Abstract:
An exposure apparatus includes a loading device, a first energy-producing device, and a second energy-producing device. The loading device comprises a plurality of supporting elements, supporting a panel. The first and second energy producing devices are disposed above and below the loading device, respectively.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The invention relates to an exposure apparatus, and in particular to an exposure apparatus and method thereof utilized in manufacture of a liquid crystal display. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , during manufacture of a liquid crystal panel, a panel  10 ′ is disposed on a conventional loading mechanism  20 ′. The conventional loading mechanism  20 ′ is made of non-transparent material such as aluminum. The panel  10 ′ comprises two substrates  11 ′ and  12 ′, and a sealant  13 ′. The substrate  11 ′ comprises color filter (CF), and the substrate  12 ′ comprises thin film transistor (TFT). There are two panel manufacturing methods. In one method, the substrates  11 ′ and  12 ′ are connected by the sealant  13 ′. Then, the sealant  13 ′ must be chemically reacted to solidify. For example, UV light of certain wavelength produced by a light source  15 ′ can solidify the photosensitive sealant  13 ′. Heating can also be used to solidify the sealant  13 ′. In this method, after the sealant  13 ′ is solidified, an empty cell is formed, and liquid crystal  16 ′ is filled therein. In another method, the sealant  13 ′ is applied to the edge of the lower substrate  12 ′, and liquid crystal  16 ′ is dropped by a one-drop-fill (ODF) method. After ODF, the upper substrate  11 ′ is covered thereon. UV light solidifies the sealant  13 ′ to form a liquid crystal panel. 
   In a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) system, due to limitation of related devices, in said both manufacturing methods, each production line can only provide single-side exposure, that is, UV light can only illuminate one of the CF or TFT substrate. Complete solidification requires the substrate  11 ′ side to be exposed to the UV light to partially solidify the sealant  13 ′, and then rotate 180° to illuminate the opposing substrate  12 ′. The process is complicated, increasing loads on the CIM system and high manufacturing costs. The manufacturing time is also longer such that the production line cannot be efficiently utilized, thereby limiting product design. 
   SUMMARY 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an exposure apparatus and method thereof to eliminate the shortcomings described, such that both CF and TFT substrates can be exposed at the same time, reducing costs, increasing available space in processing, and simplifying process. 
   Since the exposure apparatus is simple and eliminates most portions that block UV light, the sealant is solidified rapidly, reducing system burden, and increasing operating availability, utilization rate, and work ratio. Production rate is increased accordingly. 
   The invention achieves the above-identified object by providing an exposure apparatus, comprising a loading device, a first energy-producing device, and a second energy-producing device. The loading device comprises a plurality of supporting elements and is for supporting a panel. The first and second energy producing devices are disposed above and below the loading device, respectively. A predetermined gap is formed between the supporting elements. 
   The supporting elements comprise light-permeable material. 
   In an embodiment, when the supporting elements are bar-shaped, the supporting elements comprise quartz, compound quartz, glass, or combinations thereof. 
   In another embodiment, the supporting elements are line-shaped. The supporting elements comprise cables, ropes, wires, or combinations thereof. 
   At least one of the first energy-producing device and the second energy-producing device produces UV light energy. 
   The exposure apparatus further comprises a frame, connecting the loading device, the first energy-producing device, and the second energy-producing device. The frame comprises an upper layer, a hollow middle layer, and a lower layer. The hollow middle layer is disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer. 
   The loading device, the first energy-producing device, and the second energy-producing device are disposed on the hollow middle layer, the upper layer, and the lower layer, respectively. 
   Further provided is a method for exposing a panel, comprising applying a sealant around at least part of the panel, and exposing the panel by an exposure apparatus from top and bottom directions at the same time to solidify the sealant. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a conventional loading mechanism and substrates; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of an exposure apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 3A  is a front view of an exposure apparatus after assembly; and 
       FIG. 3B  is side view of an exposure apparatus after assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of an exposure apparatus  200  of the invention.  FIG. 3A  is a front view of an exposure apparatus  200  after assembly.  FIG. 3B  is side view of an exposure apparatus  200  after assembly. 
   The exposure apparatus  200  comprises a loading device having a plurality of supporting elements  22 , a first energy-producing device  15   a , a second energy-producing device  15   b , and a frame  20 . The first energy-producing device  15   a  and the second energy-producing device  15   b  produce UV light energy. The frame  20 , connecting the supporting elements  22 , the first energy-producing device  15   a , and the second energy-producing device  15   b , comprises an upper layer  201 , a hollow middle layer  202 , a lower layer  203 , and a plurality of poles  24 . The hollow middle layer  202  is disposed between the upper layer  201  and the lower layer  203 . 
     FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the frame  20 , separated into upper layer  201 , hollow middle layer  202 , and lower layer  203  for clear explanation. The frame  20  can be integrally formed in a hollow frame. In this embodiment, the first energy-producing device  15   a  is disposed on the upper layer  201 . The second energy-producing device  15   b  is disposed on the lower layer  203 , opposing the first energy-producing device  15   a.    
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the supporting elements  22  are disposed on the hollow middle layer  202 , between the first energy-producing device  15   a  and the second energy-producing device  15   b . The supporting elements  22  are substantially parallel. The supporting elements  22  support the panel  10  simultaneously. Note that the structure of the panel  10  is the same as the conventional panel, and thus, no further explanation is provided. In the embodiment, when the panel  10  is disposed on the loading device  20 , the upper side or the lower side of the panel  10  is not limited to the CF or TFT substrate. That is, by utilizing the exposure apparatus  200  of the invention, during manufacture, the invention does not restrict the exposing side of the panel  10 . 
   A predetermined gap h is formed between the supporting elements  22 . The gap h varies with the size of the moving arm transferring substrates. The gap is about 200 mm such that the moving arm or robot can smoothly enter the loading device  20  to place the substrate thereon without any interference. The energy L produced by the second energy-producing device  15   b  transmits upwardly through the gap h to the panel  10 . Additionally, the first energy-producing device  15   a  illuminates from the top. Thus, energy is simultaneously transmitted to both sides of the panel  10 . 
   In one embodiment, the supporting elements  22  are bar-shaped, and comprise light-permeable material such as quartz bars, compound quartz bars, glass bars, or combinations thereof. Thus, energy can penetrate the supporting elements  22 . 
   In another embodiment, the supporting elements  22  are line-shaped. The supporting elements  22  comprise cables, ropes, wires, or combinations thereof. 
   In conclusion, the exposure apparatus of the invention exposes both sides of a panel at the same time. An exposure method comprises the following steps. First, a panel  10  or substrate is provided. A sealant is partially or fully arranged around the panel. The panel is then exposed to light energy by the exposure apparatus described from top and bottom directions at the same time to solidify the sealant. The process is simplified, and the exposing time can be shortened. 
   Hence, the CF and TFT sides of the panel  10  can be simultaneously exposed to UV light via the exposure apparatus and method thereof. The investment cost in the CIM system can be reduced. The burden to the system can be simplified while providing more available space in the processing room such as a clean room since the production line can be shortened. The complexity of the ODF process can also be simplified. Since the exposure device is simple and eliminates most portions that block UV light, the sealant can be rapidly solidified, reducing system burden, and increasing operating availability, utilization rate, and work ratio. Thus, production rate is increased accordingly. 
   While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.