IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,470,980
Granted Patent B2
US 7,470,980 · App. 11/493,045 · Granted Dec 30, 2008

Apparatus and method for manufacturing a display device substrate

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,470,980
App. No.
11/493,045
Granted
Dec 30, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a display device substrate are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a clamp for clamping an edge of a plastic substrate, and a tension member applying tension along a surface of the plastic substrate by interacting with the clamp to strain the plastic substrate. Advantageously, the flexible plastic substrate is substantially prevented from deflecting in a manufacturing process thereby reducing defects in the display device substrate.

Claims (23)

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a display device substrate, comprising:

a clamp for clamping an edge of a plastic substrate; and

a tension member operably coupled to the clamp for straining the plastic substrate during processing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tension member includes a support part coupled to a base plate and a tension unit of which a first end portion is connected to the clamp and of which a second end portion is connected to the support part.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of clamps for clamping a plurality of edges of the plastic substrate; and

a plurality of tension members operably coupled to the plurality of clamps.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the plastic substrate has a rectangular shape and opposite edges of the plastic substrate are clamped by a pair of the plurality of clamps.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the opposite edges are longer sides of the plastic substrate.

6. The apparatus for of claim 1 , wherein the clamp is formed of one of stainless steel and synthetic resins.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the clamp is formed in a bar shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the tension unit is an extension spring.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a moving prevention unit operably coupled to a rear of the plastic substrate so that the plastic substrate does not move.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the moving prevention unit is an electrostatic chuck.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one of the tension member and the clamp is formed of a magnet and the other thereof is formed of a ferromagnetic metal.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tension member and the clamp are formed of a magnet.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the tension member and the clamp are separated from each other.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the magnet is an electromagnet.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising an electric current providing unit providing an electric current to the electromagnet.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the tension member and the clamp are separated from each other.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the magnet is an electromagnet.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising an electric current providing unit providing an electric current to the electromagnet.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the metal is formed of at least one of iron, nickel, and cobalt.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2012
From: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
To: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 029008/0798 →