Abstract:
A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device includes: a first step of attaching a polarizing plate to an outer surface of a liquid crystal panel; a second step of attaching a tape carrier package (TCP) to the liquid crystal panel; a third step of coating a resin onto a rear surface of the TCP and a connection portion of the liquid crystal panel and the TCP; a fourth step of inspecting the TCP and the liquid crystal display panel; a fifth step of inserting the liquid crystal panel into a transferring means; a sixth step of transferring the transferring means; a seventh step of extracting the liquid crystal panel from the transferring means; a eighth step of attaching the TCP to a printed circuit board (PCB); a ninth step of inspecting the PCB, the TCP and the liquid crystal panel; and a tenth step of assembling the liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit with a plurality of frames.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0132543, filed in Korea on Dec. 23, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present application relates to a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal panel, a printed circuit board and a tap carrier package. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     As information age progresses, flat panel display (FPD) devices having light weight, thin profile, and low power consumption have been substituted for cathode ray tube (CRT) devices. Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, plasma display panel (PDP) devices, field emission display (FED) devices, and electroluminescent display (ELD) devices are examples of the FPD devices. Since the LCD devices have excellent characteristics of high resolution, high contrast ratio and displaying moving images, the LCD devices have been widely used in a notebook computer, a monitor and a television. 
     In general, an LCD device includes a driving circuit unit that generates a gate signal, a data signal and a control signal using an image signal from an external system and supplies a power, a liquid crystal panel that displays images using the gate signal, the data signal and the control signal, and a backlight unit that supplies a light to the liquid crystal panel. 
     For example, the driving circuit unit includes a printed circuit board (PCB), where circuits generating RGB data and control signals using the image signal and a clock signal of the external system are formed, and a tape carrier package (TCP), where circuits generating the gate signal and the data signal using the RGB data and the control signals are formed. The PCB is connected to the liquid crystal panel through the TCP. The liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate having a pixel electrode, a second substrate having a common electrode and a liquid crystal layer. The first and second substrates face and are spaced apart from each other and the liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and second substrates. The transmittance of the liquid crystal layer is changed according to the electric field generated between the pixel electrode and the common electrode to display the images. The backlight unit is disposed under the liquid crystal panel as a light source of the LCD device. 
     The LCD device is completed by modularizing the driving circuit unit, the liquid crystal panel and the backlight unit with a top frame, a main frame and a bottom frame. The steps of attaching the driving circuit unit such as the PCB and the TCP to the liquid crystal panel and wrapping the driving circuit unit, the liquid crystal panel and the backlight unit with the top, main and bottom frames may be referred to as a module process. 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device according to the related art. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a liquid crystal panel is fabricated through a panel process line  100 . In a module process line  200 , a tape carrier package (TCP) and a printed circuit board (PCB) are attached to the liquid crystal panel, and the liquid crystal panel, the TCP, the PCB and a backlight unit are assembled using a top frame, a main frame and a bottom frame, thereby a liquid crystal display (LCD) device completed. 
     In a liquid crystal injection apparatus  110 , a liquid crystal layer is formed between a first substrate having a gate line, a data line, a thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel electrode and a second substrate having a color filter layer, a black matrix and a common electrode, thereby the liquid crystal panel completed. The completed liquid crystal panel in the liquid crystal injection apparatus  110  is transferred to an auto probe apparatus  120 . Defects of the liquid crystal panel such as an electric shortage or an electric disconnection in the gate line and the data line are inspected in the auto probe apparatus  120 . 
     The liquid crystal panel passing the inspection of defects in the auto probe apparatus  120  is transferred to a polarizing plate attachment apparatus  210  in the module process line  200 . In the polarizing plate attachment apparatus  210 , a polarizing plate is attached to each of outer surfaces of the first and second substrates. Next, the liquid crystal panel having the polarizing plate is transferred to a tape automated bonding (TAB) apparatus  220  and the TCP is attached to each of adjacent side portions of the liquid crystal panel in the TAB apparatus  220 . Next, the liquid crystal panel having the TCP is transferred to a PCB bonding apparatus  230  and the TCP is bonded to the PCB in the PCB bonding apparatus  230 . Next, the liquid crystal panel having the TCP and the PCB is transferred to a resin coating apparatus  240 . In the resin coating apparatus  240 , a resin is coated onto connection portions of the liquid crystal panel and the TCP and of the TCP and the PCB and then the resin is cured. 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel is transferred to a driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  250  and defects in the TCP and the PCB are inspected in the driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  250 . Next, the liquid crystal panel passing the inspection of defects in the driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  250  is transferred to a frame assembling apparatus  260 . In the frame assembling apparatus  260 , the top, main and bottom frames wrap the liquid crystal panel, the TCP, the PCB and the backlight unit so that the LCD device can be completed. 
     The panel process line  100  where the liquid crystal panel is fabricated has a different degree of cleanliness from the module process line  200  where the TCP and the PCB are connected to the liquid crystal panel. Since particles definitely deteriorate fine patterns such as the gate line, the data line and the TFT, the panel process line  100  may have a relatively high degree of cleanliness. In addition, since the particles seldom deteriorate the electric connections between large-sized patterns such as pads of the liquid crystal panel, the TCP and the PCB, the module process line  200  may have a medium degree of cleanliness for reduction in maintenance cost. For example, the panel process line  100  may have a first degree of cleanliness of class 1000 and the module process line  200  may have a second degree of cleanliness within a range of class 1000 to class 10000. Here, the class (ea/feet 3 ) may be defined by the number of particles having a diameter over 0.5 μm in one cubic feet. In addition, the first degree of cleanliness of class 1000 may be defined to be higher than the second degree of cleanliness within a range of class 1000 to class 10000. 
     All the steps performed in the module process line  200  do not require the second degree of cleanliness, and some steps may be performed without reduction in process yield even under a degree of cleanliness lower than the second degree of cleanliness. However, since the steps in the module process line  200  may hardly be divided, production cost and fabrication time increase due to excessive maintenance cost for some steps. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device that substantially obviates one or more of problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     An advantage of the invention is to provide a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device where production cost and fabrication time are reduced by performing steps for a module process under different degrees of cleanliness. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device where reduction in process yield is prevented by transferring a liquid crystal panel between steps for a module process without contamination. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device where fabrication efficiency is improved by connecting a plurality of apparatuses for a module process as in-line type. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, according to an aspect of the invention, a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device includes: a first step of attaching a polarizing plate to an outer surface of a liquid crystal panel; a second step of attaching a tape carrier package (TCP) to the liquid crystal panel; a third step of coating a resin onto a rear surface of the TCP and a connection portion of the liquid crystal panel and the TCP; a fourth step of inspecting the TCP and the liquid crystal display panel; a fifth step of inserting the liquid crystal panel into a transferring means; a sixth step of transferring the transferring means; a seventh step of extracting the liquid crystal panel from the transferring means; a eighth step of attaching the TCP to a printed circuit board (PCB); a ninth step of inspecting the PCB, the TCP and the liquid crystal panel; and a tenth step of assembling the liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit with a plurality of frames. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a view showing a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device according to the related art; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a flow chart showing steps performed in a first module process line according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5B  is a flow chart showing steps performed in a second module process line according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. 
     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a liquid crystal display device  300  includes a liquid crystal panel  310 , a driving circuit unit  319 , a backlight unit  320 , a main frame  330 , a top frame  340  and a bottom frame  350 . The liquid crystal panel  310  that displays images includes a first substrate  312 , a second substrate  314  facing and spaced apart from the first substrate  312  and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) between the first and second substrate  312  and  314 . The first and second substrates  312  and  314  may be referred to as an array substrate and a color filter substrate, respectively. Although not shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a gate line, a data line, a thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel electrode are formed on an inner surface of the first substrate  312 . The gate line and the data line cross each other to define a pixel region. The TFT is connected to the gate line and the data line, and the pixel electrode is connected to the TFT. In addition, a color filter layer, a black matrix and a common electrode are formed on an inner surface of the second substrate  314 . The color filter layer includes red, green and blue color filters each corresponding to the pixel region, and the black matrix corresponds to the gate line, the data line and the TFT. The common electrode covers the color filter layer and the black matrix. 
     The driving circuit unit  319  includes a tape carrier package (TCP)  316 , a driving integrated circuit (IC)  317  on the TCP  316  and a printed circuit board (PCB)  318  connected to the liquid crystal panel  310  through the TCP  316 . In another embodiment, the PCB may be connected to the liquid crystal panel through a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The TCP  316  includes a gate TCP  316   a  and a data TCP  316   b , and the PCB includes a gate PCB  318   a  and a data PCB  318   b . One end portion of the gate TCP  316   a  is attached to a first edge portion of the liquid crystal panel  310  and the other end portion of the gate TCP  316   a  is attached to the gate PCB  318   a . In addition, one end portion of the data TCP  316   b  is attached to a second edge portion adjacent to the first side portion of the liquid crystal panel  310  and the other end portion of the data TCP  316   b  is attached to the data PCB  318   b . After the TCP  316  and the PCB  318  are connected to the liquid crystal panel  310 , the TCP  316  is bent such that the PCB is disposed at a side surface of the main frame  330  or under a rear surface of the bottom frame  350  in a module process. 
     The PCB  318  generates RGB data and a plurality of control signals, which are supplied to the driving IC  317  of the TCP  316 , and the driving IC  317  generates a gate signal and a data signal, which is supplied to the gate line and the data line, respectively, of the liquid crystal panel  310 . In another embodiment, the LCD device may have a single PCB generating RGB data and a plurality of control signals, and the liquid crystal panel may have an additional line for transmitting the RGB data and the plurality of control signals. Although not shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an alignment layer is formed on each of top surfaces of the first and second substrates  312  and  314  to contact the liquid crystal layer, and a seal pattern is formed at a boundary portion between the first and second substrates  312  and  314 . Further, a polarizing plate may be formed on each of outer surfaces of the first and second substrates  312  and  314 . 
     The back light unit  320  that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel  310  is disposed under the liquid crystal panel  310 . The back light unit  320  includes a lamp  324 , a reflecting plate  322  having a white color or a silver color, a light guide plate  326  and an optic sheet  329 . The lamp  324  is disposed at a side portion of the main frame  330 . The reflecting plate  322 , the light guide plate  326  and the optic sheet  326  are sequentially disposed over the bottom frame  350 . The backlight unit  320  may further include a lamp guide  328  surrounding the lamp  324 . The lamp guide  328  may include upper, side and lower surfaces and an opening facing the light guide plate  326  to protect the lamp  328  and improve light efficiency by reflecting light toward the light guide plate  326 . The lamp guide  328  may be integrated into the reflecting plate  322  in another embodiment. 
     The lamp  324  may include one of cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) and an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL). The light from the lamp  324  passes through the light guide plate  326  to be uniformly diffused in the light guide plate  326  due to total reflection and is outputted from an upper surface of the light guide plate  326  to the liquid crystal panel  310  as a planar light. In addition, the light guide plate  32  may include specific patterns at an upper or a lower surface thereof to provide a uniform planar light. The light outputted from the lower surface of the light guide plate  326  is reflected by the reflecting plate  322  under the light guide plate  326  toward the liquid crystal panel  310  to improve light efficiency. 
     The optic sheet  329  may include a diffusing sheet  329   a , a prism sheet  329   b  and a protecting sheet  329   c . The diffusing sheet  329   a  directly over the light guide plate  326  disperses light from the light guide plate  326  and the prism sheet  329   b  over the diffusing sheet  329   a  collects the dispersed light. The protecting sheet  329   c  protects the prism sheet  329   b.  Accordingly, the light passing through the optic sheet  329  normally enters the liquid crystal panel  310  with a uniform brightness distribution. 
     As a result, the light emitted from the lamp  324  is concentrated by the lamp guide  328  and enters the light guide plate  326 . Next, the light is refracted toward the liquid crystal panel  310  in the light guide plate  326  and is processed through the optic sheet  329  to have a uniform brightness distribution. Finally, the liquid crystal panel  310  displays images using the light. 
     The liquid crystal panel  310 , the driving circuit unit  319  and the backlight unit  329  are assemble with the main, top and bottom frames  330 ,  340  and  350 . The bottom frame  350  has a rectangular plate shape with edge portions thereof bent upwardly, and the liquid crystal panel  310  and the backlight unit  329  are sequentially disposed over the bottom frame  350 . The top frame  340  covers front edge surfaces of the liquid crystal panel  310 . The main frame  330  having a rectangular open ring shape surrounds side surfaces of the liquid crystal panel  310  and the backlight unit  320 . The main frame  330  is combined with the top and bottom frames  340  and  350  to wrap the liquid crystal panel  310 , the driving circuit unit  319  and the backlight unit  329 , thereby the LCD device  300  completed. The top frame  340  may be referred to as a top cover, a case top or a top case, the main frame  330  may be referred to as a support main, a guide panel, a main supporter or a mold frame, and the bottom frame  350  may be referred to as a cover bottom, a bottom cover or a lower cover. In another embodiment, the liquid crystal panel, the driving circuit unit and the backlight unit may be assembled with a plurality of frames, and the number of the plurality of frames may be varied. 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a liquid crystal panel  310  (of  FIG. 3 ) is fabricated through a panel process line  400  having a first degree of cleanliness, a tape carrier package (TCP)  316  (of  FIG. 3 ) is attached to the liquid crystal panel  310  through a first module process line  500  having a second degree of cleanliness. In addition, the TCP  316  is attached to a printed circuit board (PCB)  318  (of  FIG. 3 ) and the liquid crystal panel  310  having a driving circuit unit  319  (of  FIG. 3 ) such as the TCP  316  and the PCB  318  and a backlight unit  320  (of  FIG. 3 ) are assembled with main, top and bottom frames  330 ,  340 ,  350  (of  FIG. 3 ) through a second module process line  600  having a third degree of cleanliness, thereby a liquid crystal display (LCD) device  300  (of  FIG. 3 ) completed. 
     In the panel process line  400 , a first substrate  312  (of  FIG. 3 ) having a gate line, a data line, a thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel electrode and a second substrate  314  (of  FIG. 3 ) having a black matrix, a color filter layer and a common electrode are attached to face and be spaced apart from each other. Further, in a liquid crystal injection apparatus  410  of the panel process line  400 , a liquid crystal material is injected to form a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates  312  and  314 , thereby the liquid crystal panel completed. The liquid crystal panel is transferred to an auto probe apparatus  420  and defects of the liquid crystal panel such as an electric shortage or an electric disconnection in the gate line and the data line are inspected in the auto probe apparatus  420 . 
     In another embodiment, the liquid crystal layer may be formed by a dispensing method, where the first and second substrates are attached after the liquid crystal layer is formed on one of the first and second substrates. The liquid crystal panel is completed by cutting the attached first and second substrates including the liquid crystal layer. 
     Since the gate line, the data line, the TFT, the pixel electrode, the black matrix, the color filter layer and the common electrode have relatively fine patterns that exemplary having a width smaller than about 100 m, the panel process line  400  where the liquid crystal injection apparatus  410  and the auto probe apparatus  420  are constituted has a relatively high degree of cleanliness as the first degree of cleanliness. For example, the first degree of cleanliness may be higher than a degree of cleanliness of class 1000. The class (ea/feet3) may be defined by the number of particles having a diameter over 0.5 m in one cubic feet. Further, as the degree of cleanliness becomes higher, the number of class is defined become smaller. 
     The liquid crystal panel  310  passing the inspection of defects in the auto probe apparatus  420  is transferred to a first polarizing plate attachment apparatus  510  in the first module process line  500 . In the polarizing plate attachment apparatus  510 , a polarizing plate is attached to each of outer surfaces of the first and second substrates  312  and  314 . Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , the liquid crystal panel  310  may be cleaned in a cleaning apparatus before the polarizing plate is attached. 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel  310  having the polarizing plate is transferred to a tape automated bonding (TAB) apparatus  520 , and the TCP  316  is attached to each of adjacent side portions of the liquid crystal panel  310  in the TAB apparatus  520 . The TCP  316  including a driving integrated circuit (IC)  317  (of  FIG. 3 ) thereon is attached to a pad (not shown) in an portion of the first substrate  312  exposed by the second substrate  314  with an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) in a tape automated bonding (TAB) step. The ACF has a tape shape including a heat curable resin and conductive balls dispersed in the heat curable resin. When heat and force are applied to the ACF, the heat curable resin is hardened and the conductive balls are pressurized along one direction. As a result, two objects attached to the ACF are electrically connected to each other along the one direction. For example, after the ACF is disposed on the pad of the first substrate  312  and a first pad (not shown) of the TCP  316  is disposed on the ACF such that the first pad of the TCP  316  is aligned to the pad of the first substrate  312 , the TCP  316 , the ACF and the liquid crystal panel  310  are pre-attached with a lower pressure and a lower temperature. Then, the TCP  316 , the ACF and the liquid crystal panel  310  are attached to each other with a higher pressure and a higher temperature, thereby the step of attaching the TCP  316  to the liquid crystal panel  310  in the TAB apparatus  520  completed. 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel having the TCP  316  is transferred to a first resin coating apparatus  530 . In the first resin coating apparatus  530 , a first resin is coated onto a rear surface of the TCP and then cured. After the steps of the first module process line are finished, the liquid crystal panel  310  including the TCP  316  is sealed in a transferring means such as a clean box and the transferring means including the liquid crystal panel  310  is transferred to a second module process line  600  through atmospheric circumstances. The first resin is coated onto the rear surface of the TCP  316  to protect and prevent the TCP  316  from damage and contamination while the liquid crystal panel  310  including the TCP  316  is transferred through the atmospheric circumstances. 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel  310  having the TCP  316  is transferred to a second resin coating apparatus  540 . In the second resin coating apparatus  540 , a second resin is coated onto connection portions of the liquid crystal panel  310  and the TCP  316  and then cured to strengthen connection of the liquid crystal panel  310  and the TCP  316 . In addition, the second resin is used to protect and prevent a connection portion of the liquid crystal panel  310  and the TCP  316  from damage and contamination while liquid crystal panel  310  including the TCP  316  is transferred through the atmospheric circumstances. 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel  310  having the TCP  316  is transferred to a first driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  550  and defects of the TCP  316  such as abnormal attachment and abnormal operation are inspected in the first driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  550 . In addition, defects of the liquid crystal panel  310  such as such as an electric shortage or an electric disconnection in the gate line and the data line may also be inspected in the first driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  550 . 
     In a method of fabricating an LCD device  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the TCP  316  is inspected by the first driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  550  of the first module process line  500  independently of the PCB  318  after the TCP  316  is attached in the first module process line  500 , the TCP  316  having defects may be replaced or may be repaired before the step of attaching the PCB  318  in the second module process line  600 . As a result, process yield for the LCD device  300  is improved and production cost and fabrication time are reduced. 
     The liquid crystal panel  310  passing the inspection of defects in the first driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  550  is transferred to and stocked in a first unloader  560 . The TAB apparatus  520 , the first resin coating apparatus  530 , the second resin coating apparatus  540 , the first driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  550  and the first unloader  560  may be connected to each other by an in-line type, where apparatuses are connected with a connecting means such as a conveyor or a robot arm so that the steps of apparatuses are automatically and sequentially performed without intervention of an operator. 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel  310  stocked in the first unloader  560  is transferred to an auto clave apparatus  570  and bubbles between the polarizing plate and each of the first and second substrates  312  and  314  are removed with heat and pressure in the auto clave apparatus  570 . 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel  310  is transferred to a horizontal stock apparatus  580 . In the horizontal stock apparatus  580 , the liquid crystal panel  310  is horizontally inserted into a transferring means (not shown) such as a clean box and the transferring means is hermitically sealed. 
     In another embodiment, the auto clave apparatus  570  may be omitted or may be constituted in the second module process line  600 , and the first unloader  560  and the horizontal stock apparatus  580  may be connected to each other by an in-line type using a connecting means such as a conveyor or a robot arm for automatic sequential performance of the corresponding steps. 
     A width and a pitch of the pad of the liquid crystal panel  310  for the first pad of the TCP  316  are greater than a width of fine patterns formed through the panel process line  400  and are smaller than a width and a pitch of a pad of the PCB  318  for a second pad of the TCP  316 . Accordingly, the first module process line  500  where the TAB apparatus  520  is constituted has a medium degree of cleanliness lower than the first degree of cleanliness as the second degree of cleanliness. For example, the second degree of cleanliness may be a degree of cleanliness within a range of class 1000 to class 10000. 
     Next, the transferring means including the liquid crystal panel  310  is transferred to a loader  610  of the second module process line  600  through atmospheric circumstances and stocked in the loader  610 . In the loader  610 , the transferring means is unsealed and the liquid crystal panel  310  is extracted from the transferring means. 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel  310  is transferred to a PCB bonding apparatus  620 , and the TCP  316  attached to the liquid crystal panel  310  is attached to the PCB  318  in the PCB bonding apparatus  620 . For example, after the ACF is disposed on the pad of the PCB  318  and a second pad (not shown) of the TCP  316  is disposed on the ACF such that the second pad of the TCP  316  is aligned to the pad of the PCB  318 , the TCP  316 , the ACF and the PCB  318  are pre-attached with a lower pressure and a lower temperature. Then, the TCP  316 , the ACF and the PCB  318  are attached to each other with a higher pressure and a higher temperature, thereby the step of attaching the TCP  316  to the PCB  318  in the PCB bonding apparatus  620  completed. The first and second pads may be disposed at end portions of the TCP  316 , respectively. 
     Next, the liquid crystal panel  310  having the TCP  316  and the PCB  318  is transferred to a second driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  630  and defects of the PCB  318  such as abnormal attachment and abnormal operation are inspected in the second driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  630 . When defects of the PCB  318  are inspected, the PCB  318  having defects may be replaced or may be repaired before the liquid crystal panel  310  is transferred to a subsequent apparatus. In addition, defects of the TCP  316  may also be inspected in the second driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  630 . Further, since the PCB  318  includes circuits generating the RGB data and the plurality of control signals using an image signal from an external system, defects in image display such as a flicker as well as defects in operation of the PCB  318  and the TCP  316  may be inspected in the second driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  630 . 
     The liquid crystal panel  310  passing the inspection of defects in the second driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  630  is transferred to a second unloader  640 . The loader  610 , the PCB bonding apparatus  620 , the second driving circuit unit inspection apparatus  630  and the second unloader  640  may be connected to each other by an in-line type using a connecting means such as a conveyor or a robot arm for automatic sequential performance of the corresponding steps. 
     The liquid crystal panel  310  stocked in the second unloader  640  is transferred to a frame assembly apparatus  650 , and the liquid crystal panel  310 , the driving circuit unit  319  including the TCP  316  and the PCB  318  and the backlight unit  320  are wrapped with the main, top and bottom frames  330 ,  340  and  350  in the frame assembly apparatus  650 , thereby the LCD device  300  completed. 
     The width and the pitch of the pad of the PCB  318  are greater than the width and the pitch of the pad of the liquid crystal panel  310  for the second pad of the TCP  316 . Accordingly, the second module process line  600  where the PCB bonding apparatus  620  is constituted has a lower degree of cleanliness lower than the second degree of cleanliness as the third degree of cleanliness. For example, the third degree of cleanliness may be lower than a degree of cleanliness of class 100000. 
     In a method of fabricating an LCD device  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal panel  310  is fabricated in the panel process line  400  having the first degree of cleanliness, and the polarizing plate and the TCP  316  are attached to the liquid crystal panel  310  in the first module process line  500  having the second degree of cleanliness lower than the first degree of cleanliness. In addition, the PCB  318  is attached to the TCP  316  combined with the liquid crystal panel  310 , and the liquid crystal  310  panel including the TCP  316  and the PCB  318  and the backlight unit  320  are assembled with the main, top and bottom frames  330 ,  340  and  350  in the second module process line  600  having the third degree of cleanliness lower than the second degree of cleanliness. Since the steps for the module process are separately performed in the first and second module process lines  500  and  600  having different degrees of cleanliness from each other, production cost and fabrication time are reduced. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flow charts showing steps performed in first and second module process lines, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     At step ST 11  of  FIG. 5A , a liquid crystal panel  310  (of  FIG. 3 ) is cleaned and a polarizing plate is attached to an outer surfaces of the liquid crystal panel  130  in a first module process line  500  (of  FIG. 4 ) having a second degree of cleanliness. 
     At step ST 12  of  FIG. 5A , first pads of gate and data tape carrier packages (TCPs)  316   a  and  316   b  (of  FIG. 3 ) are attached to pads of the liquid crystal panel  310  using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) interposed between the first pads of the gate and data TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  and the pads of the liquid crystal panel  310 . 
     A first resin is coated onto rear surfaces of the gate and data TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  at step of ST 13  of  FIG. 5A , and a second resin is coated onto connection portions of the liquid crystal panel  310  and each of the gate and data TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  at step of ST 14  of  FIG. 5A . The first and second resins may be cured in a subsequent step. 
     At step ST  15  of  FIG. 5A , defects of the gate and data TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  and the liquid crystal panel  310  are inspected by applying signals to the gate and data TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  connected to the liquid crystal panel  310 . 
     The steps of ST 12  to ST 16  may be performed in a plurality of apparatuses connected in an in-line type. For example, the steps of ST 12  to ST 16  may be performed automatically and sequentially without intervention of an operator, thereby process efficiency improved. 
     Bubbles existing between the polarizing plate and the liquid crystal panel  310  are removed at step ST 16  of  FIG. 5A , and the liquid crystal panel  310  is horizontally inserted into a transferring means such as a clean box and the transferring means is hermitically sealed at step ST 17  of  FIG. 5A . 
     In addition, at step ST 21  of  FIG. 5B , the liquid crystal panel  310  is extracted from the transferring means in a second module process line  600  (of  FIG. 4 ) having a third degree of cleanliness lower than the second degree of cleanliness. 
     At step ST 22  of  FIG. 5B , second pads of the gate and pad TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  are attached to pads of gate and data printed circuit boards (PCBs)  318   a  and  318   b , respectively, using an ACF interposed between the second pads of the gate and pad TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  and the pads of the gate and data PCBs  318   a  and  318   b.    
     At step ST 23  of  FIG. 5B , defects of the gate and data PCBs  318   a  and  318   b , the gate and data TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  and the liquid crystal panel  310  are inspected by applying signals to the gate and data PCBs  318   a  and  318   b  connected to the liquid crystal panel  310  through the gate and data TCPs  316   a  and  316   b.    
     The steps of ST 21  to ST 23  may be performed in a plurality of apparatuses connected in an in-line type. For example, the steps of ST 21  to ST 23  may be performed automatically and sequentially without intervention of an operator, thereby process efficiency improved. 
     At step ST 24  of  FIG. 5B , the liquid crystal panel  310 , the driving circuit unit  319  including the gate and data TCPs  316   a  and  316   b  and the gate and data PCBs  318   a  and  318   b  and a backlight unit  320  (of  FIG. 3 ) are wrapped and assembled with main, top and bottom frames  330 ,  340  and  350  (of  FIG. 3 ), thereby the LCD device  300  (of  FIG. 3 ) completed. 
     Consequently, in a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the polarizing plate and the TCP  316  are attached to the liquid crystal panel  310  in the first module line  500  having the second degree of cleanliness, and the TCP  316  connected to the liquid crystal panel  310  is attached to the PCB  318  in the second module process line  600  having the third degree of cleanliness lower than the second degree of cleanliness. In addition, the liquid crystal panel  310 , the driving circuit unit  319  including the TCP  316  and the PCB  318  and the backlight unit  320  are combined by the main, top and bottom frames  330 ,  340  and  350  in the second module process line. Since the steps for the module process are separately performed in the first and second module process lines  500  and  600 , respectively, on the basis of optimum degrees of cleanliness, production cost and fabrication time are reduced. 
     Further, since the steps of attaching TCP  316 , coating first and second resins and inspecting the TCP  316  in the first module process line  500  and the steps of attaching the PCB  318  and inspecting the PCB  318  in the second module process line  600  are performed in a plurality of apparatuses connected in an in-line type, fabrication time is reduced and process efficiency is improved. 
     Moreover, since the liquid crystal panel  310  is transferred from the first module process line  550  to the second module process line  600  using a transferring means, contamination of the liquid crystal panel  310  is prevented and process yield is improved. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device of embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.