step S23, the electrostatic discharge device 61 is detached from the liquid crystal display panel 3.

In an alternate embodiment, the DC bias voltage source 63 can be omitted if there is no need to accelerate electrostatic discharge.

The present invention has disclosed the electrostatic discharge device by the above embodiments, which can quickly and effectively eliminate static electricity and prevent damage caused by electrostatic discharge to the substrate. However, the above embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any one skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope is defined.

3‧‧‧LCD panel

6‧‧‧Electrostatic release device

80‧‧‧Color filter substrate

90‧‧‧Film transistor array substrate

100‧‧‧Box glue

901‧‧‧ Peripheral area

70a, 70b‧‧‧ touch electrode layer

61‧‧‧Electrostatic release body

611‧‧‧ electrostatic contact surface

612‧‧‧Contact surface

62‧‧‧Electrostatic diversion circuit

63‧‧‧DC bias voltage source

64‧‧‧Discharge end

65‧‧‧Electrical bumps

e‧‧‧Electrostatic charge

Claims (12)

An electrostatic discharge device for releasing static electricity of a liquid crystal display panel, the liquid crystal display panel comprising a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor substrate, the color filter substrate having a first surface facing away from the thin film transistor array substrate, the thin film transistor The array substrate has a second surface facing the color filter substrate, the second surface includes a peripheral line region, and at least a first touch electrode layer or a second touch electrode layer is formed on the first surface and the second surface, the electrostatic discharge device The utility model is characterized in that: an electrostatic discharge body comprises an electrostatic contact surface; and an electrostatic current guiding circuit, one end is electrically connected to the other surface of the electrostatic discharge body facing away from the electrostatic contact surface, and the other end is electrically connected to A discharge end forms a charge release path; wherein the electrostatic discharge body is selected from an elastic conductive material. The electrostatic discharge device of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic contact surface is square. The electrostatic discharge device of claim 1, wherein the elastic conductive material is selected from the group consisting of conductive silicone or conductive rubber. The electrostatic discharge device of claim 1, wherein the discharge end is grounded. The electrostatic discharge device of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic flow guiding circuit comprises a DC bias voltage source. The electrostatic discharge device of claim 5, wherein the DC bias voltage source can provide a positive voltage or a negative voltage. The electrostatic discharge device of claim 1, further comprising a conductive bump disposed adjacent to or aligned with a side of the electrostatic contact surface and including a first height perpendicular to the electrostatic contact surface, And a first width parallel to the electrostatic contact surface. The electrostatic discharge device of claim 7, wherein the conductive bump is selected from the group consisting of an elastic conductive material. The method for operating an electrostatic discharge device according to claim 1, comprising: first, aligning the electrostatic contact surface of the electrostatic discharge body with the first surface of the color filter substrate; The electrostatic contact surface is closely adhered to the first touch electrode layer formed on the first surface; in the third step, the electrostatic discharge device is detached from the liquid crystal display panel. An operation method of an electrostatic discharge device according to claim 7, wherein the operation method comprises: first, aligning the first surface with the conductive contact surface while the electrostatic contact surface is aligned with the first surface a second surface; in the second step, the conductive bump is closely adhered to the peripheral line region of the second surface while the electrostatic contact surface is closely adhered to the first touch electrode layer formed on the first surface; , the electrostatic discharge device is detached from the liquid crystal display panel. The method of operating an electrostatic discharge device according to claim 10, wherein the conductive bump is selected from the group consisting of an elastic conductive material. The method of operating the electrostatic discharge device of claim 10, wherein the first width is greater than or equal to a width of the peripheral line region, the first height being equal to the first touch electrode layer and the second touch electrode layer. The distance between them.