JP3661400B2 - Electrode panel pressure resistance test method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrode panel test method and apparatus, and more particularly, to a method for testing a withstand voltage performance of an electrode panel used in a plasma display panel (PDP) and an apparatus for performing such a test method. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
The PDP is an image display device used for a wall-mounted TV or the like. Plasma discharge is caused in a small cell arranged in a matrix to cause the phosphor arranged in the cell to emit light, and an image is formed as a set of light spots of each cell. A color image can be constructed by combining cells having phosphors of different colors.
[0003]
In order to apply a voltage for causing plasma discharge to each cell, a large number of linear electrodes crossing each other are arranged on both sides of the cell, so that they are arranged at specific intersections of the linear electrodes on both sides. Apply voltage to the cell.
As a method of manufacturing a PDP, there is a method in which a base panel provided with a cell and one electrode and a transparent front panel provided with the other electrode are manufactured, and then both the panels are joined together. In this case, when the base panel and the front panel are manufactured, the quality performance of each is inspected so that only non-defective products are used for assembling the PDP, or defective products are repaired. Alternatively, quality performance can be improved and product yield can be increased.
[0004]
One of the front panel quality inspection tests is a pressure resistance test. The front panel covers an electrode formed on the surface with a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is formed by applying a material liquid. This dielectric layer must have a sufficient thickness and no defects such as fine holes. If the dielectric layer cannot withstand the applied voltage when a voltage is applied to the aforementioned cell, a discharge breakdown will occur.
[0005]
Therefore, it is required to inspect beforehand whether the dielectric layer of the front panel has the required withstand voltage characteristics.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to inspect the withstand voltage characteristics, the thickness of the dielectric layer, the presence / absence of holes, and film characteristics can be directly measured, but the above measurement is performed on the dielectric layer formed over the entire front panel. It is very troublesome. Further, for example, since the thickness of the dielectric layer and the function when used in a PDP are not directly related, it is difficult to accurately determine whether or not it is suitable for use as a PDP only by the above test. It is.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to easily and accurately perform a pressure resistance test on the front panel of the PDP.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The test method for an electrode panel according to the present invention is to test the withstand voltage performance of a dielectric layer on an electrode panel in which a large number of discharge electrodes are arranged on the surface of a substrate and a dielectric layer is arranged to cover the discharge electrodes. The method includes the following steps.
(a) A step of forming a discharge gas atmosphere on the surface of the dielectric layer of the electrode panel.
[0009]
(b) A step of disposing a test electrode with a gap between the dielectric layer and the discharge gas atmosphere.
(c) A step of applying a voltage between the test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel.
Each component requirement will be specifically described.
[Electrode panel]
PDP is an abbreviation for plasma panel display, and the basic structure of the PDP in the present invention may be the same as that of a normal PDP. There are AC type and DC type in the structure of PDP, but the present invention is preferably applied to AC type PDP.
[0010]
As a specific structure of the PDP, a base panel including a cell in which a phosphor is accommodated and a plurality of linear electrodes arranged in parallel to each other on the back side of the cell, and an electrode of the base panel intersect. The front panel is provided with a plurality of linear electrodes in the direction.
The front panel is a transparent substrate made of glass or the like, and is disposed on the surface of the substrate, which is also a transparent discharge electrode, and a transparent dielectric that covers at least the entire portion of the discharge electrode disposed in the cell. A body layer. Therefore, the front panel is substantially transparent as a whole, and light emitted from the cells passes through the front panel and appears as an image on the outside.
[0011]
The discharge electrode has a large number of linear or belt-like electrodes arranged in parallel on the surface of the front panel substrate corresponding to the cell. It is necessary to securely cover the electrodes of the parallel portions with a dielectric layer. A connection portion for connecting the discharge electrode to an external voltage application circuit may be provided at a location outside the cell, and this connection portion may be exposed from the dielectric layer. If the connecting portion is electrically connected to the parallel linear portions corresponding to the cells, the arrangement shape can be freely set.
[0012]
The pressure resistance test of the electrode panel is performed on a portion of the discharge electrode covered with a dielectric layer corresponding to the cell, and this region becomes a test region.
[Discharge gas]
A gas similar to the discharge gas filled in the cell when used as a PDP is used. Specifically, Ne, He, N₂Etc. can be used alone or in combination.
[0013]
The discharge gas atmosphere needs to be formed in a range including a portion where the withstand voltage test is performed or a portion where a voltage is applied in the withstand voltage test. The discharge gas atmosphere may be formed uniformly over the entire electrode panel, or the discharge gas atmosphere may be formed only at necessary locations as the test proceeds.
If the discharge gas is blown out to a predetermined region from the gas supply source of the gas cylinder storing the discharge gas through a pipe, a discharge gas atmosphere is formed in that region.
[Test electrode]
The test electrode is arranged so as to face the discharge electrode with a gap between the test electrode and the dielectric layer through the discharge gas atmosphere.
[0014]
As a material for the test electrode, a commonly used electrode material for discharge such as stainless steel can be used.
The distance between the test electrode and the dielectric layer can be set to be approximately the same as the distance between the electrode of the base panel and the dielectric layer of the front panel in the PDP.
(Voltage applied)
In order to apply a voltage between the test electrode and the discharge electrode, each electrode is connected to a power source.
[0015]
The applied voltage is set in accordance with the purpose of the test, such as a voltage applied when the PDP is used or a voltage that the dielectric layer of the panel needs to withstand. Specifically, it can be set in the range of several hundred volts to several thousand volts.
[Test arm]
The test arm is disposed across the electrode panel with a gap between the test arm and the test arm, and translates along the surface of the electrode panel. A test electrode and discharge gas blowing means are provided along the axial direction of the test arm.
[0016]
A discharge gas atmosphere is formed in a strip-shaped region along the axial direction of the test arm, and a voltage is applied between the test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel in the discharge gas atmosphere, and the dielectric of the portion A layer pressure test can be performed. If the test arm is moved in parallel with respect to the electrode panel, a pressure resistance test can be sequentially performed on the entire electrode panel.
If a gas outlet for blowing out the discharge gas in a strip shape is provided as a gas blowing means on the lower surface of the test arm or the like, a discharge gas atmosphere can be formed in the strip region. If the test arm moves in parallel, a strip-shaped discharge gas atmosphere is sequentially formed on the entire electrode panel.
[0017]
The electrode panel is held at a fixed position by the panel holding means with respect to the test arm that moves in parallel. Specifically, plate material holding means in a normal test apparatus such as a mechanical clamping mechanism or a vacuum suction mechanism can be employed.
If the test arm as described above is used, a discharge gas atmosphere may be formed only in a relatively narrow strip region without forming a discharge gas atmosphere over the entire surface of the electrode panel. It is only necessary to apply a voltage to the electrodes. As a result, the amount of discharge gas used can be reduced, and the amount of power required for discharge can be reduced.
[0018]
In particular, it is possible to prevent a problem in which an excessive current flows to a defective portion and causes a discharge breakdown. This is because when a voltage is applied to a defective part of the dielectric layer of the electrode panel, the current that has been flowing between the entire test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel until then is concentrated only on the defective part. This intensive current causes discharge breakdown. The larger the opposing area between the test electrode and the discharge electrode, the larger the current that needs to flow, so the value of the current that flows intensively at the defective location also increases, which may cause discharge breakdown in the electrode panel such as the discharge electrode. Becomes higher. However, if the above-described linear or strip-shaped test electrode is used, the area involved in the discharge is very small, so that a small amount of current flows during the test, and the current value concentrated at the defective portion becomes small. It is difficult for electric discharge destruction to occur.
[0019]
By scanning the entire electrode panel with the test arm, all defective portions existing on the entire surface of the electrode panel can be found, so that the test time can be shortened.
[Voltage application means]
In order to apply a voltage to the discharge electrodes of the electrode panel held by the panel holding means, the following voltage applying means can be employed.
[0020]
A contact piece that is in contact with the connection portion of the discharge electrode of the electrode panel and to which a voltage is applied; a back and forth mechanism that supports the contact piece and advances and retracts the contact piece from the outside of the electrode panel to a position above the connection portion; And a pressure-contact mechanism that press-contacts the connector to the connection portion.
A contact piece consists of conductor materials, such as copper and stainless steel, and has the arrangement | positioning shape corresponding to the arrangement | positioning shape of a connection part. Those which can be deformed to some extent when pressed and can be in good electrical contact with the connecting portion are preferred.
[0021]
For the contact pieces, separate contact pieces may be brought into contact with the individual connection portions, or the same contact pieces may be brought into contact with a plurality of connection portions, with respect to the multiple connection portions arranged for each of the many discharge electrodes. The voltage can be applied simultaneously. It is also possible to apply a voltage by simultaneously bringing a contact piece into contact with all the connecting portions of the electrode panel.
As the advance / retreat mechanism, an advance / retreat operation means in a normal mechanical device such as an electromagnetic cylinder, a cam mechanism, or a rack gear mechanism is applied.
[0022]
As long as the pressure contact mechanism can combine various operation mechanisms such as cams and gears and press the contact piece against the connection portion, the electrode pressure contact mechanism in an ordinary electric device can be used as a specific mechanism. If the contact piece is pressed against the connecting portion with an elastic material such as rubber, it can be reliably pressed with an appropriate pressure.
[Panel mounting table]
The test can be performed by mounting the electrode panel on a panel mounting table having a planar test electrode.
[0023]
On the panel mounting table, planar test electrodes are arranged over the entire surface of the electrode panel mounting portion. The electrode panel is mounted so that the surface having the dielectric layer is opposed to the planar test electrode with a gap.
A discharge gas atmosphere is formed between the electrode panel and the planar test electrode. A discharge gas outlet can be provided on the surface of the panel mounting table.
[0024]
A gap forming frame is used to form a gap between the electrode panel and the test electrode. The gap forming frame is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and is disposed at a position where the gap forms along the outer periphery of the electrode panel, and fills the gap between the electrode panel and the test electrode. The gap forming frame can be made of an insulating tape. If there is a gap forming frame, the discharge gas can be reliably stored inside the gap forming frame even though the gap between the electrode panel and the test electrode can be maintained constant.
[0025]
Voltage application means for applying a voltage between the test electrode of the panel mounting table and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel mounted on the panel mounting table is provided.
In order to perform a pressure resistance test using the panel mounting table as described above, after supplying a discharge gas between the electrode panel mounted on the panel mounting table and the test electrode, the discharge electrode of the electrode panel and the test electrode A predetermined test voltage may be applied between them.
[0026]
If there is a defective portion in the dielectric layer of the electrode panel, intensive discharge occurs in the defective portion and light is emitted, so that the presence of the defective portion can be known.
In this method, the pressure resistance test can be easily performed only by using a panel mounting table having a relatively simple structure.
However, in the above method, even when there are defects at a plurality of locations, concentrated discharge and light emission occur only at the failure locations where discharge is most likely to occur, so it is difficult to find other failure locations.
[0027]
Therefore, a method using an insulating piece described below can be applied.
[Insulation piece]
The insulating piece is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin film, and has an area and shape enough to cover one defect generated in the dielectric layer of the electrode panel. Usually, the size may be about several mm square. If the adhesive layer is formed on one side of the insulating piece, the attaching operation to the electrode panel is easy.
[0028]
Using a planar test electrode facing the entire electrode panel described above, when performing a withstand voltage test by applying a voltage between the electrode panel and the test electrode, when a defective part of the dielectric layer is found, The process of applying the voltage again is repeated after attaching an insulating piece to the defective portion.
If an insulating piece is attached to a defective portion, there will be no discharge breakdown or concentrated discharge at that portion. If a voltage is applied again in this state, concentrated discharge and light emission occur at a defective portion existing at another position. If the insulating pieces are sequentially attached to the found defective portions and the voltage application is repeated, the position of the defective portion existing in the entire electrode panel can be detected.
[0029]
The part where the insulating piece is adhered to the electrode panel is the defective part, and the repairing work can be performed by removing the insulating piece at the defective part.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[PDP structure]
A schematic structure of a PDP including an electrode panel used for the test will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the PDP has a front panel 20 and a base panel 10.
[0031]
In the base panel 10, a large number of linear electrodes 13 are arranged in parallel on the surface of the substrate 12 at intervals. In FIG. 6, each electrode 13 extends in a direction penetrating the paper surface. The electrode 13 is covered with a dielectric layer 14, and a partition wall 16 provided with a large number of cell spaces 17 is disposed thereon. A phosphor layer 18 is formed in each cell space 17 delimited by the barrier ribs 16.
[0032]
The front panel 20 is disposed on the partition wall 16 of the base panel 10. A discharge electrode 24 is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 22, and the discharge electrode 24 is covered with a dielectric layer 26. The dielectric layer 26 faces the cell space 17 of the base panel 10.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the discharge electrode 24 of the front panel 20 has a large number of linear discharge electrodes 24 arranged in parallel at intervals. The direction in which the discharge electrode 24 extends is set to a direction that intersects with the direction in which the electrode 13 of the base panel 10 extends when the PDP is assembled. The parallel portion of the discharge electrode 24 is completely covered with the dielectric layer 26. An end portion of the discharge electrode 24 extends to the outside of the dielectric layer 26 and is connected to a strip-shaped connection portion 25 arranged along the outer periphery of the substrate 22.
[0033]
The connection part 25 is provided for each discharge electrode 24, and the discharge electrodes 24 arranged in parallel are connected to the connection parts 25 arranged alternately on the left and right sides. The wiring structures that connect the discharge electrodes 24 to the connection portion 25 are not parallel but are inclined at different angles. The connection portions 25 arranged on the outer periphery on both sides of the substrate 22 are alternately connected to the central discharge electrodes 24. A plurality of connecting portions 25 are collectively arranged adjacent to each other on the outer periphery of the substrate 22, and a group of such connecting portions 25, that is, blocks, are arranged at regular intervals.
[0034]
A withstand voltage test is performed on the front panel including the substrate 22, the discharge electrode 24, and the dielectric layer 26, that is, the electrode panel 20.
[First Embodiment]
The test apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a test arm.
Overall structure
The tester main body 30 has a rectangular support base 32 on which the electrode panel 20 corresponding to a screen size of 40 inches is placed. A scale 34 on which a length scale is displayed is arranged along the longitudinal side on the back side of the support 32. A test arm 50 is disposed above the support base 32.
[0035]
One end of the test arm 50 is supported by the elevating column 62 on the side of the longitudinal side of the support base 32 and moves the test arm 50 up and down. The elevating column 62 is supported by a sliding portion 64 disposed along the side of the support base 32, and moves horizontally along the side of the support base 32.
As a result, the test arm 50 can move in the vertical direction perpendicular to the surface with respect to the surface of the electrode panel 20 supported by the support base 32 to adjust the size of the gap. The electrode panel 20 is translated along the surface while traversing the upper side. In addition, with respect to the parallel part of the discharge electrode 24 arrange | positioned at the electrode panel 20, the test arm 50 is arrange | positioned in the direction which crosses each discharge electrode 24, and translates in the same direction as the direction where the discharge electrode 24 is extended. Become. The parallel movement speed of the test arm 50 can be adjusted in the range of about 5 mm / sec to 50 mm / sec.
[0036]
A voltage application unit 40 is provided outside the short side of the support base 32. A voltage can be applied to the discharge electrode 24 by the voltage application unit 40 coming into contact with the connection unit 25 connected to the discharge electrode 24 of the electrode panel 20.
The test machine main body 30 includes a control panel 70 having a monitor screen, and controls the operation of the test machine including the operation of the test arm 50 and the voltage application unit 40 and monitors the operation status.
[0037]
Test arm
As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the entire test arm 50 is made of a transparent acrylic resin.
A test electrode 80 made of a stainless steel plate and having a thickness of about 1 mm is disposed at the center of the cross section of the test arm 50.
[0038]
A gas chamber 54 is disposed in the center of the test arm 50 with the test electrode 80 interposed therebetween. At both axial ends of the test arm 50, the gas chamber 54 is closed by the outer wall of the test arm 50. A gas supply hole 52 is provided in the wall surface of the test arm 50 on the support side of the test arm 50 to the lifting column 62, and discharge gas is supplied from an external gas tank or gas pipe (not shown) to the gas chamber 54. As the discharge gas, a mixed gas of He and Ne is used, and the gas supply amount is about 2 to 3 liters / minute. A gas passage hole 82 is formed through the test electrode 80 that crosses the center of the gas chamber 54, and discharge gas flows through the gas chambers 54 on both sides.
[0039]
A narrow gas passage groove 55 is provided from the gas chamber 54 along both sides of the test electrode 80, and the tip of the gas passage groove 55 communicates with a gas holding space 56 disposed at the lower end of the test arm 50. The gas holding space 56 is provided on both sides of the test electrode 80 with a width wider than that of the gas passage groove 55.
The discharge gas supplied from the gas chamber 54 to the gas holding space 56 through the gas passage groove 55 fills the gas holding space 56, and then the lower end of the test arm 50 and the surface of the dielectric layer 26 of the electrode panel 20. The test arm 50 is discharged to the outside through the gap between the two.
[0040]
As a result, the lower end of the test electrode 80 and a certain range around it are covered with a discharge gas atmosphere, and the test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24 of the electrode panel 20 are discharged in the same manner as the cell space in the PDP. The atmosphere can be maintained.
The test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24 are connected to a power source 84 by wiring. The test electrode 80 is connected to a power supply 84 provided in the tester main body 30 via the test arm 50 and the lifting column 62. The power source 84 applies a voltage in the range of about 0 to 24 kV.
[0041]
Voltage application section
As shown in FIG. 3, the connection part 25 connected to the discharge electrode 24 of the electrode panel 20 is connected to the power source 84 via the voltage application part 40 arranged on the side of the support base 32.
The voltage application unit 40 has a contact piece 42 made of a conductor material such as copper, which is in contact with the upper surface of the connection unit 25 and bent in a substantially square shape. The contact piece 42 is connected to the power source 84 via a wiring (not shown).
[0042]
The contact piece 42 is supported by the seesaw plate 44 via a pressure rubber 41 having a circular cross section. The seesaw plate 44 pivots in the opposite direction at the front and rear ends around the central support shaft 43.
The actuating member 49 of the actuator 45 that advances and retreats in the horizontal direction is in contact with the lower surface of the rear end of the seesaw plate 44. The actuating member 49 is a freely rotating roller. When the actuating member 49 moves forward, the seesaw plate 44 is pushed upward to turn. When the seesaw plate 44 turns, the pressure rubber 41 and the contact piece 42 move downward, so that the contact piece 42 is pressed against the connection portion 25 of the electrode panel 20. As a result, good electrical connection between the contact piece 42 and the connection portion 25 is achieved.
[0043]
A slide base 46 that supports the whole of the actuator 45 and the seesaw plate 44 is attached to an actuator 47 that is fixed to the tester main body 30 so as to freely advance and retract.
When the actuator 47 is operated to move the slide base 46 forward and backward, the contact piece 42 is disposed above the connection portion 25 of the electrode panel 20, or the contact piece 42 is retracted to the outside of the electrode panel 20. Can do. When attaching and detaching the electrode panel 20, the slide base 46 is disposed at a retracted position away from the electrode panel 20, and when applying a voltage to the electrode panel 20, the slide base 46 is attached to the electrode panel 20. Move closer.
[0044]
In addition, the contact piece 42 may be configured such that a separate contact piece 42 comes into contact with each connection portion 25 in the planar shape of the electrode panel 20 shown in FIG. May be brought into contact with one contact piece 42 at a time. The contact piece 42 of the voltage application part 40 arrange | positioned at each side contacts the left and right connection parts 25 and 25.
[0045]
Test operation
First, the electrode panel 20 is placed on the support base 32 of the tester main body 30. The test arm 50 is disposed above the electrode panel 20, and the contact piece 42 of the voltage application unit 40 is brought into contact with the connection portion 25 of the electrode panel 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge gas is blown into the gas holding space 56 of the test arm 50 with the test electrode 80 disposed slightly above the dielectric layer 26 of the electrode panel 20. The gap between the test electrode 80 and the dielectric layer 26 is about 1 mm. In this state, a predetermined test voltage is applied between the test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24.
[0046]
A certain weak discharge is generated between the test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24. However, if the dielectric layer 26 is perforated or thinned, the portion between the test electrode 80 and the substrate discharge electrode 24 in that portion. Concentrated discharge occurs. A local light emission phenomenon caused by the concentrated discharge also occurs between the test electrode 80 and the discharge electrode 24. It is possible to visually observe light emission from above through the test arm 50 which is entirely transparent. Further, when the concentrated discharge occurs, the voltage value or current value in the power supply circuit changes, so that the occurrence of a defect in the dielectric layer 26 can be known by detecting the change in voltage or current.
[0047]
When the voltage is applied while the test arm 50 is moved in parallel so as to scan the entire surface of the electrode panel 20, the dielectric layer 26 can be subjected to a withstand voltage test for the entire electrode panel 20.
If the position where the defect of the dielectric layer 26 is detected due to the occurrence of electric discharge is stored or recorded electronically, after the test, repair work such as dielectric repair coating may be performed on the defective position. it can.
[0048]
The recording of the defective position can also be performed by manually marking the position where light emission has occurred by visual inspection. This marking can be performed mechanically or automatically. It is also possible to read and record the scale of the scale 34 arranged along the longitudinal side of the electrode panel 20.
Further, if the above-described local fluctuations in voltage and current and the moving position of the test arm 50 at that time are stored in the control computer of the tester body 30, the longitudinal direction of the electrode panel 20 is maintained. The defect position in the direction can be acquired as electronic data and used in the repair process.
[0049]
Furthermore, a voltage is applied in order from one end side to the other end side with respect to each discharge electrode 24 arranged in parallel along the short side of the electrode panel 20, and the voltage is applied when the defect phenomenon occurs. By combining the position data of the discharge electrode 24 and the position data of the test arm 50 at that time, the coordinate position along both the long side and the short side of the electrode panel 20 can be obtained, and the defective position It is also possible to specify coordinates.
[0050]
An insulating piece 120 used in an embodiment to be described later can be attached to a defective position as a mark.
[Second Embodiment]
4 and 5 show a test apparatus using a planar test electrode.
Device structure
A test electrode 102 made of a Cr metal layer is disposed on the entire upper surface of the panel mounting table 100 having a rectangular shape. The test electrode 102 is connected to the power source 84.
[0051]
A strip-shaped gap forming frame 116 made of an insulating material such as vinyl tape is disposed on the test electrode 102 along the outer periphery of the panel mounting table 100.
A gas outlet 115 is disposed on the surface of the panel mounting table 100 inside the gap forming frame 116, and the gas outlet 115 is connected to a discharge gas supply source via a gas pipe 114.
[0052]
Positioning pieces 118, 118 projecting upward are erected on the side surface of the longitudinal side of the panel mounting table 100.
The electrode panel 20 is mounted on the panel mounting table 100. If one side of the electrode panel 20 is in contact with the positioning pieces 118, 118, the outer periphery of the electrode panel 20 is just above the gap forming frame 116. To be placed on the
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 5, there is a gap of about 1 mm between the dielectric layer 26 of the electrode panel 20 and the test electrode 102 of the panel mounting table 100. Between the electrode panel 20 and the panel mounting table 100, a space whose outer periphery is surrounded by a gap forming frame 116 is generated. The space is filled with discharge gas from the gas outlet 115. In order to improve the airtightness between the electrode panel 20 and the gap forming frame 116, a mechanism for sandwiching the two and pressing each other can be provided.
[0054]
In FIG. 5, the gap forming frame 116 has a thickness at a portion where the discharge electrode 24 and the dielectric layer 26 on the right side in the drawing are sandwiched and at a portion where the discharge electrode 24 and the dielectric layer 26 on the left side in the drawing are not present. It ’s very different. This is an expression for displaying the structure of each part in an easy-to-understand manner. In an actual test apparatus, the thickness of the discharge electrode 24 and the dielectric layer 26 is extremely thin compared to the thickness of the gap forming frame 116, and the gap forming frame 116. The material itself may be of the same thickness throughout the frame. Normally, the difference in thickness due to the presence or absence of the discharge electrode 24 and the dielectric layer 26 can be absorbed by elastic deformation of the material of the gap forming frame 116.
[0055]
In the state of FIG. 5, all of the discharge electrodes 24 arranged in the space between the electrode panel 20 and the gap forming frame 116 or the wiring paths connecting the discharge electrodes 24 and the connection portions 25 are the dielectric layers 26. Make it covered. The electrode structure does not have to be covered with the dielectric layer 26 in the portion closed by the gap forming frame 116 or the portion that goes outside the gap forming frame 116.
[0056]
A detachable clip-like connection terminal 108 is connected to the connection portion 25 connected to the discharge electrode 24 of the electrode panel 20. The connection terminal 108 is simultaneously connected to all the discharge electrodes 24 arranged on the electrode panel 20. The electrode terminal 108 is connected to the power source 84 through wiring.
A ground terminal 104 is provided on the side of the electrode panel 20 opposite to the side on which the connection terminal 108 is attached. An earth wire 106 is connected to the earth terminal 104, and the earth wire 106 is grounded.
[0057]
Test operation
A predetermined test voltage is applied between the test electrode 102 and the substrate discharge electrode 24 from the power source 84 in a state where the electrode panel 20 is mounted on the panel mounting table 100 and the gap between them is filled with the discharge gas. To do. The test voltage is set in a range of about ± 1000V.
[0058]
In the space filled with the discharge gas, if there is a hole x or a thin portion in the dielectric layer 26 covering the discharge electrode 24, concentrated discharge occurs between the substrate discharge electrode 24 and the test electrode 102, and the portion is Emits light. When viewed from above the transparent electrode panel 20, the light emission position, that is, the position where the defect occurs can be specified.
In the defective portion, the electrode panel 20 is lifted from the panel mounting table 100, and a small insulating piece 120 of about 4 mm × 4 mm made of an insulating material such as polyimide tape is formed on the surface of the dielectric layer 26 which becomes the lower surface of the electrode panel 20. Adhere.
[0059]
The electrode panel 20 with the insulating piece 120 attached is mounted on the panel mounting table 100 again in the same manner as described above, and after supplying a discharge gas, a predetermined test voltage is applied. If a defective part comes out again, the insulation piece 120 similar to the above is stuck.
Such a process is repeated until no defective portion is generated.
As a result, all defective portions of the electrode panel 20 can be found. This is because the defective part that emits light by the first voltage application is the part with the lowest withstand voltage, and if this defective part is closed with the insulating piece 120, the next part with the lowest withstand voltage is applied with the next voltage application. Emits light. By repeating such an operation, defective parts having low withstand voltage properties are found in order.
[0060]
When the electrode panel 20 that has been tested is repaired by removing the insulating piece 120 and then applying a dielectric material to the place where the insulating piece 120 is adhered, all defective parts are repaired. Thus, the electrode panel 20 having the required pressure resistance can be obtained.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
In the electrode panel withstand voltage test method and apparatus according to the present invention, a discharge gas atmosphere is formed on the surface of the dielectric layer covering the discharge electrode of the electrode panel, and a voltage is applied between the test electrode and the discharge electrode. The pressure resistance test can be performed in an environment close to the actual use state when the PDP is assembled. As a result, it is possible to accurately and easily test the quality of the electrode panel.
[0062]
If a voltage is applied between the test electrode and the discharge electrode while moving the belt-like region of the discharge gas atmosphere and the test electrode along the surface of the electrode panel using the test arm described above, the electrode panel Can be tested efficiently and reliably. Moreover, since it is only necessary to pass a current to only a part of the electrode panel that faces the test electrode, a relatively small amount of power is consumed, and an excessive current does not flow when a concentrated discharge occurs at a defective part. Therefore, it is difficult for discharge breakdown to occur in an electrode panel such as a discharge electrode.
[0063]
If a discharge gas atmosphere is formed in the entire test region of the electrode panel and a voltage is applied with a planar test electrode, a defective portion with the weakest breakdown voltage performance can be found quickly. By attaching an insulating piece to the found defective part and repeating the same test, defective parts with weak pressure resistance can be found in order. Since no complicated operation is required for the test electrode or the like, the test can be easily performed with a simple apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a test apparatus representing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a detailed structure of a scanning bar.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a mechanism for applying a voltage to an electrode on a substrate.
FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of a test apparatus representing another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a PDP
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the electrode arrangement of the substrate.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the substrate.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Electrode panel (front panel)
22 Substrate
24 Discharge electrode
25 connections
26 Dielectric layer
30 Tester body
40 Voltage application section
50 test arms
54 Gas chamber
55 Gas passage groove
56 Gas holding space
80 test electrodes
84 Power supply

Claims (6)

A method of testing a dielectric layer withstand voltage performance on an electrode panel in which a large number of discharge electrodes are arranged on a surface of a substrate and a dielectric layer is arranged to cover the discharge electrodes,
Forming a discharge gas atmosphere on the surface of the dielectric layer of the electrode panel (a);
A step (b) of disposing a test electrode with a gap between the dielectric layer via the discharge gas atmosphere; and
A method for testing the withstand voltage of an electrode panel, comprising: (c) applying a voltage between the test electrode and a discharge electrode of the electrode panel. The step (a) of forming the discharge gas atmosphere forms a discharge gas atmosphere in a band-shaped region crossing the electrode panel,
The step (b) of disposing the test electrode, disposing the test electrode along a strip-shaped region of the discharge gas atmosphere;
In the step (c) of applying the voltage, a voltage is applied between the test electrode and the discharge electrode while the strip region of the discharge gas atmosphere and the test electrode are translated along the surface of the electrode panel. The withstand voltage test method for an electrode panel according to claim 1 to be applied. The step (a) of forming the discharge gas atmosphere forms a discharge gas atmosphere covering the entire test region of the electrode panel;
The step (b) of disposing the test electrode includes disposing a planar test electrode facing the entire test region of the electrode panel;
Applying the voltage (c), applying a voltage between the planar test electrode and the discharge electrode of the electrode panel;
In addition, if a defective part of the dielectric layer is found by applying the voltage, a step (d) of repeating the step (c) of applying the voltage after attaching an insulating piece to the defective part The pressure resistance test method for an electrode panel according to claim 1. An apparatus for testing a dielectric layer withstand voltage performance with respect to an electrode panel in which a large number of discharge electrodes are arranged on a surface of a substrate and a dielectric layer is arranged to cover the discharge electrodes,
Panel holding means for holding the electrode panel;
A test arm that is disposed across the electrode panel with a gap between the electrode panel and translates along the surface of the electrode panel;
A gas blowing means arranged along the axial direction of the test arm, for blowing a discharge gas into a gap with the electrode panel;
A test electrode disposed along the axial direction of the test arm in a discharge gas blowing atmosphere by the gas blowing means;
A pressure test apparatus for an electrode panel, comprising voltage applying means for applying a voltage between a discharge electrode of the electrode panel and the test electrode. The discharge electrode has a connection portion arranged to be exposed from the dielectric layer along the periphery of the substrate;
The voltage application means abuts against the contact portion of the electrode of the electrode panel to which a voltage is applied, and supports the contact piece. The pressure resistance test apparatus for an electrode panel according to claim 4, further comprising an advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing and retreating, and a pressing mechanism for pressing the contact piece against the connecting portion. An apparatus for testing a dielectric layer withstand voltage performance with respect to an electrode panel in which a large number of electrodes are arranged on a surface of a substrate and a dielectric layer is arranged to cover the electrodes,
A panel mounting table on which the electrode panel is mounted with the surface having the dielectric layer;
A gap forming frame disposed on the panel mounting table and maintaining a gap between the surface of the electrode panel and the surface of the panel mounting table by contacting along the outer periphery of the electrode panel;
A gas outlet that opens on the surface of the panel mounting table inside the gap forming frame and blows out a discharge gas;
A planar test electrode disposed on the panel mounting table facing the surface of the electrode panel;
A pressure test apparatus for an electrode panel, comprising: voltage applying means for applying a voltage between an electrode of the electrode panel and the test electrode.

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