JP2007271875A - Flexible wiring board, inspection device for liquid crystal panel, and inspection method for liquid crystal panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely input an inspection signal to an input terminal of a liquid crystal panel by suppressing damage to a flexible wiring board. <P>SOLUTION: The flexible wiring board 10 has a flexible substrate 11 and has conductive films 12 provided in lines on the flexible substrate 11, and inputs the inspection signal to the input terminal 22 formed on a liquid crystal panel 20 through the conductive films 12 to inspect illumination of the liquid crystal panel 20. A pair of abutting parts 15 which extend along the conductive films 12 in parallel to each other and abut against circumferences of the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 respectively are provided on both sides in the extending directions of the conductive films 12, and the height of each abutting part 15 is equal to the sum of the height of the input terminal 22 and the film thickness of the conductive films 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible wiring board, a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus, and a liquid crystal panel inspection method, and more particularly to a lighting inspection technique for a liquid crystal panel.

  The liquid crystal panel is provided between, for example, an active matrix substrate in which a plurality of pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix, a counter substrate that is disposed opposite to the active matrix substrate and has a common electrode, and the two substrates. And a liquid crystal layer. In this liquid crystal panel, after the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate are manufactured, for example, the two substrates are bonded together to prepare an empty panel, and a liquid crystal material is injected between the substrates constituting the empty panel. -Manufactured by sealing. Then, before mounting the peripheral components on the manufactured liquid crystal panel, a lighting inspection is performed on the liquid crystal panel.

  By the way, the active matrix substrate includes a plurality of gate lines as display wirings extending between the pixel electrodes so as to extend in parallel to each other and a plurality of gate lines extending in parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the gate lines. Each source line is provided.

  In the lighting inspection, a method of directly inputting an inspection signal to each input terminal provided for each gate line and each source line, each source line (R) for red display, and each source for green display A short bar is provided for each source line (G) and blue display source line (B), and for each odd-numbered gate line and even-numbered gate line, and a shorting bar can be input, and the short circuit is provided. A method of inputting an inspection signal through a bar is well known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, each source line is exposed at an end, and the exposed portion is a plurality of lines arranged linearly for each source line (R), source line (G), and source line (B). In a liquid crystal panel having an input terminal, an inspection method is described in which an inspection signal is input to each source line by pressing three short bars made of flexible conductive rubber against the input terminal.

  Here, an inspection method in which an inspection signal is input by the short bar made of the conductive rubber will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a liquid crystal panel 120 corresponding to general COG (Chip On Glass) mounting. The liquid crystal panel 120 includes a display area D in which a plurality of pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix, and a COG pad portion P for mounting an LSI chip as a driver (driving circuit).

  In the COG pad portion P, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of input terminals 122R each having a red display source line (R) exposed at its end portion and a green display source line (G) are connected to the COG pad portion P. The plurality of input terminals 122G exposed at the ends and the plurality of input terminals 122B exposed at the ends of the blue display source lines (B) are arranged so as not to overlap each other.

  When the lighting inspection is performed, the shorting bars 112Rr, 112Gr, and 112Br made of conductive rubber are pressed against the input terminals 122R, 122G, and 122B, respectively, thereby causing the inspection signal from the signal generator 140 to be short-circuited. Input is made to each source line via the bar and the input terminal.

However, in the inspection signal input method using the short bar made of conductive rubber as described above, the width W ₁ of the short bars 112Rr, 112Gr and 112Br becomes about 1 mm due to the processing of the conductive rubber. And the distance between each input terminal 122G and between each input terminal 122G and each input terminal 122B is 1 mm or more. Therefore, there is a possibility that the COG pad portion P becomes larger in the direction (vertical direction in the drawing) extending to the source line.

  Accordingly, a flexible inspection probe using a short bar made of a conductive film formed on a flexible substrate has been proposed instead of the short bar made of conductive rubber as described above.

  The inspection method using the flexible inspection probe will be described below. Here, FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing an inspection method using the conventional flexible inspection probe 110a, and FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG.

  The flexible inspection probe 110a is composed of, for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) in which linear conductive films 112Ra, 112Ga, and 112Ba are formed on a flexible substrate 111 made of resin.

  Further, in the liquid crystal panel 120a to be inspected, for example, the COG pad portion P on the glass substrate 121 constituting the active matrix substrate has a plurality of input terminals 122Ra that are the end portions of the source lines (R) for red display. In addition, a plurality of input terminals 122Ga which are the end portions of the source lines (G) for green display and a plurality of input terminals 122Ba which are the end portions of the source lines (B) for blue display are provided.

In the flex test probe 110a, the conductive film part 112Ra, since 112Ga and 112Ba are formed by photolithography, respectively, as shown in FIG. 11, the conductive film part 112Ra, the width W ₂ of 112Ga and 112Ba to about 0.1mm be able to. Therefore, the length of each input terminal (122Ra, 122Ga, 122Ba) in the direction extending to the source line itself, the distance between the column in which each input terminal 122Ra is arranged and the column in which each input terminal 122Ga is arranged, and each input terminal 122Ga is Since the distance between the arranged row and each input terminal 122Ba can be shortened, the size of the COG pad portion P can be kept small, and each input terminal and each conductive film can be made conductive.

Further, in Patent Document 2, when a flexible wiring board provided with a conductive film to which an inspection signal is input is pressed against an electrode film provided at an end of a liquid crystal panel corresponding to the input terminal, An inspection contact device is disclosed that inputs an inspection signal to an electrode film of a liquid crystal panel by making the electrode film and the conductive film conductive by being pressed by an elastic tube.
JP-A-7-5481 JP 7-270817 A

  By the way, with the recent narrowing of the frame of the liquid crystal panel, the size of the COG pad portion tends to become smaller and smaller. Therefore, in the above-described conventional flexible inspection probe, there is a possibility that the conduction between the conductive film of the flexible inspection probe and the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel is poor and the inspection signal is not reliably input to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel. .

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, when the interval between the input terminals 122Rb, 122Gb and 122Bb formed on the glass substrate 121 constituting the liquid crystal panel 120b is narrowed, the entire flexible inspection probe 110b is pushed to the liquid crystal panel 120b. Even if it is applied, the flexible inspection probe 110b tends to swell due to the thickness of the conductive film (112Rb, 112Gb, 112Bb) and the input terminal (122Rb, 122Gb, 122Bb). Become. Then, the conductive film patterns 112Rb, 112Gb, and 112Bb of the bulging portion of the flexible inspection probe 110b are lifted from the input terminals 122Rb, 122Gb, and 122Bb of the liquid crystal panel 120b, so that the input terminals 122Rb, 122Gb, and 122Bb of the liquid crystal panel 120b The conduction between the conductive film 112Rb, 112Gb and 112Bb of the flexible inspection probe 110b becomes poor.

  In the inspection contact device of Patent Document 2, a part of the contact section between the conductive film and the electrode film is pressed by an elastic tube that contacts from the back surface of the flexible wiring board. Although it is possible to eliminate the continuity failure between the flexible inspection probe and the conductive film, a part of the flexible wiring board is intensively pressed. There is concern about damage. If the flexible wiring board is damaged, the continuity between the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel and the conductive film of the flexible wiring board becomes unstable, so that the inspection signal may not be input to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel reliably. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to reliably input an inspection signal to an input terminal of a liquid crystal panel while suppressing damage to the flexible wiring board.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pair of contact portions on both sides of a conductive film of a flexible wiring board.

  Specifically, a flexible wiring board according to the present invention includes a flexible substrate and a conductive film linearly provided on the flexible substrate, and the conductive film is formed on an input terminal formed on a liquid crystal panel. A flexible wiring board for inputting an inspection signal to perform a lighting inspection of the liquid crystal panel, and on both sides along the direction in which the conductive film extends, extend parallel to each other along the conductive film. A pair of abutting portions that abut each in the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel are provided, and when the abutting portions are pressed against the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel, the flexible substrate and The liquid crystal panels are arranged so as to face each other.

  According to said structure, when a flexible wiring board is pressed on the input terminal of a liquid crystal panel in order to perform a lighting test | inspection, a pair of contact part provided in the both sides of the electrically conductive film is a flexible substrate and liquid crystal. Since the panels are in contact with each other in the vicinity of the input terminals of the liquid crystal panel so as to face each other, local stress is hardly applied to the flexible wiring board. Therefore, even if the flexible wiring board is repeatedly pressed against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel, damage to the flexible wiring board is suppressed, so that the conduction between the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel and the conductive film of the flexible wiring board is stable. To do. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably input the inspection signal to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel while suppressing damage to the flexible wiring board.

  The height of each contact portion may be the sum of the height of the input terminal and the film thickness of the conductive film.

  According to the above configuration, since the height of each contact portion is the sum of the height of the input terminal and the film thickness of the conductive film, the flexible wiring board is pressed against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel in order to perform lighting inspection. When the conductive film of the flexible wiring board contacts the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel, each contact portion of the flexible wiring board contacts the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel, so that the flexible substrate and the liquid crystal panel Specifically, they are arranged to face each other. Therefore, local stress due to the height of the input terminal and the film thickness of the conductive film is difficult to be applied to the flexible wiring board.

  Each of the contact portions may be made of an insulating material.

  According to said structure, the electrical insulation between each contact part and a electrically conductive film is hold | maintained.

  The conductive film may have a plurality of wirings extending in parallel with each other.

  According to said structure, each wiring becomes a short bar for inputting a test signal simultaneously to each display wiring of the same kind, for example, and the effect of this invention is show | played concretely.

  The liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention is a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus that performs a lighting inspection by inputting an inspection signal to an input terminal formed on the liquid crystal panel, and includes a flexible substrate and the flexible substrate. A flexible wiring board for inputting an inspection signal to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel through the conductive film, and the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel and the flexible A substrate pressing portion for pressing the flexible wiring board against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel so as to conduct the conductive film of the wiring board; and the flexible wiring board extends along a direction in which the conductive film extends. A pair of abutting portions that extend in parallel with each other along the conductive film and abut each other in the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel. By when it is pressed against the vicinity of the input terminals of the liquid crystal panel, characterized in that the flexible substrate and the liquid crystal panel is configured to be positioned opposite each other.

  According to the above configuration, when the flexible wiring board is pressed against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel by the board pressing portion in order to perform the lighting inspection, the pair of contact portions provided on both sides of the conductive film are flexible. Since the conductive substrate and the liquid crystal panel are in contact with each other in the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel so as to face each other, local stress is hardly applied to the flexible wiring substrate. Therefore, even if the flexible wiring board is repeatedly pressed against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel by the board pressing portion, damage to the flexible wiring board is suppressed, so that the gap between the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel and the conductive film of the flexible wiring board is suppressed. Is stably conducted. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably input the inspection signal to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel while suppressing damage to the flexible wiring board.

  In addition, the liquid crystal panel inspection method according to the present invention includes a flexible substrate, a conductive film linearly provided on the flexible substrate, and a conductive film on both sides along the extending direction of the conductive film. A liquid crystal panel having a pair of abutting portions extending in parallel with each other and performing a lighting inspection using a flexible wiring board for inputting an inspection signal to an input terminal formed on the liquid crystal panel through the conductive film The flexible wiring board and the liquid crystal panel are pressed against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel so that the flexible board and the liquid crystal panel are arranged to face each other. A substrate pressing step of bringing the input terminals of the liquid crystal panel into conduction and contacting the contact portions of the flexible wiring board in the vicinity of the input terminals of the liquid crystal panel; Through the conductive film line substrate to; and a test signal input step of inputting an inspection signal to the input terminals of the liquid crystal panel.

  According to the above method, when the flexible wiring substrate is pressed against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel in the substrate pressing step, the pair of contact portions provided on both sides of the conductive film are the flexible substrate and the liquid crystal panel. Are in contact with each other in the vicinity of the input terminals of the liquid crystal panel so as to be opposed to each other, so that it is difficult for local stress to be applied to the flexible wiring board. Therefore, even if the flexible wiring board is repeatedly pressed against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel, damage to the flexible wiring board is suppressed, so that the conduction between the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel and the conductive film of the flexible wiring board is stable. To do. In the inspection signal input step, the inspection signal is input to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel through the conductive film in the stable conduction state. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably input the inspection signal to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel while suppressing damage to the flexible wiring board.

  According to the present invention, since the pair of contact portions are provided on both sides of the conductive film of the flexible wiring board, damage to the flexible wiring board is suppressed, and an inspection signal is reliably input to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
1 and 2 show Embodiment 1 of a flexible wiring board according to the present invention and a method for inspecting a liquid crystal panel using the same. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid crystal panel inspection method according to the present embodiment, and shows a flexible wiring board 10 used as an inspection probe for lighting inspection and a liquid crystal panel 20 that is an object of lighting inspection. . 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible wiring board 10 and the liquid crystal panel 20 taken along line II-II in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal panel 20 includes a panel body 21 and an input terminal 22 provided on the surface of the panel body 21. Here, the input terminal 22 is an input terminal 22R connected to a red display source line (not shown) disposed in the display area D (see FIG. 9) of the panel body 21, and also a green display source. It has an input terminal 22G connected to a line (not shown) and an input terminal 22B connected to a source line (not shown) for blue display. The input terminals 22R, 22G, and 22B are arranged at a pitch of 60 (= 30 × 2) μm, for example, along the vertical direction in FIG. The row in which the input terminals 22R are arranged, the row in which the input terminals 22G are arranged, and the row in which the input terminals 22B are arranged are arranged in parallel with each other at a pitch of 140 μm, for example. Specifically, in FIG. 1, each input terminal 22R is arranged diagonally to the left of 140 μm left and 30 μm below each input terminal 22G, and each input terminal 22B is 140 μm right and above each input terminal 22G. The input terminals 22R, 22G, and 22B are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the left-right direction by being arranged diagonally upward to the right of 30 μm. In addition, the height of each input terminal 22R, 22G, and 22B is 1 micrometer, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible wiring substrate 10 includes a flexible substrate 11, a conductive film 12 formed linearly on the surface (lower surface in FIG. 2) of the flexible substrate 11, and the flexible substrate 11. And a pair of contact portions 15 extending in parallel to each other (in parallel) on both sides along the direction in which the conductive film 12 extends.

  The flexible substrate 11 is formed of a polyimide resin, a liquid crystal polymer, or the like, and has a thickness of about 50 μm.

  The conductive film 12 is made of a metal film such as copper, and has a film thickness of 20 μm, for example.

  Further, the conductive film 12 includes a source first inspection wiring 12R, a source second inspection wiring 12G, and a source third inspection wiring 12B that extend in parallel to each other (in parallel). Then, the source first inspection wiring 12R is configured to be in contact with the row of the input terminals 22R so that an inspection signal for lighting inspection is input to each source line for red display via each of the input terminals 22R. Has been. In addition, the source second inspection wiring 12G is configured so that an inspection signal for lighting inspection is input to each source line for green display via each of the input terminals 22G by contacting the row of the input terminals 22G. Has been. Furthermore, the source third inspection wiring 12B is configured such that an inspection signal for lighting inspection is input to each source line for blue display via each of the input terminals 22B by contacting with the row of the input terminals 22B. Has been. The source first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source third inspection wiring 12B are formed by forming a metal film on the flexible substrate 11, and then applying laser processing or photolithography technology to the metal film. It is formed using etc.

  Each contact portion 15 is formed of an insulating material such as polyimide resin, and has a height of 21 μm, for example. Each contact portion 15 is formed by applying an insulating material of a predetermined shape to the flexible substrate 11 or applying an insulating film to the insulating film using laser processing or photolithography technology. Is done. Further, after forming a linear groove on the flexible substrate 11, a source first inspection wiring 12R, a source second inspection wiring 12G, and a source third inspection wiring 12B are formed on the bottom surface of the groove, Both side walls of the groove may be the contact portion 15.

  Next, an inspection method for the liquid crystal panel 20 using the flexible wiring board 10 having the above-described configuration will be described. Note that the inspection method for the liquid crystal panel 20 of the present embodiment includes a substrate pressing step and an inspection signal input step.

<Substrate pressing process>
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the flexible wiring board 10 is disposed above the region where the input terminals 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 are disposed so that the conductive film 12 faces downward.

  Subsequently, the flexible wiring board 10 is lowered, and the flexible wiring board 10 is pressed against each input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20. According to this, when the pair of contact portions 15 provided on both sides of the conductive film 12 is pressed against the vicinity of the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20, the flexible substrate 10 and the liquid crystal panel 20 are mutually connected. In other words, the height of each contact portion 15 (21 μm) is the sum of the height of the input terminal 22 (1 μm) and the film thickness of the conductive film 12 (20 μm). Therefore, the source first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source third inspection wiring 12B of the flexible wiring board 10 are in contact with the input terminals 22R, 22G, and 22B of the liquid crystal panel 20, respectively. The contact portion 15 comes into contact with the vicinity of the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20. Therefore, regardless of the height of the input terminals 22R, 22G, and 22B of the liquid crystal panel 20 and the film thickness of the source first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source third inspection wiring 12B of the flexible wiring board 10, Local stress is less likely to be applied to the flexible wiring board 10.

  Note that the vicinity of the input terminals 22R, 22G, and 22B of the liquid crystal panel 20 is a flat surface area on the left side of the input terminal 22R and a flat surface area on the right side of the input terminal 22B, as shown in FIG. Yes, it is a region separated from the peripheral ends of the input terminal 22R and the input terminal 22B by about 30 μm to 140 μm. Here, when the distance from the peripheral ends of the input terminal 22R and the input terminal 22B is less than 30 μm, the distance between each contact portion 15 and the input terminal 22R and the input terminal 22B becomes short, and each contact portion. 15 may ride on the input terminal 22R and / or the input terminal 22B, and when the distance from the peripheral ends of the input terminal 22R and the input terminal 22B exceeds 140 μm, the flexible wiring board 10 is likely to bend, It becomes difficult to arrange the flexible substrate 11 and the liquid crystal panel 20 to face each other.

<Inspection signal input process>
Further, predetermined inspection signals are respectively input to the input terminals 22R, 22G, and 22B of the liquid crystal panel 20 through the source first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source third inspection wiring 12B of the flexible wiring board 10. And check the lighting.

  As described above, according to the inspection method for the flexible wiring board 10 and the liquid crystal panel 20 using the flexible wiring board 10 of the present embodiment, the flexible wiring board 10 is pressed against the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 in order to perform a lighting inspection. The pair of contact portions 15 provided on both sides of the conductive film 12 are arranged in the vicinity of the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 so that the flexible substrate 11 and the liquid crystal panel 20 are arranged to face each other. Since each contact | abuts, it becomes difficult to apply local stress to the flexible wiring board 10 irrespective of the height of the input terminal 22 or the film thickness of the electrically conductive film 12. Therefore, even if the flexible wiring board 10 is repeatedly pressed against the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20, damage to the flexible wiring board 10 can be suppressed, so that the conduction between the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 and the flexible wiring board 10 can be suppressed. It is possible to stably conduct between the film 12. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably input the inspection signal to the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 while suppressing damage to the flexible wiring board 10.

  Moreover, according to the flexible wiring board 10 of this embodiment and the inspection method of the liquid crystal panel 20 using the same, a lighting inspection similar to the lighting inspection by the internal connection in which the short bar is previously formed in the liquid crystal panel can be performed. Therefore, the size of the peripheral portion outside the display area of the liquid crystal panel can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the inspection method for the flexible wiring board 10 and the liquid crystal panel 20 using the flexible wiring board 10 of the present embodiment, the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 is not related to the height of the input terminal 22 or the film thickness of the conductive film 12. And the conductive film 12 of the flexible wiring board 10 can be stably conducted. Therefore, the force required to press the flexible wiring board 10 required for conduction between the two and the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 can be reduced, and the flexible wiring board 10 is flexible. The life of the wiring board 10 can be further increased.

<< Embodiment 2 of the Invention >>
3 to 8 show Embodiment 2 of a flexible wiring board, a liquid crystal panel inspection method using the same, and a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention. In the following embodiments, the same portions as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the flexible wiring board 10a of the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the broken line portion indicates the liquid crystal panel 20.

  The liquid crystal panel 20 includes a panel main body (21) including an active matrix substrate 20a and a counter substrate 20b arranged to face each other, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) provided between the two substrates 20a and 20b. I have. In addition, a frame-shaped seal portion S is provided between the active matrix substrate 20a and the counter substrate 20b so as to surround the liquid crystal layer.

  In the display area D of the active matrix substrate 20a, a plurality of pixel electrodes (not shown) each constituting a pixel are arranged in a matrix. The display area D of the counter substrate 20b is provided with a common electrode (not shown) disposed to face the group of matrix pixel electrodes. Further, the active matrix substrate 20a has a plurality of gate lines (not shown) extending in parallel to each other between the pixel electrodes as display wirings and extending in parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the gate lines. In this manner, a plurality of source lines (not shown) are provided. Further, the active matrix substrate 20a has a region that does not overlap with the counter substrate 20b, and the non-overlapping region has a COG pad portion P1 for mounting an LSI chip as a driver (driving circuit) as shown in FIG. And P2 are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of input terminals 22GO and 22GE are arranged on the leftmost COG pad portion P1 in FIG. Here, the input terminal 22GO is, for example, a conductive portion connected to the end of the odd-numbered gate line from the upper end of the display area D of the liquid crystal panel 20, and the input terminal 22GE is also the end of the even-numbered gate line. It is the electroconductive part connected to the part.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of input terminals 22R, 22G, and 22B are arranged in each of the three right COG pad portions P2 in FIG. Here, the input terminal 22R is a conductive part connected to the end of the red display source line (R), and the input terminal 22G is connected to the end of the green display source line (G). It is a conductive part, and the input terminal 22B is a conductive part connected to the end of the source line (B) for blue display.

  Further, the input terminals 22GO, 22GE, 22R, 22G, and 22B are arranged in a line so that they can be contacted at once by a linear conductive film 12 described later.

  Similar to the flexible wiring substrate 10 of the first embodiment, the flexible wiring substrate 10 a includes a flexible substrate 11, a conductive film 12 formed linearly on the surface of the flexible substrate 11, and the flexible substrate 11. A pair of contact portions 15 extending in parallel with each other on both sides along the direction in which the conductive film 12 extends are formed on the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and are formed in a rectangular shape along the lower side of the liquid crystal panel 20 as shown in FIG. Has been.

  Further, on the flexible wiring substrate 10a, as the conductive film 12, the gate first inspection wiring 12GO and the gate second extending in parallel with each other corresponding to the input terminals 22GO and 22GE of the COG pad portion P1 on the upper side in FIG. The inspection wiring 12GE is provided as shown in FIG. 4, and corresponding to the input terminals 22R, 22G, and 22B of the COG pad portion P2, the source first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source first inspection wiring extending in parallel with each other. Three inspection wirings 12B are provided as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, the conductive film 12 including the gate first inspection wiring 12GO and the gate second inspection wiring 12GE and the conductive film 12 including the source first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source third inspection wiring 12B extend. On both sides along the direction, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pair of contact portions 15 extending in parallel with each other are provided.

  Also, a plurality of inspection signal input terminals 14 are provided on the lower side of the flexible wiring board 10a in FIG. 3 so as to be arranged in a row in the horizontal direction, and the gate first inspection wiring 12GO, the gate second inspection wiring 12GE, A plurality of lead wirings 13 are provided so as to connect each inspection signal input terminal 14 with each of the first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source third inspection wiring 12B (each conductive film 12). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the gate first inspection wiring 12GO, the gate second inspection wiring 12GE, the source first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source third inspection wiring 12B includes An inspection signal generation circuit 40 is connected through the lead wiring 13 and the inspection signal input terminal 14.

  Next, a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. 6 is a top view showing the inspection apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, FIG. 7 is a side view of the inspection apparatus 50 of FIG. 6 as viewed from the lower side in the figure, and FIG. 8 is a side view of the inspection apparatus 50 as viewed from the right side in the figure. FIG.

  The inspection apparatus 50 includes a base plate 31, a panel stage 34 provided on the base plate 31, a probe stage 35 and a pair of air cylinders 32, a flexible wiring board 10 a, and a flexible wiring board 10 a that is connected to each input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20. And a substrate pressing portion 33 that presses against the substrate.

  The panel stage 34 has a positioning pin (not shown) on its upper surface, and is configured such that the liquid crystal panel 20 is fixed to the upper surface in a state where the edge of the liquid crystal panel 20 is in contact with the positioning pin. ing. In addition, the panel stage 34 has a rectangular opening on its upper surface, and the back located below the panel stage 34 with respect to the display area D of the liquid crystal panel 20 fixed on the upper surface through the opening. Light from a light (not shown) is configured to be supplied.

  The probe stage 35 is attached with a probe holder 36 for fixing the flexible wiring board 10a on the upper surface thereof, and in order to align each input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 and each conductive film 12 of the flexible inspection probe 10, in the X direction. The stage can be moved in the Y direction and rotated in the θ direction, and the stage position can be confirmed via a CCD camera and a monitor (not shown).

  A board pressing portion 33 that holds the flexible wiring board 10a from above is attached to the upper ends of the rods 32a of the pair of air cylinders 32.

  The base plate 31, the panel stage 34, and the probe stage 35 are made of, for example, an aluminum alloy material that has been subjected to black alumite treatment.

  Next, lighting inspection of the liquid crystal panel 20 using the inspection apparatus 50 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the liquid crystal panel 20 as the panel to be inspected is set on the panel stage 34.

  Subsequently, while confirming the position of the probe stage 35 on the monitor, the flexible wiring board 10a fixed to the probe holder 36 of the probe stage 35 and the liquid crystal panel 20 on the panel stage 34 are aligned.

  Further, by actuating the air cylinder 32, the substrate pressing portion 33 is lowered to press the flexible wiring substrate 10a against each input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 on the panel stage 34 (substrate pressing step). According to this, when the pair of contact portions 15 provided on both sides of the conductive film 12 are pressed near the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20, the flexible substrate 11 and the liquid crystal panel 20 are mutually connected. Since they are arranged to face each other, the gate first inspection wiring 12GO, the gate second inspection wiring 12GE, the source first inspection wiring 12R, the source second inspection wiring 12G, and the source third inspection of the flexible wiring board 10a. The wiring 12B comes into contact with the input terminals 22GO, 22GE, 22R, 22G, and 22B of the liquid crystal panel 20, and the contact portions 15 come into contact with the vicinity of the input terminals 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20, respectively. Therefore, local stress is hardly applied to the flexible wiring board 10 regardless of the height of the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 and the film thickness of the conductive film 12 of the flexible wiring board 10.

  Next, by operating the inspection signal generation circuit 40, an inspection signal is input to the inspection signal input terminal 14 of the flexible wiring board 10a, and all the pixels in the display area D of the liquid crystal panel 20 are turned on (inspection signal). Input process).

  Finally, a bright spot or the like is detected by turning on the backlight and observing the surface of the liquid crystal panel 20.

  As described above, the lighting test of the liquid crystal panel 20 can be performed.

  As described above, according to the flexible wiring board 10a of this embodiment and the inspection method and the inspection apparatus 50 of the liquid crystal panel 20 using the flexible wiring board 10a, the flexible wiring board 10a is mounted by the substrate pressing portion 33 in order to perform lighting inspection. When pressed against each input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20, the pair of contact portions 15 provided on both sides of the conductive film 12 are arranged so that the flexible substrate 11 and the liquid crystal panel 20 face each other. Since the liquid crystal panel 20 abuts in the vicinity of the input terminal 22, local stress is hardly applied to the flexible wiring substrate 10 a regardless of the height of the input terminal 22 and the film thickness of the conductive film 12. Therefore, even if the flexible wiring board 10a is repeatedly pressed against the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 by the board pressing portion 33, damage to the flexible wiring board 20 is suppressed, so the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 and the flexible wiring The conductive film 12 of the substrate 10a can be stably connected. Therefore, it is possible to reliably input the inspection signal to the input terminal 22 of the liquid crystal panel 20 while suppressing damage to the flexible wiring board 10a.

  In each of the above embodiments, the lighting inspection of the liquid crystal panel has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to inspection of various electronic devices.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for an inspection probe formed of a flexible substrate because it can obtain a good contact with the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel even if the pressing force is small.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a liquid crystal panel inspection method according to the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the flexible wiring board 10 and the liquid crystal panel 20 which followed the II-II line in FIG. 6 is a top view of a flexible wiring board 10a according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrically conductive film 12 of the flexible wiring board 10a in the COG pad part P1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrically conductive film 12 of the flexible wiring board 10a in the COG pad part P2. 6 is a top view showing an inspection device 50 of a liquid crystal panel 20 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 2 is a first side view showing an inspection apparatus 50 for a liquid crystal panel 20. 4 is a second side view showing an inspection device 50 of the liquid crystal panel 20. FIG. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the liquid crystal panel 120 corresponding to general COG mounting. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the inspection method by the short bar which consists of the conventional conductive rubber. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the inspection method by the conventional flexible inspection probe 110a. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram along the XII-XII line in FIG. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the inspection method by the conventional flexible inspection probe 110b.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10a Flexible wiring substrate 11 Flexible substrate 12 Conductive film 12R Source first inspection wiring 12G Source second inspection wiring 12B Source third inspection wiring 12GE Gate first inspection wiring 12GO Gate second inspection wiring 15 Contact portion 20 Liquid crystal Panel 22, 22R, 22G, 22B, 22GE, 22GO Input terminal 33 Substrate pressing part 50 Inspection device

Claims (6)

A flexible substrate;
A conductive film linearly provided on the flexible substrate;
A flexible wiring board for inputting a test signal to the input terminal formed on the liquid crystal panel via the conductive film and performing a lighting test on the liquid crystal panel,
On both sides along the extending direction of the conductive film, a pair of contact portions extending in parallel with each other along the conductive film and contacting the vicinity of the input terminals of the liquid crystal panel are provided.
Each of the contact portions is configured so that the flexible substrate and the liquid crystal panel are arranged to face each other when pressed against the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel. Wiring board. In the flexible wiring board according to claim 1,
The height of each said contact part is the sum of the height of the said input terminal, and the film thickness of the said electrically conductive film, The flexible wiring board characterized by the above-mentioned. In the flexible wiring board according to claim 1,
Each said contact part is comprised with the insulating material, The flexible wiring board characterized by the above-mentioned. In the flexible wiring board according to claim 1,
The flexible conductive substrate, wherein the conductive film has a plurality of wirings extending in parallel to each other. An inspection apparatus for a liquid crystal panel that performs a lighting inspection by inputting an inspection signal to an input terminal formed on the liquid crystal panel,
A flexible wiring board having a flexible substrate and a conductive film linearly provided on the flexible substrate, and for inputting an inspection signal to the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel via the conductive film;
A substrate pressing portion for pressing the flexible wiring board against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel so as to conduct the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel and the conductive film of the flexible wiring board;
The flexible wiring board has a pair of contact portions on both sides along the direction in which the conductive film extends, extending in parallel with each other along the conductive film and in contact with the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel,
Each of the contact portions is configured such that the flexible substrate and the liquid crystal panel are arranged to face each other when pressed against the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel by the substrate pressing portion. A liquid crystal panel inspection device characterized by the above. A flexible substrate, a conductive film linearly provided on the flexible substrate, and a pair of contact portions extending in parallel with each other along the conductive film on both sides along the extending direction of the conductive film. A liquid crystal panel inspection method for performing a lighting inspection using a flexible wiring board for inputting an inspection signal to an input terminal formed on the liquid crystal panel through the conductive film,
By pressing the flexible wiring substrate against the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel so that the flexible substrate and the liquid crystal panel are disposed to face each other, the conductive film of the flexible wiring substrate and the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel are A substrate pressing step of bringing each contact portion of the flexible wiring board into contact with the vicinity of the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel;
An inspection signal input step of inputting an inspection signal to an input terminal of the liquid crystal panel through the conductive film of the flexible wiring board.

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