JP2000284114A - Production of color filter and color filter and display device as well as device having the display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process for producing color filters capable of suppressing the color mixing phenomenon occurring in the thermal expansion by the heat generation of an ink jet head body. SOLUTION: This process for production is the process for producing the color filters by using the ink jet head which acts thermal energy on ink by a heater for heating the ink and discharges the ink by generating air bubbles, in which the quantity of the heat generated in the ink jet head is controlled by regulating the voltage pulses to be applied to the heater for heating the ink to control the temperature of the ink jet head so as to attain approximately the intermediate value of the heating up process of the ink jet head.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a color filter for manufacturing a color filter using an ink jet head for discharging ink by a bubbling phenomenon of a liquid due to thermal energy, a color filter, a display device and a display device. The present invention relates to an apparatus provided with:

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink jet recording apparatus, control for stabilizing fluctuations in the directionality (landing accuracy) of ink discharge of an ink jet head and the discharge amount has been performed in order to improve the drawing quality. ing.

[0003] As a main method used for these controls, there is a method for controlling the viscosity of the ink which affects the ejection amount by adjusting the ink temperature. In some ink jet head systems that generate bubbles in ink by thermal energy, the conditions under which bubbles are generated are controlled to stabilize the ejection amount.

As a specific method of adjusting the ink temperature,
There is a method of heating the inkjet head body by a heater to perform temperature control, and feeding back a value detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the head body to the temperature control.

[0005] As a method of controlling the bubble generation conditions, the temperature of the ink-jet head main body generated by changing the pulse width of a heat pulse applied to an ink heater to give thermal energy to the ink is controlled. In some cases, control is performed to stabilize ink ejection.

The control modes described above are mainly classified into the following. (1) A device that constantly adjusts the temperature of the inkjet head (2) A device that constantly adjusts the temperature of the inkjet head (3) A device that performs temperature adjustment of the high-temperature inkjet head (4) A device that modulates the pulse width of the heat pulse And so on.

[0007]

Conventionally, when performing the above temperature adjustment, a heater for temperature adjustment and its control device are required for temperature adjustment by heating, and a coolant is used for temperature adjustment by cooling. Peripheral devices such as an additional mechanism for temperature adjustment and a control device are required, such as the necessity of a conduit through which pure water or other coolant passes, and the device configuration is complicated.

In addition, the operation state of the ink jet head used in the ink jet recording apparatus may change depending on the ejection history and the dot density at the time of drawing, and ink ejection unevenness occurs. In particular, in the production of a color filter, minute fluctuations in the ink discharge amount of the inkjet head are visually recognized as density unevenness. Further, there is a problem that the ink jet head thermally expands due to the heat generated by the ink jet head, the nozzle pitch changes, the landing position of the ink droplet shifts, and color mixing occurs. Therefore,
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a color filter manufacturing method, a color filter, a display device, and a color filter capable of suppressing a color mixing phenomenon caused by thermal expansion due to heat generation of an inkjet head body. An object of the present invention is to provide a device including a display device.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the object, a method of manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a color filter using an inkjet head that applies thermal energy to ink by an ink heating heater to generate air bubbles and eject ink. In a manufacturing method, by adjusting a voltage pulse applied to the ink heating heater, the amount of heat generated in the inkjet head is controlled, and the temperature of the inkjet head is set to a substantially intermediate value in a temperature rising process of the inkjet head. It is characterized in that it is controlled so that

In the method of manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the temperature of the ink-jet head is detected by a temperature sensor disposed on the ink-jet head, and the voltage pulse is adjusted based on the detected temperature. It is characterized by:

Further, in the color filter manufacturing method according to the present invention, the adjustment of the voltage pulse is characterized in that the voltage value of the voltage pulse is adjusted.

In the method for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the adjustment of the voltage pulse is characterized in that the frequency of the voltage pulse is adjusted.

In the method of manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the adjustment of the voltage pulse is characterized in that a temporary stop time of the voltage pulse is set.

Further, the color filter according to the present invention comprises:
A color filter manufactured by using an ink jet head that causes thermal energy to act on the ink by an ink heating heater to generate bubbles and discharge the ink, and adjusts a voltage pulse applied to the ink heating heater. Thus, the amount of heat generated in the ink-jet head is controlled, and the temperature of the ink-jet head is controlled to be substantially an intermediate value in a temperature rising process of the ink-jet head.

Further, the display device according to the present invention is a display device having a color filter manufactured by using an ink jet head for applying thermal energy to the ink by an ink heating heater to generate bubbles to discharge the ink. An apparatus, wherein the amount of heat generated in the inkjet head is controlled by adjusting a voltage pulse applied to the heater for heating the ink, so that the temperature of the inkjet head becomes a substantially intermediate value in a temperature rising process of the inkjet head. It is characterized in that a color filter manufactured by controlling as described above and a light amount changing unit that can change the light amount are integrally provided.

Further, in the apparatus provided with the display device according to the present invention, a color ink manufactured by using an ink jet head for applying thermal energy to the ink by an ink heating heater to generate bubbles and discharge the ink. An apparatus provided with a display device having a filter, wherein the amount of heat generated in the inkjet head is controlled by adjusting a voltage pulse applied to the heater for heating the ink, and the temperature of the inkjet head is increased. A display device integrally including a color filter manufactured by controlling the temperature so as to be a substantially intermediate value and a light amount changing unit capable of changing a light amount, and an image signal supply for supplying an image signal to the display device Means.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The color filter defined in the present invention is provided with a colored portion and an object to be colored, and is capable of obtaining output light whose characteristics are changed with respect to input light.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a color filter manufacturing apparatus by an ink-jet method, and shows a state during a coloring process.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 51 denotes an apparatus mount; 52, an XYθ stage disposed on the mount 51; 53, a color filter substrate set on the XYθ stage 52;
Is a color filter formed on the color filter substrate 53; 55 is a head unit composed of red, green, and blue inkjet heads for coloring the color filter 54 and a head mount 55a that supports them;
Denotes a controller that controls the overall operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90, 59 denotes a display unit of the controller, and 60 denotes a keyboard that is an operation unit of the controller.

The head unit 55 is detachably attached to the support portion 90a of the color filter manufacturing apparatus and is mounted so as to be able to adjust the rotation angle in a horizontal plane.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control controller of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90. 59 is a teaching pendant which is an input / output means of the controller 58;
Reference numeral denotes a display unit for displaying information such as the progress of manufacturing and whether or not the head is abnormal. Reference numeral 60 denotes an operation unit (keyboard) for instructing the operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90 and the like.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a controller for controlling the overall operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90; 65, an interface for transferring data to and from the teaching pendant 59; 66, a CPU for controlling the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90; ROM, which stores a control program for operating the color filter, 68, a RAM for storing abnormality information and the like, 70, a discharge control unit for controlling the discharge of ink into each pixel of the color filter, 71, a color filter manufacturing apparatus A stage control unit 90 for controlling the operation of the 90 XYθ stage 52 is connected to the controller 58, and shows a color filter manufacturing apparatus that operates according to the instruction.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an ink jet head IJ.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a general structure of H. In the apparatus of FIG. 1, three ink jet heads are provided corresponding to the three colors of R, G, and B. However, since these three heads have the same structure, respectively, FIG. Is representatively shown for one of the three heads.

In FIG. 3, the ink jet head IJ
H generally includes a heater board 104 on which a plurality of heaters 102 for heating the ink are formed, and a top plate 106 overlaid on the heater board 104. The top plate 106 has a plurality of discharge ports 108.
A tunnel-like liquid passage 110 communicating with the discharge port 108 is formed behind the discharge port 108. Each liquid channel 110 is separated from an adjacent liquid channel by a partition 112. Each fluid channel 110 has one
The two ink liquid chambers 114 are connected in common, and ink is supplied to the ink liquid chambers 114 through ink supply ports 116, and the ink is supplied from the ink liquid chambers 114 to the respective liquid paths 110.

The heater board 104 and the top plate 106
Each heater 102 is positioned so as to come to a position corresponding to each liquid path 110, and assembled in a state as shown in FIG.
Although only two heaters 102 are shown in FIG. 3, one heater 102 is
Are arranged one by one. Then, when a predetermined drive pulse is supplied to the heater 102 in an assembled state as shown in FIG. 3, the ink on the heater 102 boils to form bubbles, and the ink expands from the ejection openings 108 by volume expansion of the bubbles. Extruded and discharged. Therefore, it is possible to control the driving pulse applied to the heater 102, for example, by controlling the magnitude of the electric power, to adjust the size of the bubble,
The volume of the ink ejected from the ejection port can be freely controlled.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ink jet head having a plurality of nozzles for coloring pixels.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 7 denotes an ink jet head having the structure shown in FIG. 3, and reference numerals 8a to 8d denote inks.

As shown in FIG. 4, the amount of ink discharged from each nozzle is often different, and if pixels are colored as they are, color unevenness occurs due to the difference in the amount of ink. Therefore, correction is performed to make the amount of ink applied to each colored pixel constant. For example, the correction is performed by adjusting the number of ink dots (ink dot density) applied to each colored pixel.

In FIG. 4, nozzles having a large discharge amount, such as nozzles 8b and 8d, reduce the number of ink dots to be applied within a pixel, and nozzles having a small discharge amount, such as nozzles 8a and 8c, are provided within a pixel. Increase the number of ink dots to be printed.

As described above, the ink jet head is controlled so as to correct the number of ink dots applied to each pixel, and the pixels are colored.

FIG. 5 is a process chart showing a method for manufacturing a color filter. Then, a black matrix 2 as a light shielding portion is formed on a light transmitting substrate 1 as a color filter forming surface (step (a)).

As the substrate 1, glass is generally used, but a resin such as plastic may be used as long as it does not impair the transparency of the color filter and has necessary characteristics such as mechanical strength according to the use of the color filter. It is possible.

The black matrix 2 is formed by forming a metal film such as chromium on a substrate by a film forming method such as sputtering or vacuum evaporation, and patterning an opening or the like by a photolithographic method. In addition, as the black matrix 2, a material formed by applying a photosensitive black resin and then patterning by a photolithographic method, or a material formed by a printing method can be used.

Next, an ink receiving layer 3 is formed on the substrate (step (b)).

The ink receiving layer 3 has no ink receiving property by itself, but has a positive type showing ink receiving property under a certain condition, or has an ink receiving property by itself.
A negative type that loses ink receptivity under certain conditions, a resin composition having any property, and having a property of curing under certain conditions is applied to the color filter forming surface, and prebaked as necessary. Form. Under certain conditions above,
For example, light irradiation, or light irradiation and heat irradiation are used. For the application of the resin composition, application methods such as spin coating, roll coating, bar coating, spray coating, and dip coating can be used.

In the present embodiment, it is desirable to use a negative photosensitive resin composition which is cured by light irradiation and the portion of which is not absorbed by ink.

The thickness of the ink receiving layer 3 is 0.3 to 0.3 when the color filter of the present embodiment is used for a liquid crystal element.
It is about 3.0 μm.

The ink receptive layer 3 is subjected to pattern exposure using a photomask 4 and a part thereof is cured to form an ink repellent portion 5 having lost ink receptivity (step (c)).

In this case, the photomask 4 shown in FIG.
This is a case where the ink receiving layer 3 is formed using a negative photosensitive resin composition. When the ink receiving layer 3 is formed using a positive photosensitive resin composition, the ink receiving layer 3 is formed at an opening of the black matrix 2 opposite to the photomask 4 for exposing a portion corresponding to the black matrix 2 shown in FIG. The pattern exposure may be performed by using a photomask that exposes the corresponding portion and masking the ink-repellent portion.

As shown in the figure, the ink-repellent portion 5 is formed at a position overlapping the black matrix 2. The width of the ink-repellent portion 5 is preferably formed to be smaller than the width of the black matrix.
It is about 0 to 30.0 μm. Thereby, coloring portions 9a to 9c described later are formed to extend to positions overlapping with the black matrix 2, and white spots are prevented.

The ink 8 of each of R, G, and B is applied to a predetermined position of the unexposed portion 6 of the ink receiving layer 3 from the ink jet head 7 in which the correction data is set in advance by the above-described step of correcting the ejection amount. (Step (d) and Step (e)).

Each unexposed portion is surrounded by the ink-repellent layer 5.

In the present invention, as the ink jet system, a bubble jet type using an electrothermal converter or a piezo jet type using a piezoelectric element can be used as an energy generating element, and the coloring area and the coloring pattern can be set arbitrarily. can do.

In the present embodiment, both dye-based and pigment-based inks can be used as the coloring ink.
Further, the ink is not limited to a liquid at room temperature, but is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, and softens at room temperature or is a liquid. In general, the temperature is adjusted within the range described above, and the temperature is controlled so that the viscosity of the ink is in the stable ejection range. Therefore, a liquid in which the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied is preferably used.

Further, if necessary, the ink is dried.
Heat treatment is performed to completely cure the entire ink receiving layer 3 and fix the ink, thereby forming colored portions 9a to 9c of each color.
Thereby, the color filter 10 is formed. Thereafter, if necessary, a protective layer 11 is formed on the color filter 10 (step (f)).

As the protective layer 11, a resin film of a photo-curing type, a thermosetting type, or a combination of light and heat, an inorganic film formed by vapor deposition, sputtering, or the like can be used. Can be used as long as it can withstand the subsequent ITO forming step, alignment film forming step, and the like.

FIGS. 6 to 8 are sectional views showing the basic structure of a color liquid crystal display device 30 incorporating the above-mentioned color filters.

The color liquid crystal display device is generally formed by combining the color filter substrate 1 with the counter substrate 21 and enclosing the liquid crystal compound 18. A TFT (Thin Film Transistor) is provided inside one substrate 21 of the liquid crystal display device.
r) (not shown) and transparent pixel electrodes 20 are formed in a matrix. In addition, a color filter 54 is provided inside the other substrate 1 so that RGB color materials are arranged at positions facing the pixel electrodes, and a transparent counter electrode (common electrode) 16 is formed on the entire surface. Is done. The black matrix 2 is usually formed on the color filter substrate 1 side (see FIG. 6), but is formed on the opposite TFT substrate side in a BM (black matrix) on-array type liquid crystal panel (see FIG. 7). Further, an alignment film 19 is formed in the planes of both substrates, and rubbing the alignment film 19 allows liquid crystal molecules to be aligned in a certain direction. A polarizing plate 1 is provided outside each glass substrate.
The liquid crystal compound 18 is filled in the gap (about 2 to 5 μm) between these glass substrates.
In addition, a combination of a fluorescent lamp (not shown) and a scattering plate (not shown) is generally used as the backlight, and the display is performed by making the liquid crystal compound function as an optical shutter that changes the transmittance of the backlight light. I do.

As shown in FIG. 8, a colored portion may be formed on the pixel electrode 20 to function as a color filter. That is, the colored portion constituting the color filter is not limited to being formed on the glass substrate. In the form shown in FIG. 8, an ink receiving layer is formed on a pixel electrode and ink is applied to the receiving layer, and a resin ink containing a coloring material is directly irradiated on the pixel electrode. is there.

An example in which such a liquid crystal display device is applied to an information processing device will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the above-mentioned liquid crystal display device is applied to an information processing device having functions as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile device, and a copying device.

In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, which includes a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / O ports, outputs control signals and data signals to each unit, and controls signals from each unit. And control by inputting data signals. Reference numeral 1802 denotes a display unit, on which various menus, document information, and the image reader 18 are displayed.
In step 07, the read image data and the like are displayed. 18
Reference numeral 03 denotes a transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like, it is possible to input items, coordinate positions, and the like on the display unit 1802.

Numeral 1804 denotes an FM (Frequency Modulation) sound source section, which stores music information created by a music editor or the like as digital data in the memory section 1810 or the external storage device 1812, reads out the FM information from the memory or the like, and reads the FM information.
The modulation is performed. The electric signal from the FM sound source unit 1804 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 1805.
The printer unit 1806 is used as an output terminal of a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

Reference numeral 1807 denotes an image reader unit for reading and inputting original data photoelectrically, which is provided in the original conveying path and reads various originals other than facsimile originals and copy originals.

Reference numeral 1808 denotes facsimile transmission of original data read by the image reader unit 1807 and facsimile (F) for receiving and decoding the transmitted facsimile signal.
AX), and has an external interface function. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.

Reference numeral 1810 denotes a ROM that stores a system program, a manager program, other application programs, character fonts, a dictionary, and the like; application programs and document information loaded from an external storage device 1812; and a memory that includes a video RAM and the like. Department.

Reference numeral 1811 denotes a keyboard for inputting document information and various commands.

Reference numeral 1812 denotes an external storage device using a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, or the like as a storage medium. The external storage device 1812 stores document information, music or voice information, user application programs, and the like.

FIG. 10 is a schematic overview of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1901 denotes a flat panel display using the above-mentioned liquid crystal display device, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information and the like. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 with a finger or the like on the display 1901, coordinate input and item designation input can be performed. A handset 1902 is used when the device functions as a telephone. Keyboard 190
3 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord,
Various document functions and various data inputs can be performed. The keyboard 1903 has various function keys 1904.
Etc. are provided. 1905 is an external storage device 1812
This is the slot for the floppy disk.

Reference numeral 1906 denotes a paper placing portion on which a document to be read by the image reader portion 1807 is placed, and the read document is discharged from the rear of the apparatus. In the case of facsimile reception or the like, printing is performed by the inkjet printer 1907.

When the information processing apparatus functions as a personal computer or a word processor, various information input from the keyboard unit 1811 is processed by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program, and
The image is output to an image 806.

When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, facsimile information input from a facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808 via a communication line is received and processed by a control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program.
Is output as a received image.

When functioning as a copier, a document is read by an image reader unit 1807, and the read document data is sent to a printer unit 18 via a control unit 1801.
06 is output as a copy image. When functioning as a facsimile receiver, the image reader unit 1
The original data read by 807 is transmitted to control unit 180.
After transmission processing according to a predetermined program by 1
The data is transmitted to the communication line via the facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808.

It should be noted that the information processing apparatus described above may be of an integrated type having a built-in ink jet printer as shown in FIG. 11, and in this case, the portability can be further improved. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals.

Next, a method for preventing color mixture in this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the ink jet head used when manufacturing the color filter causes the ink to be ejected from the nozzles by the force of the bubbles generated by instantaneously heating the ink. Things. It has been confirmed that the temperature of the ink jet head main body is increased by the heater for heating the ink. As shown in FIG. 12, the fluctuation of the nozzle pitch of the ink jet head due to the thermal expansion causes the landing position to shift, and the adjacent pixels are shifted. Phenomenon of mixing colors between colors (mixed colors)
Occurs.

In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, the temperature rise of the ink jet head body is corrected, and coloring without displacement of the landing position is performed as shown in FIG.

As a method of correcting the temperature rise of the ink jet head main body, the driving voltage of the ink jet head (the voltage value of the driving pulse applied to the heater for heating the ink) is set as follows.
Using the correction coefficient obtained from the relationship between the inkjet head body temperature and the drive voltage, the inkjet head body temperature is controlled to be constant. In addition, the temperature of the inkjet head body is measured by a temperature sensor arranged in the inkjet head, and the measured temperature is fed back to the control device to control the driving voltage.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the relationship between the driving voltage of the ink jet head and the temperature of the main body of the ink jet head. In this case, the heat pulse (driving pulse) control was carried out under the same conditions by changing only the driving voltage of the ink jet head. . At this time, the correction coefficient of the drive voltage for lowering the temperature of the ink jet head body by 1 ° C. is 0.9682.
4167.

Using this correction coefficient, control is performed to change the drive voltage of the ink jet head so that the temperature of the ink jet head main body when coloring the color filter becomes substantially constant. In this correction, when the color filter is colored by a plurality of passes (a plurality of scans of the inkjet head), the drive voltage of the inkjet head is changed for each pass. In addition, control is performed such that the temperature of the inkjet head is substantially intermediate between the minimum temperature and the maximum temperature in the temperature rising process by the ink ejection operation of the inkjet head. The nozzle pitch of the inkjet head is adjusted in advance so as to coincide with the pixel pitch of the color filter at a substantially intermediate temperature. As a method of adjusting the nozzle pitch, a method of inclining the inkjet head by a predetermined angle with respect to the scanning direction is generally used.

FIG. 15 shows an effect comparison after the correction of the driving voltage. It can be seen that by controlling the driving voltage of the inkjet head using the correction coefficient, the temperature rise of the inkjet head main body is effectively kept substantially constant.
The thermal expansion of the inkjet head and the landing deviation of the ejected ink droplets are considered to be the same, and the allowable deviation due to temperature rise between the nozzles used is desirably within ± 5 μm. The temperature of the ink jet head body is controlled so that the deviation of the nozzle and the nozzle has a temperature fluctuation within the range of ± 5 μm or less.

The change of the ink jet head drive voltage may be performed by control other than every pass. For example, by constantly monitoring the temperature of the main body of the inkjet head and changing the drive voltage in real time, the temperature of the main body of the inkjet head can be maintained more accurately and constant.

Other methods for suppressing the temperature of the ink-jet head body include a method of suppressing a rise in the temperature of the ink-jet head body by widening the intervals at which ink is discharged, a method of providing a pause between passes, and a method of driving ink discharge. A method of lowering the frequency is also conceivable.

The present invention can be applied to a modification or modification of the above embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, in recent years, there has been a panel provided with a color filter on the TFT array side. However, the color filter defined in this specification is an object to be colored colored with a coloring material, and is provided on the TFT array side. Both are included, regardless of whether or not.

The present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection, particularly in an ink jet recording system. The printing apparatus of the type that causes a change in the state of the ink has been described.
High definition can be achieved.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is applicable to both on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubbles are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a replaceable chip type, which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or integrated with the print head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and printing Performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection is also effective for performing stable printing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, any ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, or one that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. What is necessary is that the ink is in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to easily and accurately control the temperature of the inkjet head main body without using a complicated temperature control device, and as a result, elongation due to thermal expansion of the inkjet head main body is suppressed. This makes it possible to manufacture a high-quality color filter without color mixture between adjacent pixels.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit that controls the operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an ink jet head used in a color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ink jet head used for coloring a color filter.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a manufacturing process of a color filter.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a basic configuration of a color liquid crystal display device incorporating a color filter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the basic configuration of the color liquid crystal display device incorporating the color filter of one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of the basic configuration of the color liquid crystal display device incorporating the color filter of one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a landing displacement of an ink droplet due to thermal expansion of an inkjet head.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink droplet landing state when the temperature of the main body of the inkjet head is controlled.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a driving voltage of the inkjet head and a temperature of the inkjet head main body.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a head temperature control effect after the drive voltage of the inkjet head is corrected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 substrate 2 black matrix 3 ink receiving layer 4 photomask 5 ink repellent part 6 unexposed part 7 inkjet head 8, 8a to 8d ink 9a to 9c ink colored part 10 color filter 11 protective layer

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 EA12 EB07 EB30 EC07 EC42 FA03 FB01 2H048 BA02 BA11 BA45 BA64 BB02 BB14 BB15 BB43

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a color filter using an ink jet head that causes thermal energy to act on ink by an ink heating heater to generate bubbles and discharge the ink, wherein the method is applied to the ink heating heater. By adjusting the voltage pulse, the amount of heat generated in the ink-jet head is controlled, and the temperature of the ink-jet head is controlled so as to be substantially an intermediate value in the temperature rising process of the ink-jet head. Production method. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the inkjet head is detected by a temperature sensor disposed on the inkjet head, and the voltage pulse is adjusted based on the detected temperature. Manufacturing method of color filter. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the voltage pulse is adjusting a voltage value of the voltage pulse. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the voltage pulse includes adjusting a frequency of the voltage pulse. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the voltage pulse includes setting a temporary pause time of the voltage pulse. 6. A color filter manufactured by using an ink jet head that causes thermal energy to act on ink by an ink heating heater to generate bubbles and discharge the ink, wherein the color filter is added to the ink heating heater. By adjusting the voltage pulse, the amount of heat generated in the ink-jet head is controlled, and the temperature of the ink-jet head is controlled to be a substantially intermediate value in the temperature rising process of the ink-jet head. Color filter to be used. 7. A display device comprising a color filter manufactured by using an ink jet head that causes thermal energy to act on ink by an ink heating heater to generate bubbles and discharge the ink, wherein the ink heating is performed. By controlling the amount of heat generated in the ink-jet head by adjusting the voltage pulse applied to the heater, the temperature of the ink-jet head is controlled to be substantially the middle value of the temperature rising process of the ink-jet head. A display device, comprising: a color filter; and a light amount changing means for changing a light amount. 8. An apparatus provided with a display device having a color filter manufactured using an ink jet head that causes thermal energy to act on the ink by an ink heating heater to generate bubbles and discharge the ink. By controlling the voltage pulse applied to the heater for heating the ink, the amount of heat generated in the inkjet head is controlled, and the temperature of the inkjet head is controlled so as to be a substantially intermediate value in the temperature rising process of the inkjet head. A display device, comprising: a display device integrally including a color filter manufactured by the above-described method and a light amount changing unit that can change a light amount; and an image signal supply unit that supplies an image signal to the display device. With the device.