Joule Heat Encapsulating Apparatus and Encapsulating Method Using the Same

Abstract

In a Joule heat encapsulating apparatus and an encapsulating method using the same, a panel is mounted on a stage, the panel including a thermal-hardening type sealant for surrounding and sealing a display unit formed between a first substrate and a second substrate, a heat-generating wiring overlapping the thermal-hardening type sealant, and an electric current application wiring connected to the heat-generating wiring. A cap is employed to form a sealed space, in which the panel is arranged, between the stage and the cap. An exhaustion mechanism for exhausting air in the sealed space, and a power applying mechanism connected to the electric current application wiring for supplying a current to the heat-generating wiring, are provided. As a result, a stable encapsulating structure which prevents permeation of oxygen or moisture may be easily formed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A Joule heat encapsulating apparatus, comprising:
 a stage on which a panel is mounted, the panel including a thermal-hardening type sealant for surrounding and sealing a display unit formed between a first substrate and a second substrate, a heat-generating wiring overlapping the thermal-hardening type sealant, and an electric current application wiring connected to the heat-generating wiring;   a cap for forming a sealed space, in which the panel is arranged, between the stage and the cap;   an exhaustion mechanism for exhausting air in the sealed space; and   a power applying mechanism connected to the electric current application wiring and supplying current to the heat-generating wiring.   
     
     
         2 . The Joule heat encapsulating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member which is elastically pressed between the stage and the cap, and which maintains the sealed space airtight. 
     
     
         3 . The Joule heat encapsulating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sealing member comprises one of a silicon O-ring and a cellular rubber O-ring. 
     
     
         4 . The Joule heat encapsulating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal-hardening type sealant comprises frit. 
     
     
         5 . The Joule heat encapsulating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaustion mechanism comprises an exhaustion hose connected to a via hole formed in the cap, and a vacuum pump for sucking out the air via the exhaustion hose. 
     
     
         6 . The Joule heat encapsulating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power applying mechanism comprises an electrode member attached to the cap so as to contact the electric current application wiring, and a power source connected to the electrode member. 
     
     
         7 . The Joule heat encapsulating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of the electric current application wirings are formed, and a plurality of electrode members are formed in correspondence to the plurality of electric current application wirings. 
     
     
         8 . The Joule heat encapsulating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the electric current application wirings are formed, and a plurality of electrode members are formed in correspondence to the plurality of electric current application wirings. 
     
     
         9 . The Joule heat encapsulating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressing unit formed on the cap for pressing the panel so that the cap is adhered to the stage. 
     
     
         10 . A Joule heat encapsulating method, comprising the steps of:
 mounting a panel on a stage, the panel including a thermal-hardening type sealant for surrounding and sealing a display unit formed between a first substrate and a second substrate, a heat-generating wiring overlapping the thermal-hardening type sealant, and an electric current application wiring connected to the heat-generating wiring;   forming a sealed space, in which the panel is arranged, between the stage and a cap by covering the stage with the cap;   exhausting air in the sealed space; and   hardening the thermal-hardening type sealant by supplying a current to the heat-generating wiring via the electric current application wiring.   
     
     
         11 . The Joule heat encapsulating method of  claim 10 , further comprising maintaining the sealed space airtight by interposing a sealing member which is elastically pressed between the stage and the cap. 
     
     
         12 . The Joule heat encapsulating method of  claim 11 , wherein the sealing member comprises one of a silicon O-ring and a cellular rubber O-ring. 
     
     
         13 . The Joule heat encapsulating method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of pressing the panel so that the cap is adhered to the stage by using a pressing unit formed on the cap.