Curing device

Abstract

A curing apparatus is provided. The curing device comprises a supporting frame and a curing device, wherein the supporting frame comprises a substrate standby position, a substrate curing position and a substrate unloading position; a support unit on the support frame and including a plurality of support members spaced apart from each other in the first direction or the second direction and simultaneously supporting each of the bottom surfaces of the substrates; and a curing unit movable in the first direction and curing the substrate on the support member at the substrate curing position at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position. The curing unit includes: a first curing member that overlaps a top surface of the substrate at the substrate curing position when viewed in the second direction when the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position; and a second curing member, and each of the plurality of support members is movable in the first direction or the second direction.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to and all the benefits of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0023914 filed on February 20, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments of the disclosure herein relate to a curing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a display apparatus, and more particularly to a curing apparatus for curing a display module and a method of manufacturing a display apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] Various display apparatuses for multimedia apparatuses such as a television, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a navigation system, or a game machine, etc. have been developed. Such a display apparatus can include a plurality of electronic components, and can be provided in various shapes and sizes according to design.

[0005] A display panel can be variously manufactured according to various design conditions. Accordingly, it is desirable that a display apparatus manufacturing apparatus have versatility so that the display apparatus manufacturing apparatus can be used to manufacture display apparatuses having various specifications according to such various design conditions. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the disclosure provide a curing apparatus capable of simultaneously curing a plurality of objects to be cured and a method of manufacturing a display apparatus.

[0007] Embodiments of the disclosure also provide a curing apparatus capable of simultaneously loading and unloading a plurality of objects to be cured and a method of manufacturing a display apparatus.

[0008] Embodiments of the disclosure also provide a curing apparatus capable of simultaneously curing top surfaces and side surfaces of a plurality of objects to be cured and a method of manufacturing a display apparatus.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a curing apparatus including a support frame including a substrate standby position, a substrate curing position, and a substrate unloading position; a support unit disposed on the support frame, wherein the support unit includes a plurality of support parts spaced apart from each other in a first direction or a second direction crossing the first direction, and each of the plurality of support parts supports a bottom surface of a corresponding one of a plurality of substrates; and a curing unit movable in the first direction, wherein when the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position, the curing unit cures a corresponding plurality of substrates among the plurality of substrates disposed on at least two support parts of the plurality of support parts arranged at the substrate curing position, wherein the curing unit includes a first curing part overlapping a top surface of the corresponding plurality of substrates and the at least two support parts of the plurality of support parts at the substrate curing position when viewed in the second direction when the curing unit is at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position, and a second curing part spaced apart from the first curing part in the second direction, and each of the plurality of support parts is movable in the first direction or the second direction.

[0010] In embodiments, when viewed in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, the substrate standby position and the substrate unloading position can be spaced apart from the curing unit, the substrate curing position is between the substrate standby position and the substrate unloading position and the curing unit, the plurality of support parts can include a first support part arranged at the substrate standby position, a plurality of second support parts arranged at the substrate curing position, and a third support part arranged at the substrate unloading position, and the curing unit can cure the corresponding plurality of substrates on the plurality of second support parts.

[0011] In embodiments, the plurality of second support parts can be arranged in the second direction, and the first curing part and the second curing part can be arranged in the second direction.

[0012] In embodiments, when viewed in the second direction and the curing unit is at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position, the first curing part can overlap a top surface of the corresponding plurality of substrates and the plurality of second support parts at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

[0013] In embodiments, when viewed in the first direction and the curing unit is at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position, the second curing part can overlap a side surface of a substrate on a corresponding one of the plurality of second support parts.

[0014] In an embodiment, the curing unit can further include a third curing part spaced apart from the first curing part, the second curing part being between the first curing part and the third curing part, and the third curing part can overlap with a side surface of the substrate on a corresponding one of the plurality of second support parts when viewed in the first direction and the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

[0015] In an embodiment, the support unit can further include a first rotation member extending from the support frame in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a second rotation member disposed on the first rotation member, wherein the second rotation member can rotate the second support part about a direction parallel to the second direction.

[0016] In an embodiment, at least one support part among the plurality of support parts can be disposed between the first curing part and the second curing part when the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

[0017] In an embodiment, an area of the first curing part can be greater than an area of a top surface of each of the plurality of substrates when viewed in the second direction.

[0018] In an embodiment, an area of the second curing part can be greater than an area of the first side surface or the second side surface of each of the plurality of substrates when viewed in the first direction.

[0019] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a curing apparatus includes a support frame including a substrate standby position, a substrate curing position, and a substrate unloading position; a support unit disposed on the support frame, wherein the support unit includes a plurality of support parts spaced apart from each other in a first direction or a second direction intersecting the first direction, each of the plurality of support parts supporting a bottom surface of a corresponding one of a plurality of substrates; and a curing unit movable in the first direction, wherein the curing unit cures a corresponding plurality of substrates among the plurality of substrates disposed on at least two support parts of the plurality of support parts at the substrate curing position when the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position, wherein the curing unit includes a first curing part overlapping with top surfaces of the corresponding plurality of substrates when viewed in the second direction when the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position, and a second curing part spaced apart from the first curing part and overlapping with side surfaces of the substrates among the corresponding plurality of substrates when viewed in the first direction when the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

[0020] In an embodiment, the substrate standby position and the substrate unloading position can be more spaced apart from the curing unit than the substrate curing position when viewed in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, the plurality of support parts can include a first support part arranged at the substrate standby position, a plurality of second support parts arranged at the substrate curing position, and a third support part arranged at the substrate unloading position, and the curing unit can cure a corresponding plurality of substrates on the plurality of second support parts.

[0021] In an embodiment, the curing unit can further include a third curing part spaced apart from the first curing part, the second curing part being between the first curing part and the third curing part, and the third curing part can overlap a side surface of a substrate among the corresponding plurality of substrates when viewed in the first direction when the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

[0022] In an embodiment, the support unit can further include a first rotating member extending from the support frame in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, and a second rotating member arranged on the first rotating member, wherein the second rotating member can rotate the corresponding support part about a direction parallel to the second direction.

[0023] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of support parts can move while rotating about the second direction as a rotation axis.

[0024] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of manufacturing a display device includes preparing a support unit including a plurality of support parts arranged at a substrate standby position, a substrate curing position, and a substrate unloading position, and a curing unit spaced apart from the support unit and including a plurality of curing parts, loading a substrate on a support part among the plurality of support parts arranged at the substrate standby position, unloading the substrate on the support part among the plurality of support parts arranged at the substrate unloading position, circulating the plurality of support parts in such a manner that the support part arranged at the substrate standby position moves to the substrate curing position, one support part among the plurality of support parts arranged at the substrate curing position moves to the substrate unloading position, and another support part among the plurality of support parts arranged at the substrate unloading position moves to the substrate standby position, performing a first movement in such a manner that the curing unit moves to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position, curing the substrate on the support part moved to the substrate curing position, and performing a second movement in such a manner that the curing unit is spaced apart from the position corresponding to the substrate curing position, wherein the loading of the substrate, the unloading of the substrate, the circulation of the plurality of support parts, the performance of the first movement, the curing of the substrate, and the performance of the second movement are repeated.

[0025] In an embodiment, the substrate curing position can be located between the substrate standby position and the curing unit, and the substrate unloading position can be spaced apart from the curing unit, the substrate curing position being between the substrate unloading position and the curing unit.

[0026] In an embodiment, at least two of the plurality of support members can be arranged at the substrate curing position, among the plurality of support members being circulated, one of the at least two of the plurality of support members arranged inside the substrate curing position can be moved to the substrate unloading position, and another of the at least two of the plurality of support members arranged inside the substrate curing position can be moved to a position adjacent to the substrate unloading position inside the substrate curing position.

[0027] In an embodiment, the substrate curing position can include a first curing position and a second curing position spaced apart from the first curing position, the curing unit can include a first curing member curing an upper portion of the substrate and a second curing member curing a side portion of the substrate, among the plurality of support members being circulated, a support member arranged at the first curing position can be moved to the second curing position, in the first movement, the first curing member can be moved to a position corresponding to the first curing position, and the second curing member can be moved to a position corresponding to the second curing position, and in the substrate being cured, the first curing member can face the upper portion of the substrate when the substrate is located at the first curing position, and the second curing member can face the side portion of the substrate when the substrate is located at the second curing position.

[0028] In an embodiment, the substrate curing position can further include a third curing position spaced apart from the second curing position, the curing unit can further include a third curing member spaced apart from the second curing member, wherein the third curing member can cure another side portion of the substrate, in the first movement, the third curing member can be moved to a position corresponding to the third curing position, the substrate can be rotated about a normal direction of the plurality of support members when the substrate is moved from the second curing position to the third curing position, and in the first movement, the third curing member can be moved to a position corresponding to the third curing position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3 is a sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a perspective view of a curing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5A is a side view of a curing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 5B is a plan view of a curing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is an enlarged view of a support member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a perspective view of a curing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figures 8A to 8J is a perspective view illustrating some processes of a method of manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0039] Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a side view illustrating some processes of a method of manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being 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 the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0041] In this specification, it will be understood that when an element (or a region, layer, part, etc.) is referred to as being "on", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element (or a region, layer, part, etc.), it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on", "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0042] Throughout the specification, like reference numerals or symbols refer to like elements throughout the specification. Furthermore, in the drawings, the thickness, proportions and dimensions of elements are exaggerated for effective description of technical content.

[0043] It will be understood that, although the terms“first,”“second,”“third,” etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus,“a first element,”“a first component,”“a first region,”“a first layer,” or“a first section” discussed below could be termed a second element, a second component, a second region, a second layer, or a second section without departing from the teachings herein.

[0044] For the sake of describing the convenience, spatial relative terms such as“below,”“lower,”“bottom,”“on,”“under” and“upper” can be used herein to describe a relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature (or multiple elements or features) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0045] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the terms“a,”“an,”“the,” and“at least one” are not limited to singular elements, but instead include one or more elements, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. Thus, a claim referring to“the” element includes one or more elements. For example, a claim referencing“an element” includes one or more elements, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as a limitation on“a” or“an.” “Or” means“and / or.” As used herein, the term“and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and / or“comprising,” or“includes” and / or“including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

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

[0047] Embodiments are described herein with reference to illustrative cross-sectional views, which are intended to represent idealized embodiments. Thus, variations in the shape of the illustrated areas due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are to be expected. Therefore, the embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the specific shape of the areas illustrated herein, but will include deviations in shape due to, for example, manufacturing processes. For example, areas illustrated or described as planar may generally have rough and / or non-linear characteristics. Furthermore, sharp corners in the illustrations may be rounded. Therefore, the areas illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to depict the precise shape of the illustrated areas, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0048] In the following description, a display device and a method of manufacturing a display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display device DD can be activated in response to an electrical signal. The display device DD can be one of various types of display devices. In some embodiments, for example, the display device DD can be an electronic device such as a smartwatch, a computer (e.g., a tablet computer, a laptop computer), a smart TV, etc.

[0051] The display device DD can display an image IM on a display surface IS parallel to each of the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 (or on a plane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2) on a third direction DR3. Here, the third direction DR3 can be the thickness direction of the display device DD. The display surface IS on which the image IM is displayed can correspond to the front surface of the display device DD. The image IM can include static images and dynamic images.

[0052] In such an implementation, the front (or top) and rear (or bottom) surfaces of each of the plurality of components can be defined based on a third-party DR3 on which the image IM is displayed. The front and rear surfaces can be opposite each other on the third-party DR3, and the normal directions of the front and rear surfaces can each be parallel to the third-party DR3.

[0053] A spaced distance in the third direction DR3 between the front surface and the rear surface can correspond to a thickness of the electronic device in the third direction DR3. Here, the directions indicated by the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, and the third direction DR3 can have a relative concept, and thus can be changed to other directions.

[0054] In an embodiment, the display device DD can sense a user's input applied from the outside. The user's input can include various types of external inputs such as a part of a user's body, light, heat, or pressure, etc. Also, the display device DD can sense an input close to or adjacent to the display device DD as well as an input touching the display device DD.

[0055] Also, according to the structure of the display device DD, the display device DD can sense a user's input applied to a side surface or a rear surface of the display device DD, and the present disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0056] The front surface of the display device DD can be divided into a transmission area TA and a bezel area BZA. The transmission area TA can be an area in which an image IM is displayed. A user can view the image IM through the transmission area TA. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 The transmission area TA can be a quadrangular shape with rounded corners, as shown in

[0057] The bezel area BZA can be adjacent to the transmission area TA. The bezel area BZA can have a predetermined color. The bezel area BZA can surround the transmission area TA. Thus, the shape of the transmission area TA can be substantially defined by the bezel area BZA. However, this is illustrated as an example, and in another embodiment, the bezel area BZA can be arranged to be adjacent to only one side of the transmission area TA, or can be omitted. The display device DD according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be variously modified, and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0058] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 The display device DD can include a window WM, a display module, and a driving module EM, as shown in Figure 3 The display device DD can further include a housing EDC for accommodating at least one of the window WM, the display module, and the driving module EM, as shown in

[0059] The window WM can include or consist of a transparent substance to output an image IM. For example, in an embodiment, the window WM can include or consist of glass, sapphire, or plastic, etc. For the convenience of illustration, in Figure 3The middle window WM is illustrated as a single layer, but is not limited thereto. The window WM can include multiple layers. In an embodiment, although not illustrated, the bezel area BZA of the aforementioned display device DD can be substantially provided as an area in which a substance having a predetermined color is printed onto an area of the window WM.

[0060] The display module can include a display panel DP and an input sensing layer. The display panel DP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be an emission display panel, but is not particularly limited thereto. For example, in an embodiment, the display panel DP can be an organic light emitting display panel, an inorganic light emitting display panel, or a quantum dot light emitting display panel. The light emitting layer of the organic light emitting display panel can include an organic light emitting substance, and the light emitting layer of the inorganic light emitting display panel can include an inorganic light emitting substance. The light emitting layer of the quantum dot light emitting display panel can include quantum dots and quantum rods, etc. Hereinafter, the display panel DP will be described as an organic light emitting display panel.

[0061] The input sensing layer can be directly disposed on the display panel DP. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the input sensing layer can be formed on the display panel DP through a continuous process.

[0062] The display panel DP can generate an image IM, and the input sensing layer can acquire coordinate information about an external input (e.g., a touch event).

[0063] In an embodiment, although not illustrated, the display device DD can further include an additional layer, e.g., an optical layer or a functional layer, disposed between the display panel DP and the window WM.

[0064] In an embodiment, the display panel DP can display an image IM and sense an external input. That is, the display panel DP can display an image IM in response to an electrical signal and transmit / receive information about an external input. The display panel DP can be defined as an active area AA and a non-active area NAA. In such an embodiment, the active area AA can be an area in which an image IM is displayed and an external input is sensed. However, this is illustrated as an example, and an area in which an image IM is displayed and an area in which an external input is sensed can be separated from each other within the active area AA. The present disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0065] The non-active area NAA is adjacent to the active area AA. For example, in an embodiment, the non-active area NAA can surround the active area AA. However, this is illustrated as an example, and the non-active area NAA can be defined to have various shapes and is not limited to any one embodiment. According to an embodiment, the active area AA of the display panel DP can correspond to at least a portion of the transmissive area TA.

[0066] Various signal lines or pads for providing electrical signals to the active area AA or electronic components, etc. can be disposed in the peripheral area NAA. The peripheral area NAA can be covered by the bezel area BZA, and can not be viewed from the outside.

[0067] The driving module EM can control the operation of the display panel DP. The driving module EM can include a flexible circuit film FCB and a driving chip DIC. The flexible circuit film FCB can be electrically connected to the display panel DP. The flexible circuit film FCB can be coupled to an end portion of the display panel DP through a bonding process. The flexible circuit film FCB can be electrically connected to the display panel DP through an anisotropic conductive adhesive layer. The driving chip DIC can be mounted on the display panel DP. The driving chip DIC can include a driving circuit, for example, a data driving circuit, for driving pixels of the display panel DP.

[0068] The driving module EM can further include a plurality of driving elements DEL mounted on the flexible circuit film FCB. The plurality of driving elements DEL can include a circuit unit for converting a signal inputted from the outside into a signal required for the driving chip DIC or into a signal required for driving the display panel DP.

[0069] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 4A line I-I' of FIG. 1A.

[0070] Referring to Figure 4A , the display device DD according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a display panel DP, an adhesive member OCR, and a window WM. The adhesive member OCR can be disposed between the display panel DP and the window WM, and can couple the window WM and the display panel DP to each other.

[0071] A curing unit CU (see Figure 4A ) of a curing device, which will be described later, can cure a top surface OCR_US, a side surface OCR_SS, and a bottom surface OCR_LS of the adhesive member OCR. Since the top surface OCR_US, the side surface OCR_SS, and the bottom surface OCR_LS of the adhesive member OCR are cured, uniform curing quality can be achieved. In addition, the curing unit CU (see Figure 4B ) can also cure a top surface WM_US, a side surface WM_SS, and a bottom surface WM_LS of the window WM.

[0072] Without being limited to what is illustrated in the drawings, the window WM can be directly disposed on a top surface of the display panel DP opposite the bottom surface DP_LS, and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0073] Figure 4A and Figure 1is a perspective view of a curing apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0074] Figure 2 The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 illustrated in FIG. 1 can indicate directions different from the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, and the third direction DR3 illustrated in FIG. 1. Figure 4A and Figure 4A The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 illustrated in FIG. 1 can indicate directions different from the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, and the third direction DR3 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0075] Referring to Figure 3 , an embodiment of the curing apparatus can include a support frame FR, a support unit SU, and a curing unit CU.

[0076] The support frame FR can include a surface on a plane defined by the second direction D2 and the first direction D1 intersecting the second direction D2. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the support frame FR can have a rectangular shape, but the shape of the support frame FR is not limited thereto and can have various other shapes. Figure 3

[0077] The support frame FR can include a substrate standby position (or area) WA, a substrate curing position CA, and a substrate unloading position ULA. The substrate standby position WA and the substrate unloading position ULA can be spaced apart from the curing unit CU in the first direction D1 on the plane or when viewed in the third direction D3, and the substrate curing position CA is between the substrate standby position WA and the substrate unloading position ULA and the curing unit CU. The substrate unloading position ULA can be arranged below the substrate standby position WA, and the substrate curing position CA can be arranged at one side of the substrate standby position WA and at one side of the substrate unloading position ULA.

[0078] At the substrate standby position WA, a fifth substrate SUB5 before curing can be loaded on a corresponding one of support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 to be described later. At the substrate curing position CA, a second substrate SUB2, a third substrate SUB3, and a fourth substrate SUB4 can be cured, and at the substrate unloading position ULA, a cured first substrate SUB1 can be unloaded. Here, when a substrate or a support part is arranged to overlap a specific position of the support frame FR in the third direction D3, the substrate or the support part can be considered to be at the specific position of the support frame FR.

[0079] The fifth substrate SUB5 before curing described herein can be a preliminary display device of the aforementioned display device DD (see Figure 3 ) including an uncured adhesive member OCR (see Figure 3 ). However, not limited thereto, the fifth substrate SUB5 before curing can be a preliminary display device of the aforementioned display device DD (see Figure 6A ​the aforementioned display device DD (see Figure 4B ) of the preliminary display device, and the present disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0080] The support unit SU can include support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5. The substrate can be disposed on the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5, and the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 can support a bottom surface of the substrate. The support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 can move in the second direction D2 or in a direction crossing the second direction D2. For example, in an embodiment, the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 can move in the second direction D2 or in the third direction D3 (or the first direction D1). The substrate on the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 can be rotated about the second direction D2 (i.e., rotated about a rotation axis SX (e.g., refer to Figure 4B ) in the second direction D2 or in the third direction D3 (or the first direction D1).

[0081] The support parts can be provided as a plurality, such that a plurality of support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 can be included. The plurality of support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 can be spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2 or in a direction crossing the second direction D2. With reference to the drawings, the plurality of support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 can be spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2 or in the first direction D1. The first substrate SUB1, the second substrate SUB2, the third substrate SUB3, the fourth substrate SUB4, and the fifth substrate SUB5 can be disposed on the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5, respectively.

[0082] Among the plurality of support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5, the support part SP5 disposed at the substrate standby position WA can be defined as a first support part, the support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4 disposed at the substrate curing position CA can be defined as second support parts, and the support part SP1 disposed at the substrate unloading position ULA can be defined as a third support part. Since the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 move in the first direction D1 or in a direction crossing the first direction D1, the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 defined as the first to third support parts can change, and the reference numerals or symbols of the first to third support parts can be the same as or different from each other.

[0083] The second support parts (e.g., support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4) can be spaced apart from the first support part (e.g., support part SP5) in the first direction D1. The third support part (e.g., support part SP1) can be spaced apart from the second support parts (e.g., support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4) in the first direction D1. The third support part (e.g., support part SP1) can be spaced apart from the first support part (e.g., support part SP5) in the second direction D2.

[0084] The second support parts can be provided as a plurality, such that the support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4 can be included. The plurality of second support parts (e.g., support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4) can be arranged in the second direction D2.

[0085] The curing unit CU can move back and forth in the first direction D1. The curing unit CU can overlap with the support frame FR or can not overlap with the support frame FR. In an embodiment, the curing unit CU can move to overlap with the support frame FR, and cure the second substrate SUB2, the third substrate SUB3, and the fourth substrate SUB4 located at the substrate curing position CA.

[0086] The curing unit CU can include curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3. The curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can cure a substrate, e.g., a layer or a portion of a substrate to be cured. The layer or the portion of the substrate to be cured can be a layer or a portion of a curable material included in the substrate or previously formed in the substrate. The curing parts can be provided as a plurality, such that a plurality of curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can be included. The plurality of curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can each cure a top surface or a side surface of a substrate. The plurality of curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can include a top surface curing part for curing a top surface of a substrate or a side surface curing part for curing a side surface of a substrate. In addition, the curing unit CU can further include a curing support frame CFR for supporting the curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3.

[0087] The plurality of curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can include a first curing part CP1, a second curing part CP2, and a third curing part CP3. The second curing part CP2 can be spaced apart from the first curing part CP1 in the second direction D2. The third curing part CP3 can be spaced apart from the first curing part CP1 in the second direction D2, with the second curing part CP2 between the third curing part CP3 and the first curing part CP1.

[0088] Reference Figure 5AThe curing unit CU can move to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA. When the curing unit CU moves to the position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA, the curing unit CU can cure the second substrate SUB2, the third substrate SUB3, and the fourth substrate SUB4 located at the substrate curing position CA.

[0089] The first curing part CP1 can include a top surface curing part. When the curing unit CU is located at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA, the first curing part CP1 can overlap a top surface of the second substrate SUB2, the third substrate SUB3, and the fourth substrate SUB4 and some (or at least some) of the support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4 when viewed in the second direction D2.

[0090] The second curing part CP2 can include a side surface curing part. The third curing part CP3 can include a side surface curing part. In an embodiment, as Figure 5B illustrated in FIG. 2, the second curing part CP2 and the third curing part CP3 can each include a side surface curing part, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second curing part CP2 and the third curing part CP3 can each include a top surface curing part like the first curing part CP1, and the present disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0091] Figure 5A is a side view of a curing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4B is a plan view of a curing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] Referring to Figure 5B , in an embodiment, the first curing part CP1 can be spaced apart from a top surface of the fourth substrate SUB4 by a predetermined distance. The first curing part CP1 is spaced apart from the top surface of the fourth substrate SUB4 by the predetermined distance so that the first curing part CP1 can be effectively prevented from contacting the top surface of the fourth substrate SUB4. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, damage to the fourth substrate SUB4 can be effectively prevented.

[0093] At least one support part (e.g., the support part SP4) among the second support parts (e.g., the support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4) can be located between the first curing part CP1 and the second curing part CP2 when the curing unit CU is located at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA.

[0094] When the curing unit CU is located at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA, the first curing part CP1 can be located between the second curing part CP2 and the third curing part CP3 when viewed in the first direction D1 (e.g., with reference to FIG. 1). Figure 4BWhen viewed in the first direction D1, the second cured part CP2 can overlap with a side surface of the third substrate SUB3 and a portion of the support part SP3. Also, when viewed in the first direction D1, an area of the second cured part CP2 can be greater than an area of one side surface of the third substrate SUB3.

[0095] When the curing unit CU is located at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA, in viewing in the first direction D1, the third cured part CP3 can overlap with a side surface of the second substrate SUB2 and a portion of the support part SP2. Also, when viewed in the first direction D1, an area of the third cured part CP3 can be greater than an area of one side surface of the second substrate SUB2.

[0096] Accordingly, the second cured part CP2 and the third cured part CP3 can uniformly cure the side surfaces of the second substrate SUB2 and the third substrate SUB3.

[0097] Reference Figure 5A In a plan view or when viewed in the second direction D2 (e.g., reference Figure 4B ), an area of the first cured part CP1 can be greater than an area of a top surface of the fourth substrate SUB4. Accordingly, the first cured part CP1 can cure the entire top surface of the fourth substrate SUB4 only once.

[0098] The second cured part CP2 can be spaced apart from a side surface of the third substrate SUB3 (see Figure 5A ) by a predetermined distance. That is, in a plan view or when viewed in the second direction D2 (e.g., reference Figure 5A ), the second cured part CP2 can not overlap with the third substrate SUB3 (see Figure 5A ). The second cured part CP2 is spaced apart from the side surface of the third substrate SUB3 (see Figure 6A ) by a predetermined distance, so that the second cured part CP2 can be effectively prevented from contacting the side surface of the third substrate SUB3 (see Figure 6B ). Accordingly, in such an embodiment, damage to the substrate can be effectively prevented.

[0099] Figure 4A and Figure 6A is a magnified view of a support part (e.g., each of the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 (see Figure 6B ) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0100] Reference Figure 4A and Figure 4A In an embodiment, the support unit SU (see Figure 4A) can also include a plurality of rotating members SPM. The plurality of rotating members SPM can be respectively coupled to the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 (see Figure 4A ).

[0101] The plurality of rotating members SPM can each include a first rotating member SPM1 and a second rotating member SPM2. The first rotating member SPM1 can extend from the support frame FR in the third direction D3. The second rotating member SPM2 can be provided on the first rotating member SPM1 and can rotate the support part SP (e.g., a corresponding one of the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 (see Figure 4A ) about a direction intersecting the first direction D1. With reference to the drawings, the respective second rotating members SPM2 can rotate the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 (see Figure 7A ) about a direction parallel to the second direction D2. The respective first rotating members SPM1 and the respective second rotating members SPM2 can rotate the support parts SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 (see Figure 7B ) in such a manner that all side surfaces of the substrate can face the side surface curing part and can be cured while facing the side surface curing part. Accordingly, the curing quality of the side surfaces of the substrate can be made substantially uniform.

[0102] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a perspective view of a curing apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 4A and Figure 7A each illustrate another embodiment of the curing apparatus illustrated in Figure 7B according to the disclosure.

[0103] With reference to Figure 4A , in an embodiment, at the substrate standby position WA, a plurality of first support parts SP-G1 can be provided. Further, at the substrate unloading position ULA, a plurality of third support parts SP-G3 can be provided. Accordingly, a plurality of substrates SUB can be simultaneously loaded and unloaded on the first support parts SP-G1, the second support parts SP-G2, and the third support parts SP-G3, thereby improving process efficiency.

[0104] The plurality of first support parts SP-G1 can be arranged in the second direction D2 (or the first direction D1). Further, the plurality of third support parts SP-G3 can be arranged in the second direction D2 (or the first direction D1).

[0105] Since the first support part SP-G1, the second support part SP-G2, and the third support part SP-G3 are periodically moved, the support parts defined as the first support part SP-G1, the second support part SP-G2, and the third support part SP-G3 can be changed.

[0106] Referring to Figures 8A to 8J In another embodiment, the support frame FRa can be provided in a circular shape. Also, the substrate standby position WA, the substrate curing position CA, and the substrate unloading position ULA can be provided in a sector shape.

[0107] The first support part SP-G1, the second support part SP-G2, and the third support part SP-G3 can be rotated about the second direction D2, and can each be arranged at any one position among the substrate standby position WA, the substrate curing position CA, and the substrate unloading position ULA.

[0108] The curing unit CU (for example, refer to Figure 4A ) can be provided in various shapes corresponding to the shape of the support frame FR or FRa, the substrate standby position WA, the substrate curing position CA, and the substrate unloading position ULA, and the present disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0109] Figure 8A is a perspective view illustrating some processes of a method of manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] The method of manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a process of including a support unit including a plurality of support parts arranged at a substrate standby position, a substrate curing position, and a substrate unloading position, and a curing unit spaced apart from the support unit and having a plurality of curing parts, a substrate loading process of loading a substrate on a support part arranged at the substrate standby position, a substrate unloading process of unloading a substrate arranged at the substrate unloading position, a support part circulation process of moving a support part arranged at the substrate standby position to the substrate curing position, moving one support part among the plurality of support parts arranged at the substrate curing position to the substrate unloading position, and moving a support part arranged at the substrate unloading position to the substrate standby position, a first moving process of moving the curing unit to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position, a substrate curing process of curing a substrate located at the substrate curing position, and a second moving process of spacing the curing unit apart from the position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

[0111] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the substrate loading process, the substrate unloading process, the support part circulation process, the first moving process, the substrate curing process, and the second moving process can be repeatedly performed.

[0112] Referring toFigure 4A and Figure 8B In the state in which the curing unit CU is spaced apart from the support unit SU in the first direction D1, the first substrate SUB1 (substrate number 1) can be loaded on the first support member SP1 (support member number 1). The first support member SP1 can be located at the substrate standby position WA. As illustrated in the drawing, the second support member SP2 can be located at the substrate unloading position ULA. However, it is not limited thereto, and the second support member SP2 can be located at the substrate standby position WA, and the present disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0113] Referring to Figure 4B and Figure 8C The first support member SP1 and the first substrate SUB1 can be moved to the substrate curing position CA. The second support member SP2 can be located at the substrate standby position WA. The second substrate SUB2 can be loaded on the second support member SP2. The third support member SP3 can be moved from the substrate curing position CA to the substrate unloading position ULA.

[0114] Referring to Figure 4A and Figure 8D The curing unit CU can be moved to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA (first movement process). The first curing member CP1 can cure the top surface of the first substrate SUB1.

[0115] Referring to Figure 4B and Figure 8E The curing unit CU can be spaced apart from the position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA (second movement process). The second support member SP2 and the second substrate SUB2 can be moved to the substrate curing position CA. The third support member SP3 can be moved to the substrate standby position WA. The third substrate SUB3 can be arranged on the third support member SP3.

[0116] The support member and / or the substrate arranged at the substrate curing position CA can be moved to a position inside the substrate curing position CA adjacent to the substrate unloading position ULA. In an embodiment, for example, the first support member SP1 and the first substrate SUB1 can be moved to a position more adjacent to the substrate unloading position ULA than the second support member SP2 and the second substrate SUB2. In such an embodiment, the first support member SP1 and the first substrate SUB1 can be moved from the first curing position adjacent to the substrate standby position WA to the second curing position adjacent to the substrate unloading position ULA. The second support member SP2 and the second substrate SUB2 can be moved to the first curing position.

[0117] Referring to Figure 4A and Figure 8FThe curing unit CU can be moved to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA (first movement process). The first curing component CP1 can be moved to a position corresponding to the first curing position, and the second curing component CP2 can be moved to a position corresponding to the second curing position. The second curing component CP2 can cure the first side surface of the first substrate SUB1. The first curing component CP1 can cure the top surface of the second substrate SUB2.

[0118] Referring to Figure 4B and Figure 8G The curing unit CU can be moved to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA (first movement process). The first curing component CP1 can be moved to a position corresponding to the first curing position, and the second curing component CP2 can be moved to a position corresponding to the second curing position. The second curing component CP2 can cure the first side surface of the first substrate SUB1. The first curing component CP1 can cure the top surface of the second substrate SUB2.

[0119] The fourth support component SP4 can be moved to the substrate standby position WA. The fourth substrate SUB4 can be arranged on the fourth support component SP4.

[0120] Referring to Figure 4A and Figure 8H The curing unit CU can be moved to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA (first movement process). The first curing component CP1 can be moved to a position corresponding to the first curing position, and the second curing component CP2 can be moved to a position corresponding to the second curing position. The second curing component CP2 can cure the first side surface of the first substrate SUB1. The first curing component CP1 can cure the top surface of the second substrate SUB2.

[0121] Referring to Figure 4B and Figure 8IThe curing unit CU can be moved to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA (first movement process). The first curing part CP1 can be moved to a position corresponding to the first curing position, the second curing part CP2 can be moved to a position corresponding to the second curing position, and the third curing part CP3 can be moved to a position corresponding to the third curing position. The third curing part CP3 can cure the second side surface of the second substrate SUB2. The second curing part CP2 can cure the first side surface of the third substrate SUB3. The first curing part CP1 can cure the top surface of the fourth substrate SUB4.

[0122] The first support part SP1 and the first substrate SUB1 can be moved to the substrate unloading position ULA. The cured first substrate SUB1 can be unloaded from the first support part SP1. The fifth support part SP5 can be moved to the substrate standby position WA. The fifth substrate SUB5 can be arranged on the fifth support part SP5.

[0123] The process (e.g., procedure) in which the fifth substrate SUB5 is loaded on the fifth support part SP5 and the process (e.g., procedure) in which the first substrate SUB1 is unloaded from the first support part SP1 can be performed simultaneously.

[0124] Referring to Figure 4A and Figure 8J The curing unit CU can be moved to a position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA (first movement process). The first curing part CP1 can be moved to a position corresponding to the first curing position, the second curing part CP2 can be moved to a position corresponding to the second curing position, and the third curing part CP3 can be moved to a position corresponding to the third curing position. The third curing part CP3 can cure the second side surface of the second substrate SUB2. The second curing part CP2 can cure the first side surface of the third substrate SUB3. The first curing part CP1 can cure the top surface of the fourth substrate SUB4.

[0125] Referring to Figure 9A and Figure 9BThe curing unit CU can be moved apart from the position corresponding to the substrate curing position CA (second moving process). The fifth support member SP5 and the fifth substrate SUB5 can be moved to the substrate curing position CA. The fifth support member SP5 and the fifth substrate SUB5 can be moved to the first curing position. The fourth support member SP4 and the fourth substrate SUB4 can be moved to the second curing position. The third support member SP3 and the third substrate SUB3 can be moved to the third curing position. The third substrate SUB3 can be rotated 90 degrees around the second direction D2 on the third support member SP3 while the third support member SP3 and the third substrate SUB3 are moved to the third curing position (e.g., the third substrate SUB3 is rotated 90 degrees around the second direction D2 together with the third support member SP3).

[0126] The second support member SP2 and the second substrate SUB2 can be moved to the substrate unloading position ULA. The cured second substrate SUB2 can be unloaded from the second support member SP2. The first support member SP1 can be moved to the substrate standby position WA. The sixth substrate SUB6 can be arranged on the first support member SP1.

[0127] The process (e.g., procedure) in which the sixth substrate SUB6 is loaded on the first support member SP1 and the process (e.g., procedure) in which the second substrate SUB2 is unloaded from the second support member SP2 can be performed simultaneously.

[0128] Such a process (e.g., procedure) can be repeatedly performed continuously.

[0129] Figure 9A and Figure 9B are side views illustrating some processes of a method of manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0130] Figure 8H and ​ illustrate movement of the curing unit CU (e.g., refer to ​ ) in the second direction D2 after the first moving process and before the curing process and movement of the curing unit CU in the second direction D2 after the curing process and before the second moving process.

[0131] In the first movement, the first, second, and third curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can not overlap the second, third, and fourth support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4 in a plane defined by the second and third directions D2 and D3. Thus, in the first movement, the first, second, and third curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can be effectively prevented from colliding with the second, third, and fourth support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4 or the second, third, and fourth substrates SUB2, SUB3, and SUB4. Thus, damage to the substrates can be effectively prevented.

[0132] After the first movement and before the curing, the first, second, and third curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can be moved in the second direction D2. In this case, the second and third curing parts CP2 and CP3 can overlap the third and second substrates SUB3 and SUB2, respectively, in the plane defined by the second and third directions D2 and D3. Thus, the side surfaces of the substrates can be effectively cured. Further, since the gaps between the first, second, and third curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 and the second, third, and fourth substrates SUB2, SUB3, and SUB4 are adjustable, the curing quality can be uniformly maintained by adjusting the gaps as needed.

[0133] After the curing and before the second movement, the first, second, and third curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can be moved in the second direction D2, and in the second movement, the first, second, and third curing parts CP1, CP2, and CP3 can be prevented from colliding with the second, third, and fourth support parts SP2, SP3, and SP4 or the second, third, and fourth substrates SUB2, SUB3, and SUB4.

[0134] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the curing apparatus and the method of manufacturing a display device make it possible to simultaneously cure a plurality of objects to be cured.

[0135] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the curing apparatus and the method of manufacturing a display device make it possible to simultaneously load and unload objects to be cured and cured objects.

[0136] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the curing apparatus and the method of manufacturing a display device make it possible to simultaneously cure top surfaces and side surfaces of a plurality of objects to be cured.

[0137] The present disclosure should not be construed as merely 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 concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0138] While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A curing device, characterized by, Comprising: a support frame including a substrate standby position, a substrate curing position, and a substrate unloading position; a support unit arranged on the support frame, wherein the support unit includes a plurality of support members spaced apart from each other in a first direction or a second direction crossing the first direction, and each of the plurality of support members supports a bottom surface of a corresponding one of a plurality of substrates; and a curing unit movable in the first direction, wherein when the curing unit is at a position corresponding to the substrate curing position, the curing unit cures a corresponding plurality of substrates among the plurality of substrates arranged on at least two support members among the plurality of support members at the substrate curing position, wherein the curing unit includes: a first curing member overlapping a top surface of the corresponding plurality of substrates and the at least two support members among the plurality of support members at the substrate curing position when the curing unit is at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position when viewed in the second direction; and a second curing member spaced apart from the first curing member in the second direction, and each of the plurality of support members is movable in the first direction or the second direction.

2. The curing device of claim 1, wherein The substrate standby position and the substrate unloading position are spaced apart from the curing unit when viewed in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, the substrate curing position is between the substrate standby position and the substrate unloading position and the curing unit, the plurality of support members includes a first support member arranged at the substrate standby position, a plurality of second support members arranged at the substrate curing position, and a third support member arranged at the substrate unloading position, and the curing unit cures the corresponding plurality of substrates on the plurality of second support members.

3. The curing device of claim 2, wherein, The plurality of second support members are arranged in the second direction, and the first curing member and the second curing member are arranged in the second direction.

4. The curing device of claim 2, wherein The first curing member overlaps the top surface of the corresponding plurality of substrates and the plurality of second support members at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position when viewed in the second direction and the curing unit is at the position.

5. The curing device of claim 2, wherein The second curing member overlaps a side surface of a substrate on a corresponding one of the plurality of second support members when viewed in the first direction and the curing unit is at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

6. The curing device of claim 2, wherein The curing unit further includes: a third curing member spaced apart from the first curing member, the second curing member is between the first curing member and the third curing member, and the first curing member and the second curing member are arranged in the second direction. The third curing member overlaps a side surface of a substrate on a corresponding one of the plurality of second support members when viewed in the first direction and the curing unit is at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

7. The curing device of claim 6, wherein The support unit further includes: a first rotating member extending from the support frame in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; and a second rotating member arranged on the first rotating member, wherein the second rotating member rotates the second support member about a direction parallel to the second direction.

8. The curing device of claim 2, wherein, At least one support member among the plurality of support members is arranged between the first curing member and the second curing member when the curing unit is at the position corresponding to the substrate curing position.

9. The curing device of claim 1, wherein, An area of the first curing member is greater than an area of a top surface of each of the plurality of substrates when viewed in the second direction.

10. The curing device of claim 5, wherein, An area of the second curing member is greater than an area of a first side surface or a second side surface of each of the plurality of substrates when viewed in the first direction.

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