U.S. patent application number 10/302869 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-18 for portable jig.
Invention is credited to Kweon, Hyug Jin, Son, Hae Joon.
Application Number | 20030230513 10/302869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29728660 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030230513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kweon, Hyug Jin ; et
al. |
December 18, 2003 |
Portable jig
Abstract
A portable jig for facilitating the transport and storage a
liquid crystal syringe includes a supporting die including at least
one inspection hole, at least one receiving hole for receiving at
least one liquid crystal syringe at an upper portion thereof and
having a flange for fixing an upper end portion of the liquid
crystal syringe, and an airtight lower face.
Inventors: |
Kweon, Hyug Jin; (Kumi-shi,
KR) ; Son, Hae Joon; (Chilgok-gun, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
29728660 |
Appl. No.: |
10/302869 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/722 ;
206/446 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/13415 20210101;
G02F 1/1303 20130101; G02F 1/1341 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/722 ;
206/446 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 2002 |
KR |
2002-33267 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable jig comprising: a supporting die including at least
one inspection hole; at least one receiving hole for receiving a
liquid crystal syringe, the at least one receiving hole including a
flange for securing an end portion of the liquid crystal syringe;
and an hermetically sealed lower face.
2. The portable jig according to claim 1, wherein said liquid
crystal syringe comprises: a liquid crystal container for
containing a liquid crystal material; a control part coupled to the
liquid crystal container for controlling a dispensing amount of the
liquid crystal material; and coupling means for coupling the
control part with the liquid crystal container.
3. The portable jig according to claim 2, wherein the coupling
means functions as a lid for the liquid crystal container.
4. The portable jig according to claim 2, wherein the at least one
receiving hole has the same cross-sectional dimensions as the
liquid crystal container.
5. The portable jig according to claim 2, wherein said flange has
the same cross-sectional dimensions as the coupling means.
6. The portable jig according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
inspection hole minimizes the weight of the portable jig.
7. The portable jig according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
inspection hole does not contact the lower face.
8. The portable jig according to claim 1, wherein said flange is
formed from Teflon.
9. The portable jig according to claim 1, wherein said supporting
die is formed from stainless steel.
10. The portable jig according to claim 1, further comprising a pad
formed on a bottom portion of the lower face.
11. The portable jig according to claim 1, further comprising a
handle integrally formed with the supporting die.
12. A portable jig, comprising: a supporting die; at least one
receiving hole formed in said supporting die; a flange provided
within said at least one receiving hole for securing a liquid
crystal syringe; and a lower face hermetically sealed to said
supporting die, opposing said at least one receiving hole.
13. The portable jig according to claim 12, further comprising at
least one inspection hole formed in said supporting die.
14. The portable jig according to claim 13, wherein the at least
one inspection hole does not contact the lower face.
15. The portable jig according to claim 12, wherein the at least
one receiving hole has the same cross-sectional dimensions as the
liquid crystal syringe.
16. The portable jig according to claim 12, further comprising a
pad formed on a bottom portion of the lower face.
17. The portable jig according to claim 16, wherein the pad is
formed rubber.
18. The portable jig according to claim 12, further comprising a
handle integrally formed with the supporting die.
19. The portable jig according to claim 12, wherein said supporting
die is formed from stainless steel.
20. The portable jig according to claim 12, wherein said flange is
formed from Teflon.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean
Application No. P2002-033267 filed on Jun. 14, 2002, which is
hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set
forth herein. This application incorporates by reference two
co-pending applications, Ser. No. 10/184,096, filed on Jun. 28,
2002, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING LIQUID CRYSTAL
DISPLAY DEVICES" (Attorney Docket Number 8733.666.00) and Ser. No.
10/184,088, filed on Jun. 28, 2002, entitled "SYSTEM FOR
FABRICATING LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY AND METHOD OF FABRICATING LIQUID
CRYSTAL DISPLAY USING THE SAME" (Attorney Docket Number
8733.684.00), as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a portable jig, and more
particularly, to a portable jig for facilitating the transport and
storage of a liquid crystal syringe.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, recent developments in the field of
communications have increased the demand for various types of
display devices. In response to this increased demand, numerous
types of flat panel displays (e.g., liquid crystal displays (LCDs),
plasma display panels (PDPs), electro-luminescent displays (ELDs),
vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs), etc.) have been developed.
[0006] Owing to their high resolution, light weight, thin profile,
and low power consumption, LCD devices have been widely used in
mobile devices (e.g., monitors of notebook computers) as well as
televisions and computer monitors.
[0007] LCD devices generally include two substrates coupled to each
other and separated by injected liquid crystal material. Liquid
crystal materials exhibit mid-range and long-range molecular
orders. Liquid crystal materials exhibit a mid-range molecular
order upon melting (i.e., transitioning from a solid phase to a
liquid phase), in that the liquid crystal material can assume a
phase that is neither solid nor liquid. Accordingly, liquid
crystals may exhibit properties of both liquids and crystals,
within predetermined temperature ranges. Liquid crystal materials
exhibit optical birefringence properties of optical anisotropic
crystals when they are irradiated with light or when electric or
magnetic fields are applied to them.
[0008] LCD devices are manufactured using a series of processes
including array formation process, color filter formation process,
liquid crystal (LC) cell formation process, and module formation
process.
[0009] The array formation process includes steps of deposition,
photolithography, and etching to form an array of thin film
transistors (TFTs) on a first substrate. The color filter formation
process includes the formation of a black matrix to shield light
from being transmitted through a region, other than a pixel region,
in a second substrate. The color filter formation process further
includes steps of forming red (R), green (G), and blue (B) filters
over the entire surface of the second substrate, and forming a
common electrode made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) on the color
filters.
[0010] The LC cell formation process includes steps of forming an
LCD cell by bonding the first substrate, on which the array of TFTs
are formed, to the second substrate, on which the black matrix,
color filters, and common electrode are formed. The bonded
substrates are spaced apart a uniform distance by a cell gap. The
LC cell formation process further includes injecting liquid crystal
material into the cell gap.
[0011] The module formation process includes the steps of
manufacturing an LCD module by providing a circuit for signal
processing, electrically connecting an LCD panel with the circuit
via mounting technologies, and assembling other components.
[0012] A typical LC cell formation process will now be described in
greater detail.
[0013] A first cassette (not shown), housing a first plurality of
first substrates, and a second cassette (not shown), housing a
second plurality of second substrates, are mounted into respective
ports via loaders.
[0014] Each of the first and second substrates are designed to be
used in the manufacture of at least one LCD panels. A plurality of
gate lines are formed at fixed intervals along a first direction on
the first substrate and a plurality of data lines are formed along
a second direction on the first substrate, perpendicular to the
first direction. Accordingly, a plurality of pixel regions may be
formed in a matrix pattern at the crossing of each of the gate and
data lines. A plurality of pixel electrodes are formed at the pixel
regions and a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs). In order
to prevent light leakage in regions outside the pixel regions, a
black matrix layer, color filters, and common electrode are
sequentially formed on the second substrate.
[0015] Next, the first substrate and the second substrate are
selected from the first and second cassettes, respectively, via a
robot arm that is programmed to select each of the first substrates
and the second substrates one at a time.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an orientation film formation process
(1S) is performed wherein orientation films are deposited on each
of the selected first and second substrates. The orientation films
uniformly align the liquid crystal material within the cell gap.
Particularly, the orientation film process (1S) is carried out by
pre-cleaning each of the substrates, printing the orientation
films, plasticizing the orientation films, inspecting the
orientation films, and rubbing the orientation films.
[0017] After the orientation film process (1S) is completed, a gap
formation process is then performed. During the gap formation
process, the first and second substrates are cleaned (2S), spacers
are dispensed on the first substrate so as to ensure the cell gap
is uniform (3S), sealant is dispensed on the second substrate and a
liquid crystal injection inlet is formed at an edge portion of each
panel (4S), and the first and second substrates are pressed and
bonded together (5S).
[0018] The bonded first and second substrates are then cut and
processed into an LCD panel (6S).
[0019] Subsequently, liquid crystal material is injected through
the liquid crystal injection inlet into the cell gap of each of the
LCD panels and the liquid crystal injection inlet is then sealed
(7S).
[0020] Lastly, cut surfaces of the first and second substrates are
then polished, and the LCD panel is then inspected for appearance
and electrical failure (8S).
[0021] The liquid crystal injection process will now be described
in greater detail.
[0022] In injecting liquid crystal material, liquid crystal
material is provided in a liquid crystal container, the liquid
crystal container is loaded into a vacuum chamber, and pressure in
the vacuum chamber is reduced, thereby creating a vacuum within the
vacuum chamber so that any moisture adhered to the inner surface of
the liquid crystal container or any air bubbles in the liquid
crystal material are removed.
[0023] While maintaining the vacuum within the vacuum chamber, the
liquid crystal injection inlet of an empty LC cell contacts, or is
dipped into, the liquid crystal material in the liquid crystal
container. The pressure of the vacuum chamber is then increased
and, due to the pressure difference between the interior of the
empty LC cell and the interior of the vacuum chamber, liquid
crystal material is injected through the liquid crystal injection
inlet into the cell gap.
[0024] There are, however, disadvantages to manufacturing LCD
devices according to the above liquid crystal injection method.
[0025] First, the aforementioned liquid crystal injection method is
a time consuming process. By performing the steps of cutting
substrates into LCD panels, maintaining a vacuum within cell gap of
the LCD panels, contacting the liquid crystal injection inlet with
liquid crystal material, injecting liquid crystal material, a
considerable amount of time is required to perform and the
productivity of the process is thus reduced.
[0026] Secondly, as LCD panels get larger, liquid crystal material
may not be completely injected into the cell gap.
[0027] Thirdly, the aforementioned injection process is very
complex and a wide variety of considerably large injection
apparatuses are required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a portable
jig that substantially obviates one or more problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0029] An advantage of the present invention provides a portable
jig for facilitating the transport and storage of liquid crystal
syringes.
[0030] Additional advantages and features of the invention will be
set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will
become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon
examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the
invention. These and other advantages of the invention may be
realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in
the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended
drawings.
[0031] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described
herein, a portable jig includes a supporting die including at least
one inspection hole; at least one receiving hole for receiving a
portion of at least one liquid crystal syringe and including a
flange for securing a portion of the liquid crystal syringe; and a
hermetically sealed lower face.
[0032] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention.
[0034] In the drawings:
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart of a method for
manufacturing an LCD according to a vacuum injection method;
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a liquid crystal
dispensing method according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of a liquid crystal
syringe according to the present invention; and
[0038] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate perspective and sectional views of
a portable jig according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
[0040] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
liquid crystal material may be introduced to the LCD panel via a
liquid crystal dispensing method. The liquid crystal dispensing
method forms a liquid crystal layer by dispensing liquid crystal
material onto a substrate and uniformly distributing the dispensed
liquid crystal material over the entire surface of the substrate by
pressing the substrate. The aforementioned liquid crystal
dispensing method enables the liquid crystal material to be
arranged on the substrate within a short period of time so that the
process of forming a liquid crystal layer in large LCD panels may
be performed quickly. Since a predetermined amount of liquid
crystal material is dispensed on the substrate, consumption of
liquid crystal material is minimized. Accordingly, costs of
manufacturing LCDs may be reduced.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the liquid crystal
dispensing method.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 2, the liquid crystal dispensing method
may be performed prior to bonding a lower substrate (i.e., a TFT
substrate) 105, on which driving elements are formed, and an upper
substrate (i.e., a C/F substrate) 103, on which color filters are
formed. Accordingly, liquid crystal material may be dispensed on
the lower substrate 105, for example, in the form of a droplet 107.
Alternatively, liquid crystal 107 may be dispensed on the upper
substrate 103. During the bonding process, however, the substrate
on which the liquid crystal material 107 is dispensed should be
arranged such that it is located under the other substrate, wherein
the liquid crystal material 107 is arranged between the two
substrates.
[0043] Sealant 109 may be dispensed along edges on the upper
substrate 103 to bond the upper substrate 103 to the lower
substrate 105 when they are pressed together. As the upper and
lower substrates 103 and 105, respectively, are pressed, the liquid
crystal material 107 is spread so that a liquid crystal layer
having a uniform thickness is formed between the upper substrate
103 and the lower substrate 105. Subsequently, the bonded
substrates may be separated into individual LCD panels.
[0044] Manufacturing LCDs according to the aforementioned liquid
crystal dispensing method is advantageous over the liquid crystal
injection method illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1 in that liquid
crystal layers may be rapidly formed between the upper and lower
substrates. Using the liquid crystal injection method, only LCD
panels having the same size cell gap may be simultaneously injected
with liquid crystal material under the same processing conditions
(e.g., same liquid crystal container, same injection pressure,
etc.). By dispensing liquid crystal material on a substrate,
however, a controlled amount of liquid crystal material may be
dispensed on many LCD panels having the same or different cell
gaps.
[0045] The liquid crystal dispensing method includes a liquid
crystal syringe provided within a liquid crystal dispensing
apparatus.
[0046] A liquid crystal syringe according to an embodiment of the
present invention will now be described with reference to FIG.
3.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, the syringe may, for example, include a
liquid crystal (LC) container 100 and a control part 300 for
controlling the amount of liquid crystal material dispensed. The
control part 300 may be coupled with the LC container 100 via a
coupling means 280 that may also function as a lid of the LC
container 100.
[0048] An dispensing regulator 110 may be coupled to a portion of
the LC container 100. A nozzle 120, through which liquid crystal
material exits the LC container 100, may be coupled to the
dispensing regulator 110.
[0049] In one aspect of the present invention, the control part 300
may, for example, include a needle 130 arranged within the LC
container 100 for controlling the dispensing of the liquid crystal
material, a clearance adjusting part 140 for adjusting a clearance
of the needle 130, a solenoid means 150 for controlling upward and
downward movements of the needle 130, and a gas supply means 160
for pressurizing the LC container 100.
[0050] In one aspect of the present invention, the LC container 100
may be formed from a material having a high moldability, high
strength, and that does not react with liquid crystal material
(e.g., polyethylene, etc.).
[0051] In another aspect of the present invention, the dispensing
regulator 110 may include a first coupling part 110A, a second
coupling part 110B, and a needle sheet 110C arranged between the
first and second coupling parts 110A and 110B, respectively. A
first end portion of each of the first and second coupling parts
110A and 110B, respectively, may include a female screw portion and
a second end portion may include a male screw portion. An exhaust
hole 111 may be arranged within the needle sheet 110C. The exhaust
hole 111 may be contacted by the needle 130 and may function as a
passage through which liquid crystal material exits the LC
container 100.
[0052] The LC container 100 may include a coupling part for
coupling with the dispensing regulator 110. In one aspect of the
present invention, the coupling part may include a female portion
for coupling with the second end portion of the first coupling part
110A. The first end portion of the first coupling part 110A may be
coupled with the second end portion of the second coupling part
110B. While the first end portion of the first coupling part 110A
is coupled with the second end portion of the second coupling part
110B, the needle sheet 110C may be arranged between, and in contact
with, the two coupling parts. The nozzle 120 may be coupled with
the first end portion of the second coupling part 110B.
[0053] A spring (not shown) may be provided proximate needle 130.
In one aspect of the present invention, the spring allows the
needle 130 to contact the exhaust hole 111 and prevent the
dispensing of liquid crystal material.
[0054] In one aspect of the present invention, a solenoid means 150
may be provided proximate the needle 130. When a magnetic force is
generated by power applied to a solenoid coil (not shown), the
solenoid means 150 drives the needle 130 upward. When the needle
130 is driven upward, nitrogen (N.sub.2) gas, which is supplied
within portions of the LC container 100 not occupied by liquid
crystal material through the gas supply means 90 from an external
gas supply part, presses the liquid crystal material in the LC
container 100 such that the liquid crystal material exits the LC
container 100. When the power ceases to be applied to the solenoid
coil, the spring forces the needle 130 to return to its original
location at the exhaust hole 111. Thus, the liquid crystal material
may be selectively dispensed by the upward and downward movements
of the needle 130.
[0055] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
the ability of the liquid crystal syringe to precisely dispense a
predetermined amount of liquid crystal material depends heavily on
the manner in which the syringe is assembled and stored. If the
amount of liquid crystal material dispensed is deficient, air
bubbles may be trapped in the cell gap between the bonded
substrates. If the amount of liquid crystal dispensed is excessive,
non-uniform display characteristics may be exhibited by the LCD
panel. To this end, it is important that the amount of liquid
crystal material dispensed by the syringe is precisely
controlled.
[0056] Accordingly, a jig according to an embodiment of the
invention facilitating the transport and storage of liquid crystal
syringes is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a portable jig 500 for
facilitating the transport and storage of the liquid crystal
syringe may, for example, include a supporting die 520 having at
least one inspection hole 510 formed therein, at least one
receiving hole 540 for receiving at least one liquid crystal
syringe wherein the at least one receiving hole includes a flange
530 for supporting an end portion of the liquid crystal syringe, a
hermetically sealed lower face 550, and a handle 570 integrally
formed with the supporting die 520.
[0058] In one aspect of the present invention, the inspection hole
510 may be formed in the supporting die so as to minimize the
weight of the portable jig 500. Additionally, the inspection hole
510 enables the presence of syringes within the portable jig 500 to
be visually confirmed. As liquid crystal material may leak from the
liquid crystal syringe placed in storage, the inspection hole 510
formed in the supporting die 520 may have dimensions that do not
contact the lower face 550.
[0059] The cross-sectional dimensions of the at least one receiving
hole 540 may be the same as the cross-sectional dimensions of the
liquid crystal container 100 shown in FIG. 3 so that the liquid
crystal container 100 may be securely received. A peripheral
portion of the flange 530 may have the same cross-sectional
dimensions as the cross-sectional dimensions of the coupling means
280 so that the coupling means 280 may be secured by the flange
530. In one aspect of the present invention, the flange may be made
out of a material capable of cushioning the liquid crystal syringe
(e.g., Teflon). Lastly, pad 560 may be attached to a bottom portion
of the lower face 550 for preventing the portable jig from
slipping.
[0060] The portable jig according to the principles of the
invention facilitates the transport and storage of liquid crystal
syringes. Accordingly, liquid crystal syringes stored and
transported with the portable jig of the present invention may
effectively and precisely dispense a predetermined amount of liquid
crystal material.
[0061] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *