JP4196082B2 - 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. 9 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-described problems, the present invention provides a lighting inspection apparatus for a display panel in which a plurality of electrode terminal blocks each having a plurality of extraction electrodes are arranged, and a plurality of extractions that are in electrical contact with the respective extraction electrodes of the display panel. A panel-mounted lighting unit comprising a plurality of contacts having electrodes arranged corresponding to the electrode terminal blocks of the display panel. The panel-mounted lighting unit is a display to be inspected in advance. By preparing a plurality of types according to the type of the panel and exchanging the panel mounting / lighting unit itself at the time of changing the type, it is possible to reduce the work time required for the type change and adjustment work.
[0012]
A contact control block that presses the contact against the electrode terminal block of the display panel so that the lead-out electrode of the display panel contacts the lead-out electrode of the display panel; and the connection control block connects the contact to the display panel. A plurality of connection units that are pressed against the electrode terminal block, and a slide unit that holds the connection unit movably in the direction in which the electrode terminal blocks of the display panel are arranged and in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, and the plurality of connections This unit is equipped with a standby unit that waits for unused connection units that are not used for pressing the contacts, and can be used by moving the connection units in the lighting inspection of multiple display panels with different numbers of electrode terminal blocks. By adjusting the number of connected units , It is possible to cope with the inspection apparatus of one.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
That is, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is a lighting test apparatus for a display panel which the electrode terminal block comprising a plurality arrangement with a plurality of extraction electrodes are placed on the body base and drawer of the display panel A plurality of contacts each having an extraction electrode that is in electrical contact with each electrode are arranged corresponding to the electrode terminal block of the display panel, and a lighting signal generating means for lighting the display panel is arranged. A panel-mounted lighting unit, and a connection control block that is movably disposed on the base of the main body and presses the contact against the electrode terminal block of the display panel so that the lead-out electrode of the display panel contacts the lead-out electrode of the display panel The connection control block includes a display panel for displaying the contact. A plurality of connection units that are pressed against the electrode terminal block of the display panel, and a slide unit that holds the connection unit so as to be movable in the arrangement direction of the electrode terminal blocks of the display panel and the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction. A standby unit for waiting for an unused connection unit that is not used for pressing the contact among the connection units is provided.
[0015]
Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the slide unit is arranged on the main body base and is movable in a direction in which the electrode terminal blocks of the display panel are arranged or in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. 1 slide unit and a second slide unit mounted on the first slide unit and movable in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the first slide unit and mounted with a connection unit It is characterized by.
[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 electrodes 101 as shown in FIG. A plurality of terminal blocks 103 are arranged.
[0018]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a panel-mounted lighting unit on which the display panel 10 is arranged when the display panel 10 is inspected for lighting. The panel-mounted lighting unit 11 is mounted on the main body base 12 of the lighting inspection apparatus. It is mounted in a state where it is positioned and held by. Further, panel holding means 14 for adjusting the holding position of the display panel 10 is arranged on the main body base 12 so that the display panel 10 is arranged at a predetermined position of the panel mounting lighting unit 11. Has been. Further, a connection control block 15 that is movable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the connection control blocks 15 are arranged at two positions corresponding to the sides on both sides centered on one corner of the display panel 10, but this is an electrode terminal of the display panel 10. The block 103 is appropriately changed depending on which side the block 103 is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the electrode terminal block 103 is provided on the long side and the short side of the display panel 10 so that the front and back sides are opposite. In FIG. Is arranged on the upper side, and the electrode terminal block 103 on the short side is arranged on the lower side.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the panel mounting lighting unit 11 includes a plurality of contacts 112 corresponding to the electrode terminal block 103 on a fixed plate 111 on which the display panel 10 is disposed. It is comprised by arrange | positioning. As shown in FIG. 2, the contact 112 has a plurality of extraction electrodes 113 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.
[0020]
Reference numeral 114 denotes a plurality of holding blocks for holding and arranging each of the plurality of contacts 112 on the fixed plate 111 at a predetermined adjustable interval. The holding block 114 is connected to the fixed plate 111 on the holding block 114. It is attached so as to be movable in the arrangement direction. The panel-mounted lighting unit 11 is provided with a lighting signal generating means 115 for lighting the display panel 10, and the lighting signal generating means 115 and the contact 112 are connected via a wiring means 116. Connected. Reference numeral 117 denotes positioning means for positioning a connection unit 17 of the connection control block 15 described later at a predetermined position corresponding to each of the contacts 112.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, the connection control block 15 is mounted on the slide base 16 movably arranged on the main body base 12 in the direction of the arrow, and is mounted on the slide unit 16. The contact unit 112 is pressed against the electrode terminal block 103 of the arranged display panel 10 and a plurality of connection units 17 are brought into contact with the extraction electrode 102 of the display panel 10 and the extraction electrode 113 of the contact 112. The connection unit 17 includes a presser unit 172 and a receiving unit 173 that are pivotally supported by a shaft 171 so that a tip end portion thereof can be freely opened and closed, and a movable mechanism portion 174 that rotates the presser unit 172 around the shaft 171. The connection unit 17 is mounted on the slide unit 16 so as to be movably supported by a shaft 175.
[0022]
The slide unit 16 holds the connection unit 17 so as to be movable in the arrangement direction of the electrode terminal blocks 103 of the display panel 10 and in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction. The slide unit 16 is arranged on the main body base 12. A first slide unit 161 that is installed and movable in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the electrode terminal blocks 103 of the display panel 10, and is mounted on the first slide unit 161 and moved by the first slide unit 161. A plurality of first units which are movable in the direction perpendicular to the direction, that is, the arrangement direction of the electrode terminal blocks 103 of the display panel 10 and which are provided corresponding to the plurality of connection units 17 and on which the plurality of connection units 17 are respectively mounted. And two slide units 162.
[0023]
The first slide unit 161 includes a slide plate 161a and a slide guide 161b that movably holds the slide plate 161a and is disposed on the main body base 12, and the second slide unit 162 includes The slide unit 162 includes a slide plate 162a on which the connection unit 17 is mounted, and a slide guide 162b that holds the slide plate 162a in a movable manner and is disposed on the slide plate 161a of the first slide guide 161.
[0024]
5A and 5B are plan views of the connection control block 15 as viewed from above. The connection unit 17 is omitted and only the slide unit 16 portion is shown. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state in the case of inspecting the display panel 10 in which the seven electrode terminal blocks 103 are arranged on the long side and the six electrode terminal blocks 103 are arranged on the short side. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state in the case of inspecting the display panel 10 in which five electrode terminal blocks 103 are arranged on the long side and four electrode terminal blocks 103 are arranged on the short side.
[0025]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the connection control block 15 corresponding to the long side of the display panel 10 is used to press the contact 114 out of the plurality of connection units 17. In the case of FIG. 5B, the two connection units 17 move the second slide unit 162 so that the unused connection unit 17 is kept on standby. It has been.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a standby unit 18 for waiting for an unused connection unit 17 is provided on the connection control block 15 side corresponding to the short side of the display panel 10. Not. Instead, as shown in FIG. 6, the presser plate 172a at the tip of the presser unit 172 of the connection unit 17 has a detachable structure, and as shown in FIG. In the case of the display panel 10 having the block 103, the holding plate 172a at the tip is replaced with a wide holding plate 172a, and a plurality of (two in the case of FIG. 5) electrode terminal blocks 103 are formed by one connecting unit 17. The contact 112 that contacts is pressed. In this case, the holding plate 172a at the tip needs to have a total length that can hold the two contacts 112, and when holding the two contacts 112 at the same time, the holding force per piece is one contact. Since it becomes half compared with the case where 112 is clamped, when the clamping force is insufficient, it is desirable that the clamping force of the connection unit 17 is increased to perform clamping.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the lighting inspection apparatus having the above configuration will be described.
[0028]
In FIG. 1, when the display panel 10 to be inspected is mounted on the panel holding means 14 and inspected for lighting, in the connection control block 15, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, the connection unit 17 and the display panel 10 are displayed. In order to avoid interference with the slide unit 16, the slide unit 16 provided with the connection unit 17 moves in a direction not causing interference. At this time, since the contact 112 and the lighting signal generation means 115 are installed in the panel mounting lighting unit 11 separated from the slide unit 16, they do not move together with the slide unit 16.
[0029]
After the display panel 10 is mounted, the slide unit 16 provided with the connection unit 17 moves integrally in the direction opposite to the previous direction, and after this movement, as shown in FIG. The presser unit 172 of the 17 rotates and the contact 112 of the display panel 10 and the panel mounting lighting unit 11 is sandwiched between the receiving unit 173 and the extraction electrode 102 and the contact 112 of the display panel 10 are taken out. The electrode 113 is in electrical contact. At this time, the extraction electrode 113 of the contact 112 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 115, the contact 112 and the holding block 114 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.
[0030]
After the above operation, a lighting signal is supplied from the lighting signal generation means 115 to the display panel 10 via the contact 112 of the panel mounting lighting unit 11 to perform lighting display. After the inspection is completed, the operation is the reverse of the above operation. First, after the connection state of the display panel 10 and the panel mounting lighting unit 11 by the connection unit 17 of the connection control block 15 is released, the display panel 10 and the connection unit 17 are released. 7A, the slide unit 16 is moved away from the panel-mounted lighting unit 11 as shown in FIG. 7A, and the display panel 10 is removed as shown in FIG. 7B. Is done. Thereafter, the display panel 10 to be inspected next is mounted and the inspection is repeatedly performed.
[0031]
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 becomes necessary to change the pitch of the extraction electrodes 113 formed on the contacts 112 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 112 of the panel mounting lighting unit 11 according to the shape of the electrode terminal portion of the display panel 10 to be inspected.
[0032]
In the lighting inspection apparatus of the present invention, according to the number of electrodes and the electrode pitch of the electrode terminal block 103 of each type of display panel 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is different from that shown in FIG. A panel-mounted lighting unit 11 in which the contact 112 and the lighting signal generating means 115 are arranged at predetermined positions is prepared, and a holding block is provided so that the mounting position of the contact 112 of the panel-mounted lighting unit 11 becomes a predetermined position. If the position 114 is adjusted in advance, at the time of product type switching, the panel mounting lighting unit 11 adjusted for each product type may be mounted on the lighting unit base 13 and is necessary for product type switching and adjustment work. Work time can be reduced.
[0033]
The procedure for switching the type of the display panel 10 is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the slide unit 16 is retracted so that the connection control block 15 does not interfere with the panel placement lighting unit 11. Then, the panel mounting lighting unit 11 is taken out upward and removed from the lighting unit base 13.
[0034]
Next, a panel-mounted lighting unit 11 of a type adapted to the display panel 10 to be newly inspected is prepared and positioned and arranged on the lighting unit base 13. Then, the first slide unit 161 is moved back and forth in accordance with the size of the product to be replaced, and positioned at a predetermined position. Next, in order to match the connecting unit 17 with the pitch of the contact 112 of the panel-mounted lighting unit 11, the second slide guide 162 is moved left and right, and the connecting unit 17 is moved by the positioning means 117 of the panel-mounted lighting unit 11. Position it at a predetermined position. These first and second slide units 161 and 162 may be moved from the outside via a cylinder (not shown) or manually.
[0035]
Here, among the plurality of connection units 17 of the connection control block 15, a standby unit 18 is provided to wait for an unused connection unit 17 that is not used for pressing the contact 112, and the number of electrode terminal blocks 103 is different. In the lighting inspection of the display panel 10, it is possible to cope with one inspection apparatus by moving the connection unit 17 and adjusting the number of connection units 17 to be used.
[0036]
That is, on the connection control block 15 side corresponding to the long side of the display panel 10, a standby unit 18 is provided that waits for an unused connection unit 17 that is not used for pressing the contact 114 among the plurality of connection units 17. From the case where the panel mounting lighting unit 11 having the size shown in FIG. 3 is used to the case where the panel mounting lighting unit 11 shown in FIG. 8 is used, as shown in FIG. The connection unit 17 is moved to the standby unit 18 to be on standby. In the opposite case, the connection unit 17 may be pulled out from the standby unit 18 and positioned at a predetermined position.
[0037]
Through these procedures, the alignment of the connection unit 17 is completed in accordance with the position of the contact 112 of the panel-mounted lighting unit 11 of a predetermined product type, and the product type switching is completed.
[0038]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the contact 112 having the plurality of extraction electrodes 113 that are in electrical contact with the extraction electrodes 102 of the display panel 10 corresponds to the electrode terminal block 103 of the display panel 10. A plurality of panel placement lighting units 11 arranged in advance and prepared in advance according to the type of display panel 10 to be inspected. By exchanging the panel mounting lighting unit 11 itself at the time of product type switching, the work time required for product type switching and adjustment work can be reduced.
[0039]
In addition, a standby unit 18 is provided for waiting for an unused connection unit 17 that is not used for pressing the contact 112 among the plurality of connection units 17, and lighting of the plurality of display panels 10 having different numbers of electrode terminal blocks 103 is provided. In the inspection, it is possible to cope with one inspection device by moving the connection unit 17 and adjusting the number of connection units 17 to be used.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, the example in which the contact 112 corresponding to each of the short side and the long side of the display panel 10 is used has been described. However, it corresponds to the electrode terminal blocks 103 on all sides. You may arrange | position the contact 112 to this. Further, in the present embodiment, the panel holding means 14 is disposed on the main body base 12 so as to hold the vicinity of the center of the display panel 10, as long as it does not interfere with the panel mounting lighting unit 11 and other structures. The four corners of the display panel 10 may be held. Further, the panel-mounted lighting unit 11 is supported by the lighting unit base 13 with the four corners regulated, but each side portion of the panel-mounted lighting unit 11 may be regulated and supported.
[0041]
In this embodiment, a flexible printed wiring board is used for the contact 112. However, a rigid printed board or the like is used for a portion where the extraction electrode 113 to be brought into contact with the extraction electrode 102 of the display panel 10 is formed. The substrate and the extraction electrode 102 of the display panel 10 may be in contact with each other. Further, the panel-mounted lighting unit 11 is configured by attaching a plurality of contacts 112 and a holding block 114 to the same fixed plate 111, but if necessary, a plurality of fixed plates 111 can be attached to a single lighting inspection device. The panel placement lighting unit 11 may be configured by arranging the contact 112 and the holding block 114 separately on each fixed plate 111.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the first slide unit 161 can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the electrode terminal blocks 103 of the display panel 10. However, the first slide unit 161 of the display panel 10 can be moved. The electrode terminal block 103 may be movable in the arrangement direction, and a plurality of electrode terminal blocks 103 may be arranged corresponding to the connection unit 17 in the same manner as the second slide unit 162.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the lighting inspection of the display panel, a plurality of panel mounting lighting units are prepared in advance according to the type of the display panel to be inspected, and the panel mounting lighting unit is switched when switching the type. By exchanging itself, the position adjustment work can be simplified, and the time for changing the product type can be greatly shortened. In addition, the position adjustment operation of the connection unit disposed on the slide unit can be easily performed according to the individual contacts of the panel mounting lighting unit, and the type switching operation time can be further shortened.
[0044]
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 perspective view showing the overall configuration of a display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the main part of the apparatus. FIG. 4 is a plan view and a side view showing a configuration of a panel mounting lighting unit of the apparatus. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration of a connection control block of the apparatus. FIGS. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the configuration of the connection control block of the apparatus. FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views showing the situation when the panel mounting lighting unit of the apparatus is replaced. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another example of a panel-mounted lighting unit. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display panel lighting inspection apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display panel 11 Panel mounting lighting unit 12 Main body base 15 Connection control block 16 Slide unit 17 Connection unit 18 Standby part 102 Extraction electrode 103 Electrode terminal block 111 Fixing plate 112 Contactor 113 Extraction electrode 115 Lighting signal generation means 161 1st Slide unit 162 Second slide unit

Claims (2)

In a lighting inspection apparatus for a display panel in which a plurality of electrode terminal blocks having a plurality of lead electrodes are arranged, a plurality of lead electrodes placed on a main body base and in electrical contact with each of the lead electrodes of the display panel The panel mounting lighting unit is configured to be arranged corresponding to the electrode terminal block of the display panel and lighting signal generating means for lighting the display panel, and is movable to the main body base And a connection control block that presses the contact against the electrode terminal block of the display panel and contacts the extraction electrode of the display panel with the extraction electrode of the display panel, and the connection control block includes the contact Multiple contacts pressed against the electrode terminal block on the display panel A unit and a slide unit that holds the connection unit so as to be movable in an arrangement direction of the electrode terminal blocks of the display panel and a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, and pressing the contact among the plurality of connection units A display panel lighting inspection apparatus comprising a standby unit for waiting for an unused connection unit not used for the display panel.   The slide unit is mounted on the first slide unit, the first slide unit disposed on the main body base and movable in the arrangement direction of the electrode terminal blocks of the display panel or in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. 2. The display panel lighting inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display panel lighting inspection apparatus comprises a second slide unit that is movable in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the first slide unit and on which a connection unit is mounted.

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