KR100910047B1 - A Sealing Method of FPD using Flexible Irradiating Area of Laser - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sealing method of a flat panel display panel, and an object thereof is to implement various types of panels by implementing irradiation areas corresponding to various shapes of adhesive parts (adhesives) provided on panel substrates using variable transmission parts. The present invention provides a sealing method of a flat panel display panel using a variable laser irradiation area that can be implemented.

According to the present invention, an adhesive is applied to first and second substrates including a pixel region in which a light emitting element is formed and a nonpixel region formed at an outer edge of the pixel region, and a nonpixel region of the first and second substrates to protect the pixel region. What is claimed is: 1. A sealing method for a flat panel display panel which is melted, sealed and adhered; A laser irradiation apparatus having a laser beam having a constant width and width and an optical system including a variable mask having a plurality of movable blocks is positioned at one point of the bonding portion, and then the laser light source is directed toward the opposite end of the bonding portion. Investigate by moving in a straight line; In the flat panel display panel using a flexible laser irradiation area to move or move the laser light source to match the pattern of the bonding portion to move relative to the plurality of movable blocks to adjust or divide the width of the laser light source and to perform continuous bonding. The technical gist of the sealing method is taken.

Flat Panel Display, Laser, Bonded, Sealed, Sealed, Adjustable Mask

Description

Sealing Method of FPD using Flexible Irradiating Area of Laser

The present invention relates to a sealing method of a flat panel display panel using a laser, and more particularly, it has been generated in the bent part and the corner part of the adhesive part by performing a tracking irradiation operation of the laser light source on the pattern shape of the conventional adhesive part (frit). The present invention relates to a sealing method of a flat panel display panel using a flexible laser irradiation area to prevent thermal stress and residual stress, and to shorten a process of irradiation (sealing) work regardless of various shapes and sizes provided on a panel substrate.

The device constituting the unit cell of the flat panel display panel has a structure having at least one organic layer including a light emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is formed on a mother substrate, and functions as an anode for injecting holes, and an organic layer is formed on the first electrode. On this organic film layer, a second electrode which functions as a cathode for injecting electrons is formed to face the first electrode.

When oxygen and moisture are introduced from the surroundings, such a display element may have a problem of shortening its lifespan or degrading the display performance from problems such as oxidation and peeling of electrode material, thereby isolating the element from the outside during its manufacture. Sealing work is performed.

Usually, an organic polymer such as PET (polyester) is laminated on the second electrode of the organic light emitting diode, or an upper substrate such as a cover or a cap is formed of metal or glass containing a moisture absorbent, and nitrogen gas is formed therein. After the filling, the method of sealing the edges of the upper substrate such as the cover and the cap with a sealing material (adhesive) such as epoxy is used. Alternatively, according to US Patent Publication No. 2004-0207314, a sealing method for improving adhesion between a mother substrate and an upper substrate of a device by using a frit as a sealant (adhesive) is used. It became.

On the other hand, as a heat source for curing (bonding) the substrates by curing the adhesive applied as described above has been proposed a sealing method of a flat panel display panel using the energy of the heat wavelength (800nm) band irradiated by a laser as a heat source.

Figure 1 is a heat source supply means for the adhesive applied on the substrate, showing the operating state of the conventional laser irradiation apparatus, the laser generator 6 and the optical system 7 for implementing the direction change and movement of the generated light source The irradiation apparatus 5 which consists of a fixed mask 3 which has the permeation | transmission part 3a patterned like the pattern of the adhesive agent P apply | coated on the board | substrate 1 and 2 with the laser irradiation apparatus 5 is provided. And the substrate (1) (2). In addition, although not shown, the optical system 7 or the irradiation apparatus 5 including the optical system is provided with moving means in the X-Y direction with respect to the substrates 1 and 2.

As shown in Fig. 1, from this structure, the laser irradiation apparatus 5 has a spot-shaped irradiation area having a diameter larger than the width of the bonding portion P.

Through the spot-type irradiation and the movement of the XY coordinates using the optical system 7, the light source L is moved along the adhesive part P of one unit cell to perform sealing (irradiation) work. do. After the series of irradiation work along the adhesion part P of one unit cell is completed, the substrate 1 is moved one step from the substrate 1, 2 in the X or Y direction to move to a neighboring unit cell, Repeated investigations will be performed.

However, in the sealing process using the conventional laser irradiation device, the irradiation operation for the adhesive portion (P) of one unit cell is made in a traced form along its length, the irradiation start portion and the termination portion of the laser light source and The overlapping of the irradiation of the light source occurs at the corner part due to the square pattern (usually the pixel area has a square pattern) or the disconnection of the irradiation occurs.As a result, the sealing force decreases due to the decrease in adhesive force. There is a problem that the light emitting device is deteriorated and deteriorated.

In addition, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the conventional point-type light source (L) is the highest concentration of heat occurs in the center of the center, and both sides show a relatively low temperature pattern bar, this temperature The deviation caused not only the beginning, the end and the corner of the adhesive part P described above, but also the temperature deviation with respect to the overall width l direction of the adhesive part P.

First of all, the conventional laser irradiation apparatus 5 has a tracking traveling motion that follows the shape of the adhesive portion P disposed along its periphery corresponding to the pixel region A, so that not only one unit cell but also the substrate is applied to the substrate. This adds a lot of time to the overall sealing work.

In addition, each of the fixed masks 3 corresponding to various types according to the thickness, size, and shape of the adhesive part P applied to the substrate had to be individually provided, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost of the sealing equipment.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, the object of the panel by implementing the irradiation area corresponding to the various shapes of the adhesive portion (adhesive) provided on the panel substrates by using a variable transmission portion, by type of panel Various implementations can be implemented.

In addition, by using the irradiation area of the light source having a constant width and width, irradiation of the bonding portion for one pixel region and the plurality of bonding portions formed on the entire panel substrate through one linear driving along the bonding portion for one pixel region By performing the (sealing) operation, the process time can be significantly reduced.

In addition, as in the prior art, a line-type having a variable width and having a uniform energy distribution with respect to the width, rather than a traveling movement irradiation using a spot-type light source irradiation area in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive part, has a uniform energy distribution. By using the light source irradiation area, a flat panel display using a flexible laser irradiation area can reduce the temperature deviation of the heating heat source in the width direction of the bonding portion and eliminate the overlapping and concentration of the heating heat source generated at the corner portion of the bonding portion. It is to provide a sealing method of the panel.

The present invention for achieving the above-mentioned problems and to eliminate the conventional drawbacks, the first and second substrates including a pixel region formed with a light emitting element and a non-pixel region formed on the outer edge of the pixel region, and the pixel region A sealing method of a flat panel display panel in which an adhesive is melted and sealed on non-pixel regions of first and second substrates to be protected.

A laser irradiation apparatus having a laser beam having a constant width and width and an optical system including a variable mask having a plurality of movable blocks is positioned at one point of the bonding portion, and then the laser light source is directed toward the opposite end of the bonding portion. Investigate by moving in a straight line;

By moving and moving the laser light source to correspond to the pattern of the bonding part, the movable blocks are moved relative to each other to adjust or divide the width of the laser light source, thereby continuously using the laser light source having a variable width of the irradiation area. Characterized in that the adhesion is performed.

In this case, the pixel area is provided with a rectangular area, and the corresponding adhesive part is provided with a rectangular pattern having a predetermined width.

The bonding unit may include: a first bonding step of operating the plurality of movable blocks of the variable mask to move by the width of the bonding unit while maintaining the adjusted width of the irradiated laser light source to have one side length of the square pattern; A second bonding step of operating a plurality of movable blocks of the variable mask to move by the lengths of both sides while maintaining the adjusted width of the irradiated laser light source to have the widths of both sides of the square pattern; A plurality of movable blocks of the variable mask are operated to seal-bond through a third bonding step of moving the width of the bonding portion while maintaining the adjusted width of the irradiated laser light source to have the remaining side length of the square pattern.

In addition, by operating a plurality of movable blocks of the variable mask, it may further include a moving step to completely block the laser light source to be irradiated to continuously move to other neighboring adhesive portion.

At this time, the width of the irradiated laser light source to maintain the length greater than the length of any one side of the adhesive portion forming a square pattern.

The present invention through the above means by implementing the flexibility of the irradiation area of the laser light source as a heating means corresponding to the size of the adhesive portion (frit) provided on the panel substrate, as well as the size, width change, etc. of the applied adhesive portion (frit) It is possible to perform sealing for pixel areas having various sizes and shapes, and sealing for adhesive parts (frits) for the corresponding pixel areas through one linear driving along the adhesive parts (frits) for one pixel area. Of course, the sealing work for the plurality of adhesive parts (frits) arranged on the entire panel substrate can be performed in a short time, thereby improving the work efficiency with shortening of the overall process time.

In addition, using a spot light source as in the prior art, a line type light source having a variable width is used instead of performing a tracking type irradiation step along the longitudinal direction of the adhesive part (frit) provided on the panel substrate. By using this method, high-quality panels such as bending according to the pattern of the adhesive part (frit), preventing overlapping and concentration of the laser light source at the corner part, and minimizing defects such as cracks and cracks caused by thermal stress and residual stress, etc. The effect is to provide a substrate.

In addition, there is an effect that can simplify the drive program associated with the adjustment of the output amount and the traveling direction of the light source in response to the shape change of the adhesive portion (frit) having the bend and the corner portion.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a conceptual diagram of a sealing method according to the present invention, Figure 4 shows a variety of irradiation form of the light source output from the optical system of the laser irradiation apparatus according to the present invention, referring to Figures 3 and 4,

First, the flat panel display panel according to the present invention includes first and second substrates 1 including at least one pixel area A in which light emitting elements are formed and a non-pixel area B formed at an outer edge of the pixel area A. 2) and the adhesive P is applied on the non-pixel region B of any one of the first and second substrates 1 and 2 to protect the pixel region A. .

These first and second substrates 1, 2 are in an aligned state on a stage (not shown) for the sealing operation.

In this case, the laser irradiation apparatus 10 may be disposed above the substrates 1 or 2 as shown, or below the stage although not shown.

In addition, the laser irradiation apparatus 10 applied to the present invention may be configured as an integrated unit including the laser generator 11, the optical system 12, and the mask 20.

The laser irradiation apparatus 10 is constituted by moving means (not shown) of the substrates 1 and 2 in the X-Y direction.

In the laser irradiation apparatus 10, the optical system 12 including the laser generator 11 and the mask 20 may be integrally moved in the XY directions of the substrates 1 and 2 through the moving means, and the mask Only the optical system 12 including 20 can be moved in the XY direction. The XY direction moving means of the laser irradiation apparatus 10 may be implemented by, for example, the movement of the entire irradiation apparatus using an optical stage or from movement in an optical system using a plurality of reflection mirrors or projection mirrors. The publicly known details regarding the movement technology of the laser light source are omitted.

Subsequently, the laser generator 11 applied to the present invention outputs a line-shaped light source L having a constant width d and a width l through the output head 11a.

The optical system 12 changes the direction of the linear light source L and outputs the light source L toward the substrates 1 and 2. At this time, the mask 20 to be applied to the present invention is installed at the output end of the optical system 12, by adjusting the width (L) of the light source output from the optical system 12 or by dividing into a plurality of light sources (1) (2) The same irradiation area as that of the pattern of the adhesive part P provided in the above is realized.

In addition, the light source 1 having a predetermined width w and a width l applied to the present invention is implemented through a homogenizer (not shown) included in the optical system 12.

Such a homogenizer is composed of a collection of cylindrical lenses. As shown in FIG. 8B, the function of the homogenizer is to convert the laser light source output by the laser generator 11 into light sources parallel to the vertical direction, and thus in the vertical direction. Has the function of performing optical correction. Optical correction in this vertical direction finally contributes to equalizing the energy density in the width w direction of the laser light source. The homogenizer also has a function of switching the laser light source in the horizontal direction to perform optical correction in the horizontal direction. Optical correction in this horizontal direction finally contributes to equalizing the energy density in the width l direction of the laser light source.

The well-known detailed description of the laser generator 11 and the optical system 12 as described above will be omitted.

Subsequently, the mask 20 is included in the laser irradiation apparatus 10, and moves in association with the optical system 12 in the X-Y direction parallel to the substrates 1 and 2.

In addition, such a mask 20 is configured to form a variable mask 20 that can be varied in correspondence with a pattern of various adhesive portions P, not a fixed mask having a transmission portion patterned in a conventional predetermined shape. .

Such a variable mask 20 is provided at the output end of the optical system 12 and is cooperatively moved with the XY drive of the optical system 12 or the irradiation apparatus 10 and constrained in the relative motion coordinates X'-Y '. It is provided with a plurality of movable blocks.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, through the movement of the movable blocks in the relative coordinates X'-Y 'direction, the width for the light source (L) irradiated at a constant width (d) and width (l) ( L ') may be adjusted or divided into a plurality of light sources. That is, as shown in Figure 4d, the light source having a predetermined width (d) and width (l) output from the initial laser generator 11 passes through the movable block provided in the variable mask 20, the entire irradiation toward the substrate (a), the entire block (b), the partial block (c) (d), or divided into two or three irradiation areas (e) (f).

That is, the movable block 21 of the mask 20 having the relative coordinates X'-Y 'in association with the movement of the moving coordinates XY of the laser irradiation apparatus 10 in parallel with the substrates 1, 2. By using the coordinated movement of the (22), by adjusting or dividing the width (l) of the light source (L) output from the laser generator 11, substantially passing through the space between the movable blocks (21) (22) The light source having the new width l 'is formed from the laser irradiation apparatus 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the laser light source having the newly adjusted width l ′ passing through the variable mask 20 realizes the same irradiation area as the pattern of the opposing adhesive part P during movement.

A sealing operation for one pixel region corresponding to a pixel region having a general rectangular region and having a predetermined width t around and forming a frit (adhesive portion) in a rectangular (xy) pattern will be described as follows. same.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the light source L generated from the laser generator generates a line type having a predetermined width d and a width l passing through the output head, wherein the width of the light source ( ℓ) to maintain the length greater than either length of the adhesive portion (P) forming a square (xy) pattern.

In addition, the plurality of movable blocks 23, 24, 25, and 26 provided in the variable mask 20 provided at the output end of the optical system simultaneously operate in conjunction with driving in the XY axis direction of the laser irradiation apparatus. A drive means in a separate X'-Y 'direction relative to the axis is provided.

By using a plurality of movable blocks by the relative coordinate system X'-Y 'interlocked on the moving coordinate system XY of the laser light source, a line type light source having a predetermined width d and a width l By varying or dividing the width l of L), the newly adjusted width l 'is irradiated toward the bonding portion P. FIG.

In this regard, in order to move the rectangular pattern (xy) applied in the embodiment of the present invention will require a work step for generating a variable transmission of the three patterns in response to the required irradiation area as described below. .

That is, the initial laser irradiation apparatus 10 is positioned at one time point of the unit cell by using the initial X-Y direction driving.

In this case, the movable blocks 23 and 26 of the variable mask 20 may move in a direction perpendicular to the advancing direction of the light source L, that is, X'-axis, to maintain the length of one side (x) of the square pattern (xy). do.

Subsequently, the laser irradiation apparatus 10 performs adhesion while moving along the Y axis by the width t of the bonding portion P together with the irradiation of the laser light source L. FIG. (See Figures 7a, b)

At this time, the other movable blocks 24, 25 are moved in the X'-Y 'axis, and arranged in advance in the inner pixel region of the bonding portion P. In the illustrated embodiment, the two movable blocks 24 and 25 are used to block irradiation of the light source L to the inner pixel region of the adhesive part P, but one or more movable blocks having different sizes are used. Can be blocked using the

Then, both of the square pattern (xy) through the pair of movable blocks (23) and (24) and the other pair of movable blocks (25) and (26) in conjunction with the continuous Y-axis movement of the laser irradiation apparatus (10). Two divided irradiation areas corresponding to the width t of the sides are implemented.

As described above, the laser irradiation apparatus 10 is moved along the Y axis by the lengths of both sides y of the bonding portion P using the two divided irradiation regions, thereby performing bonding. (See FIGS. 7C-E)

Thereafter, the two movable blocks 24 and 25 disposed in the inner pixel region of the bonding portion P are stopped from driving on the Y 'axis, and the laser irradiation apparatus 10 continuously performs the width t of the bonding portion P. Move the Y-axis as much as you want to complete the adhesion. (See Figure 7f, g)

Thereafter, although not shown, when the series of irradiation operations for one unit cell as described above is finished and the laser irradiation apparatus 10 arrives at the end point, the movable blocks of the variable mask 20 move in the X'-Y 'axis. Through the laser light source (L) is cut off all, and then moved to the viewpoint of the other unit cell neighbors, it is to perform a repeated irradiation operation for the series of unit cells as described above.

As described above, the laser irradiator 10 continuously moves in the XY axis direction with respect to the panel substrate. The continuous investigation of a plurality of unit cells arranged in the cell or in the XY axis direction is performed.

Through the one-time linear driving of the laser irradiation apparatus in the X-axis or Y-axis direction with respect to one unit cell, the time for the bonding process for one or a plurality of pixel regions can be significantly shortened.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the width l of the irradiated laser light source maintains a length greater than the length of one side (x, x ') of the adhesive portion P positioned side by side. In this case, since the uniform temperature pattern is maintained along the length component, the temperature difference with respect to the width (t) direction of the adhesive part P is maintained because the adhesive part P is always located in the uniform temperature distribution region. Can be reduced.

In addition, the start point, the end point, and the corner of the irradiation operation with respect to the bonding portion P may be excluded as the laser light source is irradiated in the X-axis or Y-axis direction, so that the heating heat source according to the moving speed and overlap of the light source is localized. The phenomenon which is biased in can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and various modifications can be made by any person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Of course, such changes will fall within the scope of the claims.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional laser irradiation method

2a and 2b is an exemplary view showing the temperature deviation of the adhesive portion by the conventional laser irradiation method

3 is a conceptual diagram of a sealing operation according to the present invention

Figure 4 is an exemplary view showing a variety of irradiation area according to the laser irradiation method of the present invention

Figure 5 is a working example showing a variable laser irradiation area corresponding to the shape of the adhesive portion according to the present invention

Figure 6 is a plan view for sealing work for the adhesive portion of the square (x-y) pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention

7a to 7g is a plan view showing a step of the sealing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention

8a and 8b is an exemplary view showing the temperature deviation of the adhesive portion by the laser irradiation method according to the present invention

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

(1) (2): substrate

(10): laser irradiation device

(11): laser generator

(12): optical system

20: variable mask

(21) (22) (23) (24) (25) (26): movable block

(A): Pixel area

(B): non-pixel area

(P): Bonding part (frit)

(L): laser light source

(d): (light source) width

(ℓ): (light source) width

(t): (adhesion) width

Claims (5)

First and second substrates including a pixel region in which a light emitting element is formed and a non-pixel region formed at an outer edge of the pixel region, and melting and sealing an adhesive on the non-pixel regions of the first and second substrates to protect the pixel region. In the sealing method of a flat panel display panel to adhere | attach, A laser irradiation device having a laser generator having a uniform energy distribution over a predetermined width d and a width l and an optical system including a variable mask having a plurality of movable blocks includes one side of the adhesive portion P. After being positioned at the viewpoint, the laser light source is irradiated with a straight line toward the opposite end of the bonding portion P; A plurality of movable blocks are moved relative to each other to correspond to the pattern of the bonding portion P together with the movement of the laser light source, thereby adjusting or dividing the width ℓ of the laser light source to form an adjusted width ℓ '. And sealing the continuous adhesive to the adhesive part (P). The method of claim 1, The pixel area is provided with a rectangular area, and the corresponding adhesive portion (P) has a rectangular pattern (xy) having a predetermined width (t) is provided for sealing a flat panel display panel using a flexible laser irradiation area. . The method of claim 2, The bonding portion P operates the plurality of movable blocks of the variable mask to maintain the adjusted width l ′ of the irradiated laser light source to have one side (x) length of the square pattern (xy). A first bonding step of moving by a width t of (P); By operating a plurality of movable blocks of the variable mask, both sides of the variable mask are maintained so that the adjusted width l 'of the irradiated laser light source has the width t of both sides y and y' of the square pattern xy. A second bonding step of moving the length y; And By operating a plurality of movable blocks of the variable mask, the width of the adhesive part P is maintained while keeping the adjusted width l 'of the irradiated laser light source having the length of the remaining sides x' of the square pattern xy. a third bonding step of moving by t); Sealing method of a flat panel display panel using a flexible laser irradiation area, characterized in that the sealing adhesive through. The method of claim 3, Moving a plurality of movable blocks of the variable mask to completely block the irradiated laser light source; Sealing method of a display panel using a flexible laser irradiation area, characterized in that it further comprises to continuously move to another adjacent bonding portion. The method according to claim 3 or 4, The width (l) of the irradiated laser light source is to maintain a length greater than the length of any one side of the adhesive portion (P) forming a square (xy) pattern of a flat panel display panel using a flexible laser irradiation area. .

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