Inspection device for display panel

Abstract

The utility model discloses inspection equipment for display panels, which comprises an air floating type conveying device and an inspection device, a plurality of conveying assemblies are arranged along a first direction, one conveying assembly comprises at least four and even number of first air floating type conveying plates, all the first air floating type conveying plates in the same group are arranged at intervals along a second direction, and the inspection device is arranged on the first air floating type conveying plates. The inspection position assembly comprises two second air floating type conveying plates and an air knife, the inspection position assembly is arranged between the two adjacent conveying assemblies, the two second air floating type conveying plates are arranged in the second direction, a gap is formed between the two second air floating type conveying plates, and the air knife is arranged on at least one side, in the first direction, of the gap; the inspection device is arranged corresponding to the inspection position assembly, the inspection device can be used for inspecting the display panel supported by the inspection position assembly, and the probability that the display panel collides with the air floating type conveying device is small in the process that the inspection equipment conveys and inspects the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of display panel manufacturing technology, and in particular to an inspection device for display panels. Background Technology

[0002] During the manufacturing process of display panels, inspection equipment is required to inspect the display panels. Specifically, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the inspection equipment typically includes an air-floating conveyor 100' and an inspection device 200'. The air-floating conveyor 100' includes multiple sets of first air-floating conveyor plates 11' arranged along a first direction S1'. Each set of first air-floating conveyor plates 11' includes at least four first air-floating conveyor plates 11' spaced apart along a second direction S2'. The first air-floating conveyor plates 11' are used to eject airflow inclined along the first direction S1' through their own first air outlets for conveying the display panel along the first direction S1'. The air-floating conveyor also includes two second air-floating conveyor plates 21'. Two second air-floating transport plates 21' are disposed between two adjacent sets of first air-floating transport plates 11', and the two second air-floating transport plates 21' are arranged along the second direction S2'. The length direction of the second air-floating transport plates 21' is parallel to the second direction S2'. The inspection device is disposed corresponding to the second air-floating transport plates 21', and the second air-floating transport plates 21' form an inspection position. The second air-floating transport plates 21' are used to eject airflow through their own second air outlets to stably support the display panel from below along the direction of gravity for inspection by the inspection device 200'. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The coordinates in the diagram show the first direction S1' and the second direction S2'.

[0003] To reduce the cost of the inspection equipment, each group of first air-floating transport plates 11' includes at least four first air-floating transport plates 11' spaced apart along the second direction S2'. This allows the air-floating effect of a group of first air-floating transport plates 11' to have a larger distribution area along the second direction S2', providing more stable support and transport for the display panel along the second direction S2'. Meanwhile, two second air-floating transport plates 21' are arranged along the second direction S2', with their length direction parallel to the second direction S2'. This allows the air-floating effect area of ​​the second air-floating transport plates 21' along the second direction S2' to cover all positions of the display panel along the second direction S2'. Furthermore, because the spacing between the two second air-floating transport plates 21' along the second direction S2' is smaller, it provides more stable support for the display panel.

[0004] However, due to the unavoidable installation gap 210' between the two second air-floating transport plates 21' during installation, the air-floating support force on the display panel between the two second air-floating transport plates 21' is small. The display panel is prone to denting and bending towards the second air-floating transport plate 21' at the middle of the second direction S2'. This increases the probability of the display panel colliding with the air-floating transport device 100' during the transportation and inspection of the display panel using the inspection device 200', resulting in a decrease in the manufacturing yield of the display panel. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an inspection device for display panels, which can effectively reduce the probability of display panels colliding with air-floating conveyor devices during the transportation and inspection of display panels.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An inspection device for a display panel is provided, comprising:

[0008] An air-floating conveying device includes multiple conveying components and at least one inspection station component. The multiple conveying components are arranged along a first direction. Each conveying component includes at least four and an even number of first air-floating conveying plates. All first air-floating conveying plates in the same group are spaced apart along a second direction. The inspection station component includes two second air-floating conveying plates and an air knife. The inspection station component is located between two adjacent conveying components. The two second air-floating conveying plates are arranged along the second direction, forming a gap between them. The air knife is located on at least one side of the gap along the first direction. The first air outlet of the first air-floating conveying plate, the second air outlet of the second air-floating conveying plate, and the third air outlet of the air knife all face the same side along the third direction.

[0009] An inspection device is provided corresponding to the inspection position assembly, and the inspection device is used to inspect the display panel supported by the inspection position assembly;

[0010] Wherein, the first direction is the direction in which the air-floating conveying device transports the display panel, and the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for the display panel, the third air outlet is tilted away from the adjacent gap.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for the display panel, the air knife includes a first part and a second part located on two opposite sides of the third air outlet along the first direction, and the first part is located between the second part and the adjacent gap. Along the third direction, the first part protrudes from the second part by a protrusion height h, where 0.5mm≤h≤5mm.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for the display panel, the size of the first portion is smaller than the size of the second portion along the first direction.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for display panels, the first part is a plate-like structure, and the thickness direction of the first part is parallel to the first direction.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for the display panel, the second part includes a stepped portion and a protruding portion. Along the first direction, the size of the stepped portion is larger than that of the protruding portion. The protruding portion is located on the side of the stepped portion near the third air outlet, and the protruding portion and the first part are spaced apart to form the third air outlet.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for the display panel, the air pressure at the third air outlet is greater than the air pressure at the first air outlet and the second air outlet.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for the display panel, the inspection position assembly further includes an air equalization component, on which a plurality of air equalization holes are spaced apart. The air equalization component is disposed at the third air outlet, and the air equalization holes are connected to the third air outlet.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for display panels, the second air-floating transport plate includes a plurality of air-floating transport sub-plates arranged along the first direction.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment of the inspection equipment for display panels, the air-floating conveying device includes a plurality of inspection position components, which are arranged at intervals along the first direction. At least one conveying component is provided between any two adjacent inspection position components, and the inspection device is provided for each inspection position component.

[0020] The advantages of this utility model compared to the prior art are:

[0021] The present invention discloses an inspection device for display panels. By including an air knife in the inspection component, the air knife is disposed on at least one side of the gap between two second air-floating transport plates along a first direction. The third air outlet of the air knife and the second air outlet of the second air-floating transport plate face the same side along a third direction. This allows the air knife to release air from the third air outlet, thereby applying an air-floating support force to the display panel from at least one side of the gap along the first direction. In other words, the air knife can be used to provide auxiliary support for the middle part of the display panel along the second direction, thereby alleviating the problem that the display panel is prone to denting and bending towards the second air-floating transport plate at the middle part along the second direction. This effectively reduces the probability of the display panel colliding with the air-floating transport device during the transportation and inspection of the display panel using the inspection device.

[0022] Furthermore, by including an even number of inspection position components in a transport component, the transport component can form a gap space communicating with the gap in the middle along the second direction, thereby providing a space for setting the air knife. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an inspection device for a display panel provided by the prior art.

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of point M in the middle.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the inspection device for the display panel according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified diagram of point N in the middle.

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the air knife and air equalization component according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0029] Figures 1 to 2 middle:

[0030] 100', Air-floating conveying device; 11', First air-floating conveying plate; 21', Second air-floating conveying plate; 210', Gap;

[0031] 200', Inspection device.

[0032] Figures 3 to 6 middle:

[0033] 100. Air flotation conveying device;

[0034] 1. Conveying components; 11. First air-floating conveying plate;

[0035] 2. Inspection position assembly; 21. Second air-floating conveyor plate; 211. Air-floating conveyor subplate; 210. Gap; 22. Air knife; 220. Third air outlet; 221. First part; 222. Second part; 2220. Stepped part; 2221. Protrusion; 23. Air equalization component; 230. Air equalization hole;

[0036] 200. Inspection device. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The advantages and features of this invention, as well as methods of implementing them, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, this invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to complete the disclosure of this invention and to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand its scope, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements throughout the specification.

[0038] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, an inspection device for a display panel is provided, including an air-floating conveying device 100 and an inspection device 200. The air-floating conveying device 100 includes a plurality of conveying components 1 and at least one inspection position component 2. The plurality of conveying components 1 are arranged along a first direction S1. Each conveying component 1 includes at least four and an even number of first air-floating conveying plates 11. All first air-floating conveying plates 11 in the same group are arranged at intervals along a second direction S2. The inspection position component 2 includes two second air-floating conveying plates 21 and an air knife 22. The inspection position component 2 is disposed between two adjacent conveying components 1. Air-floating conveyor plates 21 are arranged along the second direction S2, and a gap 210 is formed between two second air-floating conveyor plates 21. At least one side of the gap 210 along the first direction S1 is provided with an air knife 22. The first air outlet (not shown in the figure) of the first air-floating conveyor plate 11, the second air outlet (not shown in the figure) of the second air-floating conveyor plate 21, and the third air outlet 220 of the air knife 22 all face the same side along the third direction. The inspection device 200 is provided corresponding to the inspection position assembly 2. The inspection device 200 can be used to inspect the display panel (not shown in the figure) supported by the inspection position assembly 2.

[0040] Wherein, the first direction S1 is the transport direction of the air-floating transport device 100 to the display panel, and the first direction S1 is parallel to the length direction of the first air-floating transport plate 11 and the width direction of the second air-floating transport plate 21, the second direction S2 is parallel to the width direction of the first air-floating transport plate 11 and the length direction of the second air-floating transport plate 21, and the third direction S3 is perpendicular to the first direction S1 and the second direction S2.

[0041] It is understandable that the first direction S1 can be partially straight, and can also be partially curved, so that the air-floating conveying device 100 can transport the display panel along a curved trajectory. For the curved portion of the first direction S1, the second direction S2 at different positions along the first direction S1 can be different directions. For the straight portion of the first direction S1, the second direction S2 at different positions along the first direction S1 is the same direction. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, Figures 3 to 5 The coordinates in the example illustrate the specific directions of the first direction S1, the second direction S2, and the third direction S3 when the first direction S1 is a straight line.

[0042] By including an air knife 22 in the inspection assembly, and placing the air knife 22 on at least one side of the gap 210 between the two second air-floating transport plates 21 along the first direction S1, and aligning the third air outlet 220 of the air knife 22 with the second air outlet of the second air-floating transport plate 21 on the same side along the third direction S3, air can be emitted from the third air outlet 220 using the air knife 22 to apply an air-floating support force to the display panel from at least one side of the gap 210 along the first direction S1. That is, the air knife 22 can be used to provide auxiliary support for the middle part of the display panel along the second direction S2, thereby alleviating the problem that the display panel is prone to denting and bending towards the second air-floating transport plate 21 at the middle part along the second direction S2, and thus effectively reducing the possibility of the display panel colliding with the air-floating transport device 100 during the transportation and inspection of the display panel using the inspection equipment.

[0043] Furthermore, by including an even number of inspection position components 2 in a transport component 1, the transport component 1 can form a space in the middle of the second direction S2 that communicates with the gap 210, thereby providing a space for the air knife 22.

[0044] Optionally, the second air-floating transport plate 21 includes a plurality of air-floating transport sub-plates 211 arranged along the first direction S1, thereby enabling the second air-floating transport plate 21 to have a larger air-floating support area along the first direction S1, so as to further improve the support stability of the inspection position assembly 2 on the display panel.

[0045] Optionally, all gaps 210 included in the inspection position assembly 2 are provided with air blades 22 on at least one side along the first direction S1, that is, all gaps 210 included in the inspection position assembly 2 are provided with air blades 22 on one side along the first direction S1, or two air blades 22 are provided on two opposite sides along the first direction S1.

[0046] Optionally, the third air outlet 220 is tilted away from the adjacent gap 210, so that the airflow ejected from the third air outlet 220 can be tilted away from the adjacent second air-floating transport plate 21, so as to reduce the interference of the airflow ejected from the third air outlet 220 on the airflow ejected from the second air outlet of the second air-floating transport plate 21. Thus, while the air knife 22 can be used to assist in supporting the middle part of the display panel along the second direction S2, the second air-floating transport plate 21 can be made to...

[0047] It should be noted that at this time, the third air outlet 220 is inclined to the same side as the second air outlet and the first air outlet along the third direction S3, and also inclined in a direction away from the adjacent gap 210. In other words, at this time, the orientation of the third air outlet 220 is at an angle to the third direction S3 and the direction away from the adjacent gap 210 along the first direction S1.

[0048] Please combine Figure 6 As shown, optionally, the air knife 22 includes a first part 221 and a second part 222 located on two opposite sides of the third air outlet 220 along the first direction S1, and the first part 221 is located between the second part 222 and the adjacent gap 210. The first part 221 protrudes from the second part 222, thereby enabling the third air outlet 220 to be shaped towards one side along the third direction S3 while tilting away from the adjacent gap 210.

[0049] Along the third direction S3, the first part 221 protrudes from the second part 222 by a height h. The higher the height h, the greater the inclination of the third air outlet 220 towards the direction away from the adjacent gap 210. The less interference the airflow ejected from the third air outlet 220 has on the airflow ejected from the second air outlet of the second air-floating transport plate 21, but the less air-floating support force is applied to the display panel by the airflow ejected from the third air outlet 220. The less auxiliary support effect of the air knife 22 on the middle part of the display panel along the second direction S2, the less the height h can be. Therefore, the height h can be high but not too high. Based on this, optionally, along the third direction S3, the protrusion height h of the first part 221 protruding from the second part 222 can satisfy: 0.5mm≤h≤5mm. For example, the protrusion height h can be 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm or 5mm, etc.

[0050] Optionally, along the first direction S1, the size of the first portion 221 is smaller than the size of the second portion 222, so that the third air outlet 220 can be closer to the adjacent gap 210, so that the auxiliary support position of the air knife 22 on the middle of the display panel along the second direction S2 is closer to the area of ​​insufficient support on the display panel corresponding to the gap 210.

[0051] Optionally, the first part 221 is a plate-like structure, and the thickness direction of the first part 221 is parallel to the first direction S1, so that the size of the first part 221 along the first direction S1 can be smaller.

[0052] Optionally, the second part 222 includes a stepped portion 2220 and a protrusion 2221. Along the first direction S1, the size of the stepped portion 2220 is larger than that of the protrusion 2221. The protrusion 2221 is located on the side of the stepped portion 2220 near the third air outlet 220, and the protrusion 2221 and the first part 221 are spaced apart to form the third air outlet 220. Thus, on the one hand, by setting the stepped portion 2220, space can be provided for setting an airflow channel inside the air knife 22. On the other hand, by setting the protrusion 2221, whose size along the first direction S1 is smaller than that of the stepped portion 2220, the material used in the air knife 22 can be reduced. That is, compared with the technical solution that makes the size of each position of the second part 222 equal along the first direction S1, this setting can reduce the manufacturing cost of the air knife 22.

[0053] Optionally, the side of the protrusion 2221 away from the first part 221 can be an inclined surface that is tilted toward the direction in which the third air outlet 220 is facing, so that the structural strength of the protrusion 2221 can meet the usage requirements, and the material used in the air knife 22 can be further reduced, thereby further reducing the manufacturing cost of the air knife 22.

[0054] Optionally, the air pressure at the third air outlet 220 is greater than the air pressure at the first and second air outlets, so that the auxiliary support force of the air knife 22 on the middle part of the display panel along the second direction S2 is greater, thus compensating for the problem of weak auxiliary support caused by the small auxiliary support area of ​​the air knife 22 on the display panel. Furthermore, when the third air outlet 220 is tilted away from the adjacent gap 210 as described in the aforementioned technical solution, this arrangement can also compensate for the decrease in air-floating support force along the third direction S3 caused by the tilt of the third air outlet 220.

[0055] Optionally, the inspection position assembly 2 also includes an air equalization component 23, on which a plurality of air equalization holes 230 are spaced apart. The air equalization component 23 is disposed at the third air outlet 220, and the air equalization holes 230 are connected to the third air outlet 220. This allows the airflow ejected from the third air outlet 220 to be evenly distributed through the air equalization holes 230, thereby preventing excessive local air pressure from causing excessive local stress on the display panel and resulting in damage.

[0056] For example, the air distribution element 23 may be a mesh structure or a thin plate structure with multiple air distribution holes 230.

[0057] Optionally, the air-floating conveying device 100 includes a plurality of inspection position components 2, which are arranged at intervals along the first direction S1. At least one conveying component 1 is provided between any two adjacent inspection position components 2. Each inspection position component 2 is provided with an inspection device 200, so that the air-floating conveying device 100 can have multiple inspection positions, and each inspection device 200 can be used to perform more diverse inspections on the display panel.

[0058] Optionally, the inspection device 200 may include, but is not limited to, a camera and a scanner, to capture or scan the surface of the display panel in order to inspect the surface structure, appearance, and mechanical properties of the display panel.

[0059] Optionally, the inspection device 200 may be located on the side of the second air outlet and the third air outlet 220 facing the third direction S3, so that the inspection device 200 can inspect the side of the display panel away from the inspection position assembly 2 along the third direction S3.

[0060] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be made in various forms, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

1. An inspection device for a display panel, characterized in that, include: An air-floating conveying device includes multiple conveying components and at least one inspection station component. The multiple conveying components are arranged along a first direction. Each conveying component includes at least four and an even number of first air-floating conveying plates. All first air-floating conveying plates in the same group are spaced apart along a second direction. The inspection station component includes two second air-floating conveying plates and an air knife. The inspection station component is located between two adjacent conveying components. The two second air-floating conveying plates are arranged along the second direction, forming a gap between them. The air knife is located on at least one side of the gap along the first direction. The first air outlet of the first air-floating conveying plate, the second air outlet of the second air-floating conveying plate, and the third air outlet of the air knife all face the same side along the third direction. An inspection device is provided corresponding to the inspection position assembly, and the inspection device is used to inspect the display panel supported by the inspection position assembly; Wherein, the first direction is the direction in which the air-floating conveying device transports the display panel, and the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

2. The inspection device for display panels according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third air outlet is tilted away from the adjacent gap.

3. The inspection device for display panels according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air knife includes a first part and a second part located on two opposite sides of the third air outlet along the first direction, and the first part is located between the second part and the adjacent gap. Along the third direction, the first part protrudes from the second part by a protrusion height of h, where 0.5mm≤h≤5mm.

4. The inspection device for display panels according to claim 3, characterized in that, Along the first direction, the size of the first part is smaller than the size of the second part.

5. The inspection device for display panels according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first part is a plate-like structure, and the thickness direction of the first part is parallel to the first direction.

6. The inspection device for a display panel according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The second part includes a stepped portion and a protruding portion. Along the first direction, the size of the stepped portion is larger than that of the protruding portion. The protruding portion is located on the side of the stepped portion near the third air outlet, and the protruding portion and the first part are spaced apart to form the third air outlet.

7. The inspection device for a display panel according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The air pressure at the third air outlet is greater than the air pressure at the first air outlet and the second air outlet.

8. The inspection device for a display panel according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The inspection position assembly also includes an air equalization component, on which a plurality of air equalization holes are spaced apart. The air equalization component is disposed at the third air outlet, and the air equalization holes are connected to the third air outlet.

9. The inspection device for a display panel according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The second air-floating conveyor plate includes a plurality of air-floating conveyor subplates arranged along the first direction.

10. The inspection device for a display panel according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The air-floating conveying device includes a plurality of inspection position components, which are arranged at intervals along the first direction. At least one conveying component is provided between any two adjacent inspection position components, and an inspection device is provided for each inspection position component.

Images