Abstract:
A laminating device for laminating a window on a display panel for displaying an image includes: a first plate on which the display panel is provided; a second plate on which the window is provided and which is adjacent to the first plate; an applier provided on the second plate and applying a resin on the window; a folder for connecting the first plate and the second plate, for folding to allow the second plate to face the first plate, and for disposing the window on the display panel with the resin therebetween; and a pressurizer for pressurizing the second plate in a direction of the first plate.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application earlier filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on the 27 Jul. 2012 and there duly assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0082695. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a laminating device and a laminating method. More particularly, the invention relates to a laminating device and a laminating method for laminating a window on a display panel for displaying an image. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As a display device which displays an image, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display has come into the spotlight in recent years. 
     Since the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, unlike a liquid crystal display (LCD), has a self-light emitting characteristic so that a separate light source is not required, and a thickness and a weight thereof may be reduced. Furthermore, because the OLED display has high quality characteristics such as low power consumption, high luminance, and high reaction speed, the OLED display is appropriate for use in a mobile electronic device. 
     Recently, a touch sensor has been formed on a display panel such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display so as to manufacture a slim display module such as a smart phone, and a display panel array manufactured by laminating a window on a display panel by using a resin is supplied to display module manufacturers. 
     The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been developed in an effort to provide a laminating device and a laminating method for laminating a window on a display panel by using a resin. 
     The present invention has been developed in another effort to provide a laminating device and a laminating method for laminating a window on a display panel while maintaining a thickness of a resin between the display panel and the window. 
     An embodiment of the invention provides a laminating device for laminating a window on a display panel for displaying an image, including: a first plate on which the display panel is provided; a second plate on which the window is provided and which neighbors the first plate; an applier provided on the second plate and applying a resin on the window; a folder for connecting the first plate and the second plate, that folds to allow the second plate to face the first plate, and that provides the window on the display panel with the resin therebetween; and a pressurizer for pressurizing the second plate in a direction of the first plate. 
     The first plate includes: a first plate main body on which the display panel is provided; and a first displacement sensor provided in the first plate main body, irradiating light to the display panel, and measuring a thickness of the display panel by using light reflected by the display panel. 
     The second plate includes: a second plate main body on which the window is provided; and a second displacement sensor provided in the second plate main body, irradiating light to the window, and measuring a thickness of the window by using light reflected by the window. 
     The second displacement sensor measures the thickness of the resin by using the light reflected by the resin applied to the window. 
     The plurality of second displacement sensors are provided on the second plate main body over an entire surface of the window. 
     The second plate main body includes a plurality of divided sub-plate main bodies, the second displacement sensor is provided on the plurality of sub-plate main bodies, respectively, and the pressurizer pressurizes the plurality of sub-plate main bodies. 
     The laminating device further includes a load sensor provided on a rear side of the first plate and sensing a load applied to the first plate. 
     The load sensor is provided on the rear side of the first plate corresponding to the sub-plate main bodies. 
     Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for laminating a window on a display panel displaying an image, including: providing a laminating device; providing the display panel on the first plate; providing the window on the second plate; applying a resin on the window; folding the folder to provide the window on the display panel with the resin therebetween; and pressurizing the second plate in a direction of the first plate to laminate the window on the display panel. 
     The applying of the resin on the window is performed when a thickness of the display panel and a thickness of the window are measured. 
     The laminating of the window on the display panel is performed when the thickness of the resin corresponding to an entire surface of the window is measured. 
     The laminating of the window on the display panel is performed when a load applied to the first plate is sensed. 
     According to the embodiments, the laminating device and laminating method for easily laminating the window on the display panel by using a resin are provided. 
     Also, the laminating device and the laminating method for maintaining the thickness of resin between the display panel and the window, and for laminating a window on the display panel, are provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a laminating device constructed as a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a flowchart of a laminating method according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5  show a laminating method performed according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a laminating device constructed as a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show top plan views of a second plate and a first plate, respectively, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  to  FIG. 10  show a laminating method performed according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. As those skilled in the art will realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
     The drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. 
     Furthermore, in several embodiments, constituent elements having the same construction are assigned the same reference numerals and are representatively described in connection with a first embodiment. In the remaining embodiments, and only different constituent elements from those of the first embodiment are described. 
     In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for understanding and ease of description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, for better understanding and ease of description, the thickness of some layers and areas is exaggerated. It will be understood that, when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. 
     In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. It will be understood that, when an element such as a layer, file, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be on the other element or under the other element. The element may not be on another element in a gravity direction. 
     A laminating device according to a first embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a laminating device according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the laminating device  1000  for laminating a window  20  on a display panel  10 , such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display or a liquid crystal display (LCD), having an image-displaying surface on which a touch sensor is formed or attached, includes a first plate  100 , a second plate  200 , an applier  300 , a folder  400 , a pressurizer  500 , and a controller  600 . 
     The display panel  10  is provided on the first plate  100  including a first plate main body  110  and a first displacement sensor  120 . 
     The first plate main body  110  has a plate form on which the display panel  10  is provided. 
     The first displacement sensor  120  is provided in the first plate main body  110 , and it irradiates light to the display panel  10  and uses the light reflected from the display panel  10  to measure a thickness of the display panel  10 . For example, the first displacement sensor  120  is provided in the first plate main body  110  on the rear side of the display panel  10  and irradiates light to the display panel  10 , and the light irradiated to the display panel  10  is reflected on an interface between the display panel  10  and an air layer, and is then provided to the first displacement sensor  120 . The light applied to the first displacement sensor  120  is divided by a spectroscope, divided color information can be converted into distance information by the first displacement sensor  120 , and the first displacement sensor  120  uses the distance information to measure the thickness of the display panel  10 . In addition, the first displacement sensor  120  can be a displacement sensor disclosed by Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-154021. 
     The first displacement sensor  120  is connected to the controller  600 , and the thickness of the display panel  10  measured by the first displacement sensor  120  can be transmitted to the controller  600 . 
     The second plate  200  neighbors the first plate  100 , and the window  20  is provided on the second plate  200 . The second plate  200  includes a second plate main body  210  and a second displacement sensor  220 . 
     The second plate main body  210  has a plate form on which the window  20  is provided. 
     The second displacement sensor  220  is provided in the second plate main body  210 , it irradiates light to the window  20 , and uses the light reflected from the window  20  to measures the thickness of the window  20 . For example, the second displacement sensor  220  is provided in the second plate main body  210  on the rear side of the window  20  to irradiate light to the window  20 , and the light irradiated to the window  20  is reflected on the interface between the window  20  and the air layer, and is then provided to the second displacement sensor  220 . The light applied to the second displacement sensor  220  is divided by a spectroscope, divided color information can be converted into distance information by the second displacement sensor  220 , and the second displacement sensor  220  uses the distance information to measure the thickness of the window  20 . A plurality of second displacement sensors  220  can be provided on the second plate main body  210  over the window  20 . 
     The second displacement sensor  220  can be a displacement sensor disclosed by Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-154021. 
     When the resin is applied on the window  20  by the applier  300 , the second displacement sensor  220  uses the reflected light that is reflected from the interface between the resin and the air layer and applied to the second displacement sensor  220  to measure the thickness of the resin. 
     The second displacement sensor  220  is connected to the controller  600 , and the thickness of the window  20  and the thickness of the resin measured by the second displacement sensor  220  are transmitted to the controller  600 . 
     The applier  300  is provided on the second plate  200  and applies resin to the window  20 . The resin applied to the window  20  can be an optically clear adhesive. The applier  300  is connected to the controller  600 , and the amount of resin applied by the applier  300  is controllable by the controller  600 . 
     The folder  400  connects the first plate  100  and the second plate  200 , and it is folded to have the second plate  200  face the first plate  100  and to position the window  20  on the display panel  10  with the resin therebetween. The folder  400  is folded when the folder  400  is driven or when an additional driver for driving the first plate  100 , the second plate  200 , or the folder  400  is used. 
     The pressurizer  500  is provided on the first plate  100  and pressurizes the second plate  200  in a direction of the first plate  100 . The pressurizer  500  is connected to the controller  600 , and a pressurization state provided by the pressurizer  500  is controlled by the controller  600 . 
     The controller  600  is connected to the first displacement sensor  120 , the second displacement sensor  220 , the applier  300 , and the pressurizer  500 , and it uses the thickness of the window  20 , the thickness of the display panel  10 , and the thickness of the resin applied to the window  20  to control the amount of resin applied by the applier  300  and the pressurization degree provided by the pressurizer  500 . 
     A laminating method according to a second embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5 . The laminating method according to the second embodiment is performed by using the laminating device according to the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  shows a flowchart of a laminating method according to a second embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5  show a laminating method according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , a laminating device  1000  is provided (S 100 ). 
     A display panel  10  is provided on the first plate  100  (S 200 ). 
     In detail, the display panel  10  is provided on the first plate main body  110 . When the display panel  10  is provided on the first plate main body  110 , the first displacement sensor  120  of the first plate  100  uses light to measure the thickness of the display panel  10 , and the measured thickness is transmitted to the controller  600 . 
     The window  20  is provided on the second plate  200  (S 300 ). 
     In detail, the window  20  is provided on the second plate main body  210 . When the window  20  is provided on the second plate main body  210 , the second displacement sensor  220  of the second plate  200  uses light to measure the thickness of the window  20 , and the measured thickness is transmitted to the controller  600 . 
     A resin  30  is applied on the window  20  (S 400 ). 
     In detail, the controller  600  uses the thickness of the display panel  10  transmitted by the first displacement sensor  120  and the thickness of the window  20  transmitted by the second displacement sensor  220  to determine the thickness of the resin  30  to be applied to the window  20 , and the controller  600  controls the applier  300  to apply the resin  30  on the window  20  by the determined thickness of the resin  30 . When the resin  30  is applied on the window  20  by the applier  300 , the second displacement sensor  220  uses light to measure the thickness of the resin  30  applied on the window  20  in real time and transmits it to the controller  600 , and the controller  600  uses the thickness of the resin  30  transmitted by the second displacement sensor  220  to control the applier  300 , and the applier  300  applies the resin  30  on the window  20  at the determined thickness of the resin  30 . That is, the amount of the resin  30  applied by the applier  300  is controlled based on the thickness of the window  20  and the thickness of the display panel  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the window  20  is provided on the display panel  10  (S 500 ). 
     In detail, the folder  400  is folded to dispose the second plate  200  on the first plate  100  so that the window  20  is provided on the display panel  10  with the resin  30  therebetween. 
     When the second plate  200  is disposed on the first plate  100  by folding of the folder  400  and the display panel  10  and the window  20  are provided on the initially established positions on the first plate  100  and the second plate  200 , the window  20  is disposed at an accurate position on the display panel  10  without an additional alignment process. 
     Also, the second plate  200  is disposed on the first plate  100  by the folding of the folder  400  so that the laminating process time of the window  20  for the entire display panel  10  is reduced. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the window  20  is laminated on the display panel  10  (S 600 ). 
     In detail, the pressurizer  500  is used to pressurize the second plate  200  in the direction of the first plate  100 , and in this instance, a plurality of second displacement sensors  220  provided on the second plate main body  210  over the entire window  20  are used to measure the thickness of the resin  30  over the window  20  in real time, and to control the pressurization degree of the pressurizer  500  so that the resin  30  may have the same thickness over the entire surface of the window  20 . That is, the thickness of the resin  30  that is variable in real time by pressurization is measured to control the pressurization degree of the pressurizer  500 . 
     The resin  30  can then be hardened by using a hardening means such as heat or ultraviolet (UV) rays. 
     As described, the laminating device according to the first embodiment and the laminating method according to the second embodiment use the thickness of the window  20  and the thickness of the display panel  10  to control the amount of the resin  30  applied by the applier  300 , and measures the thickness of the resin  30  over the entire surface of the window  20  in real time during pressurization by the pressurizer  500  so as to control the pressurization degree of the pressurizer  500  so that the resin  30  can have the same thickness over the entire surface of the window  20 , thereby easily laminating the window  20  on the display panel  10 . 
     Furthermore, the laminating device according to the first embodiment and the laminating method according to the second embodiment laminate the window  20  on the display panel  10  so that the resin  30  can have the same thickness over the entire surface of the window  20 , thereby improving the flatness of the window  20  and accordingly improving the quality of images displayed by the display panel  10 . 
     That is, the laminating device for maintaining the thickness of the resin  30  between the display panel  10  and the window  20  and for laminating the window  20  on the display panel  10  according to the first embodiment, and the laminating method according to the second embodiment, are provided. 
     A laminating device according to a third embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 6  and  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
     Hereinafter, only specific portions that are different from those of the first embodiment are described, and omitted portions of description thereof coincide with the first embodiment. In addition, in the third embodiment, for better comprehension and ease of description, the same constituent elements are designated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  shows a laminating device according to a third embodiment of the invention, and  FIGS. 7A and 7B  show top plan views of a second plate and a first plate, respectively, as shown in  FIG. 6 . That is,  FIG. 7A  shows a top plan view of the second plate and  FIG. 7B  shows a top plan view of the first plate. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the laminating device  1003  for laminating a window  20  on a display panel  10 , such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display or a liquid crystal display (LCD), having an image-displaying surface on which a touch sensor is formed or attached, includes a first plate  100 , a second plate  200 , an applier  300 , a folder  400 , a pressurizer  500 , a controller  600 , and a load sensor  700 . 
     The second plate  200  neighbors the first plate  100 , and the window  20  is provided on the second plate  200 . The second plate  200  includes a second plate main body  210  and a second displacement sensor  220 . 
     The second plate main body  210  has a plate form on which the window  20  is provided. The second plate main body  210  includes a plurality of divided sub-plate main bodies  211 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the second plate main body  210  can include nine (9) divided sub-plate main bodies  211 . 
     The second displacement sensor  220  is provided on the sub-plate main bodies  211 , respectively. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the second displacement sensor  220  is provided on the sub-plate main bodies  211  {circle around (1)} to {circle around (5)} corresponding to a virtual X from among the nine sub-plate main bodies  211 , and it can measure the thickness of the window  20  corresponding to the sub-plate main body  211  and the thickness of the resin applied on the window  20 . 
     The pressurizer  500  of  FIG. 6  is provided on the first plate  100 , and independently pressurizes the sub-plate main bodies  211  of the second plate  200  so as to pressurize the second plate  200  in the direction of the first plate  100 . The pressurizer  500  is connected to the controller  600 , and the pressurization degree of the pressurizer  500  is controlled by the controller  600 . 
     The controller  600  is connected to the first displacement sensor  120 , the second displacement sensor  220 , the applier  300 , the pressurizer  500 , and the load sensor  700 , and uses the thickness of the window  20 , the thickness of the display panel  10 , the thickness of the resin applied on the window  20 , and the load applied to the first plate  100  sensed by the load sensor  700  to control the amount of resin applied by the applier  300  and the pressurization degree provided by the pressurizer  500 . 
     The load sensor  700  is provided on the rear of the first plate  100 , and it senses the load applied to the first plate  100  by the pressurizer  500 . The load sensor  700  is provided on the rear side of the first plate  100  corresponding to the sub-plate main bodies  211  of the second plate  200 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the load sensor  700  is provided on the points {circle around (6)} to {circle around (10)} of the first plate  100  corresponding to the sub-plate main bodies  211  on which the second displacement sensor  220  is provided, and independently senses the loads applied to {circle around (6)} to {circle around (10)} of the first plate  100 . The load sensor  700  is connected to the controller  600 , and it transmits load information applied to the first plate  100  to the controller  600 . 
     A laminating method according to a fourth embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 10 . The laminating method according to the fourth embodiment is performed by using the laminating device according to the third embodiment. 
     Hereinafter, only specific portions that are different from those of the second embodiment are described, and omitted portions of the description thereof coincide with the second embodiment. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, for better comprehension and ease of description, the same constituent elements are designated by the same reference numerals as in the second embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  to  FIG. 10  show a laminating method according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a laminating device  1003  is provided. 
     A display panel  10  is provided on a first plate  100 . 
     A window  20  is provided on a second plate  200 . 
     A resin  30  is applied on the window  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the window  20  is provided on the display panel  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the window  20  is laminated on the display panel  10 . 
     In detail, the pressurizer  500  is used to pressurize the second plate  200  in the direction of the first plate  100 , and in this instance, the second displacement sensors  220  provided on the second plate main body  210  over the entire surface of the window  20  are used to measure the thickness of the resin  30  over the entire surface of the window  20  in real time, and to control the pressurization degree of the pressurizer  500  so that the resin  30  may have the same thickness over the entire surface of the window  20 . In this instance, the load sensor  700  senses the load applied to the first plate  100  so as to transmit load information to the controller  600 , and the controller  600  uses the load information transmitted by the load sensor  700  and applied to the first plate  100 , and the thickness of the resin  30  transmitted by the second displacement sensor  220 , to independently pressurize the sub-plate main bodies  211  by using the pressurizer  500  so that the resin  30  may have the same thickness over the entire surface of the window  20 . 
     The resin  30  can then be hardened by using a hardening means such as heat or ultraviolet (UV) rays. 
     As described above, the laminating device according to the third embodiment and the laminating method according to the fourth embodiment use the thickness of the window  20  and the thickness of the display panel  10  to control the amount of resin  30  applied by the applier  300 , they use the second displacement sensor  220  during pressurization by the pressurizer  500  to measure the thickness of the resin  30  over the entire surface of the window  20  in real time, they use the load sensor  700  to measure the load degree applied to the first plate  100 , and they control the pressurization degrees of the sub-plate main bodies  211  using the pressurizer  500  so that the resin  30  can have the same thickness over the entire surface of the window  20 , thereby easily laminating the window  20  on the display panel  10 . 
     Also, the laminating device according to the third embodiment and the laminating method according to the fourth embodiment laminate the window  20  on the display panel  10  so that the resin  30  can have the same thickness over the entire surface of the window  20 , thus improving the flatness of the window  20  and improving quality of images displayed by the display panel  10 . 
     That is, the laminating device for maintaining the thickness of the resin  30  between the display panel  10  and the window  20  and laminating the window  20  on the display panel  10  according to the third embodiment, and the laminating method according to the fourth embodiment, are provided. 
     While this disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.