WO2008035421A1

WO2008035421A1 - Liquid crystal display panel and process for producing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2008035421A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/318716
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoshihisa Kurosaki; Junji Tomita
Original assignee: Fujitsu Limited
Priority date: 2006-09-21
Filing date: 2006-09-21
Publication date: 2008-03-27
Also published as: JPWO2008035421A1; JP5131196B2

Abstract

A liquid crystal display panel having a liquid crystal sealed between a pair of substrates opposite to each other; and a process for producing the same. In particular, there is provided a liquid crystal display panel that enables mass production with a high production yield, ensuring a high display quality, and provided a process for producing the same. A sealing agent is applied onto under substrate (12) with the use of a dispenser to thereby form first to fourth seal parts (71,73,75,77) on the under substrate (12). When upper and under substrates (10,12) are stuck together, first slit (65) is surrounded without discontinuity by the first seal part (71), and second slit (67) is surrounded without discontinuity by the fourth seal part (77).

Description

Specification

Liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing method thereof

Technical field

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel in which liquid crystal is sealed between a pair of opposing substrates, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background art

In recent years, liquid crystal display elements using liquid crystals have deeply penetrated into daily life. There are TN (Twisted Nematic) method, STN (Super Twisted Nematic) method, TSTN (Triple Super Twisted Nematic) method, and so on. In either operation method, the liquid crystal display element has a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode and a liquid crystal sealed between the pair of substrates.

[0003] As a substrate, a glass substrate is generally used. In addition, a liquid crystal display element using a film substrate (plastic substrate) formed of a transparent special resin can be realized. A liquid crystal display element using a plastic substrate can be made thinner and lighter than a liquid crystal display element using a glass substrate, and has sufficient flexibility, so it has high durability. High strength against bending! /.

[0004] Generally, a liquid crystal display element is manufactured by bonding a pair of substrates each having an electrode, injecting liquid crystal between the pair of substrates to produce a liquid crystal display panel, and processing the liquid crystal display panel. Is done.

[0005] In the step of bonding a pair of substrates, a sealing agent is applied to one substrate, the other substrate is opposed to one substrate, both substrates are pressurized from both sides, and the sealing agent is cured. The pair of substrates is pressurized by physical pressing from both sides, sealing in a vacuum pack, or the like.

[0006] In the method of physically pressurizing both sides of a pair of substrates while applying a force, nonuniform pressure in the substrate surface is inevitable. As a result, the cell gap becomes non-uniform and the display quality of the liquid crystal display panel deteriorates. In addition, if there are foreign objects such as particles on the substrate, the substrate may be damaged by pressurization or the substrate may be distorted. There was a problem that the manufacturing yield of the flannel was lowered. With the thinning of liquid crystal display elements, the above-described problems are becoming more serious. In addition, when a plastic substrate is used, the above-described problem is noticeable as compared with the case where a glass substrate is used.

[0007] When mass production is taken into consideration, it is necessary to perform so-called multi-sided manufacturing, in which a plurality of liquid crystal display panels are manufactured from a pair of substrates. It is desirable that the above-mentioned problems be solved even when multi-chamfering is performed.

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3077404

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-287157

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 2511341

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-265014

Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-318957

Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-201747

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display panel that can be mass-produced with a high production yield and that can provide high display quality, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Means for solving the problem

[0010] The object is to form a first terminal portion for each of a plurality of panel regions on the first substrate, and to form a first on a portion facing the first terminal portion of the second substrate bonded to the first substrate. Forming a slit, forming an opening in a region other than the plurality of panel regions of the first or second substrate, and surrounding the first slit or the portion facing the first slit without a break; A second seal part that seamlessly surrounds the opening or a portion that faces the opening and the plurality of panel regions, and a third seal part that surrounds the outer periphery of each of the plurality of panel regions. Formed on the first or second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate are opposed via the first to third seal portions so that the first terminal portion and the first slit are opposed to each other. And reducing the pressure between the first and second substrates through the opening. The first and second substrates are bonded together, liquid crystal is injected into each panel region between the first and second substrates and sealed, and the first and second substrates are divided into each panel region. thing This is achieved by a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel.

[0011] Further, the object is to form first and second substrates opposed to each other, liquid crystal sealed between the first and second substrates, and an outer peripheral portion between the first and second substrates. A liquid crystal display panel comprising: a seal portion that seals the liquid crystal; and a first projecting seal portion that branches from the seal portion and projects to the substrate end surfaces of the first and second substrates. To achieve this.

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a liquid crystal display panel that can be mass-produced at a high production yield and has a high display quality.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal display panel 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 2).

1).

FIG. 3 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 3)

2).

FIG. 4 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 2)

3).

FIG. 5 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 1)

4).

FIG. 6 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 1)

5).

FIG. 7 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 1)

6).

FIG. 8 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 1)

7).

FIG. 9 shows a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 1)

8). FIG. 10 is a diagram (No. 9) showing a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram (No. 10) showing a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a view (No. 11) showing a manufacturing step of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a view (No. 12) showing a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing manufacturing steps of the liquid crystal display panel 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Explanation of symbols

1, 101 LCD panel

10 Upper substrate

10 ', 12' multi-sided board

10a, 12a Projection

12 Lower board

13 opening

14 Panel area

16 Spacer

17 Scan electrode

17a 1st electrode terminal

19 Data electrode

19a Second electrode terminal

20 Laminated board

22, 24 Retaining plate 23, 25 Silicone rubber

61 Terminal 1

63 2nd terminal

65 1st slit

65a, 67a notch

67 2nd slit

71 First seal

71a, 71b First protruding seal

71c, 77a Second protruding seal

73 No. 2

75 Third seal

75a inlet

77 No. 4

79 Sealing part

81 space

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First embodiment]

A liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display panel which is a premise of the present embodiment will be described. In the international application (PCTZJP2006Z3043 43) by the present applicant, the following technologies are proposed. In the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to the application, an opening is formed in one or both of the pair of substrates before the substrate bonding step. The opening is formed outside a region (panel region) to be a liquid crystal display panel. Next, a sealant is applied to one substrate, and a seal portion surrounding the panel region and the opening is formed on the one substrate. Next, the pair of substrates are opposed to each other through the seal portion, and the two substrates are aligned. Next, for example, by sandwiching the portion where the openings of the pair of substrates are formed between two holding plates, the substrates are sealed. Next, the pressure between the pair of substrates is reduced through the opening, for example, by vacuum suction. Next, firing a pair of substrates Thus, the bonding of the substrates is completed.

[0016] According to this method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel, the pressure between the pair of substrates is reduced, so that both the substrates are uniformly pressurized by atmospheric pressure. Therefore, problems such as conventional cell gap non-uniformity and substrate damage do not occur. Therefore, the pair of substrates can be bonded and fixed satisfactorily.

Here, when mass production is taken into consideration, it is necessary to apply the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to the application to a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel that performs multi-cavity.

The liquid crystal display panel has electrode terminal portions on one or both substrates. When multi-sided is used, it is usually a problem how to expose the terminal part. As one method of exposing the terminal portion, there is a method of cutting and removing a portion of the substrate facing the terminal portion after bonding a pair of substrates. However, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult to cut only one of the pair of substrates so as not to damage the terminal portion.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device that solves the above-described problems. In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device disclosed in Patent Document 1, before bonding a pair of substrates, a slit is formed in a portion facing the terminal portion of the substrate facing the terminal portion. When a slit is formed in this way and a pair of substrates are bonded together, the terminal portion is exposed by the slit.

[0020] Therefore, after bonding the pair of substrates, a step of cutting only one of the substrates is not necessary, so that the terminal portion is not damaged. Therefore, the display quality and manufacturing yield of the liquid crystal display panel can be improved even when multi-planarization is performed.

However, when the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel by the applicant of the present application and the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 are combined, the following problems arise. Since a slit is formed in one or both of the substrates, the pair of substrates is not sealed only by sandwiching the portion where the opening is formed by the two holding plates. In order to seal it, it is necessary to close the slit. Therefore, it is difficult to seal between the pair of substrates. Accordingly, even if vacuum suction is performed, the pressure between the pair of substrates is not reduced, so that it is not possible to realize substrate bonding (bonding by reduced pressure) by reducing the pressure between the two substrates. [0022] The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment solves the problem and makes it possible to perform bonding by reducing pressure in the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel that performs multi-cavity.

A method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment. 2 to 13 are views showing a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment.

First, the manufacturing process (steps SI (a) to S4 (a) in FIG. 1) on one substrate side of the liquid crystal display panel will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, a multi-sided substrate (first substrate) 12 ′ having a plurality of panel regions 14 is prepared. As the substrate 12 ′, for example, a plastic substrate such as a polycarbonate (PC) film substrate or a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film substrate, or a glass substrate is used. The substrate 12 ′ has a rectangular planar shape. The thickness of the substrate 12 ′ is, for example, 0.2 mm. The plurality of panel regions 14 are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows in the long side direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) and 5 columns in the short side direction (up and down direction in FIG. 2) of the substrate 12 ′. Each panel region 14 has, for example, a rectangular shape having a long side of 100 mm and a short side of 8 Omm. The short side direction of the substrate 12 ′ and the long side direction of the panel region 14 are the same direction, and the long side direction of the substrate 12 ′ and the short side direction of the panel region 14 are the same direction.

Next, a plurality of scan electrodes 17 are formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 on the substrate 12 ′ (step Sl (a) in FIG. 1; patterning step). Thereby, the lower substrate 12 is manufactured. The plurality of scanning electrodes 17 in the same panel region 14 extend in the long side direction of the panel region 14 in parallel with each other. The scanning electrode 17 is formed in a strip shape. The scan electrode 17 is made of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO). One end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 2) of each scanning electrode 17 becomes a first electrode terminal 17a. A plurality of first electrode terminals 17a in the same panel region 14 constitute a first terminal portion 61 (enclosed by a rectangular frame in FIG. 2). Accordingly, each of the plurality of panel regions 14 has one first terminal portion 61. A predetermined gap is formed between adjacent panel regions 14.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, a second slit 67 is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 of the lower substrate 12. (Step S2 (a) in FIG. 1; slit forming step). The second slit 67 is formed in a portion facing the terminal portion (second terminal portion) on the upper substrate side when the lower substrate 12 and an upper substrate described later are bonded together. Moreover, you may also form the outer periphery of the said part. The second slit 67 extends in the long side direction of the panel region 14. The plurality of second slits 67 are formed at a time, for example, by punching.

In the present embodiment, three second slits 67 of three panel regions 14 belonging to the same row are formed separately from each other, and slits are also formed between the second slits 67 adjacent to each other in the force train direction. Thus, the three second slits 67 may be formed as one integral second slit 67. When the second slits 67 are formed in this way, one second slit 67 faces the three second terminal portions on the upper substrate side when the lower substrate 12 and the upper substrate are bonded.

Next, an internal film such as an alignment film (not shown) for controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is formed on the lower substrate 12 as needed (step S3 (a) in FIG. 1; internal film) Forming step).

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a sealant is applied onto the lower substrate 12 with a dispenser to form first to fourth seal portions 71, 73, 75, 77 on the lower substrate 12 (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 1, step S4 (a): sealant application process). The first to fourth seal portions 71, 73, 75, 77 may be formed by screen printing a sealing agent on the lower substrate 12. As the sealant, epoxy thermosetting resin, acrylic ultraviolet curable resin, or the like is used.

[0030] The first, third, and fourth seal portions 71, 75, and 77 are integrally formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14. The first seal portion 71 surrounds the first terminal portion 61 and its periphery without a break. The second seal portion 73 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the lower substrate 12 and has a rectangular frame shape. The second seal portion 73 surrounds the plurality of panel regions 14 without a break.

The third seal portion 75 surrounds each outer peripheral portion of the plurality of panel regions 14 and surrounds the plurality of scan electrodes 17 except for the first terminal portion 61. A portion surrounded by the third seal portion 75 is a display portion of the liquid crystal display panel 1. The _third seal portion ₇₅ has an injection port 75a for injecting liquid crystal. The first seal portion 71 and the third seal portion 75 partially overlap and are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction in FIG. The fourth seal portion 77 surrounds the second slit 67 without a break. The third seal portion 75 and the fourth seal portion 77 partially overlap and are arranged adjacent to each other on the left and right in FIG.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the manufacturing process of the other substrate side of the liquid crystal display panel (FIG. 1) Steps 31 (1 ₎ ) to 340 ₎ ))) will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, a multi-sided substrate (second substrate) 10 ′ having a plurality of panel regions 14 similar to the panel region 14 on the lower substrate 12 side is prepared. The substrate 10 ′ is formed of the same material as the substrate 12 ′, for example, and has substantially the same shape, size, and thickness as the substrate 12 ′. First, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of data electrodes 19 are formed for each of a plurality of panel regions 14 on the substrate 10 ′ (in FIG. 1, step Sl (b); patterning step). Thereby, the upper substrate 10 is formed. The plurality of data electrodes 19 in the same panel region 14 extend in the short side direction of the panel region 14 in parallel with each other. The data electrode 19 is formed in a strip shape. The data electrode 19 is made of, for example, ITO. One end of each data electrode 19 (the left end in FIG. 5) serves as the second electrode terminal 19a. A plurality of second electrode terminals 19a in the same panel region 14 constitute a second terminal portion 63. Accordingly, each of the plurality of panel regions 14 has one second terminal portion 63. A predetermined gap is formed between adjacent panel regions 14.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the first slit 65 is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 of the upper substrate 10 (in FIG. 1, step S2 (b); slit forming step). The first slit 65 is formed in a portion facing the first terminal portion 61 when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together. Moreover, you may also form the outer periphery of the said part. The first slit 65 extends in the short side direction of the panel region 14. The plurality of first slits 65 are formed at once, for example, by punching.

In the present embodiment, five first slits 65 in five panel regions 14 belonging to the same row are formed separately from each other, and slits are also formed between first slits 65 adjacent in the power running direction. Then, the five first slits 65 may be formed as one integral first slit 65. When the first slits 65 are formed in this way, one first slit 65 faces the five first terminal portions 61 when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the same process as the formation of the plurality of first slits 65, the end of the upper substrate 10 is

An opening 13 is formed at the center lower portion in FIG. The opening 13 is formed in a region surrounded by the second seal portion 73 without a break when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together. The opening 13 has a circular shape with a diameter of 4 mm, for example. The opening 13 may be formed at a different location on the upper substrate 10 as long as it is an area other than the plurality of panel areas 14. Further, the opening 13 may be formed in the lower substrate 12 instead of the upper substrate 10. [0036] Next, an inner film such as an alignment film (not shown) for controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is formed on the upper substrate 10 as necessary (step S3 (b) in FIG. 1; inner film formation). Process).

Next, a spacer is sprayed on the upper substrate 10 (in FIG. 1, step S4 (b); spacer spraying step). When the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded to each other, the spacer is sprayed to keep the distance (cell gap) between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 uniform. The spacer has, for example, a spherical shape of 5. Ο μ ηι.

[0038] The process of forming the first and second slits 65 and 67 (steps S2 (a) and S2 (b)) is performed at an arbitrary stage before the substrate alignment process (step S5 in FIG. 1). Can do. For example, the first and second slits 65 and 67 may be formed before the scan electrode 17 and the data electrode 19 are formed (steps S I (a) and SI (b)). Further, the first and second slits 65 and 67 may be formed after the inner film formation (steps S3 (a) and S3 (b)). Further, the first and second seal portions 71, 73, 75, 77 may be formed by applying a sealant (step S4 (a)), and then the first and second slits 65, 67 may be formed. .

[0039] The sealing agent application (step S4 (a)) and the spacer spraying (step S4 (b)) may be performed on either the upper substrate 10 or the lower substrate 12. For example, a spacer may be spread on the lower substrate 12 instead of the upper substrate 10. In addition, the first to fourth seal portions 71, 73, 75, 77 may be formed on the upper substrate 10 instead of on the lower substrate 12.

[0040] When a sealing agent is applied on the upper substrate 10, the first seal portion 71 surrounds the first slit 65 without a break. Further, when a sealing agent is applied on the upper substrate 10, the fourth seal portion 77 is a portion (the second terminal portion 63 and the portion facing the second slit 67) when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together. Surround the surrounding area).

Next, a process for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel using the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 (steps S5 to S11 in FIG. 1) will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are opposed to each other through the first to fourth seal portions 71, 73, 75, 77, and the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are aligned. Then, the alignment substrate 20 is manufactured (step S5 in FIG. 1; substrate alignment step). FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the combined substrate 20 and the upper substrate 10 side force. In FIG. 7, the upper substrate 10 is arranged on the front side, and the lower substrate 12 is arranged on the back side. In Fig. 7 and subsequent figures, hidden lines are indicated by broken lines. As shown in FIG. 7, when the laminated substrate 20 is manufactured, the first terminal portion 61 and the first slit 65 are opposed to each other in the plurality of panel regions 14, and the second terminal portion 63 and the second Make sure that the slit 67 faces each other. The first slit 65 faces all of the plurality of first electrode terminals 17a. The second slit 67 faces all of the plurality of second electrode terminals 19a. In FIG. 7 and the subsequent figures, the scanning electrode 17 excluding the first terminal portion 61 exposed through the first slit 65 and the data electrode excluding the second terminal portion 63 exposed through the second slit 67 are shown. Illustration of 19 is omitted.

The first seal portion 71 surrounds the first slit 65 without break, and the fourth seal portion 77 surrounds the second slit 67 without break. The second seal portion 73 seamlessly surrounds the plurality of panel regions 14 and the opening 13. In the state in which the laminated substrate 20 is manufactured, the upper substrate 10 is merely positioned and temporarily placed on the lower substrate 12, and the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are not completely bonded and fixed.

[0044] Next, when a thermosetting resin is used as the sealant, the entire laminated substrate 20 is heated using a thermostatic bath (not shown), and an ultraviolet curable resin is used as the sealant. When used, the entire laminated substrate 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the outside to harden the first to fourth seal portions 71, 73, 75, 77 (in FIG. 1, step S6; Hard key process).

Next, the substrate bonding step (step S7 in FIG. 1; reduced pressure bonding step) will be described with reference to FIGS. Next to the sealing agent curing step, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the upper substrate 10 is turned up and the end portion of the laminated substrate 20 where the opening 13 is formed is placed on the holding plate 22. Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the end portion of the laminated substrate 20 where the opening 13 is formed is sandwiched between two holding plates 22 and 24. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the end portion of the laminated substrate 20 is sandwiched between the two holding plates 22 and 24. The holding plate 24 is provided with a tube 24a for vacuum suction. The tube 24a is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). Silicone rubbers 23 and 25 are provided on the outer peripheral portions of the surfaces of the holding plates 22 and 24 facing each other.

Next, vacuum suction is performed between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 from the tube 24 a through the opening 13 by a vacuum pump (not shown). FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the laminated substrate 20 during vacuum suction from the upper substrate 10 side. In FIG. 9, the flow of air between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 during vacuum suction is schematically shown by white arrows. In FIG. 9, the holding plates 22 and 24 are not shown. FIG. 10 shows a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. In Fig. 10, the air flow during vacuum suction is shown schematically with relatively small white arrows.

As shown in FIG. 10, the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 face each other at a predetermined interval (cell gap) via the first to fourth seal portions 71, 73, 75, 77 and the spacer 16. is doing. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 are surrounded by the second seal portion 73 without a break. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first slit 65 is surrounded by the first seal portion 71 without a break. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the second slit 67 is surrounded by the fourth seal portion 77 without any breaks. Therefore, between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 surrounded by the second seal portion 73, except for the portion surrounded by the first seal portion 71 or the fourth seal portion 77, the holding plates 22 and 24 and the first and first substrates Sealed by 2 and 4th seal parts 71, 73, 77.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the sealed state between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 is obtained by vacuum suction through the space between the holding plates 22 and 24 and the opening 13. The part (in Fig. 10, space 81) is decompressed. Accordingly, as schematically shown by relatively large white arrows in FIG. 10, both surfaces of the laminated substrate 20 are pressurized by atmospheric pressure, and the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 are bonded and fixed. Next, the laminated substrate 20 is fired.

[0049] When the sealed portion between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 is depressurized, the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 are uniformly pressurized by atmospheric pressure. Therefore, problems such as cell gap non-uniformity and damage to the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 are not caused. Therefore, the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 can be bonded and fixed satisfactorily.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the laminated substrate 20 is cut along three cutting lines L1 parallel to the long side direction of the laminated substrate 20 and along the arrangement direction of the injection ports 75a (in FIG. 1, Step S8: First cutting step). FIG. 12 shows the three laminated substrates 20 after cutting. As shown in FIG. 12, each laminated substrate 20 after cutting has five panel regions 14. The inlet 75a of each panel region 14 is exposed at the end face of the laminated substrate 20.

Next, for each panel region 14, liquid crystal is injected between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 surrounded by the third seal portion 75 by, for example, a dip vacuum injection method (in FIG. 1, step S 9; liquid crystal injection) D) The liquid crystal injection process will be briefly described. First, the alignment substrate 20 is placed in a vacuum chamber (not shown). Next, the vacuum chamber is depressurized to make a vacuum. Next, vacuum check While maintaining the inside of the chamber in a vacuum, the inlet 75a of the alignment substrate 20 is immersed in the liquid crystal. Next, release the vacuum in the vacuum chamber. As a result, liquid crystal is injected between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12. Next, as shown in FIG. 13, a sealing agent 79 is formed at the inlet 75a, and the inlet 75a is sealed with the sealing agent 79 (step S9 in FIG. 1; liquid crystal sealing step). Thereby, the liquid crystal injected between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 surrounded by the third seal portion 75 is sealed between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the laminated substrate 20 is cut along the cutting line L2, the cutting line L3, and the cutting line L4 (in FIG. 1, step S10; second cutting step). FIG. 13 shows the positions of the cutting lines L2, L3, and L4. The cutting line L2 is parallel to the long side direction of the laminated substrate 20, overlaps with the first slits 65 of the plurality of panel regions 14 when viewed in the normal direction of the substrate surface of the laminated substrate 20, and does not overlap with the first terminal portion 61. It is a straight line. The cutting lines L3 and L4 are provided for each panel region 14 (not shown in FIG. 13) and are straight lines parallel to the short side direction of the laminated substrate 20. Each cutting line L3 is a straight line passing through the vicinity of the left side of the third seal portion 75 in FIG. Each cutting line L4 is a straight line that overlaps the second slit 67 and does not overlap the second terminal portion 63 when viewed in the normal direction of the substrate surface of the laminated substrate 20. By cutting the laminated substrate 20 along the cutting lines L2, L3, and L4, the laminated substrate 20 is divided for each panel region 14. As a result, a plurality (15 in this embodiment) of liquid crystal display panels 1 each having the first and second terminal portions 61 and 63 are completed (step S11 in FIG. 1; panel completion). In this embodiment, the liquid crystal is injected after being divided for each panel region 14 after the liquid crystal is injected. After that, peripheral circuits and the like are provided to complete the liquid crystal display element.

According to the method for manufacturing liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the present embodiment, when upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 are bonded together, first slit 65 is surrounded by first seal portion 71 without a break, and second slit 67 is surrounded by the fourth seal portion 77 without any breaks. Therefore, by sandwiching the end portions of the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 where the openings 13 are formed between the holding plates 22 and 24, the first seal is provided between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 surrounded by the second seal portion 73. Except for the portion surrounded by the portion 71 or the fourth seal portion 77, the holding plates 22, 24 and the first, second and fourth seal portions 71, 73, 77 are sealed. Therefore, even if the first and second slits 65 and 67 are formed, substrate bonding (bonding by reduced pressure) is realized by reducing the pressure between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12. can do. Therefore, it is possible to realize a manufacturing method that combines multiple chamfering and pasting with reduced pressure. Therefore, according to the method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the display quality and the manufacturing yield of the liquid crystal display panel can be improved even when multi-paneling is performed.

In addition, since the opening 13 is formed at the end of the upper substrate 10, the holding plates 22 and 24 can be reduced in size. Therefore, the liquid crystal display panel 1 can be manufactured at a low cost. Further, since the second seal portion 73 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the lower substrate 12, a large number of panel regions 14 can be formed in the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12. Therefore, the liquid crystal display panel 1 can be manufactured at a low cost. Further, since the first slit 65 faces all of the plurality of first electrode terminals 17a and exposes all of the first electrode terminals 17a, the connection between the first electrode terminal 17a and the outside becomes easy. Similarly, since the second slit 67 faces all of the plurality of second electrode terminals 19a and exposes all of the second electrode terminals 19a, the connection between the second electrode terminal 19a and the outside becomes easy.

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating the liquid crystal display panel 1 manufactured by the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the present embodiment from the upper substrate 10 side. As shown in FIG. 14, the liquid crystal display panel 1 has an upper substrate (second substrate) 10 and a lower substrate (first substrate) 12 arranged to face each other. A third seal portion (seal portion) 75 is formed on the outer peripheral portion between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12. The third seal portion 75 has an injection port 75a for injecting liquid crystal. The injection port 75a is sealed with a sealant 79. A liquid crystal (not shown) is sealed between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 surrounded by the third seal portion 75 and the sealant 79.

A plurality of scanning electrodes 17 (not shown in FIG. 14) are formed on the lower substrate 12. A first terminal 61 is formed at one end of the plurality of scanning electrodes 17 and outside the third seal portion 75 (upper side in FIG. 14). A cut portion (first cut portion) 65a is formed in the portion of the upper substrate 10 facing the first terminal portion 61. The cut portion 65a is a part (or all) of the first slit 65 formed in the slit forming step. The cut portion 65a exposes the first terminal portion 61.

A plurality of data electrodes 19 (not shown in FIG. 14) are formed on the upper substrate 10. A second terminal portion 63 is formed at one end of the plurality of data electrodes 19 and outside the third seal portion 75 (right side in FIG. 14). In the portion of the lower substrate 12 facing the second terminal portion 63, A notch (second notch) 67a is formed. The cut portion 67a is a part (or all) of the second slit 67 formed in the slit forming step. The cut portion 67a exposes the second terminal portion 63.

The liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first projecting seal portion 71a and a second projecting seal portion 77a that are branched from the third seal portion 75 and project to the substrate end surfaces of the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12. It has a feature in that it has. The first projecting seal portion 71a is a part of the first seal portion 71 formed in the sealant application process. The first protruding seal portion 71a is formed such that two corners on the upper side in FIG. 14 of the third seal portion 75 also protrude toward the first terminal portion 61 side. The second projecting seal portion 77a is a part of the fourth seal portion 77 formed in the sealant application process. The second projecting seal portion 77a is formed to project from the two corners on the right side in FIG. 14 to the second terminal portion 63 side.

[0059] In addition, in the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the upper substrate 10 has the protruding portion 10a protruding to the first terminal portion 61 side at the two corners on the upper side in FIG. 14 is also characterized in that the lower substrate 12 is provided with a protruding portion 12a protruding to the second terminal portion 63 side at two corners on the right side in FIG. The protruding portion 10a is formed in the vicinity of the first protruding seal portion 71a. The protruding portion 12a is formed in the vicinity of the second protruding seal portion 77a.

[0060] A conventional liquid crystal display panel using plastic substrates as the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 can be reduced in thickness and weight, and can be bent with sufficient flexibility. There is a problem that corners are easily peeled off. In the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the first and second projecting seal portions 71a and 77a and the projecting portions 10a and 12a are formed in the vicinity of the corner portion of the third seal portion 75. Is reinforced. Therefore, the corner portion of the third seal portion 75 is peeled. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal display panel 1 that can be reduced in thickness and weight, has sufficient flexibility, and has high strength. For this reason, the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the present embodiment is suitable as a display element for electronic paper that is thin, lightweight, and requires high flexibility.

[0061] [Second Embodiment]

A liquid crystal display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a method for manufacturing the same will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment The manufacturing method will be described with reference to FIGS. The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment is the same as the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the sealing agent application step (step S4 (a) in FIG. 1). . In the following description, components having the same functions and operations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating the aligned substrate 20 at the end of the substrate alignment step (step S 5 in FIG. 1) from the upper substrate 10 side. As shown in FIG. 15, the liquid crystal display panel manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is different from the liquid crystal display panel 1 manufacturing method according to the first embodiment in that the first and second slits in the same panel region 14 are the same. It is characterized in that the first seal portion 71 is formed so as to surround the 65 and 67 without a break. Accordingly, the first and second slits 65 and 67 in the same panel region 14 are surrounded by one first seal portion 71 without any break.

A method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment will be briefly described. First, the scan electrode 17 and the first terminal portion 61 are formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 on the substrate 12 ′ by a manufacturing method similar to the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment. The substrate 12 is manufactured, the second slit 67 is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 of the lower substrate 12, and an internal film is formed on the lower substrate 12 (in FIG. 1, steps SI (a) to S3 (a) ). The second slit 67 is formed in a portion facing the second terminal portion 63 when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together.

[0064] Next, a sealant is applied onto the lower substrate 12 to form first to third seal portions 71, 73, 75 on the lower substrate 12 (in FIG. 1, step S4 (a); seal Agent coating process). The first seal portion 71 surrounds the portion facing the first slit 65 (the first terminal portion 61 and its surroundings) and the second slit 67 when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together. The shapes of the second and third seal portions are the same as those in the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment. In the method for manufacturing liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the present embodiment, fourth seal portion 77 is not formed.

In addition, the data electrode 19 and the second terminal portion 63 are provided for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 on the substrate 10 ′ by a manufacturing method similar to the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment. The upper substrate 10 is formed to form a first slit 65 for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 of the upper substrate 10. Then, an inner film and a spacer are formed on the upper substrate 10 (steps Sl (b) to S4 (b) in FIG. 1). The first slit 65 is formed in a portion facing the first terminal portion 61 when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together.

[0066] The manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel using the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 (steps S5 to S11 in FIG. 1) is the same as the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. To do. As a result, a plurality (15 in this embodiment) of liquid crystal display panels 101 each having the first and second terminal portions 61 and 63 are completed (step SI 1 in FIG. 1; single panel completed). Thereafter, peripheral circuits and the like are provided to complete the liquid crystal display element.

According to the method for manufacturing liquid crystal display panel 101 according to the present embodiment, first and second slits 65 and 67 in the same panel region 14 are surrounded by one first seal portion 71 without a break. Therefore, by sandwiching the ends where the openings 13 of the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 are formed between the holding plates 22 and 24, the first seal portion is provided between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 surrounded by the second seal portion 73. Except for the portion surrounded by 71, the holding plates 22 and 24 and the first and second seal portions 71 and 73 are hermetically sealed. Therefore, it is possible to realize a manufacturing method that combines multiple chamfering and pasting by decompression. Therefore, the display quality and manufacturing yield of the liquid crystal display panel can be improved by the liquid crystal display panel manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, even if multiple layouts are performed.

In addition, the first and second slits 65 and 67 in the same panel region 14 are surrounded by one first seal portion 71 without a break. As a result, the formation of the fourth seal portion 77 is not necessary, and the shape of the seal portion can be simplified. Therefore, the liquid crystal display panel 101 can be manufactured at low cost.

FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating the liquid crystal display panel 101 manufactured by the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel 101 according to the present embodiment from the upper substrate 10 side. The liquid crystal display panel 101 according to the present embodiment is different from the liquid crystal display panel 1 in that first and second projecting seal portions 71b and 71c are formed instead of the first and second projecting seal portions 71a and 77a. It has a feature in that.

[0070] The first and second projecting seal portions 71b and 71c are formed so as to branch from the third seal portion 75 and project to the substrate end surfaces of the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12. First and second protruding seals 71b, 71c Is a part of the first seal portion 71 formed in the sealant application step. The first protruding seal portion 71b is formed so that the force in the vicinity of the upper left corner in FIG. 14 of the third seal portion 75 also protrudes to the left side of the liquid crystal display panel 101. The second projecting seal portion 71c is formed so as to project toward the second terminal portion 63 side of the third seal portion 75 at the lower right corner portion in FIG. The configuration of the liquid crystal display panel 101 excluding the first and second projecting seal portions 71b and 71c is the same as that of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment. The liquid crystal display panel 101 according to the present embodiment can obtain the same effects as the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, a noisy matrix liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof have been described as examples. The present invention can also be applied to an active matrix type liquid crystal display panel provided with the above switching elements and a method for manufacturing the same.

In the active matrix liquid crystal display panel, the scanning electrode 17 and the data electrode 19 are formed on the same substrate (for example, the lower substrate 12), and the common electrode is formed on the other substrate (for example, the upper substrate 10). The Therefore, the first and second terminal portions 61 and 63 are formed on the same substrate.

The manufacturing method of the active matrix type liquid crystal display panel to which the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the first embodiment is applied differs from the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 1 in the following points. In the manufacturing method of the active matrix type liquid crystal display panel, the gate bus line and the first terminal portion 61 at one end thereof are formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 on the lower substrate 12. In addition, for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 on the lower substrate 12, a drain bus line that intersects the gate bus line via an insulating film and a second terminal portion 63 at one end thereof are formed. Further, a switching element and a pixel electrode are formed at each intersection of both bus lines. Further, a second slit 67 is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 of the upper substrate 10. The second slit 67 is formed in a portion facing the second terminal portion 63 when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together. Further, when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together, the fourth seal portion 77 is placed on the lower substrate so as to surround the portion facing the second slit 67 (the second terminal portion 63 and its peripheral portion) without a break. Form on 12. A common electrode is formed for each panel area 14 on the upper substrate 10. To do. The common electrode is formed on almost the entire surface of each panel region 14.

In the active matrix type liquid crystal display panel manufactured by the above manufacturing method, the data electrode 19 and the second terminal portion 63 are formed on the lower substrate 12 with respect to the liquid crystal display panel 1, and a notch (second The difference is that the cut portion 67a is formed in the upper substrate 10. Further, the data electrode 19 faces the scanning electrode 17 through an insulating film. An area defined by the scanning electrode 17 and the data electrode 19 is one pixel. On the lower substrate 12, a switching element and a pixel electrode are formed for each pixel. A common electrode is formed on the upper substrate 10.

The manufacturing method of the active matrix type liquid crystal display panel to which the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 101 according to the second embodiment is applied differs from the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 101 in the following points. In the manufacturing method of the active matrix type liquid crystal display panel, a gate bus line and a first terminal portion 61 at one end thereof are formed for each of a plurality of panel regions 14 on the lower substrate 12. Further, for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 on the lower substrate 12, a drain bus line intersecting with the gate bus line via an insulating film and a second terminal portion 63 at one end thereof are formed. Further, a switching element and a pixel electrode are formed at each intersection of both bus lines. A second slit 67 is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions 14 of the upper substrate 10. The second slit 67 is formed in a portion facing the second terminal portion 63 when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together. In addition, when the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12 are bonded together, the portions facing the first and second slits 65 and 67 (the first and second terminal portions 61 and 63 and their peripheral portions) are surrounded without a break. The first seal portion 71 is formed on the lower substrate 12. A common electrode is formed for each panel region 14 on the upper substrate 10. The common electrode is formed on almost the entire surface of each panel region 14.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention, the bonding method using reduced pressure (step S7 in FIG. 1) is not limited to the method described in the above embodiment. In the international application (PCTZJP2006Z304343) by the applicant of the present application, another method is proposed. The method will be briefly described. In this method, instead of forming the opening 13, a through-hole penetrating the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 is formed in, for example, an end portion of the laminated substrate 20 after the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12 are bonded. Before bonding the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12, the opening 13 is formed at the same position of the upper and lower substrates 10 and 12, and the upper and lower substrates 13 and 12 are aligned with each other. The substrates 10 and 12 may be aligned to form a through hole. Next, the plurality of laminated substrates 20 are arranged so that the through holes of the respective laminated substrates 20 overlap each other when viewed in the normal direction of the substrate surface of the laminated substrate 20. Next, pipes having openings formed on the side surfaces are inserted into the plurality of through holes. Next, one end of the pipe is closed, and the inside of the plurality of laminated substrates 20 is vacuum-sucked from the other end of the noise through the opening of the pipe and the plurality of through holes. As a result, the pressure inside the plurality of laminated substrates 20 is reduced simultaneously. According to this method, the inside of the plurality of laminated substrates 20 can be depressurized simultaneously.

Industrial applicability

The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention can improve the display quality and manufacturing yield of the liquid crystal display panel even if multiple processes are performed. Further, the liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention can be reduced in thickness and weight, has sufficient flexibility, and has high strength.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A first terminal portion is formed for each of a plurality of panel regions on the first substrate,

Forming a first slit in a portion facing the first terminal portion of the second substrate bonded to the first substrate;

Forming an opening in an area other than the plurality of panel areas of the first or second substrate, and surrounding the first slit or the portion facing the first slit without any break; and the opening or The first or second substrate includes a second seal portion that seamlessly surrounds the portion facing the opening and the plurality of panel regions, and a third seal portion that surrounds an outer peripheral portion of each of the plurality of panel regions. Formed on and

The first substrate and the second substrate are opposed to each other through the first to third seal portions so that the first terminal portion and the first slit are opposed to each other,

The first and second substrates are bonded together by reducing the pressure between the first and second substrates through the opening,

Injecting and sealing liquid crystal for each panel region between the first and second substrates, and dividing the first and second substrates for each panel region

A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display panel characterized by the above.

[2] A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein

Forming the opening at an end of the first or second substrate;

[3] In the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1 or 2,

Forming the second seal portion on the outer periphery of the first or second substrate;

[4] The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure between the first and second substrates is reduced by vacuum suction through the opening. Manufacturing method of display panel.

[5] In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the first terminal portion includes a plurality of first electrode terminals,

The first slit faces all of the plurality of first electrode terminals. A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display panel characterized by the above.

[6] In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a second terminal portion is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions on the second substrate,

A second slit is formed in a portion of the first substrate facing the second terminal portion, and a fourth seal portion surrounding the second slit or the portion facing the second slit without any breaks is formed in the first or second. Form on the substrate

[7] In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a second terminal portion is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions on the first substrate,

A second slit is formed in a portion facing the second terminal portion of the second substrate, and the fourth seal portion surrounding the second slit or the portion facing the second slit without any breaks is the first or second. Form on the substrate

[8] In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a second terminal portion is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions on the second substrate,

A second slit is formed in a portion of the first substrate facing the second terminal portion, and the first seal portion includes the first slit or the portion facing the first slit and the second slit or the second 2. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel, characterized in that it is formed so as to surround a portion facing the slit without any breaks.

[9] In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a second terminal portion is formed for each of the plurality of panel regions on the first substrate,

A second slit is formed in a portion of the second substrate facing the second terminal portion, and the first seal portion includes the first slit or the portion facing the first slit and the second slit or the second 2. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel, characterized in that it is formed so as to surround a portion facing the slit without any breaks.

10. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the first slit faces a plurality of the first terminal portions.

[11] first and second substrates disposed opposite to each other;

A liquid crystal sealed between the first and second substrates;

A seal portion formed on an outer peripheral portion between the first and second substrates to seal the liquid crystal; and a first protrusion formed to protrude from the seal portion to the substrate end surfaces of the first and second substrates. Seal part and

A liquid crystal display panel comprising:

[12] The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 11, wherein

The liquid crystal display further comprising a first terminal portion formed outside the seal portion on the first substrate, wherein the first projecting seal portion is formed to project toward the first terminal portion. panel.

[13] The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 12,

A second terminal portion formed outside the seal portion on the second substrate;

A second projecting seal portion that branches from the seal portion to the second terminal portion side and projects to the substrate end surfaces of the first and second substrates.

A liquid crystal display panel characterized by

[14] The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 12, wherein

A second terminal portion formed outside the seal portion on the first substrate;

A liquid crystal display panel characterized by

[15] The liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein

The liquid crystal display panel, wherein the second substrate has a first cut portion that exposes the first terminal portion.

[16] The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 13,

The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate has a second cut portion that exposes the second terminal portion.

[17] The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 14, wherein

The second substrate has a second cut portion that exposes the second terminal portion. A liquid crystal display panel characterized by