Display panel alignment apparatus, tiled display and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present application provides a tiled display, a display panel alignment device and a manufacturing method of the tiled display. The display panel alignment device of the tiled display comprises: a frame comprising panel seat portions and gaps around the panel seat portions; and a panel movement controller provided in each of the panel seat portions. A display panel is provided in each of the panel seat portions. The panel movement controller controls movement of the display panel in a front direction, a back direction, a left direction and a right direction, and controls rotation of the display panel.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0131921, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 13, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a tiled display, a display panel alignment apparatus for manufacturing a tiled display, and a method for manufacturing a tiled display, and more specifically, to an apparatus for aligning display panels of a tiled display and a method for aligning display panels. Background Technology

[0004] In display technology, there has been development in methods for attaching multiple display panels to create displays of larger sizes and / or various shapes. Flat panel displays, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays or liquid crystal displays, can be made using this method.

[0005] By combining or assembling display panels in various ways, this tiled display can have a wide range of shapes and sizes. There are no size limitations for tiled displays, and they are also advantageous in terms of manufacturing costs compared to producing a single-panel display with the same dimensions as a tiled display.

[0006] However, because tiled displays are manufactured by connecting multiple display panels, the boundaries between the panels are visually identifiable. Therefore, when assembling the display panels, they must be precisely aligned and assembled to eliminate gaps between them. However, due to the large size and weight of the display panels, it is difficult to precisely control the movement of each panel and align them in the accurate and desired position.

[0007] It will be understood that this background section is intended to provide useful context for understanding the art. However, this background section may also include ideas, concepts, or knowledge that were known or understood by a person skilled in the art prior to the corresponding valid application date of the subject matter disclosed herein. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for aligning display panels when manufacturing a tiled display.

[0009] In one embodiment, the display panel alignment device for a tiled display may include: a frame comprising panel base portions and gaps around the panel base portions; and a panel movement controller disposed in each panel base portion of the frame. The display panel may be disposed in each panel base portion. The panel movement controller may control the movement of the display panel in the forward, backward, left, and right directions, and may also control the rotation of the display panel.

[0010] The frame may include edge walls surrounding the outer perimeter of the gaps in the frame.

[0011] The panel movement controller may include: a rotating body that can control the rotation of the display panel; an x-axis mover that can control the movement of the rotating body in the x-axis direction and may be positioned below the rotating body; and a y-axis mover that can control the movement of the rotating body in the y-axis direction and may be positioned below the x-axis mover.

[0012] The rotating body can rotate horizontally on the x-axis mover.

[0013] The x-axis mover may include: an x-axis moving stage in which a rotation axis of a rotating body may be provided; an x-axis moving mechanism that can move the x-axis moving stage in the left and right directions; and a connecting member that can be connected to the y-axis mover. The x-axis moving mechanism may be assembled into the connecting member.

[0014] The y-axis mover may include: a y-axis moving stage, to which the connecting member of the x-axis mover is connected; a toothed plane disposed on the lower surface of the y-axis moving stage; a y-axis moving mechanism having a cylindrical shape that can move the y-axis moving stage in the y-axis direction; and a cylindrical toothed bar disposed at the central portion of the y-axis moving mechanism.

[0015] The tooth plane and the cylindrical rack can engage with each other, and the tooth plane can be moved in the forward and backward directions by rotating the cylindrical rack to push the tooth plane along the y-axis.

[0016] The panel movement controller may include a cover frame that houses the x-axis mover and the y-axis mover, and the y-axis movement mechanism may be disposed in the cover frame and be rotatable about the axis of the cylindrical toothed rod.

[0017] Alignment marks can be set at the boundaries between the panel base sections of the frame.

[0018] In one embodiment, the tiled display may include: a frame, including a panel base portion; a panel movement controller disposed in the panel base portion of the frame; a display panel disposed on the panel movement controller; and a fixing member surrounding and fixing the display panel. The panel movement controller can control the movement of the display panel in the forward, backward, left, and right directions, and can also control the rotation of the display panel.

[0019] The frame may include edge walls surrounding the fixed member.

[0020] Each panel movement controller of the tiled display may include: a rotating body that can control the rotation of the display panel; an x-axis mover that can control the movement of the rotating body in the x-axis direction and can be positioned below the rotating body; and a y-axis mover that can control the movement of the rotating body in the y-axis direction and can be positioned below the x-axis mover.

[0021] The rotating body can rotate horizontally on the x-axis mover.

[0022] The x-axis mover may include: an x-axis moving stage in which a rotation axis of a rotating body may be provided; an x-axis moving mechanism that can move the x-axis moving stage in the left and right directions; and a connecting member that can be connected to the y-axis mover. The x-axis moving mechanism may be assembled into the connecting member.

[0023] The y-axis mover may include: a y-axis moving stage, to which the connecting member of the x-axis mover is connected; a toothed plane disposed on the lower surface of the y-axis moving stage; a y-axis moving mechanism having a cylindrical shape that can move the y-axis moving stage in the y-axis direction; and a cylindrical toothed bar disposed at the central portion of the y-axis moving mechanism.

[0024] The panel movement controller may include a cover frame that houses the x-axis mover and the y-axis mover, and the y-axis movement mechanism may be disposed in the cover frame and be rotatable about the axis of the cylindrical toothed rod.

[0025] Alignment marks can be set at the boundaries between the panel base sections of the frame.

[0026] In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a tiled display may use a display panel alignment device. The display panel alignment device may include a frame and panel movement controllers. The frame includes panel mounting portions and gaps around the panel mounting portions. The panel movement controllers are disposed in each panel mounting portion of the frame. The panel movement controllers can control the movement of the display panel in the forward, backward, left, and right directions, and can also control the rotation of the display panel. The manufacturing method may include: mounting the display panel onto the panel movement controllers disposed in each panel mounting portion of the frame; aligning the display panel by adjusting the panel movement controllers; and fixing the position of the aligned display panel.

[0027] The manufacturing method may further include, after fixing the position of the aligned display panel, mounting a separate frame on the aligned display panel, and transferring the aligned display panel onto the separate frame by flipping the separate frame and the display panel alignment device together.

[0028] Fixing the position of the aligned display panel may include applying adhesive resin or double-sided tape to the outer periphery of the aligned display panel.

[0029] According to the embodiments, since each display panel can be precisely moved forward, backward, left, and right, as well as rotated, the accuracy of panel alignment can be improved.

[0030] It can easily control the precise movement and rotation of each display panel forward, backward, left, and right, thereby reducing the manufacturing time and cost of tiled displays. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a display panel alignment device and a display panel alignment method according to an embodiment of a tiled display is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view illustrating a panel movement controller applied to a display panel alignment device according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 3 Example with the cover frame removed and viewed from the bottom. Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the panel movement controller.

[0034] Figure 4 Example: When viewed from the top, the cover frame and the rotating body have been removed. Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the panel movement controller.

[0035] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a tiled display according to one embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are illustrated, the embodiments will be described more fully below. However, this disclosure may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the embodiments.

[0037] To clearly describe the embodiments, parts irrelevant to the description have been omitted, and the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar constituent elements throughout the specification.

[0038] Furthermore, since the dimensions and thicknesses of the constituent components shown in the accompanying drawings are arbitrarily given for better understanding and ease of description, the embodiments are not limited to the illustrated dimensions and thicknesses. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, areas, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and areas are exaggerated for better understanding and ease of description.

[0039] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it may be directly on the other element, or an intervening element may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly" on another element, no intervening element is present. Furthermore, in the specification, the terms "on" or "above" mean located on or below the object portion, and do not necessarily mean located on the upper side of the object portion based on the direction of gravity.

[0040] Additionally, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the words “including” and variations such as “comprising” or “containing” will be understood to imply the presence of the said element, but do not exclude any other element.

[0041] Furthermore, in the specification, the phrase "in a plan view" means when viewing a portion of the object from above, and the phrase "in a sectional view" means when viewing a section obtained by vertically cutting the portion of the object from the side.

[0042] For ease of description, the spatial relative terms "below," "under," "lower," "above," "upper," etc., are used here to describe the relationship between one element or component and another element or component illustrated in the figure. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure, the spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device illustrated in the figure is flipped, a device located "below" or "under" another device can be placed "above" another device. Therefore, the illustrative term "below" can include both lower and upper positions. The device can also be oriented in other directions, so the spatial relative terms can be interpreted differently depending on the orientation.

[0043] It will be understood that when an element (or area, layer, part, etc.) is referred to in the specification as being "on" "on" "connected to" or "attached to" another element, it may be directly disposed on, connected to or attached to the other element, or an intervening element may be disposed therebetween.

[0044] The terms “overlap” or “interlock” mean that the first object may be above, below, or to the side of the second object, and vice versa. Furthermore, the term “overlap” may include stacking, overlapping, facing or oriented towards, extending over, covering or partially covering, or any other suitable term that will be understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0045] It will be understood that when an element “surrounds” or “encloses” another element, or when another element is disposed “in” an element, this may include the ability of the element to substantially overlap or substantially contain the other element, as well as to strictly close or enclose the other element, and includes other arrangements of the element as will be understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0046] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a display panel alignment device and a display panel alignment method according to an embodiment of a tiled display is shown.

[0048] A display panel alignment device for a tiled display according to one embodiment may include: a frame 11; a panel base portion 12 located within the frame 11; a gap 13, which may be a free space located between the frame 11 and the panel base portion 12; and a panel movement controller 20 mounted at the center of each panel base portion 12. In one embodiment, the frame 11 includes the panel base portion 12 and the gap 13 around the panel base portion 12.

[0049] Frame 11 may be part of the outer frame of a tiled display and may project upward from the ground to form a wall surrounding panel base portion 12 and gap 13 (i.e., may include an edge wall surrounding the outer periphery of gap 13 surrounding frame 11). Panel base portion 12 refers to the area in which a display panel is disposed. In an embodiment, although four panel base portions 12 are illustrated in a 2×2 arrangement, the number of panel base portions 12 may be expanded or reduced to an M×N size (where M and N are natural numbers). Gap 13 refers to additional space that may be provided for adjusting the position and orientation of the panel disposed on each panel base portion 12. Panel movement controller 20 may be a device capable of adjusting the position and orientation of the panel. Reference will be made below. Figures 2 to 4 Describe the detailed structure of the panel movement controller 20.

[0050] The display panel can be mounted on the panel movement controller 20, and the position and orientation of the display panel can be controlled by adjusting the panel movement controller 20. Figure 1 As illustrated, the position of the display panel can be finely adjusted in the x-axis and y-axis directions by independently adjusting its position in the x-axis and y-axis directions and by correcting the torsional posture through rotational movement (movement in the θ direction).

[0051] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view illustrating a panel movement controller applied to a display panel alignment device according to an embodiment. Figure 3 Example with the cover frame removed and viewed from the bottom. Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the panel movement controller. Figure 4 Example: When viewed from the top, the cover frame and rotating body 21 have been removed. Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the panel movement controller 20.

[0052] The panel movement controller 20 includes a rotating body 21, an x-axis mover 22 disposed below (or beneath) the rotating body 21, a y-axis mover 23 disposed below (or beneath) the x-axis mover 22, and a cover frame 24. Here, the x-axis and y-axis can be arbitrarily set according to the shape of the display panel alignment device.

[0053] The rotating body 21 is the portion on which the display panel can be mounted and through which the display panel can be rotated. The rotating body 21 may have a rotation axis 211 formed (or disposed) at its center to enable rotation, and the rotation axis 211 is mounted to enable rotation on the x-axis mover 22, such that the rotating body 21 can rotate horizontally on the x-axis mover 22. In one embodiment, the rotating body 21 is illustrated as a gear shape, but may have other shapes such as a disk. Rotational movement (θ-direction movement) of the display panel can be performed by applying a force to the display panel itself.

[0054] X-axis mover 22 can be disposed below rotating body 21 to move rotating body 21 in the x-axis direction. X-axis mover 22 includes an x-axis stage 221 on which rotating shaft 211 of rotating body 21 is mounted, an x-axis movement mechanism 222 for moving x-axis stage 221 left and right (in the left and right directions), and a connecting member 223. X-axis movement mechanism 222 can be assembled in connecting member 223. Connecting member 223 connects x-axis mover 22 to x-axis mover 23, allowing x-axis movement mechanism 222 to move in the y-axis direction. X-axis movement mechanism 222 may have an external thread shape and can be inserted into connecting member 223, which serves as an internal thread. By inserting a tool such as a screwdriver into the drive groove of the external thread head of x-axis movement mechanism 222, x-axis stage 221 can be finely moved in the x-axis direction by rotating x-axis movement mechanism 222. X-axis mover 22 can control the movement of the display panel in the left and right directions.

[0055] The y-axis mover 23 can be disposed below the x-axis mover 22 to move the x-axis mover 22 and the rotating body 21 together in the y-axis direction. The y-axis mover 23 may include a y-axis moving stage 231 to which a connecting member 223 can be connected and fixed, a toothed plane 233 formed (or disposed) on the lower surface of the y-axis moving stage 231, a y-axis moving mechanism 232 for moving the y-axis moving stage 231 in the y-axis direction, and a cylindrical toothed bar 234 formed (or disposed) at the center of the cylindrical y-axis moving mechanism 232. The cylindrical toothed bar 234 can engage with the toothed plane 233, and the y-axis moving stage 231 can move in the forward and backward directions by rotating the cylindrical toothed bar 234 to push the toothed plane 233 in the y-axis direction. Therefore, when a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted into a drive groove formed at the head of the opposite end of the y-axis moving mechanism 232 and rotated, the y-axis moving stage 231 can move precisely in the y-axis direction. The y-axis moving mechanism 232 can be mounted in the cover frame 24 and can rotate about the axis of the cylindrical toothed rod 234. The y-axis mover 23 can control the movement of the display panel in the front-to-back direction. The cover frame 24 can accommodate the y-axis mover 23 and the x-axis mover 22.

[0056] As described above, in one embodiment, the display panels can be mounted on a panel movement controller 20 installed in each panel base portion 12 to be adjusted in the x-axis, y-axis, and θ directions, thereby minimizing the gap between the panels. The panel movement controller 20 can control the movement of the display panels in the forward, backward, left, and right directions, and can also control the rotation of the display panels. Alignment marks indicating the positions of the individual panels (…) Figure 1 The dashed lines in the diagram can be formed (or set) at the boundary of the panel base portion 12 to facilitate panel alignment.

[0057] The panels arranged without gaps can be secured using adhesive resin or double-sided tape. The adhesive resin or double-sided tape can be inserted into gap 13. The display panel can be adhesively secured to a display panel alignment device for use as a tiled display. The display panel alignment device can serve as a background frame for the display device. The display panel can be adhered to the rotating body 21 of the display panel alignment device. In other embodiments, the aligned display panel can be detached from the display panel alignment device and transferred to a separate frame to assemble the display device. This will be described below.

[0058] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a tiled display according to one embodiment is shown.

[0059] As described above, in one embodiment, the display panel 30 may be mounted on a panel movement controller 20 installed on each panel base portion 12 to align the display panels 30 without gaps by adjusting their positions in the x-axis, y-axis, and θ directions. The position of the display panel 30 may be secured by applying adhesive resin or double-sided tape to the periphery of the display panel.

[0060] The separate frame 31 can be located on the aligned display panel 30, and the separate frame 31 and the display panel alignment device are flipped together, so that the display panel 30 is transferred onto the separate frame 31.

[0061] Subsequently, a tiled display can be completed through subsequent processes such as fixing the display panel 30 to a separate frame 31.

[0062] In the case of manufacturing a tiled display as described above, various errors, such as attachment errors and scribing errors, can be physically corrected during the assembly of the display panel, thereby providing additional process allowance.

[0063] Various embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although terminology has been used, it is used and interpreted in a general and descriptive sense only and not for limiting purposes. In some instances, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in the associated embodiments may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in other associated embodiments, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display panel alignment device for a tiled display, the device comprising: The frame includes a panel base portion and a gap around the panel base portion; and A panel movement controller is disposed in each of the panel base portions of the frame, wherein The display panel is disposed in each of the panel base portions, and The panel movement controller controls the movement of the display panel in the forward, backward, left and right directions, and also controls the rotation of the display panel; The panel movement controller includes: A rotating body that controls the rotation of the display panel; An x-axis mover, controlling the movement of the rotating body in the x-axis direction, is positioned below the rotating body; and A y-axis mover controls the movement of the rotating body in the y-axis direction and is positioned below the x-axis mover; and The rotating body is capable of horizontal rotation on the x-axis mover, and the x-axis mover includes a connecting member connected to the y-axis mover.

2. The display panel alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes an edge wall surrounding the outer periphery of the gap of the frame.

3. The display panel alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the x-axis mover further comprises: The x-axis moving stage is provided with the rotation axis of the rotating body; and An x-axis moving mechanism moves the x-axis moving stage in the left and right directions, wherein the x-axis moving mechanism is assembled in the connecting member.

4. The display panel alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the y-axis mover comprises: A y-axis moving stage, wherein the connecting member of the x-axis mover is connected to the y-axis moving stage; The tooth plane is arranged on the lower surface of the y-axis moving stage; A y-axis moving mechanism moves a y-axis moving stage in the y-axis direction; the y-axis moving mechanism has a cylindrical shape. A cylindrical toothed rod is located at the center of the y-axis moving mechanism.

5. The display panel alignment device according to claim 4, wherein... The tooth plane and the cylindrical tooth bar engage with each other, and The y-axis moving stage moves in the forward and rearward directions by rotating the cylindrical rack to push the tooth plane.

6. The display panel alignment device according to claim 5, wherein... The panel movement controller further includes a cover frame that houses the x-axis mover and the y-axis mover, and The y-axis moving mechanism is disposed in the cover frame and is capable of rotating about the axis of the cylindrical toothed rod.

7. A tiled display, comprising: The frame includes the panel base portion; A panel movement controller is disposed in the panel base portion of the frame; A display panel is mounted on the panel movement controller; and Fixed components surround and secure the display panel. The panel movement controller controls the movement of the display panel in the forward, backward, left and right directions, and also controls the rotation of the display panel. The panel movement controller includes: A rotating body that controls the rotation of the display panel; An x-axis mover, controlling the movement of the rotating body in the x-axis direction, is positioned below the rotating body; and A y-axis mover controls the movement of the rotating body in the y-axis direction and is positioned below the x-axis mover; and The rotating body is capable of horizontal rotation on the x-axis mover, and the x-axis mover includes a connecting member connected to the y-axis mover.

8. A method for manufacturing a tiled display using the display panel alignment apparatus according to claim 1, the method comprising: The display panel is mounted on the panel movement controller disposed in each of the panel base portions of the frame; The display panel is aligned by adjusting the panel movement controller; as well as The position of the display panel is fixed and aligned.

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