(57)【要約】      （修正有）【課題】紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置を提供する。【解決手段】パターン電極接合装置１００は、ＰＤＰかＬＣＤ用ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極に、複数のＴＡＢ１６０を供与押圧する装置１７０からなり、複数のパターン電極を複数ＴＡＢと接合する。具体的には供与押圧装置の第一作動装置１７５、複数ＴＡＢを押しつけ、固定する締め付け装置１８０は供与押圧装置底面の反対側に位置し、締め付け装置作動用の第二作動装置１７５、ＵＶ供与装置１９０が、ガラスパネル押圧装置１９６上に備えられ、ガラスパネル押圧装置作動用の第三作動装置、ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極とＴＡＢ上に形成したパターン電極間の位置決め装置１７５、各装置を制御する統括制御部２００で、ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が、複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれとガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極間の接合を複数ＴＡＢの押圧条件下で行う。【選択図】図１
2008172138.tif 000002
【特許請求の範囲】
【請求項１】
紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置で、
ＰＤＰかＬＣＤ用前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極に、複数のテープ自動ボンディング（ＴＡＢ）を供与押圧する装置で、複数のパターン電極が複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれ上に形成する装置、
複数ＴＡＢの供与加圧装置作動用の第一作動装置、
複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置により複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれを押しつける時、締め付け装置は複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置底面の反対側に位置し複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれの一部を固定する締め付け装置、
締め付け装置作動用の第二作動装置、
ＵＶ透過装置がその頂部に開口部を有しガラスパネル押圧装置上に備えられたＵＶ照射装置とＵＶ透過装置からなるＵＶ供与装置、
ガラスパネル押圧装置作動用の第三作動装置、
前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極と、複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれの上に形成したパターン電極間の配列状態を確認する位置決め装置、
複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が少なくとも一つの脚を含み、複数ＴＡＢのぞれぞれと前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極間の接合を複数ＴＡＢの押圧条件で行い、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置、第一作動装置、締め付け装置、第二作動装置、ＵＶ供与装置、第三作動装置及び位置決め装置の操作機能を制御する統括制御部
からなる接合装置。
【請求項２】
ＵＶ供与装置が更にＵＶ照射装置をＵＶ透過装置と接続するＵＶガイドガラス繊維を含む請求項１に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項３】
このＵＶ透過装置頂部に特定材料製の窓を備えた請求項１か２に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項４】
窓の特定材料がガラス、石英、水晶、プラスチック及びポリカーボネートのいずれか一つから選んだ請求項３に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項５】
位置決め装置が一対の配列カメラと画像処理プロセッサーからなる請求項１か２に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項６】
位置決め装置が一対の配列カメラと画像処理プロセッサーからなる請求項３に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項７】
ＵＶ照射装置が反射ＵＶ照射装置、光ファイバー型ＵＶ照射装置及び一定の光学系と組み合わした反射型ＵＶ照射装置か光ファイバー型ＵＶ照射装置のいずれか一つから選んだ請求項１か２に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項８】
ＵＶ照射装置が反射型ＵＶ照射装置、光ファイバー型ＵＶ照射装置及び一定の光学系と組み合わした反射型ＵＶ照射装置か光ファイバー型ＵＶ照射装置のいずれか一つから選んだ請求項３に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項９】
複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が更に複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれと複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置間に
用いる緩衝シートを含む請求項１か２に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１０】
複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が更に複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれと複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置間で用いる緩衝シートを含む請求項３に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１１】
接合装置が更に分離型か統合型のいずれかで備えたＵＶ照射装置を含む請求項１か２に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１２】
接合装置が更に分離型か統合型のいずれかのＵＶ照射装置を含む請求項３に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１３】
開口部が幅約０．５乃至２０mm、長さ約5乃至２００mmを有する請求項１か２に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１４】
開口部が幅約０．５乃至２０mm、長さ約5乃至２００mmを有する請求項３に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１５】
ＵＶ照射装置から放射するＵＶエネルギー強度が１００乃至１０，０００ｍＷ／ｃｍ２である請求項１か２に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１６】
紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置が
複数のパターン電極が複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれ上に形成した複数のテープ自動ボンディング（ＴＡＢ）のそれぞれにＵＶ硬化剤を塗布するＵＶ硬化剤塗布装置、
ＰＤＰかＬＣＤ用前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極に複数ＴＡＢを供与押圧する装置、
ＵＶ硬化剤を複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれに塗布した複数ＴＡＢを複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置に供給するＴＡＢ供給装置、
複数ＴＡＢの供与加圧装置作動用の第一作動装置、
複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれを押しつける時、締め付け装置が複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置底面の反対側に位置して複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれの一部を固定する締め付け装置、
締め付け装置作動用の第二作動装置、
ＵＶ透過装置がその頂部に開口部を有しガラスパネル押圧装置上に備わるＵＶ照射装置とＵＶ透過装置からなるＵＶ供与装置、
ガラスパネル押圧装置作動用の第三作動装置、
前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極と、複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれの上に形成したパターン電極間の配列状態を確認する位置決め装置、
複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が少なくとも一個の脚を含み、複数ＴＡＢのぞれぞれと前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極間の接合が複数ＴＡＢ押圧条件下で行う複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置、第一作動装置、締め付け装置、第二作動装置、ＵＶ供与装置、第三作動装置及び位置決め装置の操作機能を制御する統括制御部
からなる接合装置。
【請求項１７】
ＵＶ供与装置が更にＵＶ照射装置をＵＶ透過装置と接続するＵＶガイドガラス繊維を含む請求項１６に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１８】
このＵＶ透過装置頂部に特定材料製の窓を備えた請求項１６か１７に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項１９】
位置決め装置が一対の配列カメラと画像処理プロセッサーからなる請求項１６か１７に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【請求項２０】
接合装置が更に分離型か統合型のいずれかのＵＶ照射装置制御器を含む請求項１６か１７に記載の紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置。
【発明の詳細な説明】
【技術分野】
【０００１】
本発明は紫外線（ＵＶ）利用によるパターン電極接合装置に関する。より具体的には本発明はプラズマディスプレイパネル（ＰＤＰ）や液晶ディスプレイ（ＬＣＤ）のガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極と外部接続用のフレキシブルプリント回路（ＦＰＣ）上に形成したパターン電極とを、ＵＶを用いて常温でＵＶ硬化剤により接合するＵＶ利用によるパターン電極接合装置に関する。
【背景技術】
【０００２】
最近表示モニターやＴＶ分野でのＰＤＰやＬＣＤの使用が急激に増加した。ＰＤＰやＬＣＤの製造で、パターン電極（アドレス電極と電源電極）が前面ガラスパネル上に形成した前面パターン電極端子と、パターン電極（アドレス電極と電源電極）が裏面ガラスパネル上に形成した裏面パターン電極端子を制御するために、前面ガラスパネルと裏面ガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極端子をテープ自動ボンディング（ＴＡＢ）に接合する必要がある。駆動集積回路（ＩＣ）を有するＦＰＣのパターン電極（以後“ＩＣ端子用パターン電極”と呼ぶ）と、駆動ＩＣをもたないがリード線として働くＦＰＣのパターン電極（以後“端子用パターン電極”と呼ぶ“をＴＢＡ上にそれぞれ形成する。
【０００３】
従来技術の表裏パターン電極とＴＡＢとの接合法では、導電性ボールを有する異方性導電フィルム（ＡＣＦ）を複数の表裏パターン電極とＴＡＢに取りつけた複数のパターン電極間で前もって接合したＡＣＦによる熱間圧接法が広く用いられている。次いで複数の表裏パターン電極とＴＡＢに取りつけた複数のパターン電極とを互いに整列してヒーターにより加熱して一緒に加圧する。
【０００４】
他の在来技術では、表裏パターン電極とＴＡＢのパターン電極を非導電性ペースト（ＮＣＰ）又は非導電性フィルム（ＮＣＦ）を用いて塗布し、一緒に熱圧接するコーティング法が用いられている。
しかし在来の熱間圧接法では以下の問題がある。
【０００５】
１）熱間圧接法を用いることにより、硬化時間が安定でなく、従って電極間での位置決め判断誤差と異材料間での膨張の違いによる位置決め判断誤差が起こる。それ故最終的には内部応力が発生し、その結果電極接点が切断しパターン電極間で精細なピッチを具体化するのは難しい。
【０００６】
２）ＡＣＦに熱圧を加える装置を使用した場合、ＡＣＦ自身の価格が非常に高く、が一つのＴＡＢと隣接ＴＡＢ間の空きスペースでも接合が必要な全ボンディング法を用いる必要がある。従ってＡＣＦの熱間圧接法は費用効率が悪い。ピッチのギャップが狭くなると、ＡＣＦの導電性ボールは隣接上部電極間か隣接下部電極間で、或いは対角線上に配置の上部電極と下部電極間、更には一つの上部電極と一つの下部電極間に存在する。このように導電性ボールがあると電気的短絡を起こし、粗に結果最終製品で故障する可能性があり、パターン電極間での精細なピッチの具体化は限定される。
【０００７】
３）加熱バーや加熱ブロックなどのような加熱装置が加熱加圧工程に別々に必要であり、経費が増加する。更にＰＤＰやＬＣＤ製造に必要な時間も又加熱冷却の加工時間が増えることにより増加する。
【０００８】
４）ＡＣＦ取りつけ工程と加圧工程実行に多くの接合段階と多くのステーションが必要である。これと関連してＡＣＦ取りつけ工程と加圧工程実行に必要な装置や道具の価格が非常に高く、費用効率が高くない。更に空間効率も多くのステーションを用いるので非常に悪い。
【０００９】
上記の問題を解決するため、本発明の出願者による２００５年11月3日に出願の“紫外線使用によるパターン電極の接合構造とこれを用いたパターン電極接合法”（a bonding structure of pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays and a method for bonding patter electrodes using the same）と題する韓国特許出願１０−２００５−０１０５０２５（以後‘０２５出願と呼ぶ）では、ＰＤＰやＬＣＤのガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極と外部接続用のＦＰＣ上に形成したパターン電極とを、ＵＶを用いて常温でＵＶ硬化剤により接合する方法を開示している。‘０２５出願の開示はここに文献として取り入れてある。
【発明の開示】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
【００１０】
本発明は‘０２５出願に開示のＵＶを用いたパターン電極接合法を実施できるパターン電極接合装置を提供して、従来技術の問題を解決しようとする。
【００１１】
より具体的には本発明の第一様態によると、本発明はＰＤＰかＬＣＤ用前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極に、複数のテープ自動ボンディング（ＴＡＢ）を供与押圧する装置からなる紫外線（ＵＶ）使用のパターン電極接合装置を提供して、複数のパターン電極が複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれ上に形成する。複数ＴＡＢの供給加圧装置の作動用第一作動装置、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が複数のＴＡＢのそれぞれを押しつける時、複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれの一部を固定する締め付け装置で、この締め付け装置は複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置底面の反対側に位置し、締め付け装置作動用の第二作動装置、ＵＶ照射装置とＵＶ透過装置からなるＵＶ供与装置で、ＵＶ透過装置がその頂部に開口部を有しガラスパネル押圧装置上に備えられ、ガラスパネル押圧装置作動用の第三作動装置、前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極と複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれの上に形成したパターン電極間の配列状態を確認する位置決め装置、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置、第一作動装置、締め付け装置、第二作動装置、ＵＶ供与装置、第三作動装置及び位置決め装置の操作機能を制御する統括制御部で、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が少なくとも一つの脚を含み、複数ＴＡＢのぞれぞれと前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極間の接合は複数ＴＡＢの押圧条件で行う。
【００１２】
本発明の第二様態によると、本発明は複数のテープ自動ボンディング（ＴＡＢ）のそれぞれにＵＶ硬化剤を塗布するＵＶ硬化剤塗布装置からなる紫外線（ＵＶ）利用のパターン電極接合装置を提供し、複数のパターン電極が複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれ上に形成する。ＰＤＰかＬＣＤ用前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極に複数ＴＡＢを供与押圧する装置、ＵＶ硬化剤を複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれに塗布し複数ＴＡＢを供給するＴＡＢ供与装置、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置作動用の第一作動装置、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれを押しつける時、複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれの一部を固定する締め付け装置で、この締め付け装置は複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置底面の反対側に位置し、この締め付け装置動用の第二作動装置、ＵＶ照射装置とＵＶ透過装置からなるＵＶ供与装置で、ＵＶ透過装置がその頂部に開口部を有しガラスパネル押圧装置上に備えられ、ガラスパネル押圧装置作動用の第三作動装置、前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成した複数のパターン電極と、複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれの上に形成したパターン電極間の配列状態を確認する位置決め装置及び複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置、第一作動装置、締め付け装置、第二作動装置、ＵＶ供与装置、第三作動装置及び位置決め装置の操作機能を制御する統括制御部で、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置が少なくとも一つの脚を含み、複数ＴＡＢのぞれぞれと前面ガラスパネルか裏面ガラスパネル上に形成したパターン電極間の接合は複数ＴＡＢの押圧条件で行う。
【００１３】
本発明の更なる特性と利点は添付の図面に関して明らかに理解でき、同一か類似の数表示は同一構成要素を示す。
【課題を解決するための手段】
【００１４】
本発明による好ましい実施形態の構造と機能を、以下に添付図面を参考にしてより詳細に記述する。
【００１５】
図１は本発明による紫外線利用によるパターン電極接合装置の透視図を示し、図２は図１に示す紫外線利用によるパターン電極接合装置の右側から見た略断面図を示す。
【００１６】
図１と図２に関しては、本発明によるパターン電極接合装置１００は土台１０５上に配置する。先ず、本発明のパターン電極接合装置１００は、ＰＤＰかＬＣＤ製造に使用予定の前面ガラスパネル１５０と裏面ガラスパネル１５５を土台１０５上で支える。更に土台１０５上の前面ガラスパネル１５０と裏面ガラスパネル１５５を支持移動する装置１００‘を示す。前面ガラスパネル１５０と裏面ガラスパネル１５５を支持移動する装置１００‘は接合装置１００に関して相対運動できる。ここで相対運動はＸ軸とＹ軸方向への直線運動とＸ軸とＹ軸に垂直なＺ軸周りの回転運動を含む。
【００１７】
前面ガラスパネル１５０と裏面ガラスパネル１５５を支持移動する装置１００‘の各構成要素とその協調関係について以下により詳細に記述する。
【００１８】
Ｘ軸試料台１１０をＸ方向に移動するＸ軸直線運動ガイド１１５とＸ軸補助直線運動ガイド１２０を土台１０５上に装填する。Ｘ軸直線運動ガイド１１５のＸ軸方向への移動はＸ軸線型サーボモーター制御器１１７により制御する。
【００１９】
その一方Ｙ軸試料台１２２をＹ方向に移動するＹ軸直線運動ガイド１２５とＹ軸補助直線運動ガイド１３０をＸ軸試料台１１０上に装填する。Ｙ軸直線運動ガイド１２５のＹ軸方向への移動はＹ軸線型サーボモーター制御器１２７により制御する。更にＹ軸試料台１２２上にガラスパネル試料台１３５を回転する回転アクチュエーター１４０を装填する。この回転アクチュエーター１４０は直接駆動サーボモーター、典型的サーボモーターや空気使用の回転アクチュエーター及び空気圧シリンダーなどから選んだいずれかで具体化できる。ガラスパネル試料台１３５は回転アクチュエーター１４０に取りつける。一定数の吸引パッド１３７をガラスパネル試料台１３５上に備え、前面ガラスパネル１５０と裏面ガラスパネル１５５を支える。回転アクチュエーター１４０の回転方向角は回転アクチュエーター制御器１４７により制御するので、ガラスパネル試料台１３５上の前面ガラスパネル１５０と裏面ガラスパネル１５５のＸ軸とＹ軸方向の直線運動だけでなく、その回転運動も制御できる。Ｘ軸線型サーボモーター制御器１１７、Ｙ軸線型サーボモーター制御器１２７及び回転アクチュエーター制御器１４７は統括制御部２００により制御する。
【００２０】
一方前面ガラスパネル１５０と裏面ガラスパネル１５５上に形成したパターン電極（図示せず）に複数のＴＡＢ１６０を接合する接合装置１００を土台１０５の片側部に備える。本発明による接合装置１００は、複数ＴＡＢを供与押圧する装置１７０、複数ＴＡＢの供与加圧装置１７０作動用の第一作動装置１７５、接合工程を実施するときに前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５に供給した複数ＴＡＢを固定する締め付け装置１８０、及び複数ＴＡＢを固定する締め付け装置１８０用の第二作動装置１７５からなる。以下に接合装置１００の各構成要素を詳細に記述する。
【００２１】
先ず複数のＴＡＢ１６０にＵＶ硬化剤塗布装置によりＵＶ硬化剤（図示せず）を塗布し、次いで複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０にＴＡＢ供給装置（図示せず）により供給する。図１に示した実施形態では、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０は回転可能で十字型の４つの脚、１７１、１７２、１７３と１７４を含む。複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０が複数の脚をもつ理由は、複数ＴＡＢ１６０が複数ＴＡＢの供給装置から前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５に高速で供給できるためである。しかし当業者には本発明で複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０が4つの脚を含むのは単に例示のためだけであり、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０が必要に応じて少なくとも一つの脚を含めばよいことが十分に理解できる。
【００２２】
一旦複数のＴＡＢ１６０が前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５に複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧置１７０により提供されると、位置決め装置により複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれに形成したパターン電極と前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５上に形成した複数のパターン電極とが互いに整列しているか否を確認する。本発明の実施形態ではこの位置決め装置は具体的には一対のアライメントカメラ１７６と１７７と画像処理プロセッサー１７８からなる。複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれに形成したパターン電極と前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５上に形成した複数のパターン電極間の位置合わせは、アライメントカメラ１７６と１７７で得た画像データを画像処理プロセッサー１７８に、次いで統括制御部２００に送り、画像データの受信信号を統括制御部２００により処理することにより確認できる。整列状態の調整が必要ならば、整列状態を統括制御部２００により調整する。一旦整列状態が位置決め装置により確認されると、ＵＶ供給装置１９０により複数のＴＡＢ１６０がそれぞれに押圧される条件下で、前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５上の複数ＴＡＢ１６０と反対方向からＵＶを供給する。
【００２３】
ＵＶ供与装置１９０はＵＶ照射装置１９１、ＵＶ透過装置１９２とＵＶ照射装置１９１をＵＶ透過装置１９２に接続するＵＶガイドガラス繊維１９３でからなる。図１と図２ではＵＶ供与装置１９０でＵＶガイドガラス繊維１９３を用いたが、当業者には本発明ではＵＶ照射装置１９１がＵＶ透過装置１９２と直接接続したＵＶ供与装置１９０も使用しても良いことが十分に理解できる。ＵＶ透過装置１９２は中空内部を有し、その頂部は切れ目型開口部１９４を形成している。本発明の実施形態では、好ましくは開口部１９４は幅約０．５乃至２０mm、長さ約５乃至２００mmである。より好ましくは開口部１９４は幅約１乃至２０mm、長さ約１０乃至２００mmである。ＵＶ照射装置１９１からのＵＶはＵＶガイドガラス繊維１９３（例えば光ファイバー）を通してＵＶ透過装置１９２を通り、開口部１９４を通して複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれに塗布したＵＶ硬化剤を照射する。これにより複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれと前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５上に形成した複数のパターン電極間で接合される。
【００２４】
ＵＶ照射装置１９１はＵＶ照射装置制御器１９８を通して統括制御部２００により制御する。ＵＶ照射装置制御器１９８はＵＶ照射装置１９１から放射されるＵＶのエネルギー強度制御装置である。本発明の実施形態ではＵＶ照射装置制御器１９８がＵＶ照射装置１９１と分離したのを与えたが（分離型）、当業者には本発明の代替え実施形態では、ＵＶ照射装置制御器１９８がＵＶ照射装置１９１に組み込まれるか（統合型）、統括制御部２００がＵＶ照射装置制御器１９８の代わりにＵＶ照射装置１９１の操作機能を直接制御しても良いことは十分理解できる。更にＵＶ照射装置１９１は通常よく使われる反射型ＵＶ照射装置、光ファイバー型ＵＶ照射装置及び一定の光学系と組み合わした反射型ＵＶ照射装置か光ファイバー型ＵＶ照射装置からなるＵＶ照射装置である混合型ＵＶ照射装置のいずれかを選んでも良い。本発明のＵＶ照射装置１９１から放射されるＵＶエネルギー強度は１００乃至１０，０００ｍＷ／ｃｍ２である。より好ましくは本発明のＵＶ照射装置１９１から放射されるＵＶエネルギー強度は５，０００乃至１０，０００ｍＷ／ｃｍ２である。しかし当業者には上記のＵＶエネルギー強度の範囲は例示的に過ぎず、より高いかより低いＵＶエネルギー強度を必要に応じて用いて良いので、本発明の範囲がこの値に制限される意図がないことが分かる。
【００２５】
次いで図１に戻ると、ＵＶ透過装置１９２の頂部で、一定材料製の窓１９５を更に用いて、前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５が壊れるのを防ぐようにその接触面を支えながら、窓１９５と前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５間の接触面に一定の均一な圧力を掛けても良い。窓１９５に用いる材料はＵＶを透過できるいずれかの材料（例えばガラス、石英、水晶、プラスチック、ポリカーボネート（ＰＣ）等）から選べば良い。この場合には開口部１９４を有するＵＶ透過装置１９２の頂部と接触する代わりに、前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５が窓１９５と直接接触する。しかし前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５が壊れる可能性がないほど十分な厚さがある場合には、窓１９５を使わなくても良い。更にＵＶ透過装置１９２はガラスパネル押圧装置１９６上に備える。ガラスパネル押圧装置１９６の上下運動は第三作動装置１９７により制御する。即ちガラスパネル押圧装置１９６が窓１９５をきつく押圧するか、開口部１９４を有するＵＶ透過装置１９２の上面（窓１９５が無い場合）が前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５を押圧する条件下に接合する。
【００２６】
更に統合制御器２００により、各構成要素用のセンサー（図示せず）が感知する情報データによるが、第一作動装置、第二作動装置、第三作動装置１７５、１８５と１９７、位置決め装置及び吸引パッド１３７などの操作機能を制御する。例えばマイクロプロセッサー、プログラマブル論理制御装置（ＰＬＣ）やパーソナルコンピューター（ＰＣ）などのような種々の制御装置が本発明の統合制御器２００として使用できる。
【００２７】
本発明の代替え実施形態では、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０により複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれを押圧するとき、緩衝用シート１７２を複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれと複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０の間で用いて、その間に均一な圧力を加えるようにしても良い。緩衝用シート１７２の具体例としては厚み約０．３mmのシリコンゴムを用いても良い。更に本発明ではＵＶ硬化剤を複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれに塗布した場合を記載したが、当業者には複数ＴＡＢ１６０の取りつける予定の前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５に塗布できることは明白である。
【００２８】
図２に戻ると、複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれが複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０により押圧する条件下に接合する一方、複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれと接触する前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５がガラスパネル押圧装置１９６により押圧される。更に前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５と接触しない複数ＴＡＢ１６０の各端で複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０と複数ＴＡＢ１６０を固定する締め付け器具１８０により固定する条件下で接合するのが好ましい。即ち複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０が下方移動し、複数ＴＡＢのそれぞれを前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５に供与すると、複数ＴＡＢを固定する締め付け器具１８０が同時に上方移動して、複数ＴＡＢ１６０のそれぞれを前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５に固定する。図２には前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５と接触しない複数ＴＡＢ１６０の各端が、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０と複数ＴＡＢを固定する締め付け器具１８０により固定する本発明の実施形態を示したが、当業者には前面ガラスパネル１５０か裏面ガラスパネル１５５と接触しない複数ＴＡＢ１６０の各端が、複数ＴＡＢの供与押圧装置１７０を用いる代わりに、二個の締め具を有する締め器具１８０や空気使用の吸引型締め器具１８０により固定しても良いことが十分理解できる。
【００２９】
本発明はパターン電極を常温でＵＶを用いて一緒に接合するので、熱間圧接法を用いる従来技術と異なり、加熱装置を別に使用する必要はない。従って本発明は費用効率が高く、全製造工程完了に必要な時間を減ずる。より具体的には従来技術では加熱（約２００℃）加圧接合工程に約5乃至２０秒かかるが、本発明で単位面積当たりＵＶエネルギーが３，０００ｍＷ／ｃｍ２のＵＶを用いると、常温での接合工程に必要なのは約０．３秒である。それ故本発明では接合時間が大いに減少し、更に加熱装置を使用する必要がないので空間効率が増す。
【発明の効果】
【００３０】
本発明のＵＶ利用によるパターン電極用接合装置によると、以下の利点が達成できる。
１．加圧が常温で行い且つ硬化も安定にできるので、パターン電極間の位置決め判断誤差と異種材料間の熱膨張の違いによる位置決め判断誤差を防げ、それにより精細なピッチが容易に具体化できる。
２．低価格のＵＶ硬化剤の使用により全費用が低減し、一つのＴＡＢと接合が不必要な隣接ＴＡＢ間の各空きスペースにＵＶ硬化剤を使用しないので費用が低減できる。
３．加熱装置を使用しないので費用を低減でき、又加熱冷却が不必要なのでＰＤＰやＬＣＤ製造に必要な時間が非常に減少する。
【００３１】
ここに記載説明した構造と方法は、本発明の範囲から逸脱することなし種々修正できるので、前述に含まれるか添付図面に示した全内容は制限るよりむしろ実例として説明したものに過ぎない。従って本発明の広がりと範囲は上記の典型的実施形態のいずれでも制限されず、ここに補足の以下の特許請求項とその同等物によってのみ規定される必要がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【００３２】
【図１】本発明による紫外線利用によるパターン電極接合装置の透視図を示す。
【図２】図１に示す紫外線利用によるパターン電極接合装置の右側から見た略断面図を示す。
【図１】
2008172138.tif 000003
【図２】
2008172138.tif 000004
【外国語明細書】
Title of the Invention
A BONDING apparatus FOR pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays 
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays shown in Fig. 1, being viewed from right side thereof.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV).  More specifically, the present invention relates to a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using UV which performs a bonding between pattern electrodes formed on a glass panel of a plasma display panel (PDP) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) and pattern electrodes formed on a flexible printed circuit (FPC) for external connection, by a UV curing agent at a normal temperature using UV. 
Background Art
Recently, use of a PDP or an LCD has been increased sharply in the fields of display monitors or TVs.  In manufacturing a PDP or an LCD, it is required to bond pattern electrode terminals formed on a front glass panel and a back glass panel to a tape automatic bonding (TAB), in order to control front pattern electrode terminals where pattern electrodes (address electrodes and power electrodes) are formed on a front glass panel and back pattern electrode terminals where pattern electrodes (address electrodes and power electrodes) are formed on a back glass panel.  On TAB, the pattern electrodes of an FPC having a drive integrated circuit (IC) (hereinafter referred to “pattern electrodes for an IC terminal”) and the pattern electrodes of an FPC functioning as leads while not having a drive IC (hereinafter referred to “pattern electrodes for a terminal”)， respectively, are formed. 
In a prior art method for bonding the front and back pattern electrodes to TAB, a thermal-pressure bonding method of anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is widely used where an ACF having conductive balls therein is pre-bonded between a plurality of front and back pattern electrodes and a plurality of pattern electrodes attached to TAB.  Then the plurality of front and back pattern electrodes and the plurality of pattern electrodes attached to TAB are aligned with each other and are pressured together with being heated by a heater. 
In an another prior art, a coating method has been used where the front and back pattern electrodes and the pattern electrodes of TAB are coated using a non-conductive paste (NCP) or a non-conductive film (NCF), together with being thermally pressured.  
However, there are problems in a prior art thermal-pressure bonding method as follows:
1) Because of using a thermal-pressure bonding method, curing time is unstable and thus both a positioning decision error between the electrodes and a positioning decision error due to different thermal expansions between different materials occur.  Therefore, an internal stress occurs ultimately and, as a result, electrode contacts are broken so that it is hard to embody a fine pitch between pattern electrodes;
2) When using a device for applying a thermal-pressure on ACF, the price of an ACF itself is very high and a whole bonding method where a boning is required even in empty spaces between one TAB and an adjacent TAB must be used.  Thus, such a thermal-pressure method of ACF is not cost-effective.  As a pitch gap becomes narrower, conductive balls in an ACF exist between adjacent upper electrodes or adjacent lower electrodes, or between an upper electrode and a lower electrode which are positioned diagonally, as well as between an upper electrode and a lower electrode.  Such an existence of conductive balls may cause an electrical short so that there is a possibility of failure in a final product and embodying a fine pitch between pattern electrodes may be limited; 
3) A heating device such as a hot bar or a heat block, etc., is separately required for a heating and pressure process, and thus the costs are increased.  Further, tact time for manufacturing a PDP or an LCD is also increased due to increased process time for heating and cooling; and  
4) Many bonding steps and many stations are required for performing an ACF attachment process and a pressure process.  In this connection, the prices of devices or tools necessary for performing an ACF attachment process and a pressure process are significantly high and thus are not cost-effective.  In addition, space-efficiency is very poor due to the use of many stations. 
In order to solve the above problems, in Korean patent application No. 10-2005-0105025 (hereinafter referred to “ 025 Application”), filed on November 3, 2005 by the applicant of the present invention, entitled “a bonding structure of pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays and a method for bonding pattern electrodes using the same,” a method for bonding pattern electrodes is disclosed wherein a bonding between pattern electrodes formed on a glass panel of a PDP or an LCD and pattern electrodes formed on an FPC for external connection is made by a UV curing agent at a normal temperature using UV.  The disclosure of 025 Application is incorporated by reference herein. 
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention is designed to solve the prior art problems by providing a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes capable of performing a method for bonding pattern electrodes using UV disclosed in 025 Application.
More specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) comprising a device for providing and pressing a plurality of tape automatic bondings (TABs) on a plurality of pattern electrodes formed on a front glass panel or a back glass panel for a PDP or an LCD, wherein a plurality of pattern electrodes are formed on each of the plurality of TABs; a first actuator for actuating the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs; a clamping device for fixing a part of each of the plurality of TABs when the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs presses each of the plurality of TABs, wherein the clamping device is positioned opposite to a bottom surface of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs; a second actuator for actuating the clamping device; a UV providing device comprised of a UV radiation device and a UV-transmission device, wherein the UV-transmission device includes an opening on top thereof and is provided on a glass panel pressing device; a third actuator for actuating the glass panel pressing device; a position determining device for identifying an alignment status between the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel and the pattern electrodes formed on each of the plurality of TABs; and an integrated controller for controlling operations and functions of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs, the first actuator, the clamping device, the second actuator, the UV providing device, the third actuator, and the position determining device, wherein the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs includes at least one leg, and wherein a bonding between each of the plurality of TABs and the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel is made under a condition that the plurality of TABs is pressed. 
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) comprising a coating device of UV curing agent for coating a UV curing agent on each of a plurality of tape automatic bondings (TABs), wherein a plurality of pattern electrodes is formed on each of the plurality of TABs; a device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs on a plurality of pattern electrodes formed on a front glass panel or a back glass panel for a PDP or an LCD; a feeding device of TABs for feeding the plurality of TABs on each of which the UV curing agent is coated to the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs; a first actuator for actuating the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs; a clamping device for fixing a part of each of the plurality of TABs when the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs presses each of the plurality of TABs, wherein the clamping device is positioned opposite to a bottom surface of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs; a second actuator for actuating the clamping device; a UV providing device comprised of a UV radiation device and a UV-transmission device, wherein the UV-transmission device includes an opening on top thereof and is provided on a glass panel pressing device; a third actuator for actuating the glass panel pressing device; a position determining device for identifying an alignment status between the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel and the pattern electrodes formed on each of the plurality of TABs; and an integrated controller for controlling operations and functions of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs, the first actuator, the clamping device, the second actuator, the UV providing device, the third actuator, and the position determining device, wherein the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs includes at least one leg, and wherein a bonding between each of the plurality of TABs and the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel is made under a condition that the plurality of TABs is pressed.
Further features and advantages of the present invention can be obviously understood with reference to the accompanying drawings where same or similar reference numerals indicate same components.   
Best Mode of the Invention
Hereinafter, structures and functions of preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays shown in Fig. 1, being viewed from right side thereof.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a bonding apparatus 100 for pattern electrodes according to the present invention is placed on a base 105.  First, on the base 105, the bonding apparatus 100 for pattern electrodes of the present invention supports a front glass panel 150 and a back glass panel 155 which are supposed to be used for manufacturing a PDP or an LCD.  Further, on the base 105, a device 100' for supporting and moving the front glass panel 150 and the back glass panel 155 is shown.  The device 100' for supporting and moving the front glass panel 150 and the back glass panel 155 is capable of a relative movement with the bonding apparatus 100.  Here, the relative movement includes a linear movement in the direction of X-axis and Y-axis and a rotational movement about Z-axis which is perpendicular to X-axis and Y-axis.  
Hereinafter, respective components of the device 100' for supporting and moving the front glass panel 150 and the back glass panel 155 and their cooperative relationships will be described in more detail.
On the base 105, an X-axis linear motion guide 115 and an X-axis assistant linear motion guide 120 for moving an X-axis stage 110 in an X- direction are installed.  Movement of the X-axis linear motion guide 115 in the direction of X-axis is controlled by an X-axis linear servo motor controller 117.  
In the meanwhile, on the X-axis stage 110, a Y-axis linear motion guide 125 and a Y-axis assistant linear motion guide 130 for moving a Y-axis stage 122 in the direction of Y-axis are installed.  Movement of the Y-axis linear motion guide 125 in the direction of Y-axis is controlled by a Y-axis linear servo motor controller 127.  Further, on the Y-axis stage 122, a rotary actuator 140 for rotating a glass panel stage 135 is installed.  The rotary actuator 140 can be embodied by anyone selected from a direct drive servo motor, a typical servo motor, a rotary actuator using air, and a pneumatic cylinder, etc.  The glass panel stage 135 is mounted on the rotary actuator 140.  A certain number of suction pads 137 is provided on the glass panel stage 135 and supports the front glass panel 150 and the back glass panel 155.  Since a rotational-direction angle of the rotary actuator 140 is controlled by a rotary actuator controller 147, it is possible to control not only a linear movement of the front glass panel 150 and the back glass panel 155 on the glass panel stage 135 in the direction of X-axis and Y-axis but also a rotational movement thereof.  Each operation and function of the X-axis linear servo motor controller 117, the Y-axis linear servo motor controller 127, and the rotary actuator controller 147 is controlled by an integrated controller 200. 
In the meanwhile, the bonding apparatus 100 for bonding a plurality of TABs 160 to pattern electrodes (not shown) formed on the front glass panel 150 and the back glass panel 155 is provided on one side portion of the base 105.  The bonding apparatus 100 according to the present invention is comprised of a device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs, a first actuator 175 for actuating the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs, a clamping device 180 for fixing a plurality of TABs provided on the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 when performing a bonding process, and a second actuator 175 for actuating the clamping device 180 for fixing a plurality of TABs.  Hereinafter, each component of the bonding apparatus 100 will be described in detail. 
First, a plurality of TABs 160 is coated with a UV curing agent (not shown) by a coating device of UV curing agent and then is fed to the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs by a device (not shown) for feeding TABs.  In an embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs includes rotatable and cross-shaped four legs 171,172,173,174.  The reason why the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs includes plural legs is to provide a plurality of TABs 160 being fed from a device for feeding a plurality of TABs onto the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 at a fast speed.  However, a skilled person in the art may understand fully that it is simply exemplary that the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs includes four legs in the present invention, and thus that the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs may include at least one leg, depending on necessity. 
Once a plurality of TABs 160 is provided onto the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 by the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs, then a position determining device identifies whether pattern electrodes formed on each of a plurality of TABs 160 and pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 are aligned with each other.  In an embodiment of the present invention, the position determining device is specifically comprised of a pair of alignment cameras 176,177 and an image processor 178.  The alignment between the pattern electrodes formed on each of a plurality of TABs 160 and the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 can be identified by sending image data obtained by the alignment cameras 176,177 to the image processor 178 and then to an integrated controller 200, and by processing received signals of the image data by the integrated controller 200.  If an alignment status is required to be adjusted, the alignment status is adjusted by the integrated controller 200.  Once the alignment status is identified through the position determining device, then a UV providing device 190 provides UV from a direction opposite to a plurality of TABs 160 on the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155, under a condition that each of the a plurality of TABs 160 is pressed.
The UV providing device 190 is comprised of a UV radiation device 191, a UV-transmission device 192, and a UV guiding glass fiber 193 which connects the UV radiation device 191 to the UV-transmission device 192.  Although, Figs. 1 and 2 shows that the UV providing device 190 uses a UV guiding glass fiber 193, a skilled person in the art may understand fully that the present invention may use a UV providing device 190 where the UV radiation device 191 is directly connected to the UV-transmission device 192.  The UV-transmission device 192 has a hollow inside, and a slit-type opening 194 being formed on top thereof.  In an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the opening 194 has a width of approximately 0.5 to 20 mm and a length of approximately 5 to 200 mm.  It is more preferable that the opening 194 has a width of approximately 1 to 20 mm and a length of approximately 10 to 200 mm.  UV radiated from the UV radiation device 191 pass the UV-transmission device 192 through the UV guiding glass fiber 193 (e.g., an optical fiber) and then radiate onto a UV curing agent coated on each of a plurality of TABs 160 through the opening 194.  With this, a bonding is made between each of a plurality of TABs 160 and the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155.
The UV radiation device 191 is controlled by the integrated controller 200 through a UV radiation device controller 198.  The UV radiation device controller 198 is a device for controlling energy intensity of UV radiated from the UV radiation device 191.  Although an embodiment of the present invention shows that the UV radiation device controller 198 is given separated from the UV radiation device 191 (a separated-type), a skilled person in the art may understand fully that, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the UV radiation device controller 198 may be incorporated with the UV radiation device 191 (an integrated-type) or the integrated controller 200 may directly control the operation and function of the UV radiation device 191, instead of using the UV radiation device controller 198.  Further, the UV radiation device 191 may be selected from anyone of a reflector-type UV radiation device which is commonly used, an optical fiber-type UV radiation device, and a mixed-type UV radiation device which is a UV radiation device comprised of a reflector-type UV radiation device or an optical fiber-type UV radiation device combined with a certain optical system.  Energy intensity of UV radiated from the UV radiation device 191 of the present invention ranges from 100 to 10,000 milli-Watts/cm2.  More preferably, energy intensity of UV radiated from the UV radiation device 191 of the present invention ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 milli-Watts/cm2.  However, a skilled person in the art may understand fully that the ranges of energy intensity of UV described above are simply exemplary and that the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto because more or less energy intensity of UV may be used depending on necessity.
Now referring back to Fig. 1, on top of the UV-transmission device 192, a window 195 made of a certain material may be additionally used for applying a certain uniform pressure on a contact surface between the window 195 and the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155, while supporting the contact surface therebetween, in order to prevent a breakdown of the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155.  The material being used for the window 195 may be selected from any material capable of transmitting UV (e.g., glass, quartz, crystal, plastic, and polycarbonate (PC), etc.).  In this case, the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 contacts with the window 195 directly, instead of contacting with a top surface of the UV-transmission device 192 having the opening 194.  However, in case that the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 has a sufficient thickness so that there is no possibility of a breakdown thereof, the window 195 may not be used.  In addition, the UV-transmission device 192 is provided on a glass panel pressing device 196.  An upward and downward movement of the glass panel pressing device 196 is controlled by a third actuator 197.  That is, a bonding is made under a condition that the glass panel pressing device 196 presses tightly the window 195 or the top surface of the UV-transmission device 192 having the opening 194 (in case that there is no window 195) onto the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155.  
Moreover, the integrated controller 200 controls operations and functions of the first, second and third actuators 175,185,197, the position determining device, and the suction pads 137, etc., depending on information data sensed from sensors (not shown) for the respective components.  A various type of controllers, for example, such as a microprocessor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a personal computer (PC), etc., may be used as the integrated controller 200 of the present invention.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a cushion sheet 172 may be used between each of a plurality of TABs 160 and the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs, in order to apply a uniform pressure thereto, when pressing each of a plurality of TABs 160 through the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs.  As a specific example of the cushion sheet 172, a silicon rubber having a thickness of approximately 0.3 mm may be used.  Further, although the present invention describes that a UV curing agent is coated on each of a plurality of TABs 160, it is obvious by a skilled person in the art that a UV curing agent is coated on the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 to which a plurality of TABs 160 is supposed to be attached.  
Referring back to Fig. 2, a bonding is made in the present invention, under a condition that each of a plurality of TABs 160 is pressed by the device 170 for providing and pressing a he plurality of TABs, while the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 contacting with each of a plurality of TABs 160 is pressed by the glass panel pressing device 196.  Further, it is preferable that a bonding is made under a condition that each edge of a plurality of TABs 160 which does not contact with the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 is fixed by the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs and the clamping device 180 for fixing a plurality of TABs.  That is, as the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs moves downward to provide each of a plurality of TABs 160 onto the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155, the clamping device 180 for fixing a plurality of TABs simultaneously moves upward and fixes each of a plurality of TABs 160 to the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155.  Although Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention that each edge of a plurality of TABs 160 which does not contact with the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 is fixed by the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs and the clamping device 180 for fixing a plurality of TABs, a skilled person in the art may understand fully that each edge of a plurality of TABs 160 which does not contact with the front glass panel 150 or the back glass panel 155 may be fixed by a clamping device 180 having two clampers or a suction-type clamping device 180 using air, instead of using the device 170 for providing and pressing a plurality of TABs.  
The present invention is characterized in that pattern electrodes are bonded together by using UV at a normal temperature so that there is no need to use a heating device separately, unlike a prior art which uses a thermal-pressure bonding method.  Thus, the present invention is cost-effective and decreases tact time for completing the whole manufacturing process.  More specifically, it takes approximately 5 to 20 seconds necessary for a bonding process with heating (approximately 200℃) and applying pressure in a prior art, while it takes approximately 0.3 seconds necessary for a bonding process at a normal temperature when using UV with UV energy per unit area of 3,000 mill-Watts/cm2 in the present invention.  Therefore, in the present invention, bonding time can be significantly reduced and space-efficiency is additionally enhanced because there is no need to use a heating device.
Advantageous Effect
According to a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using UV of the present invention, it is possible to accomplish the following advantages:
1. Pressurization is made at a normal temperature and curing is made stably so that both a positioning decision error between electrodes and a positioning decision error due to different thermal expansions between different materials are prevented and thus it is easy to embody a fine pitch.
2. Total costs are reduced due to using a low-priced UV curing agent and can be additionally reduced by not using a UV curing agent for each empty space between one Tab and an adjacent TAB, which requires no bonding.
3. Costs can be reduced by not using a heating device and tact time for manufacturing a PDP or an LCD is also significantly decreased because heating and cooling are not required.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions and method herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.  Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.   
What is claimed is:
1.    A bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) comprising:
a device for providing and pressing a plurality of tape automatic bondings (TABs) on a plurality of pattern electrodes formed on a front glass panel or a back glass panel for a PDP or an LCD, wherein a plurality of pattern electrodes are formed on each of the plurality of TABs; 
a first actuator for actuating the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs;
a clamping device for fixing a part of each of the plurality of TABs when the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs presses each of the plurality of TABs, wherein the clamping device is positioned opposite to a bottom surface of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs;
a second actuator for actuating the clamping device;
a UV providing device comprised of a UV radiation device and a UV-transmission device, wherein the UV-transmission device includes an opening on top thereof and is provided on a glass panel pressing device; 
a third actuator for actuating the glass panel pressing device;
a position determining device for identifying an alignment status between the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel and the pattern electrodes formed on each of the plurality of TABs; and
an integrated controller for controlling operations and functions of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs, the first actuator, the clamping device, the second actuator, the UV providing device, the third actuator, and the position determining device, 
wherein the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs includes at least one leg, and 
wherein a bonding between each of the plurality of TABs and the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel is made under a condition that the plurality of TABs is pressed.
2.            The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 1, wherein the UV providing device further includes a UV guiding glass fiber which connects the UV radiation device to the UV-transmission device. 
3.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 1 or 2, wherein a window made of a certain material is provided on top of the UV-transmission device. 
4.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 3, wherein the certain material of the window is selected from anyone of glass, quartz, crystal, plastic, and polycarbonate (PC).
5.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the position determining device is comprised of a pair of alignment cameras and an image processor. 
6.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 3, wherein the position determining device is comprised of a pair of alignment cameras and an image processor. 
7.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the UV radiation device is selected from anyone of a reflector-type UV radiation device, an optical fiber-type UV radiation device, and a mixed-type UV radiation device which is a UV radiation device comprised of a reflector-type UV radiation device or an optical fiber-type UV radiation device combined with a certain optical system.
8.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 3, wherein the UV radiation device is selected from anyone of a reflector-type UV radiation device, an optical fiber-type UV radiation device, and a mixed-type UV radiation device which is a UV radiation device comprised of a reflector-type UV radiation device or an optical fiber-type UV radiation device combined with a certain optical system.
9.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs further includes a cushion sheet being used between each of the plurality of TABs and the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs.
10.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 3, wherein the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs further includes a cushion sheet being used between each of the plurality of TABs and the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs.
11.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bonding apparatus further includes a UV radiation device controller which is provided as either a separated-type or an integrated-type.
12.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 3, wherein the bonding apparatus further includes a controller UV radiation device which is provided as either a separated-type or an integrated-type.
13.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening has a width of approximately 0.5 to 20 mm and a length of approximately 5 to 200 mm.
14.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 3, wherein the opening has a width of approximately 0.5 to 20 mm and a length of approximately 5 to 200 mm.
15.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 1 or 2, wherein energy intensity of UV radiated from the UV radiation device ranges from 100 to 10,000 milli-Watts/cm2.
16.    A bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) comprising:
a coating device of UV curing agent for coating a UV curing agent on each of a plurality of tape automatic bondings (TABs), wherein a plurality of pattern electrodes is formed on each of the plurality of TABs;
a device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs on a plurality of pattern electrodes formed on a front glass panel or a back glass panel for a PDP or an LCD; 
a feeding device of TABs for feeding the plurality of TABs on each of which the UV curing agent is coated to the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs;   
a first actuator for actuating the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs;
a clamping device for fixing a part of each of the plurality of TABs when the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs presses each of the plurality of TABs, wherein the clamping device is positioned opposite to a bottom surface of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs;
a second actuator for actuating the clamping device;
a UV providing device comprised of a UV radiation device and a UV-transmission device, wherein the UV-transmission device includes an opening on top thereof and is provided on a glass panel pressing device; 
a third actuator for actuating the glass panel pressing device;
a position determining device for identifying an alignment status between the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel and the pattern electrodes formed on each of the plurality of TABs; and
an integrated controller for controlling operations and functions of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs, the first actuator, the clamping device, the second actuator, the UV providing device, the third actuator, and the position determining device, 
wherein the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs includes at least one leg, and 
wherein a bonding between each of the plurality of TABs and the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel is made under a condition that the plurality of TABs is pressed.
17.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 16, the UV providing device further includes a UV guiding glass fiber which connects the UV radiation device to the UV-transmission device. 
18.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 16 or 17, wherein a window made of a certain material is provided on top of the UV-transmission device. 
19.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 16 or 17, wherein the position determining device is comprised of a pair of alignment cameras and an image processor. 
20.    The bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) of claim 16 or 17, wherein the bonding apparatus further includes a UV radiation device controller which is provided as either a separated-type or an integrated-type
Abstract
The present invention relates to a bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV).
A bonding apparatus for pattern electrodes using ultra-violet rays (UV) according to the present invention comprises a device for providing and pressing a plurality of tape automatic bondings (TABs) on a plurality of pattern electrodes formed on a front glass panel or a back glass panel for a PDP or an LCD, wherein a plurality of pattern electrodes are formed on each of the plurality of TABs; a first actuator for actuating the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs; a clamping device for fixing a part of each of the plurality of TABs when the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs presses each of the plurality of TABs, wherein the clamping device is positioned opposite to a bottom surface of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs; a second actuator for actuating the clamping device; a UV providing device comprised of a UV radiation device and a UV-transmission device, wherein the UV-transmission device includes an opening on top thereof and is provided on a glass panel pressing device; a third actuator for actuating the glass panel pressing device; a position determining device for identifying an alignment status between the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel and the pattern electrodes formed on each of the plurality of TABs; and an integrated controller for controlling operations and functions of the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs, the first actuator, the clamping device, the second actuator, the UV providing device, the third actuator, and the position determining device, wherein the device for providing and pressing the plurality of TABs includes at least one leg, and wherein a bonding between each of the plurality of TABs and the pattern electrodes formed on the front glass panel or the back glass panel is made under a condition that the plurality of TABs is pressed. 
Fig. 1
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Fig. 2
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