Patent Abstract:
The present invention discloses an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, comprising: a platform, employed for loading the liquid display panel; a power supplying device, employed for supplying power to the liquid display panel; an ultraviolet light source supply device, employed for providing the ultraviolet light; a light distributing plate, employed for homogenizing the ultraviolet light. The present invention also discloses a method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel. The monomer can plenty reacts without damaging liquid crystal molecules according to the present invention.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a display apparatus field, and more particularly to an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel and a method thereof. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    In a traditional manufacture process of a liquid display panel, the liquid crystal molecules on PI (Polymer) surface with a consistent predetermined tilt angle is described below: 
         [0005]    Monomer is mixed with liquid crystal molecules and then the liquid display panel is electrified to cause the liquid crystal molecules with a predetermined tilt angle. Ultraviolet light is employed to irradiate the monomer. The monomer is solidified on the PI surface. Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecules on the PI surface are maintained with a certain angle. 
         [0006]    In the foregoing technical solution, the liquid crystal molecules and the monomer are mixed together. In the process of utilizing the ultraviolet light to irradiate the monomer, the liquid crystal molecules are also irradiated by the ultraviolet light. The liquid crystal molecules are therefore damaged and lose the properties of the liquid crystal molecules. 
         [0007]    The consequences of the damaging the liquid crystal molecules by the ultraviolet light irradiation are very severe. The display quality of the liquid display panel can be terrible. Even the liquid display panel may be abandoned to result in enormous waste. It is seriously disadvantageous to the industrialization of the liquid display panel. 
         [0008]    Therefore, an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, in which the monomer can plenty react under the irradiation of the ultraviolet light and the damage of the ultraviolet light to the liquid crystal molecules also can be prevented. 
         [0009]    Moreover, for meeting demands of photolithography processes to the liquid display panels of different sizes and reducing the power consumption of the photolithography process to the liquid display panel, it is necessary to adjust the area of the photolithography process according to the actual size of the liquid display panel. 
         [0010]    Consequently, there is a need to provide a new technical solution to solve the aforesaid problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    An objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, in which the monomer mixed with liquid crystal molecules can plenty react under the irradiation of the ultraviolet light and the damage of the ultraviolet light to the liquid crystal molecules also can be prevented. 
         [0012]    For solving the aforesaid problems, the present invention provides an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, comprising: a platform, employed for loading the liquid display panel; a power supplying device, employed for supplying power to the liquid display panel to cause liquid crystal molecules of the liquid display panel with a predetermined tilt angle; an ultraviolet light source supply device, employed for generating ultraviolet light and providing the ultraviolet light to the liquid display panel; a light distributing plate, positioned between the platform and the ultraviolet light source supply device and employed for homogenizing the ultraviolet light; the ultraviolet light source supply device comprises a plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps, and the plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps are arranged as an ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array, and the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array is employed for generating the ultraviolet light with a predetermined wavelength; the side of the ultraviolet light source supply device generating the ultraviolet light faces the side of the platform loading the liquid display panel, and the light distributing plate is transparent and positioned near side of the ultraviolet light source supply device generating the ultraviolet light. 
         [0013]    In the aforementioned apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the apparatus further comprises: a controller, employed for controlling power switch of the ultraviolet light source supply device. 
         [0014]    In the aforementioned apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the controller is further employed for powering on the ultraviolet light source supply device as the power supplying device supplies power to the liquid display panel to irradiate the liquid display panel by the ultraviolet light when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0015]    In the aforementioned apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array comprises at least a first light source generating portion and a second light source generating portion, and the first light source generating portion and a second light source generating portion are composed by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps. 
         [0016]    In the aforementioned apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the controller comprises at least a first sub controller and a second sub controller, and the first sub controller is employed for controlling power switch of the first light source generating portion when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle and the second sub controller is employed for controlling power switch of the second light source generating portion when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0017]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, in which the monomer mixed with liquid crystal molecules can plenty react under the irradiation of the ultraviolet light and the damage of the ultraviolet light to the liquid crystal molecules also can be prevented. 
         [0018]    For solving the aforesaid problems, the present invention provides an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, comprising: a platform, employed for loading the liquid display panel; a power supplying device, employed for supplying power to the liquid display panel to cause liquid crystal molecules of the liquid display panel with a predetermined tilt angle; an ultraviolet light source supply device, employed for generating ultraviolet light and providing the ultraviolet light to the liquid display panel; a light distributing plate, positioned between the platform and the ultraviolet light source supply device and employed for homogenizing the ultraviolet light. 
         [0019]    In the aforementioned apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the ultraviolet light source supply device comprises a plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps, and the plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps are arranged as an ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array, and the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array is employed for generating the ultraviolet light with a predetermined wavelength. 
         [0020]    In the aforementioned apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the apparatus further comprises: a controller, employed for controlling power switch of the ultraviolet light source supply device. 
         [0021]    In the aforementioned apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the controller is further employed for powering on the ultraviolet light source supply device as the power supplying device supplies power to the liquid display panel to irradiate the liquid display panel by the ultraviolet light when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0022]    In the aforementioned apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the controller comprises at least a first sub controller and a second sub controller, and the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array comprises at least a first light source generating portion and a second light source generating portion, and the first light source generating portion and a second light source generating portion are composed by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps, and the first sub controller is employed for controlling power switch of the first light source generating portion when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle and the second sub controller is employed for controlling power switch of the second light source generating portion when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0023]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, in which the monomer mixed with liquid crystal molecules can plenty react under the irradiation of the ultraviolet light and the damage of the ultraviolet light to the liquid crystal molecules also can be prevented. 
         [0024]    For solving the aforesaid problems, the present invention provides a method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel. The method comprises steps of: (A) loading the liquid display panel by a platform; (B) supplying power to the liquid display panel to cause liquid crystal molecules of the liquid display panel with a predetermined tilt angle by a power supplying device; (C) generating ultraviolet light by an ultraviolet light source supply device; (D) homogenizing the ultraviolet light by a light distributing plate positioned between the platform and the ultraviolet light source supply device and providing the ultraviolet light which has been homogenized to the liquid display panel. 
         [0025]    In the aforementioned method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the ultraviolet light source supply device comprises a plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps, and the plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps are arranged as an ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array, the step (C) further comprising a step of: (c1) generating the ultraviolet light with a predetermined wavelength by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array. 
         [0026]    In the aforementioned method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the apparatus further comprises a controller; the method further comprising a step of: (E) controlling power switch of the ultraviolet light source supply device by the controller. 
         [0027]    In the aforementioned method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the step (E) further comprises a step of: (e1) powering on the ultraviolet light source supply device by the controller as the power supplying device supplies power to the liquid display panel to irradiate the liquid display panel by the ultraviolet light when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0028]    In the aforementioned method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, the controller comprises at least a first sub controller and a second sub controller, and the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array comprises at least a first light source generating portion and a second light source generating portion, and the first light source generating portion and a second light source generating portion are composed by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps; the step (e1) further comprising steps of: (e11) controlling power switch of the first light source generating portion by the first sub controller when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle; (e12) controlling power switch of the second light source generating portion by the second sub controller when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0029]    Comparing with prior arts, the photolithography process can be proceeded to the liquid display panel according to the present invention by equipping the platform, the ultraviolet light source supply device, the light distributing plate, the controller and the power supplying device. Besides, due to the wavelength of the ultraviolet light generated by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps is relatively concentrated, therefore, the monomer mixed with liquid crystal molecules can plenty react under the irradiation of the ultraviolet light and the damage of the ultraviolet light to the liquid crystal molecules also can be prevented because of the ultraviolet light generated by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps in the present invention. Meanwhile, by utilizing the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps to provide the ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps can be powered on and instantly get into in-service condition. That is, the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps immediately generate the ultraviolet light with the predetermined wavelength rather than the ultraviolet light  104  with a gradually changing wavelength and the preheating becomes unnecessary, either. Therefore, it is beneficial for providing a steady and precise ultraviolet light to the liquid display panel  105 . Furthermore, the life time of the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps is longer up to tens thousand of hours. The useful time of the apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention can be promoted. 
         [0030]    For a better understanding of the aforementioned content of the present invention, preferable embodiments are illustrated in accordance with the attached figures for further explanation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  depicts a diagram of an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel in-service condition according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  depicts a diagram of how a controller controls an ultraviolet light source supply device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    The following descriptions for the respective embodiments are specific embodiments capable of being implemented for illustrations of the present invention with referring to appended figures. 
         [0035]    Please refer to  FIG. 1 , which depicts a diagram of an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel in-service condition according to the present invention. The apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention comprises a platform  107 , an ultraviolet light source supply device  101 , a light distributing plate (Fly Eye)  103  and a power supplying device  106 . The power supplying device  106  is electrically connected to the liquid display panel  105 . The platform  107  is employed for loading a liquid display panel  105 . The side of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  generating the ultraviolet light faces the side of the platform  107  loading the liquid display panel  105 . The light distributing plate  103  is positioned between the platform  107  and the ultraviolet light source supply device  101 . Specifically, the light distributing plate  103  is positioned near the side of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  generating the ultraviolet light. The power supplying device  106  is employed for providing a predetermined voltage to the liquid display panel  105  to cause liquid crystal molecules of the liquid display panel  105  to be twisted to reach a predetermined tilt angle. The ultraviolet light source supply device  101  is employed for generating ultraviolet light and providing the ultraviolet light  104  to the liquid display panel  105 . The ultraviolet light  104  is employed for proceeding the photolithography process to the liquid display panel  105 . The light distributing plate  103  is transparent and employed for homogenizing the ultraviolet light  104 . Then, the ultraviolet light  104  generated by the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  does not be focused on any partial area of the liquid display panel  105  and beneficial to the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid display panel  105  on PI surface to be with a consistent predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0036]    The apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according the present invention also can further comprise a controller  102 . The controller  102  is electrically connected to the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  and employed for controlling power switch of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101 . The controller  102  is employed for controlling the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  to generate the ultraviolet light or not generate the ultraviolet light. Specifically, the controller  102  is employed for powering on the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  as the power supplying device  106  supplies power to the liquid display panel  105 . The ultraviolet light source supply device  101  generates the ultraviolet light  104  to irradiate the liquid display panel  105  when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0037]    For realizing that the monomer mixed with liquid crystal molecules can plenty react under the irradiation of the ultraviolet light  104  and the damage of the ultraviolet light  104  to the liquid crystal molecules also can be prevented, the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  of the present invention comprises a plurality of UVLED (ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps)  1014 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ultraviolet light  104  is provided by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014 . The wavelength of the ultraviolet light  104  generated by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  can be determined by chips thereof and the wavelength is relatively concentrated. Therefore, the applicable wavelength for the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  of the present invention can be selected thereby so that the ultraviolet light  104  generated by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  can cause the monomer to be plenty reacted and prevent the liquid crystal molecules from damage. 
         [0038]    Because the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  are utilized to provide the ultraviolet light  104  and the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  can be powered on and instantly get into in-service condition, that is, the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  are capable of immediately generating the ultraviolet light  104  with the predetermined wavelength rather than the ultraviolet light with a gradually changing wavelength and the preheating is unnecessary, either. Therefore, it is beneficial for providing a steady and precise ultraviolet light to the liquid display panel  105 . Furthermore, the life time of the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  is longer up to tens thousand of hours. The useful time of the apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention can be promoted. 
         [0039]    Please refer to  FIG. 2 , which depicts a diagram of how a controller  102  controls an ultraviolet light source supply device  101  shown in  FIG. 1 . The plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  are arranged as an ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array. The ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array is employed for generating the ultraviolet light  104  with a predetermined wavelength. The ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array comprises at least two light source generating portions. The controller  102  comprises at least a first sub controller  1021  and a second sub controller  1022 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array comprises at least a first light source generating portion  1011 , a second light source generating portion  1012  and a third light source generating portion  1013 . The first light source generating portion  1011 , the second light source generating portion  1012  and the third light source generating portion  1013  are composed by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014 . The controller  102  comprises the first sub controller  1021 , the second sub controller  1022  and a third sub controller  1023 . The first sub controller  1021 , the second sub controller  1022  and the third sub controller  1023  are electrically connected to the first light source generating portion  1011 , the second light source generating portion  1012  and the third light source generating portion  1013 , respectively and independently control the first light source generating portion  1011 , the second light source generating portion  1012  and the third light source generating portion  1013 . The first sub controller  1021 , the second sub controller  1022  and the third sub controller  1023  are respectively employed to control power switches of the first light source generating portion  1011 , the second light source generating portion  1012  and the third light source generating portion  1013  when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. In the operation progress of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101 , at least one of the first light source generating portion  1011 , the second light source generating portion  1012  and the third light source generating portion  1013  is in power-on condition. Furthermore, as considering the improvement, each of the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  can be assigned to an independent sub controller and controlled thereby. Namely, each of the aforesaid light source generating portions (the first light source generating portion  1011 , the second light source generating portion  1012  and the third light source generating portion  1013 ) can actually be one single ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp  1014 . Accordingly, the irradiation area of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  can be precisely controlled to meet demands of photolithography processes to the liquid display panels of different sizes. Meanwhile, it is also beneficial for saving the power consumption of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  and decreasing unnecessary energy waste. 
         [0040]    Please refer to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention. The method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention is applicable to the apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention. The apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention comprises a platform  107 , an ultraviolet light source supply device  101 , a light distributing plate  103  and a power supplying device  106 . The power supplying device  106  is electrically connected to the liquid display panel  105 . The controller  102  is electrically connected to the ultraviolet light source supply device  101 . The platform  107  is employed for loading a liquid display panel  105 . The side of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  generating the ultraviolet light  104  faces the side of the platform  107  loading the liquid display panel  105 . The light distributing plate  103  is positioned between the platform  107  and the ultraviolet light source supply device  101 . Specifically, the light distributing plate  103  is positioned near the side of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  generating the ultraviolet light  104 . The ultraviolet light source supply device  101  comprises a plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014 , and the plurality of ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  are arranged as an ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array. The ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array is employed for generating the ultraviolet light  104  with a predetermined wavelength. The controller  102  comprises at least a first sub controller  1021  and a second sub controller  1022 . The ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array comprises at least a first light source generating portion  1011  and a second light source generating portion  1012 . The first light source generating portion  1011  and the second light source generating portion  1012  are composed by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014 . 
         [0041]    In Step  301 , the liquid display panel  105  is loaded on the platform  107 . That is, the platform  107  loads the liquid display panel  105 . 
         [0042]    In Step  302 , the power supplying device  106  is connected to the liquid display panel  105 . The power supplying device  106  provides a predetermined voltage to the liquid display panel  105  to cause liquid crystal molecules of the liquid display panel  105  to be twisted to reach a predetermined tilt angle. 
         [0043]    In Step  303 , the controller  102  powers on the ultraviolet light source supply device  101 . Specifically, the controller  102  powers on the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  as the power supplying device  106  supplies power to the liquid display panel  105 . The ultraviolet light  104  irradiates the liquid display panel  105  when the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle. Moreover, an area of the photolithography process to the liquid display panel  105  is determined in advance. When the liquid crystal molecules are at the predetermined tilt angle, the first sub controller  1021  of the controller  102  is employed to control the power switch of the first light source generating portion  1011  of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101 , and the second sub controller  1022  of the controller  102  is employed to control the power switch of the second light source generating portion  1012  of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101 . In the period of that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid display panel  105  are at the predetermined tilt angle, at least one of the first light source generating portion  1011  and the second light source generating portion  1012  is in power-on condition. In the method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention, the controller  102  can be employed to control the power switch of portions of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  to set up or adjust the area of the photolithography process to liquid display panel  105 . Furthermore, in the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp array, each of the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  can be assigned to an independent sub controller and controlled thereby. Namely, each of the aforesaid light source generating portions (the first light source generating portion  1011 , the second light source generating portion  1012  and the third light source generating portion  1013 ) can actually be one single ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamp  1014 . Accordingly, the irradiation area of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  can be precisely controlled to meet demands of photolithography processes to the liquid display panels of different sizes. Meanwhile, it is also beneficial for saving the power consumption of the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  and decreasing unnecessary energy waste. 
         [0044]    In Step  304 , the ultraviolet light source supply device  101  generates the ultraviolet light  104  and provides the ultraviolet light  104  to the liquid display panel  105 . Specifically, at least one of the first light source generating portion  1011  and the second light source generating portion  1012  generates the ultraviolet light  104  and provides the ultraviolet light  104  to the liquid display panel  105 . 
         [0045]    In Step  305 , the light distributing plate  103  homogenizes the ultraviolet light  104 . Then, the ultraviolet light  104  does not be focused on any partial area of the liquid display panel  105 . 
         [0046]    Due to the wavelength of the ultraviolet light  104  generated by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  is relatively concentrated, therefore, the monomer mixed with liquid crystal molecules can plenty react and the damage of the ultraviolet light  104  to the liquid crystal molecules also can be prevented because of the ultraviolet light  104  generated by the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  in the present invention. Meanwhile, by utilizing the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  to provide the ultraviolet light  104 , the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  can be powered on and instantly get into in-service condition. That is, the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps  1014  immediately generate the ultraviolet light  104  with the predetermined wavelength rather than the ultraviolet light  104  with a gradually changing wavelength and the preheating becomes unnecessary, either. Therefore, it is beneficial for providing a steady and precise ultraviolet light to the liquid display panel  105 . Furthermore, the life time of the ultraviolet light light-emitting diode lamps is longer up to tens thousand of hours. The useful time of the apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel according to the present invention can be promoted. 
         [0047]    As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative rather than limiting of the present invention. It is intended that they cover various modifications and similar arrangements be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6