U.S. patent application number 12/766740 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for dispenser for liquid crystal display panel and dispensing method using the same.
Invention is credited to Soo-Min KWAK, Hae-Joon Son.
Application Number | 20100200114 12/766740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34675689 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100200114 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KWAK; Soo-Min ; et
al. |
August 12, 2010 |
DISPENSER FOR LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY PANEL AND DISPENSING METHOD
USING THE SAME
Abstract
A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel includes a table
for loading a substrate having at least one image display unit and
being horizontally driven in a driving direction of a long side or
a short side of the substrate, at least one support member to be
horizontally driven in a driving direction perpendicular to the
driving direction of the table, and at least one syringe aligned on
the support member to supply a dispensing material to the
substrate.
Inventors: |
KWAK; Soo-Min;
(Gyeongsangbuk-Do, KR) ; Son; Hae-Joon; (Busan,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
34675689 |
Appl. No.: |
12/766740 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10992213 |
Nov 19, 2004 |
7732004 |
|
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12766740 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
141/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/1339
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/270 |
International
Class: |
B67D 7/06 20100101
B67D007/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 25, 2003 |
KR |
P 2003-84164 |
Claims
1. A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel, comprising: a
table for loading a substrate having at least one image display
unit and being horizontally driven in a driving direction of a long
side or a short side of the substrate; at least one support member
to be horizontally driven in a driving direction perpendicular to
the driving direction of the table; and at least one syringe
aligned on the at least one support member to supply a dispensing
material to the substrate.
2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes at
least one of a thin film transistor array substrate and a color
filter substrate.
3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing material is a
sealant.
4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the seal patterns are
partially opened.
5. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the seal patterns are closed
patterns surrounding a peripheral region of the at least one image
display unit.
6. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the sealant is one of a UV
hardening sealant, and a mixed sealant of a UV hardening sealant
and a thermosetting sealant
7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the number of the at least one
support member and the number of the at least one syringe
correspond to the number of the at least one image display
unit.
8.-14. (canceled)
15. A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel, comprising: a
table for loading a substrate having a plurality of image display
units and being horizontally driven in a first direction and a
third direction; a plurality of support members to be horizontally
driven in a second direction and a fourth direction; and a
plurality of syringes aligned on the plurality of support member
and dividing into at least a first group and a second group for
supplying a dispensing material on the substrate, wherein the first
group of syringes supply the dispensing material at peripheral
regions of even numbered image display units by horizontally
driving the table in the first direction and horizontally driving
the support members in the second direction; and the second group
of syringes supply the dispensing material at peripheral regions of
odd numbered image display units by horizontally driving the table
in the third direction and horizontally driving the support members
in the fourth direction.
16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the dispensing material is a
sealant that is one of a UV hardening sealant, and a mixed sealant
of a UV hardening sealant and a thermosetting sealant.
17. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the first direction of the
table is a direction of a long side or a short side of the
substrate, and the third direction of the table is reverse to the
first direction of the table.
18. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the second direction of the
support members is perpendicular to the first direction of the
table, and the fourth direction of the support members is reverse
to the second direction of the support members.
19. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the number of the first
group of syringes correspond to the number of the even numbered
image display units, and the number of the second group of syringes
correspond to the number of the odd numbered image display
units.
20. The dispenser claim 15, wherein the substrate is provided with
at least one of a thin film transistor array substrate and a color
filter substrate.
Description
[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2003-84164 filed in Korea on Nov. 25, 2003, which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display
(LCD) panel, and more particularly to, a dispenser for an LCD panel
and a dispensing method using the same. Although the present
invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is
particularly suitable for reducing a time taken to form seal
patterns on a plurality of liquid crystal display panels formed on
a large size mother substrate, and forming seal patterns on
small-sized LCD panels formed on a large size mother substrate.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] In general, an LCD device is a display device for displaying
an image by controlling light transmittance of pixels arranged in a
matrix shape and then individually supplying data signals based on
image information to the pixels. Therefore, the LCD device includes
an LCD panel on which the pixels are arranged in the matrix shape,
a gate driving unit, and a data driving unit for driving the
pixels.
[0006] The LCD panel includes a color filter substrate and a thin
film transistor array substrate attached with a predetermined
cell-gap, and a liquid crystal layer formed at the cell-gap between
the color filter substrate and the thin film transistor array
substrate. A plurality of data lines for transmitting data signals
from the data driving unit to the pixels, and a plurality of gate
lines for transmitting scan signals from the gate driving unit to
the pixels are orthogonal to each other on the LCD panel. The
pixels are defined in each of the intersections of the data lines
and the gate lines. Thin film transistors for switching the data
signals transmitted from the data driving unit through the data
lines, and pixel electrodes for receiving the data signals through
the thin film transistors are individually formed in the pixels.
The gate driving unit sequentially supplies the scan signals to the
plurality of gate lines, thereby sequentially selecting one line of
the pixels arranged in the matrix shape. The data driving unit
supplies the data signals to the selected pixels.
[0007] Common electrodes and pixel electrodes are formed on the LCD
panel on which the color filter substrate and the thin film
transistor array substrate are attached, for applying an electric
field to the liquid crystal layer. When a voltage is applied to the
common electrodes, if a voltage of the data signals applied to the
pixel electrodes is controlled, the liquid crystals of the liquid
crystal layer are rotated due to dielectric anisotropy by the
electric field between the common electrodes and the pixel
electrodes, for transmitting or intercepting light in each pixel to
display characters or images.
[0008] A related art LCD device will now be explained in detail
with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic plane diagram
illustrating a unit LCD panel on which a thin film transistor array
substrate and a color filter substrate are attached to face each
other in the related art LCD device.
[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, the LCD panel 100 includes an image
display unit 113 on which liquid crystal cells are arranged in a
matrix shape, a gate pad unit 114 connected to gate lines of the
image display unit 113, and a data pad unit 115 connected to data
lines of the image display unit 113. The image display unit 113
includes a thin film transistor array substrate 113 and a color
filter substrate 102. Herein, the gate pad unit 114 and the data
pad unit 115 are formed at the edges of the thin film transistor
array substrate 101 that does not overlap the color filter
substrate 102. The gate pad unit 114 supplies scan signals from a
gate driver integration circuit to the gate lines, and the data pad
unit 115 supplies image information from a data driver integration
circuit to the data lines. In addition, the data lines receiving
the image information and the gate lines receiving the scan signals
are arranged on the thin film transistor array substrate 101 to
vertically cross each other. Thin film transistors for switching
the liquid crystal cells, and pixel electrodes connected to the
thin film transistors for driving the liquid crystal cells are
formed in the intersections of the data lines and the gate lines,
respectively. A protecting film is formed on the entire surface to
protect the electrodes and the thin film transistors.
[0010] Color filters separated by cell regions by a black matrix
and common transparent electrodes are formed on the color filter
substrate 102. The common transparent electrodes are counter
electrodes to the pixel electrodes formed on the thin film
transistor array substrate 101. A cell-gap is formed between the
thin film transistor array substrate 101 and the color filter
substrate 102 to isolate the two substrates from each other by
spacers. The thin film transistor array substrate 101 and the color
filter substrate 102 are attached by a seal pattern 116 formed at a
peripheral region of the image display unit 113, thereby forming
the unit LCD panel.
[0011] A method for simultaneously forming a plurality of unit LCD
panels on a large size mother substrate has been generally employed
to improve yield of the LCD panels. A process is required to
separate the unit LCD panels from the large size mother substrate
by cutting and polishing the mother substrate. A liquid crystal
layer may be formed at the cell-gap by injecting a liquid crystal
material into the unit LCD panel via a liquid crystal injection
hole, and then the liquid crystal injection hole is sealed up.
Accordingly, the unit LCD panels are fabricated by the processes
for individually fabricating the thin film transistor array
substrate 101 and the color filter substrate 102, soldiering the
thin film transistor array substrate 101 and the color filter
substrate 102 with a predetermined cell-gap, cutting the attached
structure into the unit LCD panels, and injecting liquid crystal
into the unit LCD panels.
[0012] Especially, a process for forming the seal pattern 116 at
the peripheral region of the image display unit 113 is required so
that the thin film transistor array substrate 101 and the color
filter substrate 102 can be bonded together. A related art method
for forming seal patterns will now be explained with reference to
FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIGS. 2A and 2B are exemplary diagrams
illustrating a screen printing method for forming the seal
patterns.
[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the screen printing
method requires a screen mask 206 patterned to selectively expose
formation regions of a plurality of seal patterns 216A-216F, and a
squeegee 208 for simultaneously forming the plurality of seal
patterns 216A-216F by selectively supplying a sealant 203 to a
substrate 200 through the screen mask 206. The plurality of seal
patterns 216A-216F formed on the substrate 200 generate gaps for
fanning liquid crystal layers and prevent the liquid crystal
material from leaking out of image display units 213A-213F.
Accordingly, the plurality of seal patterns 216A-216F are formed at
the peripheral regions of the image display units 213A-213F of the
substrate 200 with liquid crystal injection holes 204A-204F at
their one-side portions.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 2B, the screen printing method includes a
formation step for forming the plurality of seal patterns 216A-216F
on the substrate 200 by coating the sealant 203 on the screen mask
206 patterned with the formation regions of the plurality of seal
patterns 216A-216F, and printing the coated sealant 203 by using
the squeegee 208, and a drying step for leveling the resulting
structure by evaporating solvents contained in the plurality of
seal patterns 216A-216F.
[0015] Although the screen printing method has been generally
employed because it has the simple processes, the screen printing
method forms the plurality of seal patterns 216A-216F at the same
time by coating the sealant 203 on the whole surface of the screen
mask 206 and printing the coated sealant 203 by using the squeegee
208, thereby increasing the consumption amount of the sealant 203.
Moreover, since the screen mask 206 contacts the substrate 200,
rubbing defects occur on an orientation film (not shown) formed on
the substrate 200, thereby reducing image quality of the LCD
device.
[0016] A seal dispensing method has been proposed to solve the
above problems of the screen printing method. FIG. 3 is an
exemplary diagram illustrating the seal dispensing method for
forming seal patterns. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of seal
patterns 316A-316F are formed at peripheral regions of image
display units 313A-313F on a substrate 300, such that a table 310
on which the substrate 300 is loaded is transferred in the long
side and short side directions of the substrate 300, and a
predetermined pressure is applied to a plurality of syringes
301A-301C fixedly aligned on a support member 314 to discharge a
sealant. Herein, the seal patterns 316A-316F are sequentially
formed in row units of the image display units 313A-313F.
[0017] The seal dispensing method selectively supplies the sealant
to the formation regions of the seal patterns 316A-316F, thereby
reducing the consumption amount of the sealant. Since the syringes
301A-301C do not contact the image display units 313A-313F, rubbing
defects do not occur on an orientation film (not shown), thereby
improving the image quality of the LCD device.
[0018] The seal dispensing method forms the seal patterns 316A-316F
at the peripheral regions of the image display units 313A-313F of
the substrate 300, by fixing the support member 314 on which the
syringes 301A-301C are fixedly aligned, horizontally transferring
the table 310 in the long side and short side directions of the
substrate 300, and applying a predetermined pressure to the
syringes 301A-301C filled with the sealant. However, a related art
dispenser for an LCD panel for forming seal patterns and a
dispensing method using the same have the following
disadvantages.
[0019] First, since a size of an LCD panel increases, a size of a
substrate for forming the large size LCD panel also increases. When
a table is horizontally transferred in the long side and short side
directions of the large size substrate to form seal patterns on the
substrate, a driving space of the table must be increased twice in
the long side and short side directions of the substrate.
Therefore, if the area of the substrate increases twice, the space
of the dispenser must be increased four times to obtain the driving
space of the table, thereby reducing clean-room using
efficiency.
[0020] Second, since the table on which the large size substrate is
loaded is horizontally transferred in the long side and short side
directions of the substrate, an extended period of time is taken to
form the seal patterns, thereby resulting in low productivity.
[0021] Third, the related art dispenser for the LCD panel and the
dispensing method using the same cannot form seal patterns on
small-sized LCD panels. That is, in the case of the small-sized LCD
panels, seal patterns cannot be formed at peripheral regions of
image display units due to interferences between neighboring
syringes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
dispenser for an LCD panel and dispensing method using the same
that substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0023] An object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser
for an LCD panel which is able to reduce a time for forming seal
patterns on a plurality of LCD panels on a large size mother
substrate, and a dispensing method using the same.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
dispenser for an LCD panel which is able to form seal patterns on
small-sized LCD panels on a large size mother substrate, and a
dispensing method using the same.
[0025] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
dispenser for an LCD panel that is capable of improving clean-room
using efficiency and productivity, and a dispensing method using
the same.
[0026] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention,
will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
appended drawings.
[0027] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, the dispenser for an LCD panel includes a table for
loading a substrate having at least one image display unit and
being horizontally driven in a driving direction of a long side or
a short side of the substrate, at least one support member to be
horizontally driven in a driving direction perpendicular to the
driving direction of the table, and at least one syringe aligned on
the support member to supply a dispensing material to the
substrate.
[0028] In another aspect, the dispensing method for an LCD panel
includes aligning at least one syringe on at least one support
member, loading a substrate on a table, the substrate having at
least one image display units, horizontally driving the table in a
driving direction of a long side or a short side of the substrate,
and supplying a dispensing material to the substrate via the
syringes, and horizontally driving the support members in a driving
direction perpendicular to the driving direction of the table, and
supplying the dispensing material to the substrate via the
syringes.
[0029] In another aspect, the dispensing method for an LCD panel
includes aligning a plurality of syringes on at least one support
member, loading a substrate, on which a plurality of image display
units are formed, on a table, forming a first region of seal
patterns at peripheral regions of even numbered image display
units, by horizontally driving the table in a first direction and
supplying a dispensing material to the substrate via a first group
of the syringes, forming a second region of the seal patterns at
the peripheral regions of the even numbered image display units, by
horizontally driving the at least one support member in a second
direction and supplying the dispensing material to the substrate
via the first group of syringes, forming a third region of seal
patterns at peripheral regions of odd numbered image display units,
by horizontally driving the table in a third and supplying the
dispensing material to the substrate via a second group of
syringes, and forming a fourth region of the seal patterns at the
peripheral regions of the odd numbered image display units, by
horizontally driving the at least one support member in a fourth
and supplying the dispensing material to the substrate via the
second group of syringes.
[0030] In another aspect, the dispenser for an LCD panel includes a
table for loading a substrate having a plurality of image display
units and being horizontally driven in a first direction and a
third direction, a plurality of support members to be horizontally
driven in a second direction and a fourth, and a plurality of
syringes on the plurality of support member and dividing into at
least a first group and a second group for supplying a dispensing
material on the substrate, wherein the first group of syringes
supply the dispensing material at peripheral regions of even
numbered image display units by horizontally driving the table in
the first direction and horizontally driving the support members in
the second direction, and the second group of syringes supply the
dispensing material at peripheral regions of odd numbered image
display units by horizontally driving the table in the third
direction and horizontally driving the support members in the
fourth direction.
[0031] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic plane diagram illustrating a unit LCD
panel on which a thin film transistor array substrate and a color
filter substrate are attached to face each other in a related art
LCD device;
[0034] FIGS. 2A and 2B are exemplary diagrams illustrating a
related art screen printing method for forming seal patterns;
[0035] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a related art
seal dispensing method for forming seal patterns;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a dispenser for an LCD
panel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0037] FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams illustrating a dispensing method
using the dispenser for the LCD panel in accordance with another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0038] FIGS. 6A-6F are diagrams illustrating a process for forming
seal patterns at peripheral regions of image display units of
small-sized LCD panels in FIG. 4 in accordance with another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a dispenser for an LCD
panel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the dispenser for the LCD panel
includes a substrate 400 on which image display units 413A-413F are
formed, a table 410 on which the substrate 400 is loaded, the table
410 being horizontally driven in the short side direction of the
substrate 400, first and second support members 414A and 414B
horizontally driven in the long side direction of the substrate
400, and syringes 401A-401F fixedly aligned on the first and second
support members 414A and 414B three by three, for forming seal
patterns 416A-416F at the peripheral regions of the image display
units 413A-413F by supplying a sealant to the substrate 400 via
nozzles formed at ends of the syringes 401A-401F.
[0041] Herein, the substrate 400 may be a first mother substrate on
which a plurality of thin film transistor array substrates are
formed, or a second mother substrate on which a plurality of color
filter substrates are formed. Also, the substrate 400 is loaded on
the table 410, and the table 410 is horizontally driven in the
short side direction of the substrate 400. The syringes 401A-401F
fixedly aligned on the first and second support members 414A and
414B form the long sides of the seal patterns 416A-416F at the
peripheral regions of the image display units 413A-413F by
supplying the sealant to the substrate 400 via the nozzles formed
at ends of the syringes 401A-401F. Moreover, the first and second
support members 414A and 414B on which the syringes 401A-401F are
fixedly aligned are horizontally driven in the long side direction
of the substrate 400. The syringes 401A-401F fixedly aligned on the
first and second support members 414A and 414B form the short sides
of the seal patterns 416A-416F at the peripheral regions of the
image display units 413A-413F by supplying the sealant to the
substrate 400 via the nozzles formed at ends of the syringes
401A-401F.
[0042] The table 410 may be horizontally driven in the long side
direction of the substrate 400. Herein, the syringes 401A-401F
fixedly aligned on the first and second support members 414A and
414B form the short sides of the seal patterns 416A-416F at the
peripheral regions of the image display units 413A-413F by
supplying the sealant to the substrate 400 via the nozzles formed
at ends of the syringes 401A-401F.
[0043] The first and second support members 414A and 414B may be
horizontally driven in the short side direction of the substrate
400. Herein, the syringes 401A-401F fixedly aligned on the first
and second support members 414A and 414B form the long sides of the
seal patterns 416A-416F at the peripheral regions of the image
display units 413A-413F by supplying the sealant to the substrate
400 via the nozzles formed at ends of the syringes 401A-401F.
[0044] On the other hand, although the syringes 401A-401F fixedly
aligned on the first and second support members 414A and 414B three
by three are positioned to correspond to the whole regions of the
image display units 413A-413F formed on the substrate 400 in FIG.
4, three syringes may be fixedly aligned on one support member to
correspond to one column of the image display units 413A-413F
formed on the substrate 400.
[0045] As an alternative to FIG. 4, when the image display units
413A-413F formed on the substrate 400 have a matrix of M
rows.times.N columns, M.times.N syringes 401A-401M.times.N may be
fixedly aligned on a plurality of support members two by two or in
a multiple number to correspond to the whole regions of the image
display units 413A-413M.times.N. Moreover, the M.times.N syringes
401A-401M.times.N may be fixedly aligned on the plurality of
support members in a multiple number to correspond to one or more
rows or one or more columns of the image display units
413A-413M.times.N. In addition, the plurality of support members on
which the syringes 401A-401M.times.N are fixedly aligned in a
multiple number to correspond to the whole regions of the image
display units 413A-413M.times.N formed on the substrate 400 may be
simultaneously or individually driven.
[0046] The dispensing method using the dispenser for the LCD panel
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5D. FIGS. 5A-5D
are diagrams illustrating a dispensing method using the dispenser
for the LCD panel in accordance with another exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 5A, the syringes 401A-401F filled with the
sealant are fixedly aligned on the first and second support members
414A and 414B three by three. Herein, the nozzles for discharging
the sealant are disposed at ends of the syringes 401A-401F.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 5B, the substrate 400 on which 3
rows.times.2 columns image display units 413A-413F are formed is
loaded on the table 410 to be positioned below the first and second
support members 414A and 414B on which the syringes 401A-401F are
fixedly aligned three by three.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 5C, the long sides of the seal patterns
416A-416F are formed at the peripheral regions of the image display
units 413A-413F, by horizontally driving the table 410 in the short
side direction of the substrate 400, and discharging the sealant to
the substrate 400 via the nozzles of the syringes 401A-401F.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 5D, the short sides of the seal patterns
416A-416F are formed at the peripheral regions of the image display
units 413A-413F, by horizontally driving the first and second
support members 414A and 414B in the long side direction of the
substrate 400, and discharging the sealant to the substrate 400 via
the nozzles of the syringes 401A to 401F.
[0051] Although FIGS. 5C and 5D show formation of one long side and
one short side of each of the seal patterns 416A-416F, each of the
seal patterns 416A-416F includes two long sides and two short
sides. Therefore, still referring to FIG. 5D, after one short side
of each of the seal patterns 416A-416F is formed as describe above,
the other long side of each of the seal patterns 416A-416F is
formed by horizontally driving the table 410 to the original
position. After the other long side of each of the seal patterns
416A-416F is formed by horizontally driving the table 410 to the
original position, the other short side of each of the seal
patterns 416A-416F is formed by horizontally driving the first and
second support members 414A and 414B to the original positions.
[0052] When the short sides of the seal patterns 416A-416F are
formed at the peripheral regions of the image display units
413A-413F by horizontally driving the first and second support
members 414A and 414B in the long side direction of the substrate
400, alien substances may be adsorbed onto the image display units
413A-413F of the substrate 400. Accordingly, covers are disposed on
the first and second support members 414A and 414B on which the
syringes 401A-401F are fixedly aligned to expose only the nozzles
disposed at the ends of the syringes 401A-401F to discharge the
sealant to the substrate 400.
[0053] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the dispenser for the LCD panel forms the long sides of
the seal patterns 416A-416F at the peripheral regions of the image
display units 413A-413F by horizontally driving the table 410 in
the short side direction of the substrate 400 and supplying the
sealant to the substrate 400 via the nozzles. Also, the dispenser
for LCD panel forms the short sides of the seal patterns 416A-416F
at the peripheral regions of the image display units 413A-413F by
horizontally driving the first and second support members 414A and
414B in the long side direction of the substrate 400 and supplying
the sealant to the substrate 400 via the nozzles. Herein, the first
and second support members 414A and 414B are driven inside the
region of the substrate 400 to form the short sides of the seal
patterns 416A-416F. Thus, even if a size of the substrate 400
increases, a driving space of the dispenser in a clean-room exists
in the region of the substrate 400 in the long side direction of
the substrate 400, thereby improving clean-room using efficiency.
Further, since the dispenser for the LCD panel forms the short
sides of the seal patterns 416A-416F at the peripheral regions of
the image display units 413A-413F by horizontally driving the first
and second support members 414A and 414B in the long side direction
of the substrate 400, a time taken to form the seal patterns
416A-416F is much shorter than that in the method for driving the
table 410.
[0054] In the dispenser for the LCD panel and the dispensing method
using the same, a number of the support members and a number of the
syringes fixedly aligned on the support members correspond to a
number of the image display units formed on the substrate.
Accordingly, in spite of increase in the number of the image
display units, the seal patterns can be rapidly formed to improve
productivity. In contrast, in the related art, when the small-sized
LCD panels is fabricated, the seal patterns cannot be formed at the
peripheral edges of the image display units due to interferences
between the neighboring syringes. However, in accordance with
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
dispenser for the LCD panel can form the seal patterns at the
peripheral regions of the image display units of the small-sized
LCD panels.
[0055] FIGS. 6A-6F are diagrams illustrating process for forming
the seal patterns at the peripheral regions of the image display
units of the small-sized LCD panels by employing the dispenser for
the LCD panel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 6A, syringes 501A-501D filled with a
sealant are fixedly aligned on first and second support members
514A and 514B two by two. Nozzles for discharging the sealant are
disposed at ends of the syringes 501A-501D. The syringes 501A and
501B fixedly aligned on the first support member 514A are aligned
to correspond to odd numbered image display units 513A and 513C
among 4 rows.times.1 column image display units 513A-513D, and the
syringes 501C and 501D fixedly aligned on the second support member
514B are aligned to correspond to even numbered image display units
513B and 513D among the 4 rows.times.1 column image display units
513A-513D.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 6B, a substrate 500 on which the 4
rows.times.1 column image display units 513A-513D are formed is
loaded on a table 510 to be positioned below the first and second
support members 514A and 514B on which the syringes 501A-501D are
fixedly aligned two by two.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 6C, long sides of seal patterns 516A and
516C are formed at the peripheral regions of the odd numbered image
display units 513A and 513C by horizontally driving the table 510
in the short side direction of the substrate 500 and discharging
the sealant to the substrate 500 via the nozzles of the syringes
501A and 501B.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 6D, the short sides of the seal patterns
516A and 516C are formed at the peripheral regions of the odd
numbered image display units 513A and 513C by horizontally driving
the first support member 514A and discharging the sealant to the
substrate 500 via the nozzles of the syringes 501A and 501B.
[0060] Although FIGS. 6C and 6D show formation of one long side and
one short side of each of the seal patterns 516A and 516C, each of
the seal patterns 516A and 516C includes two long sides and two
short sides. Still referring to FIG. 6D, after one short side of
each of the seal patterns 516A and 516C is formed, the other long
side of each of the seal patterns 516A and 516C is formed by
horizontally driving the table 510 to the original position. After
the other long side of each of the seal patterns 516A and 516C is
formed, the other short side of each of the seal patterns 516A and
516C is formed by horizontally driving the first support member
514A to the original position.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 6E, the long sides of the seal patterns
516B and 516D are formed at the peripheral regions of the even
numbered image display units 513B and 513D by horizontally driving
the table 510 in the short side direction of the substrate 500 and
discharging the sealant to the substrate 500 via the nozzles of the
syringes 501C and 501D.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 6F, the short sides of the seal patterns
516B and 516D are formed at the peripheral regions of the even
numbered image display units 513B and 513D by horizontally driving
the second support member 514B in the long side direction of the
substrate 500 and discharging the sealant to the substrate 500 via
the nozzles of the syringes 501C and 501D.
[0063] Although FIGS. 6E and 6F show formation of one long side and
one short side of each of the seal patterns 516B and 516D, each of
the seal patterns 516B and 516D includes two long sides and two
short sides. Still referring to FIG. 6E, after one short side of
each of the seal patterns 516B and 516D is formed, the other long
side of each of the seal patterns 516B and 516D is formed by
horizontally driving the table 510 to the original position. After
the other long side of each of the seal patterns 516B and 516D is
formed, the other short side of each of the seal patterns 516B and
516D is formed by horizontally driving the second support member
514B to the original position. When the short sides of the seal
patterns 516A-516D are formed at the peripheral regions of the
image display units 513A-513D by horizontally driving the first and
second support members 514A and 514B in the long side direction of
the substrate 500, alien substances can be generated and adsorbed
to the image display units 513A-513D of the substrate 500.
Accordingly, covers are disposed on the first and second support
members 514A and 514B to expose only the nozzles of the syringes
501A-501D to discharge the sealant to the substrate 500.
[0064] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the dispenser for the LCD panel and the dispensing
method using the same can form seal patterns on small-sized LCD
panels. On the other hand, the seal patterns formed by the
dispenser for the LCD panel and the dispensing method using the
same may be varied in shape according to a method for forming
liquid crystal layers on LCD panels. The method for forming the
liquid crystal layers on the LCD panels may be classified into a
vacuum injection method and a dropping method.
[0065] The vacuum injection method puts liquid crystal injection
holes of unit LCD panels separated from a large size mother
substrate into a liquid crystal-filled vessel in a predetermined
vacuum level chamber, and changes a vacuum level. Accordingly, a
liquid crystal material is injected into the LCD panels due to a
difference between inside and outside pressures of the LCD panels.
When the liquid crystal material is filled inside the LCD panels,
the liquid crystal injection holes are sealed up to form liquid
crystal layers of the LCD panels.
[0066] In the vacuum injection method, the liquid crystal injection
holes are defined as one-side open regions of seal patterns.
Therefore, when the liquid crystal layers are formed on the LCD
panels according to the vacuum injection method, some of the seal
patterns are opened to serve as the liquid crystal injection
holes.
[0067] The dropping method drops and dispenses a liquid crystal
material in age display regions of a large size first mother
substrate on which a plurality of thin film transistor array
substrates are formed or a large size second mother substrate on
which a plurality of color filter substrates are formed, and evenly
distributes the liquid crystal material on the whole image display
regions by the attaching pressure of the first and second mother
substrates, thereby forming liquid crystal layers. That is, when
the liquid crystal layers are formed on the LCD panels according to
the dropping method, the liquid crystal material is not externally
filled but directly dropped on the substrate. Thus, seal patterns
are formed as closed patterns surrounding peripheral regions of
image display units in order to prevent the liquid crystals from
being externally leaked from the image display units
[0068] Unlike the vacuum injection method, the dropping method
performs a process for attaching a large size first mother
substrate on which a plurality of thin film transistor array
substrates are formed and a large size second mother substrate on
which a plurality of color filter substrates are formed, and
separating unit LCD panels after forming the liquid crystal
layers.
[0069] In the dropping method, when the seal patterns are formed by
using a thermosetting sealant, while the sealant is heated in a
succeeding process for attaching the LCD panels, the sealant can be
leaked to contaminate the dropped liquid crystal material.
Accordingly, in the dropping method, a UV hardening sealant or a
mixed sealant of a UV hardening sealant and a thermosetting sealant
may be applied to form the seal patterns.
[0070] As described above, in accordance with the present
invention, the dispenser for the LCD panel and the dispensing
method using the same can improve the clean-room using efficiency,
by maintaining the driving space of the dispenser in the clean-room
within the region of the substrate in the driving direction of the
support members, regardless of increase of the area of the
substrate. Further, the dispenser for the LCD panel and the
dispensing method using the same may also be applied to various
models of LCD panels by forming the seal patterns on the
small-sized LCD panels without interferences between the syringes
fixedly aligned on the support members. Furthermore, the dispenser
for the LCD panel and the dispensing method using the same can
reduce the time taken to form the seal patterns more than the
general method for driving the table, by forming the short sides or
long sides of the seal patterns by horizontally driving the support
members in the orthogonal direction to the driving direction of the
table and discharging the sealant to the substrate via the syringes
fixedly aligned on the support members. As a result, productivity
of the LCD device is improved.
[0071] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the dispenser for an
LCD panel and dispersing method using the same of the present
invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover
the modifications and variations of this invention provided they
come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *