CN110753669B

CN110753669B - Fixing method, fixing device and laminating machine

Info

Publication number: CN110753669B
Application number: CN201780091757.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 胡旭
Original assignee: Shenzhen Royole Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Royole Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-15
Filing date: 2017-09-15
Publication date: 2021-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-15
Also published as: WO2019051807A1; CN110753669A

Abstract

A fixing device is provided for fixing a panel assembly. The panel assembly includes a panel and a flexible attachment. The fixing device includes: support platform, first pipeline, support frame and second pipeline. The support table is used for supporting the panel. The first conduit is for connecting the panel to an external vacuum source to secure the panel to the support table. The support frame is connected with the support table and used for supporting the flexible accessories. The second conduit is for connecting the flexible attachment to an external vacuum source to secure the flexible attachment to the support frame. A fixing method is provided, which detects the vacuum degree of the first and second pipes and issues an alarm when the vacuum degree is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. Still provide a rigging machine.

Description

Fixing method, fixing device and laminating machine

Technical Field

The invention relates to a laminating technology, in particular to a fixing method, a fixing device and a laminating machine.

Background

The display panel is required to be attached to the cover plate in the production process of the touch screen, however, the flexible circuit board on the display panel can be folded back to the attachment surface of the display panel, and the attachment quality is affected.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the invention provides a fixing method, a fixing device and a laminating machine.

The fixing device of the embodiment of the invention is used for fixing the panel assembly. The panel component comprises a panel and a flexible accessory connected with the panel, and the fixing device comprises a supporting table, a first pipeline at least partially formed on the supporting table, a supporting frame connected with the supporting table and a second pipeline at least partially formed on the supporting frame. The support table is used for supporting the panel. The first conduit is for connecting the panel to an external vacuum source to secure the panel to the support table. The support frame is used for supporting the flexible accessory. The second conduit is for connecting the flexible attachment to the external vacuum source to secure the flexible attachment to the support frame.

The laminating machine comprises the fixing device and a laminating device, wherein the laminating device is used for fixing a cover plate and is matched with the fixing device to laminate the panel assembly to the cover plate.

The fixing method is used for fixing the panel assembly. The panel assembly includes a panel and a flexible attachment coupled to the panel. The fixing method comprises the following steps:

providing a fixing device, wherein the fixing device comprises a support table, a first pipeline at least partially formed on the support table, a support frame connected with the support table and a second pipeline at least partially formed on the support frame;

placing the panel assembly on the fixture, the panel supported on the support table, the flexible attachment supported on the support frame; and

connecting the first and second conduits to an external vacuum source to secure the panel to the support table and to secure the flexible attachment to the support frame.

Advantages of additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Drawings

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent and readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a laminator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a fixing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of one perspective of a fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view from another perspective of a fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the main element symbols:

the fixing device 10, the support table 12, the first pipe 14, the support frame 16, the second pipe 18, the first support surface 122, the first receiving groove 124, the first bottom surface 1242, the first lower surface 126, the first through hole 142, the first connecting pipe 144, the first connecting hole 146, the second support surface 162, the second receiving groove 164, the second bottom surface 1642, the second lower surface 166, the second through hole 182, the second connecting pipe 184, the second connecting hole 186, the panel assembly 20, the panel 22, the flexible accessory 24, the laminating machine 100, the laminating device 30, the air suction plate 32, the positioning jig 34, the first air suction hole 322, the second air suction hole 342, the cover plate assembly 40, the laminating surface 42, the detection device 11, the alarm device 13, and the processor 15.

Detailed Description

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different configurations of embodiments of the invention. In order to simplify the disclosure of embodiments of the invention, the components and arrangements of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may repeat reference numerals and/or reference letters in the various examples, which have been repeated for purposes of simplicity and clarity and do not in themselves dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or arrangements discussed. In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide examples of various specific processes and materials, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize applications of other processes and/or use of other materials.

Referring to fig. 1, a fixing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used for fixing a panel assembly 20. The panel assembly 20 includes a panel 22 and a flexible attachment 24 connected to the panel 22. The fixture 10 includes a support table 12, a first conduit 14, a support frame 16, and a second conduit 18. The support base 12 is used to support a panel 22. A first conduit 14 is at least partially formed in the support table 12 for connecting the panel 22 to an external vacuum source (not shown) to secure the panel 22 to the support table 12. A support bracket 16 is coupled to the support base 12 for supporting a flexible attachment 24. The second conduit 18 is at least partially formed in the support frame 16 for connecting the flexible attachment 24 to an external vacuum source to secure the flexible attachment 24 to the support frame 16.

Referring to fig. 2, the fixing device 10 according to the embodiment of the invention can be applied to a laminating machine 100. Alternatively, the laminator 100 includes the fixture 10.

Laminator 100 also includes laminating device 30. The attaching device 30 may be used to secure the cover plate assembly 40 and to cooperate with the securing device 10 to attach the panel assembly 20 to the cover plate assembly 40.

Referring to fig. 3, in operation, the panel assembly 20 may be fixed to the fixing device 10 by the fixing method according to the embodiment of the invention. The fixing method comprises the following steps:

s12, providing the fixing device 10;

s14, placing the panel assembly 20 on the fixture 10, the panel 22 being supported on the support 12 and the flexible attachments 24 being supported on the support 16; and

s16, connecting the first and

second conduits

14, 18 to an external vacuum source (not shown) to secure the panel 22 to the support table 12 and the flexible attachment 24 to the support frame 16.

It will be appreciated that the flexible appendages 24, by virtue of their flexibility, tend to buckle and/or deform during handling, particularly when the flexible appendages 24 are large in size. As such, during attachment, the flexible attachment 24 may fold back onto the panel 22, blocking the attachment of the panel 22 to the cover assembly 40 or otherwise affecting the attachment of the panel 22 to the cover assembly 40. In the fixing device 10, the laminator 100 and the fixing method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the flexible attachment 24 and the external vacuum source are connected by providing the second pipe 18. The flexible attachment 24 is attached to the support frame 16 by negative pressure suction from an external vacuum source. In this way, the flexible attachment 24 is prevented from being folded back during fitting to affect the fitting effect.

The fixing device 10, the laminator 100 and the fixing method of the embodiments of the invention can be applied to laminating a touch panel, or the panel assembly 20 can be a display panel assembly, the panel 22 can be a display panel, and the flexible accessory 24 can be a flexible circuit board.

In some embodiments, the panel assembly 20 may be an OLED panel assembly, the panel 22 may be an OLED panel and the flexible member 24 may be an FPC. Of course, the panel assembly 20, the panel 22 and the flexible attachment 24 are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

In some embodiments, the panel assembly 20 may include only a display panel (e.g., panel 22), while the cover assembly 40 may include a cover and a touch panel (not shown) disposed thereon. In these embodiments, the touch panel may be attached using a GFF (g l ass-fi lm) process, or the cover assembly 40 may include a cover and a touch panel attached to the cover by an optically clear adhesive. Of course, the touch panel may be attached by using an ogs (one l ass so l ut i on) or tol (touch on l ens) process, or the cover assembly 40 includes a cover plate and a touch panel directly formed on the cover plate.

In other embodiments, the panel assembly 20 may include a display panel (e.g., the panel 22) and a touch panel (not shown), and the cover assembly 40 may include only a cover (not shown). In these embodiments, the touch panel may be attached by an On-ce l process, or the display panel assembly 20 includes a display panel and a touch panel formed On the display panel. The touch panel may also be attached by an I n-ce l process, or the display panel may include a display panel and a touch panel formed in the display panel.

In some embodiments, the cover plate may be a glass cover plate or a plastic cover plate.

In another embodiment, the display panel may be a flexible panel, the cover plate includes an attaching surface 42, and the attaching surface 42 may be a plane or a curved surface. Thus, the production of the curved touch panel can be realized.

Of course, the application of the laminator 100 is not limited to the embodiments discussed above, and in other embodiments, the laminator 100 can be used to apply a desired material to a workpiece.

In some embodiments, fixture 10 and/or conformable device 30 may be removably positioned.

That is, in some embodiments, fixture 10 is removably positioned and applicator 30 is fixedly positioned, or in some embodiments, fixture 10 is fixedly positioned and applicator 30 is removably positioned, and in other embodiments, both fixture 10 and applicator 30 are removably positioned.

Thus, different shapes and sizes of the panel assembly 20 and/or the cover plate assembly 40 may require different fixing devices 10 and/or attaching devices 30 during production, and in the above discussed embodiment, the fixing devices 10 and/or the attaching devices 30 with corresponding sizes may be detached and installed, so that different attaching requirements may be met without switching the whole equipment, and cost may be saved.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5 together, in some embodiments, the support table 12 includes a first support surface 122 for supporting the panel 22. The first conduit 14 includes a first through hole 142 that extends through the first support surface 122.

Alternatively, a portion of the first conduit 14 is formed directly on the support table 12 as the first through hole 142. In this way, the structure of the fixing device 10 can be simplified.

In this embodiment, the first pipe 14 further includes a first connection pipe 144 connecting the external vacuum source and the first through hole 142.

In some embodiments, the support platform 12 is formed with a first receiving slot 124. The first receiving groove 124 is located on the first supporting surface 122 and is used for receiving and positioning the panel 22. The first through hole 142 is formed on the first bottom 1242 of the first receiving groove 124.

Thus, the panel 22 is convenient to position, and the fixing effect of the panel 22 is good.

Of course, the fastening device 10 is not limited to the above discussed embodiments, and in other embodiments, the first receiving groove 124 may be omitted if the negative pressure provided by the external vacuum source is sufficient to fasten the panel 22.

In some embodiments, the number of the first through holes 142 is multiple and distributed in an array.

In this way, the area for sucking the panel 22 is increased, and the panel 22 can be better sucked and fixed to the support base 12. The first through holes 142 are arranged in an array to uniformly apply a force to the panel 22 placed on the fixing device 10.

Of course, the distribution of the first through holes 142 may not be limited to the array, and may be set according to the shape of the panel 22.

In some embodiments, the support table 12 includes a first lower surface 126 opposite the first support surface 122. The first pipe 14 includes a first connection hole 146 formed at the support table 12 to communicate with the first through hole 142 through the first lower surface 126. The first connection hole 146 is for connection with an external vacuum source.

In the embodiment discussed above, the first connection hole 146 may be connected to an external vacuum source through the first connection tube 144, such that the external vacuum source can apply a negative pressure to the panel 22 placed on the support table 12, thereby securing the panel 22 to the support table 12.

In some embodiments, the support frame 16 includes a second support surface 162 for supporting the flexible accessory 24. The second conduit 18 includes a second through bore 182 extending through the second bearing surface 162.

Alternatively, a portion of the second conduit 18 is formed directly on the support frame 16 as the second through hole 182. In this way, the structure of the fixing device 10 can be simplified.

In this embodiment, the second pipe 18 further includes a second connection pipe 184 connecting the external vacuum source and the second through hole 182.

In some embodiments, the supporting frame 16 is formed with a second receiving groove 164. The second receiving groove 164 is located on the second supporting surface 162 and is used for receiving and positioning the flexible accessory 24. A second through hole 182 is formed on the second bottom surface 1642 of the second receiving groove 164

Thus, the flexible attachment 24 is positioned conveniently, and the fixing effect of the flexible attachment 24 is good.

Of course, the holding fixture 10 is not limited to the embodiments discussed above, and in other embodiments, the second receiving channel 164 may be omitted if the negative pressure provided by the external vacuum source is sufficient to hold the flexible attachment 24.

In some embodiments, the number of the second through holes 182 is plural and distributed in an array.

Thus, the area for absorbing the flexible accessory 24 is increased, and the flexible accessory 24 can be better absorbed and fixed on the support frame 16. The second through holes 182 are arranged in an array to evenly stress the flexible attachment 24 placed on the fixture 10.

Of course, the distribution of the second through holes 182 is not limited to the array, and may be set according to the shape of the flexible attachment 24.

In some embodiments, the support frame 16 includes a second lower surface 166 opposite the second support surface 162. The second conduit 18 includes a second connecting aperture 186 formed in the support bracket 16 that extends through the second lower surface 166 and communicates with the second through aperture 182. The second connection hole 186 is for connection to an external vacuum source.

In the embodiment discussed above, the second connection hole 186 may be connected to an external vacuum source through the second connection pipe 184, so that the external vacuum source can apply negative pressure to the flexible attachment 24 placed on the support frame 16, thereby fixing the flexible attachment 24 to the support frame 16.

In some embodiments, the support frame 16 may be rotatably disposed about the support table 12.

The support frame 16 and the support platform 12 may be connected by screws, but of course, the support frame 16 and the support platform 12 may be connected by other methods as long as the support frame 16 can be selectively arranged relative to the support platform 12. The support frame 16 is rotatably disposed to allow the fixture 10 to be adapted to different panel assemblies 20. Specifically, when the flexible attachment 24 is long, the support bracket 16 may be rotated to a position at a 90 degree angle to the edge of the support table 12. When the flexible accessory 24 is in other shapes, the flexible accessory 24 can be completely placed on the support frame 16 by rotating the support frame 16 to match the flexible accessory 24, so as to achieve a better fixing effect. In this way, different fixation requirements can be accommodated without switching the fixation device 10, which can save costs.

In some embodiments, the fixture 10 includes a detection device 11. The detection device 11 is used for detecting the vacuum degree of the first pipe 14 and the second pipe 18.

Referring to fig. 3, in some embodiments, the fixing method includes:

s11, the vacuum degree of the first pipe 14 and the second pipe 18 is detected.

Step S11 may be implemented by the detection device 11.

The detection device 11 is provided to detect the vacuum degrees of the first and

second pipes

14 and 18, so that the suction state of the panel 22 and the flexible attachment 24 can be detected. Of course, the detection device 11 may also be provided by a vacuum source and thus not be contained within the fixture 10.

In certain embodiments, the fixture 10 further includes an alarm device 13 and a processor 15 coupled to the detection device 11 and the alarm device 13. The processor 15 is used for judging whether the vacuum degree is less than or equal to a preset threshold value or not and controlling the alarm device 13 to alarm when the vacuum degree is less than or equal to the preset threshold value.

In some embodiments, the method of affixing comprises:

s13, judging whether the vacuum degree is less than or equal to a preset threshold value;

and S15, giving an alarm when the vacuum degree is less than or equal to a preset threshold value.

Step S13 may be implemented by the processor 15, and step S15 may be implemented by the processor 15 controlling the alarm device 13.

Of course, the alarm device 13 and/or the processor 15 may be provided by a vacuum source and not included in the fixture 10. The detection device 11, the alarm device 13 and the processor 15 are used together to give an alarm when the vacuum level of the first pipe 14 and/or the second pipe 18 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, so that the fixing device 10 fails to reach the effect of the adsorption panel 22 and/or the flexible accessory 24, and the worker is reminded to process the vacuum level.

In certain embodiments, the conforming device 30 includes a suction plate 32 and a positioning fixture 34. The positioning jig 34 is disposed under the suction plate 32. The suction plate 32 is formed with a first suction hole 322, and the first suction hole 322 is used for connection with an external negative pressure source (not shown). The positioning fixture 34 is used for positioning the cover plate assembly 40. The positioning jig 34 is formed with a second air suction hole 342 communicating with the first air suction hole 322 and connected to the cover plate assembly 40.

In this way, the first air suction holes 322 and the second air suction holes 342 are communicated with each other, so that the external negative pressure source applies negative pressure to the cover plate assembly 40, thereby fixing the cover plate assembly 40 to the attaching device 30.

The suction plate 32 may be made of stainless steel. The stainless steel has high mechanical strength and good durability, and can reduce the replacement of equipment so as to save expenses.

The positioning jig 34 may be made of bakelite. The bakelite has the advantages of high mechanical strength, good insulativity, heat resistance, corrosion resistance and the like.

Of course, the positioning fixture 34 is not limited to the above discussed embodiments, for example, the positioning fixture 34 may be made of other suitable materials. Even in some embodiments, if the alignment requirement is not high or the positioning capability of the air suction plate 32 already meets the alignment requirement, the positioning fixture 34 may be omitted.

In other embodiments, the bonding device 30 may also fix the cover plate assembly 40 in other manners, such as by electromagnetic force, structural engagement, or adhesive, without being limited to the negative pressure suction manner discussed in the above embodiments.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience in describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, but do not indicate or imply that the referred devices or elements must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, and be operated, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as being fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; may be mechanically connected, may be electrically connected or may be in communication with each other; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. Specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to specific situations.

Any process or method descriptions in flow charts or otherwise described herein may be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps of the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fastening device for fastening a panel assembly comprising a panel and a flexible attachment connected to the panel, the fastening device comprising:

a support table for supporting the panel;

a first conduit formed at least partially at the support table for connecting the panel to an external vacuum source to secure the panel to the support table;

the support frame is connected with the support table and is used for supporting the flexible accessory; and

a second conduit formed at least partially on the support bracket for connecting the flexible attachment to the external vacuum source to secure the flexible attachment to the support bracket,

and the support table includes a first support surface for supporting the panel, the first duct includes a first through hole penetrating the first support surface,

the supporting platform is provided with a first containing groove which is positioned on the first supporting surface and is used for containing and positioning the panel, the first through hole is formed on the bottom surface of the first containing groove,

the support frame comprises a second support surface for supporting the flexible accessory, the second pipeline comprises a second through hole penetrating through the second support surface,

the support frame is provided with a second containing groove which is positioned on the second support surface and is used for containing and positioning the flexible accessory, the second through hole is formed in the bottom surface of the second containing groove,

the panel assembly comprises an OLED panel assembly, the panel comprises an OLED panel, the flexible accessory comprises an FPC,

the supporting frame is arranged around the supporting platform in a rotating way,

the number of the first through holes is a plurality of and is distributed in an array,

the support table comprises a first lower surface opposite to the first support surface, the first pipeline comprises a first connecting hole which is formed on the support table, penetrates through the first lower surface and is communicated with the first through hole, the first connecting hole is used for being connected with the external vacuum source,

the number of the second through holes is a plurality, the second through holes are distributed in a matrix,

the support frame comprises a second lower surface opposite to the second support surface, a second connecting hole communicated with the second through hole is formed in the second lower surface of the support frame, the second connecting hole is used for being connected with the external vacuum source,

the fixing device comprises a detection device for detecting the vacuum degree of the first pipeline and the second pipeline,

the fixing device includes:

an alarm device; and

and the processor is connected with the detection device and the alarm device and is used for judging whether the vacuum degree is less than or equal to a preset threshold value and controlling the alarm device to alarm when the vacuum degree is less than or equal to the preset threshold value.

2. The utility model provides a rigging machine which characterized in that includes:

the fixture according to claim 1; and

a bonding device for securing a cover plate and for cooperating with the securing device to bond the panel assembly to the cover plate.

3. The laminating machine of claim 2, wherein the fixture and the laminating device are removably disposed.

4. A method of securing a panel assembly comprising a panel and a flexible attachment connected to the panel, the method comprising:

providing a fixture according to claim 1, the fixture comprising a support table, a first conduit at least partially formed on the support table, a support bracket coupled to the support table, and a second conduit at least partially formed on the support bracket;

5. The method of securing according to claim 4, comprising:

and detecting the vacuum degrees of the first pipeline and the second pipeline.

6. The method of securing according to claim 4, comprising:

judging whether the vacuum degree is less than or equal to a preset threshold value;

issuing an alarm when the vacuum level is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.