JP4196064B2 - Display panel lighting inspection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lighting inspection apparatus for a display panel that inputs and displays a lighting signal on a display panel and performs an image quality inspection before combining a driving circuit with a display panel such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display is manufactured by mounting a driving circuit on the panel. In the manufacturing process, in order to prevent the defective panel from flowing out to the mounting process, a lighting signal is input and a lighting test is performed before the driving circuit is mounted.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional display panel lighting inspection apparatus. The display panel lighting inspection apparatus includes a panel inspection unit 3 including a panel holding unit 1 and a drive circuit 2 for lighting the display panel set in the panel holding unit 1, and a power source that supplies power to the drive circuit 2. 4, a signal generator 5 that supplies a signal to the drive circuit 2, and a control device 6 such as a personal computer that controls the power supply 4 and the signal generator 5.
[0004]
As this kind of display panel lighting inspection device, one using an inspection probe pin (see Patent Document 1) is known, but instead of this inspection probe pin, it is formed on a flexible printed circuit (FPC). It is also considered to use an electrode as a probe for lighting inspection.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2953039 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, a display panel has a plurality of electrodes in a display area, and an electrode terminal having a plurality of extraction electrodes at an end portion outside the display area by extending the electrodes and narrowing the interval. Multiple blocks are arranged. The pitch of the electrodes in the lead-out electrodes of this display panel is, for example, an inter-electrode pitch of about 300 μm when address electrodes of a 42-inch plasma display panel are taken as an example.
[0007]
In the inspection method using the FPC as a probe for lighting inspection, the extraction electrode of the lighting inspection probe made of FPC is brought into contact with the extraction electrode of such a display panel, and the display panel is energized through this probe. The lighting inspection is performed by lighting up.
[0008]
However, in the case of such an inspection method using FPC, when switching the type of display panel to be inspected, for example, when inspecting a display panel of a different type as a display panel, the pitch of the extraction electrodes Since the number of electrodes and the number of electrodes are different, it is necessary to change the pitch of the extraction electrodes of the FPC probe and the number of electrodes in accordance with the extraction electrodes.
[0009]
At this time, since it is necessary to position several tens of probes with high accuracy, it takes about 3 to 4 hours for the product switching and adjustment work. If the frequency of product switching increases, the operating rate of the lighting inspection apparatus decreases. The problem that productivity deteriorated occurred.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to realize a display panel lighting inspection apparatus with high productivity by reducing the work time required for switching display panel types.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a display panel in which a plurality of electrode terminal blocks having a plurality of lead electrodes are arranged at the peripheral end, and a main body base having panel holding means for positioning and holding the display panel And a holding unit base that is detachably disposed on the main body base, the holding unit base having a plurality of extraction electrodes that are in electrical contact with the extraction electrodes of the display panel, and the display A panel lighting unit comprising a plurality of contacts corresponding to the electrode terminal blocks of the panel, and lighting signal generating means for supplying a signal for lighting the display panel to the contacts, and the holding unit A plurality of contacts of the panel lighting unit are disposed in front of the base and are movable. Against the electrode terminal block of the display panel obtained by mounting the one connection unit for contacting the extraction electrode contacts the extraction electrode of the display panel, the holding unit base having a panel lighting unit, a previously inspected By preparing a plurality of types according to the type of the display panel and exchanging the holding unit base at the time of changing the type, it is possible to reduce the work time required for changing the type and adjusting.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
That is, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention includes a display panel in which a plurality of electrode terminal blocks having a plurality of lead electrodes are arranged at the peripheral end, and a panel holding means for positioning and holding the display panel. A main body base and a holding unit base that is detachably disposed on the main body base, and the holding unit base has a plurality of extraction electrodes that are in electrical contact with the extraction electrodes of the display panel. And a panel lighting unit comprising a plurality of contacts arranged corresponding to the electrode terminal blocks of the display panel, and a lighting signal generating means for supplying a signal for lighting the display panel to the contacts, A plurality of contacts of the panel lighting unit are movably disposed on the holding unit base. Wherein the mounting and one connection unit against a child to an electrode terminal block of the display panel is contacted with the extraction electrode of the contacts to an extraction electrode of the display panel.
[0016]
Hereinafter, a display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a lighting inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a display panel such as a plasma display panel, and an electrode having a plurality of extraction electrodes 102 formed by extending an electrode 101 at the peripheral edge of the display panel 10 as shown in FIG. A plurality of terminal blocks 103 are arranged.
[0018]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a main body base on which the display panel 10 is arranged when the display panel 10 is inspected for lighting. On the main body base 11, panel holding means 12 for positioning and holding the display panel 10 is disposed. Yes. The main body base 11 is held and attached to a gantry 13 of a lighting inspection device by a rotation support portion 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes a rotation handle for rotating the rotation support portion 14. By rotating the rotation handle 15, the main body base 11 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. it can. Further, a holding unit base 16 detachably attached to the main body base 11 is disposed on the main body base 11.
[0019]
A panel lighting unit 17 is disposed on the holding unit base 16, and a connection control block 18 is movably disposed on the holding unit base 16.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the panel lighting unit 17 holds a plurality of contacts 171 on the holding unit base 16 corresponding to the electrode terminal blocks 103 of the display panel 10 by holding blocks 172. And a lighting signal generating means 173 for lighting the display panel 10 is provided, and the lighting signal generating means 173 and the contact 171 are connected via the wiring means 174. It is configured. As shown in FIG. 3, the contact 171 has a plurality of extraction electrodes 175 that are in electrical contact with the extraction electrodes 102 of the display panel 10, and a conductive film such as a copper foil is provided between the insulating films. It is comprised by the flexible printed wiring board in which the property pattern was formed. The holding block 172 is attached to the holding unit base 16 so as to be movable in the arrangement direction of the holding blocks 172.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, the connection control block 18 is mounted on the holding unit base 16 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow away from the display panel 10, and on the slide base 181. The connection unit 182 presses the contact 171 against the electrode terminal block 103 of the display panel 10 to bring the extraction electrode 175 of the contact 171 into contact with the extraction electrode 102 of the display panel 10. The connection unit 182 includes a presser unit 184 and a receiving unit 185 that are pivotally supported by a shaft 183 so that a tip end portion thereof can be freely opened and closed, and a movable mechanism unit 186 that rotates the presser unit 184 around the shaft 183. The connecting unit 182 is mounted on the slide base portion 181 so as to be movable by a shaft 187.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows an example in which the holding unit base 16 on which the panel lighting unit 17 and the connection control block 18 are mounted is arranged at two positions corresponding to the sides on both sides centered on one corner of the display panel 10. However, this is appropriately changed depending on which side the electrode terminal block 103 of the display panel 10 is provided, and is arranged corresponding to each side where the electrode terminal block 103 is arranged.
[0023]
Next, the operation of the lighting inspection apparatus having the above configuration will be described.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, when the display panel 10 to be inspected is mounted on the panel holding means 12 and inspected for lighting, the connection control block 18 first causes interference between the connection unit 182 and the display panel 10 as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the slide base portion 181 provided with the connection unit 182 moves in a direction that does not interfere. At this time, since the contact 171 and the lighting signal generating means 173 are separated from the slide base portion 181 and installed on the holding unit base 16, they do not move together with the slide base portion 181.
[0025]
After the display panel 10 is mounted, the slide base portion 181 provided with the connection unit 182 moves integrally in the direction opposite to the previous direction, and after this movement, as shown in FIG. The presser unit 184 of the unit 182 is rotated and the contact 171 of the display panel 10 and the panel lighting unit 17 is sandwiched between the receiving unit 185 and thereby the extraction electrode 102 of the display panel 10 and the extraction electrode of the contact 171. 175 is in electrical contact. At this time, the extraction electrode 175 of the contact 171 of the panel mounting lighting unit 11 and the extraction electrode 102 of the display panel 10 are in the same position without the lighting signal generating means 173, the contact 171 and the holding block 172 moving. For this reason, the display panel 10 that is installed is brought into contact with the display panel 10 at a predetermined position with high accuracy.
[0026]
After the above operation, a lighting signal is supplied from the lighting signal generating means 173 to the display panel 10 via the contact 171 to perform lighting display. After completion of the inspection, the operation is the reverse of the above operation. First, the display panel 10 and the connection unit 182 interfere with each other after the connection unit 182 of the connection control block 18 releases the holding state between the display panel 10 and the panel lighting unit 17. In order to avoid this, the slide base 181 is moved away from the display panel 10 and the display panel 10 is removed. Thereafter, the display panel 10 to be inspected next is mounted and the inspection is repeatedly performed.
[0027]
By the way, when the type of the display panel 10 to be inspected is switched, for example, in the display panel 10 of a different type, the pitch of the electrode terminal block 103, the number of electrodes, and the like are different. It is necessary to change the pitch of the extraction electrodes 175 formed on the contact 171 of the mounting lighting unit 11 and the number of electrodes. For this reason, when changing the product type, it is necessary to replace and attach the contact 171 of the panel mounting lighting unit 11 according to the shape of the electrode terminal portion of the display panel 10 to be inspected.
[0028]
In the lighting inspection apparatus of the present invention, the panel lighting unit 17 having the contact 171 and the lighting signal generating means 173 is arranged at a predetermined position in accordance with the number of electrodes and the electrode pitch of the electrode terminal block 103 of each type of display panel 10. If the position of the holding unit base 16 is adjusted in advance so that the mounting position of the contact 171 of the panel lighting unit 17 becomes a predetermined position, the holding unit base 16 disposed at the position of the panel lighting unit 17 is adjusted. In this case, the holding unit base 16 adjusted for each product may be placed on the main body base 11, and the work time required for product switching and adjustment can be reduced.
[0029]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the holding unit base 16 that is detachably disposed on the main body base 11 on which the display panel 10 is placed is provided, and the display unit 10 is provided on the holding unit base 16. A panel lighting unit 17 configured by arranging a plurality of contacts 171 having a plurality of extraction electrodes 175 in electrical contact with the respective extraction electrodes 102 corresponding to the electrode terminal blocks 103 of the display panel 10; A connection control block that is movably disposed on the holding unit base 16 and presses the contact 171 against the electrode terminal block 103 of the display panel 10 so that the extraction electrode 175 of the contact 171 contacts the extraction electrode 175 of the display panel 10. 18 and its panel lighting unit A plurality of holding unit bases 16 having 7 are prepared in advance according to the type of the display panel 10 to be inspected, and the holding unit base 16 itself is exchanged at the time of changing the type, so that it is necessary for product type switching and adjustment work. Therefore, the working time can be reduced.
[0030]
Although the panel holding means 12 is disposed on the main body base 11 so as to hold the vicinity of the center of the display panel 10, the four corners of the display panel 10 are held if the position does not interfere with the holding unit base 16 and other structures. You may arrange so that.
[0031]
In this embodiment, a flexible printed wiring board is used for the contact 171. However, a rigid printed circuit board or the like is used for a portion where the extraction electrode 175 to be brought into contact with the extraction electrode 102 of the display panel 10 is used. The substrate and the extraction electrode 102 of the display panel 10 may be in contact with each other.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in display panel lighting inspection, a plurality of holding unit bases having panel lighting units are prepared in advance according to the type of display panel to be inspected, and are held at the time of switching the type. By exchanging the unit base itself, the position adjustment work can be simplified, and the product changeover time can be greatly shortened. In particular, in the present invention, when it is necessary to frequently switch product types such as high-mix low-volume production, the operation rate of the apparatus can be improved by greatly reducing the product change time, and in the lighting inspection of the display panel Productivity can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of the apparatus. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of the apparatus. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration in a conventional display panel lighting inspection apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display panel 11 Main body base 16 Holding | maintenance unit base 17 Panel lighting unit 18 Connection control block 102 Extraction electrode 103 Electrode terminal block 171 Contact 173 Lighting signal generation means 175 Extraction electrode 181 Slide base part 182 Connection unit

Claims (1)

A display panel having a plurality of electrode terminal blocks having a plurality of lead electrodes arranged at the peripheral edge, a main body base having panel holding means for positioning and holding the display panel, and detachably disposed on the main body base A holding unit base, and the holding unit base has a plurality of extraction electrodes that are in electrical contact with the extraction electrodes of the display panel, and a plurality corresponding to the electrode terminal block of the display panel. A panel lighting unit comprising a disposed contact, and a lighting signal generating means for supplying a signal for lighting the display panel on the contact; and a panel lighting unit movably disposed on the holding unit base and the panel A plurality of contacts of the lighting unit are connected to the electrode terminal block of the display panel. Lighting test apparatus for a display panel, characterized in that mounting and one connection unit for contacting the extraction electrode contacts the extraction electrode of the display panel against the click.

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