TWI593553B - Apparatus for manufacturing flexible display device and method of manufacturing flexible display device using the same - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device and manufacturing flexibility using the same Method of displaying device

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device and a method of manufacturing a flexible display device therewith.

Nowadays, flexible display devices having a thin, flexible substrate and a flexible substrate made of a material such as plastic have been developed. The flexible display device can be bent or crimped into a crimped configuration to optimize its carrying characteristics and can be applied to a variety of fields.

The flexible display device includes a display element disposed on a flexible substrate. The display element for the flexible display device may include, for example, an organic light emitting diode display device, a liquid crystal display device, an electrophoretic display device (EPD), or the like.

The display elements typically comprise a thin film transistor. Therefore, the flexible substrate requires several thin film processes to form a thin film transistor.

Further, the flexible substrate that has undergone several film processes is sealed by the package substrate. The flexible substrate, the thin film transistor formed on the flexible substrate, and the package substrate constitute a display panel of the flexible display device.

Generally, a flexible display device is manufactured by attaching a display panel to a bottom of a window for protecting the display panel. In this case, the display panel and the window are adhered by a double-sided adhesive type adhesive (for example, OCA, optical clear adhesive) between the display panel and the window.

However, in the process of attaching the display panel to the lower surface of the window, the upper surface of the display panel and the lower surface of the window are not uniformly pressed, so bubbles or the like will be generated between the display panel and the window. In the process of manufacturing a flexible display device, bubbles generated between the display panel and the window will become a factor that causes significant inferior quality.

The above information disclosed in this (Prior Art) section is only for enhancement of the prior art of the present invention, and thus it may contain information known to those of ordinary skill in the art and which does not necessarily form prior art.

The present invention has been made in an effort to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device which can be used to attach a display panel and a window during manufacture of a flexible display device so that bubbles or the like do not overlap each other Produced between the attached display panel and the window; and a method of manufacturing the flexible display device using the same.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device, comprising: a first fixing portion, a window for protecting the display panel is fixed to one side surface of the first fixing portion; and a second fixing portion, It is formed of a resilient material having a restoring force, and the second fixing portion has a side surface of a convex curved shape having a predetermined radius of curvature, wherein the display panel attached to the lower surface of the window is fixed to one side of the convex curved surface a surface; and a body, the body is provided with a second fixing portion. Wherein, when the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion move closer to each other, when the display panel is attached to the lower surface of the window, the display panel may be attached to the lower portion of the window first.

In this case, one side surface of the first fixing portion has a concave curved shape of a predetermined radius of curvature, and a predetermined radius of curvature of one side surface of the first fixing portion is larger than a predetermined radius of curvature of one side surface of the second fixing portion.

Simultaneously, the second fixing portion may be detachably disposed on the body.

Simultaneously, a plurality of suction holes for taking in air may be formed on one side surface of the second fixing portion to attach the display panel to one side surface of the second fixing portion.

In this case, a plurality of suction holes may be formed at the edge of one side surface of the second fixing portion.

In this case, the diameter of the suction hole may not exceed 0.5 mm.

Simultaneously, a perforation communicating with a plurality of suction holes may be formed in the body.

Simultaneously, the second fixing portion may be made of a silicone or a rubber.

Simultaneously, the first fixing portion can move in the up and down direction.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a flexible display device, comprising the steps of: fixing a window to one side surface of a first fixing portion, and protecting a window of the display panel to the side surface; Fixing the display panel to one side surface of the second fixing portion, the second fixing portion is formed of an elastic material having a restoring force, and one side surface of the second fixing portion has a convex curved shape having a predetermined radius of curvature; A fixing portion and the second fixing portion move closer to each other to attach the display panel to the lower surface of the window; wherein the display panel may be attached to the lower portion of the window first.

In this case, a plurality of suction holes for taking in air may be formed on one side surface of the second fixing portion and the display panel may suck air through a plurality of suction holes to be attached to one side surface of the second fixing portion.

In this case, the method of manufacturing the flexible display device further includes the step of stopping the intake of air by the plurality of suction holes in the case where the display panel has been entirely attached to the lower surface of the window.

In this case, the method of manufacturing the flexible display device further includes the step of separating the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion from each other after the plurality of suction holes stop sucking in air.

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device and a method of manufacturing the flexible display device of the present invention, the display panel and the window are uniformly attached so as not to cause bubbles or the like to be generated between the display panel and the window possible.

10‧‧‧ window

100‧‧‧First Fixed Department

110‧‧‧One side surface of the first fixed part

30‧‧‧ display panel

300‧‧‧Second fixed department

310‧‧‧One side surface of the second fixed part

330‧‧‧Inhalation hole

350‧‧‧Combined protrusion

500‧‧‧ ontology

510‧‧‧Perforation

530‧‧‧ slots

R1, R2‧‧‧ radius of curvature

S100, S200, S300, S400, S500‧‧‧ steps

1 is an exploded perspective view of a manufacturing apparatus of a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a side view of an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the second fixing portion of the apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device of Fig. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a process of manufacturing a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a side view showing the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion each having a predetermined radius of curvature.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method of fabricating a flexible display device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

A more complete description of the embodiments of the present invention will be given by the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. The drawings and the description of the embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a device for manufacturing a flexible display device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a side view of an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the second fixing portion of the apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device of Fig. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 together, an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method for attaching a display panel to a lower surface of a window for protecting a display panel. A flexible display device constructed. The flexible display device includes a first fixing portion 100, a second fixing portion 300, and a body 500.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, the first fixing portion 100 is fixed to the window 10 attached to the upper surface of the display panel of the flexible display device. In this case, the upper surface of the window 10 is fixed to one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1 may have various shapes to connect the window 10 corresponding to the sectional shape of the window 10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the sectional area of the window 10 is formed such that the both ends of the window 10 have a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature, one of the first fixing portions 100 The cross-sectional area shape of the side surface 110 may be formed such that both ends of the first fixing portion 100 have a curved surface of a predetermined radius of curvature.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, the central portion of one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 has a flat plate shape, but should not be limited thereto. In the case where the material of the window 10 is formed of an elastic material, the central portion of one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 may be a curved surface shape having a predetermined radius of curvature so that the display panel 30 can be easily attached to The lower surface of the window 10. The detailed structure will be described below.

In this case, the first fixing portion 100 may include a plurality of suction holes (not shown) formed on one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 to fix the window 10 to the first fixing portion. One side surface 110 of 100. The plurality of suction holes formed in the first fixing portion 100 can suck air into the first fixing portion 100 to attach and fix the window 10 to one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100.

Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first fixing portion 100 is movable in the up and down direction so that the window 10 fixed to the first fixing portion 100 is attached to the upper surface of the display panel 30.

In this case, the first fixing portion 100 can be coupled with a moving tool (not shown) so that the first fixing portion 100 can move in the up and down direction. For example, the moving tool can be a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

Simultaneously, the display panel 30 attached to the lower surface of the window 10 may be fixed to the second fixing portion 300. In this case, the display panel 30 can be fixed to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300. One side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 is a curved shape having a predetermined radius of curvature.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cross-sectional area of one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 may be a semicircular shape. In this case, the display panel 30 can be attached to the second solid One side surface 310 of the fixed portion 300. That is, the display panel 30 can be completely identically curved according to the sectional shape of the side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 to be closely attached and fixed to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 may have a curved shape of a predetermined radius of curvature, so that the lower surface of the window 10 and the entire upper surface of the display panel 30 may not be simultaneously attached. Attached.

More precisely, if the lower surface of the window 10 and the entire upper surface of the display panel 30 are attached at the same time, air bubbles and the like are easily generated between the window 10 and the display panel 30. Therefore, in order to prevent this from occurring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, only the center portion of the display panel 30 having the one side surface 310 having the curved surface fixed to the second fixing portion 300 is attached to the window first. 10 below the center.

In this case, the second fixing portion 300 may be formed of an elastic material having a restoring force. As shown in FIG. 4, in the case where the second fixing portion 300 is formed of an elastic material having a restoring force, the first fixing portion 100 and the second fixing portion 300 may be allowed to gradually approach each other, and at the first In the process in which the fixing portion 100 and the second fixing portion 300 are gradually approaching each other, since the sectional shape of the second fixing portion 300 can be changed, the second fixing portion 300 can be based on the lower center portion of the window 10 along the window The lower surface of 10 is gradually attached to the window 10.

That is, the display panel 30 fixed to the one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 having the curved surface is attached to the lower central portion of the window 10 first, and then attached to the entire lower surface of the window 10. Thereafter, the display panel 30 can be attached to both ends of the lower surface of the window 10 from the central portion of the lower surface of the window 10 by the lower surface of the window 10 for attachment.

Simultaneously, the second fixing portion 300 is formed of an elastic material having a restoring force. If the first fixing portion 100 and the second fixing portion 300 are separated from each other, the second fixing portion 300 can be restored to the original configuration. That is, the second fixing portion 300 has a side surface of the curved surface Face 310 will revert to the predetermined radius of curvature originally possessed.

In this case, the second fixing portion 300 may be made of silicone or rubber, but should not be limited thereto. The second fixing portion 300 may be attached to one side surface of the first fixing portion 100 to change the shape of the second fixing portion 300, and when the first fixing portion 100 and the second fixing portion 300 are separated from each other, the second fixing portion 300 The material used is such that the second fixing portion 300 returns to its original shape.

The entire second fixing portion 300 may be formed of an elastic material for restoring the force, or in other exemplary embodiments, only the area in contact with the display panel 30 may be formed by the resilient material of the restoring force, and the bottom portion. The material for supporting the above-mentioned area in contact with the display panel 30 may be a hard material.

In addition, in another exemplary embodiment, the second fixing portion 300 may first contact the lower portion of the window 10 and then extend to both ends as before, and may be applied to the area in contact with the display panel 30 by applying the shape memory material. Press and attach again. When the shape of the corresponding window 10 is pressed and attached, the error of pressing can be reduced due to the application of the shape memory material.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, as described above, in a case where one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 has a curved shape of a predetermined radius of curvature, a predetermined radius of curvature of one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 R1 is formed to be larger than a predetermined radius of curvature R2 of one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300.

The first fixing portion 100 is given a different curvature from the second fixing portion 300 in order to allow the display panel 30 to be attached to the lower center of the window 10 when the display panel 30 is attached to the lower surface of the window 10. Then, the display panel 30 is simultaneously extended continuously along both ends of the lower surface of the window 10.

If the predetermined radius of curvature R1 of one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 is smaller than a predetermined radius of curvature R2 of one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300, Before the end of the step of attaching the display panel 30 to the area of the entire window 10, both ends of the window 10 will be attached to the display panel 30 first, and thus bubbles are easily formed between the both ends and the middle portion of the window 10. Risk.

Accordingly, in order to prevent air bubbles from appearing between the window 10 and the display panel 30 during the process of attaching the display panel 30 to the window 10, the predetermined radius of curvature R1 of one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 is greater than the second ratio. The predetermined radius of curvature R2 of one side surface 310 of the fixing portion 300.

Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second fixing portion 300 is detachably disposed on the body 500. Therefore, the second fixing portion 300 having a plurality of sizes can be alternately disposed on the body 500.

For example, the second fixing portion 300 can have different sizes, that is, the second fixing portion 300 having different curvature radii can be disposed on the body 500 according to the size of the flexible display device to be manufactured. .

Referring to FIG. 3 , a plurality of suction holes 330 may be formed on one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 .

The plurality of suction holes 330 can take in air from the outside to the second fixing portion 300. Therefore, the display panel 30 can be attached and fixed to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300.

Therefore, in the process of manufacturing the flexible display device, before the display panel 30 is attached to the lower surface of the window 10, the display panel 30 can be sucked into the air by the plurality of suction holes 330 to be fixed to the second fixing portion 300. One side surface 310.

In this case, the plurality of suction holes 330 may be evenly distributed to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300. That is, the plurality of suction holes 330 may be distributed at a fixed pitch to one side surface 310 of the entire second fixing portion 300.

However, the manner in which the plurality of suction holes 330 are distributed is not limited thereto, and the plurality of suction holes 330 may be formed only at the edge of one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300.

The above arrangement is for preventing the display panel 30 fixed to the one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 from being attached to the lower surface of the window 10, and both ends of the display panel 30 are from the one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300. Separation. If both ends of the display panel 30 are separated from the one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 during the attaching process, both ends of the window 10 will be attached to the display panel 30 first, so that the air bubbles are easy to be The window 10 is formed in the display panel 30.

In this case, the plurality of suction holes 330 may have a diameter of not more than 0.5 mm. However, the diameter of the suction hole 330 should not be limited thereto, and the suction hole 330 may be formed in an appropriate size so that the display panel 30 is attached and fixed to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 without being broken or damaged. .

Referring back to FIG. 1, the body 500 is detachably assembled with the second fixing portion 300 as described above. In this case, the slot 530 may be formed in the body 500 to fix and join the second fixing portion 300.

More specifically, the combined protrusion 350 having a protruding shape and which can be inserted and fixed to the slot 530 of the body 500 may be formed on one side of the second fixing portion 300. Therefore, when the window 10 and the display panel 30 are attached, the second fixing portion 300 is firmly fixed to the body by inserting and fixing the combined protrusion 350 of the second fixing portion 300 into the slot 530 of the body 500. 500 without swaying.

Simultaneously, the through hole 510 connected to the suction hole 330 of the second fixing portion 300 may be formed on the body 500. The through hole 510 may communicate with the suction hole 330 of the second fixing portion 300 to allow the suction hole 330 to take in air from the outside.

In this case, a pump (not shown) may be coupled to one side of the body 500 to draw in air through the perforations 510.

In the following, please refer to FIG. 6, which discloses a method of manufacturing a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a method of manufacturing a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may start from the fixed window 10 to one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 (step S100).

Next, the display panel 30 attached to the lower surface of the window 10 can be fixed to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 having a curved shape of a predetermined radius of curvature (step S200). In this case, as described above, the display panel 30 can fix the display panel 30 to the second fixing portion 300 by sucking air by a plurality of suction holes 330 formed on one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300. One of the side surfaces 310.

However, the step of fixing the window 10 to one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 (step S100) and the step of fixing the display panel 30 to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 (step S200) Can be changed. That is, the step of fixing one side surface 310 of the display panel 30 to the second fixing portion 300 may be performed before the step of fixing the window 10 to one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100.

Further, after the window 10 is fixed to one side surface 110 of the first fixing portion 100 and the display panel 30 is fixed to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300, the first fixing portion 100 and the second fixing portion 300 move closer to each other (Step S300).

In this case, when the first fixing portion 100 and the second fixing portion 300 move toward each other, the display panel 30 fixed to one side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 is first attached to the first fixing. The lower central portion of the window 10 of one of the side surfaces 110 of the portion 100.

When the first fixing portion 100 and the second fixing portion 300 gradually move toward each other, the side surface 310 of the second fixing portion 300 formed of the resilient material having the restoring force is attached to the lower surface of the window 10. . In this case, when the sectional shape of the second fixing portion 300 is Alternatively, the second fixing portion 300 will be attached to the lower central portion of the window 10 first, and then continuously attached to both ends of the window 10.

Next, after the attachment of the display panel 30 and the window 10 is completed, the intake of air by the plurality of suction holes 330 is stopped (step S400). Therefore, the display panel 30 can be separated from the second fixing portion 300.

Next, the first fixing portion 100 and the second fixing portion 300 are separated from each other (step S500) to complete attachment of the window 10 and the display panel 30. In this case, due to the characteristic of the restoring force of the elastic material, the second fixing portion 300 can return its curved shape to a state of a predetermined radius of curvature originally possessed.

An apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device and a method of manufacturing the same according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display panel 30 is attached to the lower central portion of the window 10, and then From the lower central portion of the window 10, extending along both ends of the window 10 and continuous attachment, air bubbles can be prevented from occurring between the window 10 and the display panel 30. Therefore, in the process of manufacturing the flexible display device, the manufacturing defect rate of the flexible display device can be lowered.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in terms of specific exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications and equivalent configurations within the scope.

10‧‧‧ window

100‧‧‧First Fixed Department

110‧‧‧One side surface of the first fixed part

30‧‧‧ display panel

300‧‧‧Second fixed department

310‧‧‧One side surface of the second fixed part

330‧‧‧Inhalation hole

350‧‧‧Combined protrusion

500‧‧‧ ontology

510‧‧‧Perforation

530‧‧‧ slots

Claims (13)

An apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device, comprising: a first fixing portion, wherein a window for protecting a display panel is fixed to one side surface of the first fixing portion; and a second fixing portion is Forming an elastic material having a restoring force and having a side surface having a convex curved shape having a predetermined radius of curvature, wherein the display panel attached to a lower surface of the window is fixed to the side of the convex curved shape a surface; and a body, the second fixing portion is disposed therein; wherein, when the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion move closer to each other, the display panel is attached to the lower surface of the window, The display panel is first attached to the lower center of one of the windows. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 1, wherein: the side surface of the first fixing portion has a concave curved shape having a predetermined radius of curvature, and the first fixing portion The radius of curvature of the side surface is greater than the predetermined radius of curvature of the side surface of the second fixing portion. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 1, wherein the second fixing portion is detachably disposed on the body. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of suction holes for taking in air are formed on the side surface of the second fixing portion to attach the display panel to the side surface of the second fixing portion. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of suction holes are formed at an edge of the side surface of the second fixing portion. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 5, wherein the suction hole has a diameter of not more than 0.5 mm. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 4, wherein a perforation in communication with the plurality of suction holes is formed in the main body. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 1, wherein the second fixing portion is made of a silicone or a rubber. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 1, wherein the first fixing portion is movable in an up and down direction. A method of manufacturing a flexible display device, comprising the steps of: fixing a window to a side surface of a first fixing portion, and protecting the window of a display panel from the side surface; Fixing the display panel to a side surface of a second fixing portion, the second fixing portion is formed of one elastic material having a restoring force, and the side surface of the second fixing portion has one of a predetermined radius of curvature a convex curved shape; and moving the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion closer to each other to attach the display panel to a lower surface of the window; wherein the display panel is first attached to a lower central portion of the window. The method of manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 10, wherein: a plurality of suction holes for taking in air are formed on the side surface of the second fixing portion, and the display panel is A plurality of suction holes take in air to be attached to the side surface of the second fixing portion. The method of manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: stopping the plurality of inhalations by the plurality of inhalations if the display panel has been entirely attached to the lower surface of the window The hole continues to draw in air. The method of manufacturing a flexible display device according to claim 12, further comprising the step of separating the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion from each other after the plurality of suction holes stop inhaling air.